Synopses & Reviews
Of the many recent books on the historical Jesus, none has explored what the latest biblical scholarship means for personal faith. Now, in
Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, Marcus Borg addresses the yearnings of those who want a fully contemporary faith that welcomes rather than oppresses our critical intelligence and openness to the best of historical scholarship. Borg shows how a rigorous examination of historical findings can lead to a new faith in Christ, one that is critical and, at the same time, sustaining.
"Believing in Jesus does not mean believing doctrines about him," Borg writes. "Rather, it means to give one's heart, one's self at its deepest level, to . . . the living Lord."
Drawing on his own journey from a naive, unquestioning belief in Christ through collegiate scepticism to a mature and contemporary Christian faith, Borg illustrates how an understanding of the historical Jesus can actually lead to a more authentic Christian life--one not rooted in creeds or dogma, but in a life of spiritual challenge, compassion, and community.
In straightforward, accessible prose, Borg looks at the major findings of modern Jesus scholarship from the perspective of faith, bringing alive the many levels of Jesus' character: spirit person, teacher of alternative wisdom, social prophet, and movement founder. He also reexamines the major stories of the Old Testament vital to an authentic understanding of Jesus, showing how an enriched understanding of these stories can uncover new truths and new pathways to faith.
For questioning believers, doubters, and reluctant unbelievers alike, Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time frees our understanding of Jesus' life and message from popular misconceptions and outlines the way to a sound and contemporary faith: "For ultimately, Jesus is not simply a figure of the past, but a figure of the present. Meeting that Jesus--the living one who comes to us even now--will be like meeting Jesus again for the first time."
Review
“Borg has done a great service for all of us in drawing upon contemporary research to present a fresh and imaginative picture of Jesus that has profound implications for contemporary faith.” Praying
Review
“It is impossible to read this beautifully written book and remain unenlightened by the results of Jesus research, or untouched by the power of Jesus way.” Elizabeth A. Johnson, author of She Who Is
Review
“A book of rare excellence.” L. William Countryman, The Church Divinity School of the Pacific
Review
“For many contemporary Christians, Biblical scholarship is seen as the enemy of faith. In a personal and highly readable account, Marcus Borg shows how Christians can explore contemporary scholarship as a way toward a far more dynamic and meaningful faith.” Rosemary Radford Ruether, author of Gaia and God
Review
“In this small but eloquent and learned book, Borg… directs his readers, especially those who have found no meaningful image of Jesus, away from confessed doctrines about Jesus (what the gospels and the churches say about Him) and toward a relationship with the Spirit of God.” Publishers Weekly
Review
“Borg provides an account of contemporary Jesus scholarship-told in simply language for lay readers-and of his personal struggle to find authentic, mature faith. Highly recommended.” Library Journal
Review
“Just the sort of book on Jesus that we really need--a classy wedding of first-rate biblical research and solid spirituality in beautiful, clear English that makes it a pleasure to read.” Sandra M. Schneiders, Graduate Theological Union, author of The Relevatory Text
Synopsis
Of the many recent books on the historical Jesus, none has explored what the latest biblical scholarship means for personal faith. Now, in
Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, Marcus Borg addresses the yearnings of those who want a fully contemporary faith that welcomes rather than oppresses our critical intelligence and openness to the best of historical scholarship. Borg shows how a rigorous examination of historical findings can lead to a new faith in Christ, one that is critical and, at the same time, sustaining.
Drawing on his own journey from a naïve, unquestioning belief in Christ through collegiate skepticism to a mature and contemporary Christian faith, Borg illustrates how an understanding of the historical Jesus can actually lead to a more authentic Christian life—one not rooted in creed or dogma, but in a life of spiritual challenge, compassion, and community.
In straightforward, accessible prose, Borg looks at the major findings of modern Jesus scholarship from the perspective of faith, bringing alive the many levels of Jesus's character: spirit person, teacher of alternative wisdom, social prophet, and movement founder. He also reexamines the major stories of the Old Testament vital to an authentic understanding of Jesus, showing how an enriched understanding of these stories can uncover new truths and new pathways to faith.
Synopsis
Jay Parinis
Jesus brings the powerful narrative skills of an award-winning novelist to a figure who has affected and changed many lives in a profound way. Parini considers the story in all its mythical radiance, taking Jesus as the human face of God, a figure whose self-sacrifice has inspired men and women for twenty centuries.
Synopsis
Jay Parini brings a lifes worth of contemplation on Jesus to the first volume in ICONS, a series of brief, thought-provoking biographies edited by James Atlas. In Jesus, Parini turns the powerful narrative skill hes wielded over the course of a four-decade career to a figure whos dominated our collective imagination and cultural iconography for over twenty centuries.
The main trend of modern theology has hinged on the notion of “demythologizing” Jesus. Parinis book seeks to re-mythologize him, considering the story in all its mythical radiance, taking Jesus as the human face of God. It asks: Whats so moving about Jesuss story that millions of people over two millennia have considered it a paradigm for living?
Far from dogmatic, Parini looks at the many ways in which Jesus has been viewed and dramatizes the transformation from Jesus to Christ, man to myth, and obscure Jewish carpenter to someone who pointed a finger toward God and said with conviction: This is the way. Follow me.
About the Author
Marcus J. Borg (1942-2015) was a pioneering author and teacher whom the New York Times described as "a leading figure in his generation of Jesus scholars." He was the Hundere Distinguished Professor of Religion and Culture at Oregon State University and canon theologian at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland, and he appeared on NBC's The Today Show and Dateline, ABC's World News, and NPR's Fresh Air. His books have sold over a million copies, including the bestselling Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, Jesus, The Heart of Christianity, Evolution of the Word, Speaking Christian, and Convictions.
Table of Contents
Preface ix1. Ancient Palestine 1
2. In the Beginning 13
3. The Dove Descending: His Ministry Begins 30
4. Walking in Galilee: The Healer and Teacher 44
5. Entering Jerusalem 79
6. The Passion: From Gesthsemene to Golgotha 99
7. Resurrection 118
8. The Afterlife of Jesus 136
Acknowledgments 154
Notes 155
Select Bibliography 168