Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time : The Historical Jesus and the Heart of Contemporary Faith by Marcus J. Borg ISBN: 0-06-060917-6 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 03 March, 1995 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (61 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A Wake Up Call to Christians
Comment: First let me say, I think it is appropriate to evaluate this book on the basis of how much it made me think, not on whether I agree with the author. I think that in writing this book, Borg set out to make people think about and question their image of Jesus and the Christian life, and hopefully as a result grow into a more enriching relationship with Christ. Borg did a superb job in fulfilling this purpose. I am a Christian, and this book really helped me understand Jesus and how I might better relate to Him.
Second, I will say that I don't think it is appropriate to criticize the book because the author did not provide convincing evidence to support his positions. That could not have been accomplished in 150 pages. Borg takes positions that differ from the orthodox dogmas of Christianity today, such as his argument that Jesus did not understand himself as the Messiah, or as God. Borg makes his arguments clearly and logically, and if the reader wants to see the evidence to back it up, I suggest reading other books by Borg and other fellows of the Jesus Seminar. Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time is short, straightforward, and non-academic enough to reach and interest the "average" Christian and motivate him or her to ask the right questions about the Christian faith. Hopefully, this book will be only the beginning of one's renewed quest for truth.
Borg begins by describing his own journey and the images of Jesus and the faith that he held at different ages. Many, including myself can relate to him. Like many, Borg went through a stage in which his Christianity was stale and irrelevant. The reason Borg gives, which I think accounts for back-slidings among many believers, is that the images of Jesus he grew up with did not speak to what he experienced as real life. I think that the faith of many ends up in this valley of dry bones, and unfortunately, the bones never live again. The church is trying vainly to reach these people. These dry-bones Christians try vainly to find revitalization of life and faith in the tired religion of their childhood, and some find revitalization in alternative belief systems. Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time should be a must-read for Christians who feel that their faith has dried out, and for people in the church who wish to reach them.
The last chapter, "Images of Jesus and Images of the Christian Life" is especially powerful. In my opinion, a full Christian understanding of Jesus is incomplete without coming to terms with the cross and the resurrection, and Borg does not disappoint his readers. The last chapter challenged me to a new understanding of the death and resurrection of Jesus, in the light of the whole message of the Bible, or what Borg calls the three "Macro Stories" of the Exodus, the Exile, and the Priestly Tradition. This message made the death and resurrection much more relevant to my faith.
I am so excited about this book, that I will recommend it to friends and family, lend my copy to others, and give the book as gifts. It is without a doubt, a refreshing call to revitalize our understanding of Jesus and the Christian faith.
Rating: 3
Summary: A Catchy Title for a Pretty Good Book
Comment: When the book MEETING JESUS AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME was published in 1994, it caused quite a stir. The book was the product of Biblical scholar Marcus Borg, a member of "The Jesus Seminar." This group of scholars retranslated the Gospels of Jesus Christ, including the Gospel of Thomas, generally considered to be a Gnostic text and therefore not included in the canon of scripture. The major controversy surrounding the group centers around the sayings of Jesus Christ that the group considers actual words of Jesus Christ and those which the scholars believe are additions by the evangelists or some of Jesus' other disciples. The seminar's intention is good enough. It wants to strip from Jesus Christ some of the layers of tradition that these scholars believe obscure the true message of Jesus Christ. The major difficulty is that the members of the Jesus Seminar discount the role of tradition in understanding Jesus Christ, which turns out to take away some of Jesus' most critical teachings.
Borg, more than any other member of the group, tries to make his research applicable to believers today. This book is one of his efforts. While readers will more than likely find Borg's ideas interesting, and will know that they are reading the book of a scholar who has done a great deal of research, readers may also find that the book seems to be lacking something. The Jesus of this book is comforting, but not very challenging. If the Jesus of this book lived today, he would probably live in a nice community, be active in somewhat progressive and liberal organizations, vote Democrat, and attend a mainline Protestant denomination or liberal Catholic Church. This Jesus would have a social consciousness but would not be as strong in social justice issues as a reader of the catholic Worker or Sojourners would be. Jesus Christ would be somewhat upper middle class and followers such as Mary Magdalene would be soccer moms.
While some of this review might sound a bit tongue in cheek, or even a bit sarcastic, I do believe the book is important. Even if people do not agree with all of Borg's findings, he does challenge us to rethink what we know and believe about Jesus Christ. Such a rethinking keeps Christian communities alive. I also know people who have read the book who have been alienated from Christianity due to the harsh way in which the faith was taught, differences with mainline Churches regarding sexuality, or people who are simply uncomfortable with formal religion yet want to belong to a religious group. This book has helped these readers that everyone can find a home in Christianity. If people disagree with this finding, I do not recommend rereading Borg's book, but the gospels on which the book is based to see that Borg's inviting words are in keeping with the teachings of Jesus.
Rating: 4
Summary: one of the best of it's kind!
Comment: Finally a book that helps bridge the gap between the two worlds: Faith and history / science. Very impressive work!
 |
Title: The God We Never Knew : Beyond Dogmatic Religion To A More Authenthic Contemporary Faith by Marcus J. Borg ISBN: 0060610352 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 01 June, 1998 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
 |
Title: The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith by Marcus J. Borg ISBN: 0060526769 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 23 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $22.95 |
 |
Title: Reading the Bible Again for the First Time: Taking the Bible Seriously But Not Literally by Marcus J. Borg ISBN: 0060609184 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 19 February, 2001 List Price(USD): $24.00 |
 |
Title: Meaning of Jesus : Two Visions by Marcus J. Borg, N Wright ISBN: 0060608765 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 01 April, 2000 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
 |
Title: Jesus and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings by Marcus J. Borg, Jack Kornfield, Ray Riegert ISBN: 1569751692 Publisher: Ulysses Press Pub. Date: January, 1999 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
