Jesus: Uncovering the Life, Teachings, Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary

Jesus: Uncovering the Life, Teachings, and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary

by Marcus J. Borg

HarperCollins, New York, New York   © 2006   311 pp.

In his usual clear, lucid prose, Marcus Borg frames his book on the following sometimes overlapping paradigms or viewpoints of Jesus. Borg’s reservations are in parentheses.

1. The Dying Savior.  Jesus died for our sins, thus the Christian life is centered on sin, guilt and forgiveness.

2. The Divine Human.  Has superhuman powers, only appears to be human. Life is centered on believing that Jesus was the Son of God. (Borg asks: So why try to emulate him?)

3. The Apocalyptic Jesus.  Soon Jesus will come again to judge. Life is centered upon being prepared for the second coming and judgement, soon. (Borg asks: So why work for justice, peace, environment?)

4. Jesus as Teacher.  Focus upon Jesus as teacher. Life centered upon moralistic principles. (Borg asks:  So what about the rest of the Jesus story, and what about deeper transformation in God?)

Highly recommended for Christians wanting to deepen their Christian understanding and practice.

-- reviewed by Wesley Lachman