Now in paperback, renowned and beloved author Marcus Borg presents a renewed way of being Christian for the twenty-first century. Borg reveals that, when properly understood, the vital elements of Christian faith are more compelling than ever. Borg offers a practical guide to thinking about God, Jesus, the Bible, faith, and Christian practice. He shows how faith in God and Jesus has never really been about believing certain propositions but rather about a dynamic relationship. He shows that being "born again" is at the center of Christian life and that the "kingdom of God" is a matter of transforming society into real world values of justice and love. And that the Christian life is essentially about opening one's heart - to God and to others.

About the Author

Marcus J. Borg is Hundere Distinguished Professor of Religion and Culture at Oregon State University and author of the bestselling Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, The God We Never Knew with N. T. Wright., and Jesus: A New Vision. He was an active member of the Jesus Seminar when it focused on the historical Jesus and he has been chair of the Historical Jesus section of the Society of Biblical Literature. In great demand as a speaker throughout the United States and Canada, he increasingly focuses on the topic of this book--How To Be A True Christian in the Contemporary World--since it is of vital concern to those who hear him speak and read his books.

Reviews

Borg follows up two of his previous releases about the Bible and Jesus with a volume that could easily have played on those titles, because this highly readable book is essentially about looking at Christianity again for the first time. In that respect, it provides a valuable glimpse into the essence of Christianity for those who have left the faith because they no longer believe its doctrines and those who are trying to remain in the faith while questioning its doctrines. With those people in mind, Borg emphasizes the transformational aspect of Christianity by examining the "emerging paradigm" that is gradually replacing the belief-centered paradigm of the last several hundred years. The new paradigm, Borg writes, is about loving God and loving what God loves, rather than rigidly adhering to a specific set of beliefs. In exploring this new way of "being Christian," Borg offers a middle ground for conservative and liberal Christiansthough it's unlikely conservatives will conclude, as he does, that Jesus was not really the Son of God, nor are liberals likely to begin using the term "born again," as he advocates. Still, there's much here that both sides can agree on, possibly helping to bring them a step closer to the unity that has eluded them for centuries. As always, Borg writes with clarity and precision, which should also help the ongoing conversation. (Oct.) Forecast: Borg, whose popularizations of biblical scholarship have earned him quite a following, will do a nine-city author tour to promote this title, which has a 40,000-copy first printing. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

"A winsome, accessible, pastoral offering ... Borg provides a way for an important, positive, and serious rethinking of the gospel."--Walter Brueggemann, Christian Century