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Books » Religion » Bible » General
Reading the Bible Again for the First Time
http://www.fishpond.co.nz/Books/Reading-Bible-Again-for-First-Time-MJ-Borg/9780060609191
Taking the Bible Seriously but Not Literally
By
M.J. Borg
RRP $28.99 $20.34 Save $8.65 (30%)20.34
Free shipping NZ wide Ships within 24 hours from USA supplier | Rating: | | | Format: | Paperback, 336 pages | | Release Date: | 03 April 2002 |
Urges readers to embrace both science and faith, using Old and New Testament texts to show how this is possible, and explaining how such stories serve as a vital teaching tool for exploring one's relationship with God and Jesus. ReviewsBorg (religion, Oregon State Univ.) initially understood the Bible as the authoritative word of God and later saw it through the lens of modern critical thinkers. Now he has moved on to see the Bible with a postmodernist perspective. Reading biblical stories, he finds the truth in events to be the truth of metaphors; in this, he has discovered a path free from "spiritual bondage to the lords of convention and culture." Readings become a "sacramental" and "relational" experience of the presence of God, affirming that, as in the sacrament of communion, the Spirit of God addresses us "in, with, and under" the human words of the Bible. The book provides many excellent metaphorical readings of biblical accounts, which unify the Bible's stories. Borg's thinking and judgments are highly subjective, however, and the themes he chooses to promote are freedom and political correctness. In doing so, he completely ignores the Bible's dominant, redemptive theme that culminates in Jesus Christ. Recommended for large public libraries. George Westerlund, formerly with Providence P.L. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information. "This welcome book removes many of the barriers that separate thoughtful people from the wisdom of the Bible."--Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People The title of this book comes from the author's experience of "unlearning" his literal reading of the Bible from childhood in favor of a "historical-metaphorical" reading derived from his 35 years of studying the Bible as an academic. Borg, an Episcopalian who teaches at Oregon State University, is a member of the Jesus Seminar, author of The God We Never Knew and the counterpoint to evangelical N.T. Wright in The Meaning of Jesus: Two Views. Borg offers a highly readable and succinct introduction to biblical criticism, outlining the kinds of cultural, theological and historical lenses through which people read the Bible and explaining how those readings affect their relation to God. The historical-metaphorical reading that Borg presents includes both the "historical illumination of a text in its ancient context" and a metaphorical approach that "enables us to see and affirm meanings that go beyond the particularity of what the texts meant in their ancient setting." He applies this approach to the Bible in sections, wending his way from the creation stories to Revelation even as he advocates a journey from "precritical naivete" (the acceptance that the Bible is literally true) through "critical thinking" to "postcritical naivete" (accepting again that the Bible is true even if that truth does not depend upon factuality). The book is copiously footnoted without being in the least stodgy, and is open about Borg's own spiritual journey without being didactic or disrespectful of the tradition he has left. (Mar.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information. |
| Publisher: | HarperSanFrancisco | | ISBN: | 0060609192 |
| EAN: | 9780060609191 | | Dimensions: | 20.52 x 13.51 x 2.06 centimeters (0.25 kg) |
| Age Range: |
15+ years |
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 – Customer review on 10/11/2009
This book presents a fascinating read on cultural, traditional and philosophical aspects of Christianity as a human-centered religion, but offers nothing at all on what this 'way' or 'truth' or 'life' is that Borg is upholding - yes he affirms that Jesus is this 'way', conclusive as "the path of transition and transformation from an old way of being to a new way of being',but how is this lived out? It seems to be left up to the individual to determine what this means for the 'way' they live. But I believe God makes it so clear that this way is through salvation, through the death and resurrection of Jesus himself who paid our penalty of death so we could be restored into relationship with God and transformed to be like Christ. This is the centre of Christianity. Its not about the religion or the philosophy or the claims of metaphorical interpretation - I am no expert so I will not go there - but a lot of what Borg says is trivial, useless, and reduces Christianity to a social institution based on subjective experience. There is no use for Jesus in a religion like that, except for providing a feel-good spirituality. To me, there are huge holes in his view on Christology and grace and all it leaves me with is a wishy-washy, watered down "other gospel" that Paul warns against in Galatians. I would perhaps be willing to appreciate his interpretation of Scripture if it was founded on Jesus, on the cross, on God's plan of salvation for humankind, but it is sorely lacking. If you want Jesus, He's gotta be who He says He is, or else everything we base upon Him is meaningless.
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 – Customer review on 11/09/2009
Really really interesting - gives a different perspective & way of looking at things written in the Bible, written by a Christian Historian. I found it brilliant, totally worth the read, expanded my view and really glad I read it. Possibly not a good read for those who are not openminded about the Bible not 'all' being total truth.
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– Customer review on 22/02/2008
Great book and must if you're taking Theology at the University of Auckland!
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– Customer review on 25/01/2008
Borg's writing is simple, and yet profound. He writes with simplicity without ever becoming simplistic. This book successfully shows how the Bible can be a meaningful and authoritative book without having to be dominated by literalism or believing hard things to be true. For instance, miracles: most people get caught up on whether or not they happened. Borg's solution, however, is to focus on the meaning of such events rather than the historicity.
A great read.
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