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Summary: Biblical scholarships should not pander
Review: As a member of the Jesus Seminar Borg has helped readers to see that much of the Gospels is pure invention. But then he tries to recreate a reason for believing in Jesus despite all evidence that we don't know much about Jesus. This is dishonest. Good biblical scholarship can only lead to the conclusion that Judaism and Christianity (Islam too) are fraudulent -- yes, well written with real literary qualities -- but simply fantasy. The founder of modern biblical scholarship, Benedict Spinoza, did not pander. Neither should Borg and his fellow epigones.
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Summary: Outstanding book for the "thinking" Christian
Review: As Marcus Borg says in his introduction, a religion which requires you to turn off your brain will not survive in the 21st century. I have enjoyed all of Borg's books, but this is by far his best, synthesizing his views and personalizing them. It is the perfect antedote to fundamentalism. His deep commitment to his faith stands side-by-side with his interest in the historical Jesus, and this book makes them work together. If I had to give someone a book that explains my approach to Christianity, it would be this book
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Summary: A compelling modern faith system
Review: Borg really does not say anything new. As one who has read modern theology for many years, I believe it is an excellent repackaging and remix of other more tedious works. Borg uses terminology from Evangelical Christianity. The terms, though, are but a hollow shell when the heart of Christian doctrine is carved out. He embraces the transforming power of the message, yet brushes aside the fact that by far the majority of people who are changed are those who believe in a more conservative Christology. Perhaps Borg should present this "new" theological viewpoint as a discreet new religion different from that of St. Paul, St. Augustine, St. Thomas, Martin Luther, Erasmus, or C. S. Lewis. If his theology is so good, it should stand on its own and not on the back of Evangelical terminology and the 2000-year-old Christian label. Borg makes the mistake of many modern religionists assuming that the reason traditional Christian doctrine does not work in the modern world is that people are too well informed and sophisticated to believe it is true. For decades theologians have been earnestly reinventing, repackaging, modernizing and mellowing out that traditional Christian doctrine for the modern mind. Thought it is intuitive to think that this modern approach is the key to reinvigorating Christianity, it simply is not the case. Therefore, with his hollowed out message should come a disclaimer that, even though the author genuinely believes in it, it does not work. A survey of the decline in liberal old-line denominational churches gives strong evidence that this surreal, new age style message is not attracting people to the church. Though it offends very few, it attracts very few as well. The book highlights the power of the Christian message to transform. However compelling this fact is, it is not of much substance on its own. Personal transformation and mystic experience does not need Christianity in any form nor does it require any of the traditional religions. The irony with this book's title is that the Christianity loses its heart without the rest of the New Testament message. Borg does, however, present a compelling modern faith system.
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Summary: Not About Christianity at All
Review: Christianity without relying on the Bible is like basketball without the ball. Borg's book misnamed "The Heart of Christianity" is not about Christianity at all.
The core belief of Christianity is that there is one God who has revealed himself to humanity through the Bible. He created the world by intelligent design (Genesis 1:1)http://www.evolution-facts.org/. He gave us free will and allowed us not to love him, which resulted in our choice that brought all pain and destruction into the world(Genesis 3). It broke our relationship with others and with him. Because he is perfectly loving he promised in Genesis(http://biblia.com/jesusbible/types.htm) and throughout the Old Testament to fix the broken relationship. The Bible writes that Around 2000 years ago, God came into the world in the form of a man Jesus Christ who lived the perfect life that Adam could not and died for all people, to make us right with him and allow us to know him personally(John 3:16). We are saved by faith apart from what we do(different from most religions who say you are saved by "being a good person"), but called to love God with all our heart soul and mind and to love others as we love ourselves(Mark 12:30-31). Though religions have common ethical beliefs, they have irreconcilable differences in their picture of God. Ultimately Christianity is about "Jesus Christ". Roughly 2000 years ago a man lived in Israel and fulfilled promises that were made throughout the Old Testament. Christianity is based on faith in Jesus Christ. In Christianity, the love of others that Borg talks about stems from God loving us.
Many people who call themselves Christians are not and many believers are hypocrites, and ignore God's call to love each other. As a Christian I fall short too, and I apologize if any Christian(or someone who's called themselves a Christian) has ever been arrogant or looked down on you.
In his book, Borg writes that religion is a creation of man and that the only reason why anyone would choose Christianity is because they are more comfortable with its hymns and traditions. I don't know what religion Mr. Borg is, but this book comes from a universalism, secular humanist, or atheistic background. If he believes man creates religion and there isn't a God he believes in atheism or secular humanism. If he believes there is a God and that all religions are the same its universalism. In 100 years, both myself and Mr. Borg will be dead, but the Bible and its actual message will continue on as it has for the last 2000 years. Christianity's message and beliefs are the same they were 2000 years ago, regardless of how many books are written that try to change them.
It was very distressing for me to read this book and I was shocked by its misrepresentation of Christianity. I do think that it is good that he talks about loving one another. That is something Christians are called to do. However its message is deceptive, inaccurate and once again is not about Christianity.
You can run around a basketball court without a ball, but its not basketball. You can sing all the Christian hymns you want and do the traditions but if your belief is based on Mr. Borg's ideas or any other persons ideas that contradict the Bible it's not Christianity. I have prayed for Mr. Borg and hope someday he comes to understand Christianity. I hope that day comes and if it does I will be the first to buy his book.
~Adam Stewart
www.theaustinstone.com/media.html
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Summary: The title is deceiving
Review: Despite the title and comments on the cover and flaps of the book, Borg is not, based on the historical definition, a Christian. Since he wants people to buy his books, he doesn't tell you immediately that he disbelieves almost every tenet of historic Christianity, including the resurrection and the miracles. From the viewpoint of evangelical Christianity, he is a heretic. If Christ has not been raised from the dead, we are still in our sins and we have NO (contra Borg) hope. Read 1 Corinthians 15. Paul couldn't be clearer. Also, if we won't be resurrected, why would we want to be Christians at all? As Paul said, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." Don't be deceived by Borg or the warmth of his writing; he is a heretic.
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Summary: Learn how YOU can live passionately as a Christian
Review: Evangelicals beware --- this is the same Marcus Borg of the Jesus Seminar, the one who has categorically stated that he does not believe that Christianity is the only path of salvation, that the Bible is the Word of God, that Jesus experienced a bodily resurrection, or that Jesus is, in fact, the Son of God. So why review this book? Why give him any cyber ink at all? There are any number of reasons why evangelicals need to be aware of what Borg believes and what he has written, not the least of which is his tremendous influence on non-evangelicals, particularly those who have left mainstream denominations but still long for a way to express what faith they have left. Borg offers them a way of returning to the church that does not require them to adhere to a rigid set of beliefs that they have long considered suspect. And he's very good at what he does and how he does it; his books always sell well, and he is constantly in demand as a speaker. He has a knack for welcoming people "home" --- to mainline churches --- in a warm and compassionate way. In THE HEART OF CHRISTIANITY, Borg lays down a welcome mat that has already proven attractive to those who have been disenchanted with what they perceive as an anti-intellectual faith. His welcome mat encourages people to give Christianity another chance because the times have changed, and from those changes a new, inclusive paradigm has emerged. Christianity, he holds, is no longer about a belief in a set of doctrines but about "loving God and loving what God loves." That said, Borg never demeans those who do hold to a strong doctrinal stance and a literal interpretation of the Bible, much of which he considers to be metaphorical. But while many evangelicals dismiss him outright, Borg is obviously trying to build a bridge between the conservative and liberal factions in the church. It's hard for evangelicals to understand how someone who denies the deity of Jesus can be so passionate about Christianity, and yet this book shows Borg to be an evangelist for the faith. He loves Christianity, and he wants Christians to find the common ground that has eluded them for so long. Even if you completely disagree with Borg's fundamental premise, THE HEART OF CHRISTIANITY is worthwhile reading for anyone who is unafraid to examine a perspective on faith that seemingly differs dramatically from their own. You may be surprised at some of his thoughts, like his suggestion that liberals begin using the term "born again" to describe their transformation from an old way to a new way of being Christian, or his emphasis on the importance of having an intimate relationship with God. There's no question that some who read this book will conclude that Borg has cut the heart right out of Christianity. But likewise, there's no question that many lapsed churchgoers will return to the faith as a result of Borg's enormous influence. For that reason alone, evangelicals would do well to familiarize themselves with the work of this highly gifted thinker and communicator. --- Reviewed by Marcia Ford
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Summary: A wonderful start on a journey to faith
Review: First of all, let me say that this book is aimed at a very narrow audience. This book is specifically for (over-)educated, liberal-leaning people who have found 'traditional' Christianity to be narrow-minded, dogmatical, and unreconcilable with science. I am just the person Borg meant to read this book-I have been curious about Christianity, but accidentally opened a Bible to the passage titled 'Slaves, Obey your Masters,' which claimed that slavery was ordained by God. If that is the literal word of God, then I could never be a Christian. One of this book's stregnths, though, is its explanation of how to read the Bible, and how you can still use the Bible to inform your faith without having to accept the '-isms' of the Bible: racism, sexism, homophobia, etc.
On the downside, it's a pretty short book, and serves only as an introduction to contemporary Christianity. It left questions unanswered, but it does have an excellent bibliography and index. If you have already done research on this subject, Heart of Christianity will not tell you anything you don't already know.
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Summary: Life Changing
Review: For churches facing dwindling congregations and spiritual seekers who feared zeal and intellect could not coexist, Borg offers salvation.
Many Christians who accept his premise -"We cannot easily give our hearts to something our mind rejects" - abandon the faith simply because they can no longer pretend to believe propositions they find ludicrous or immoral.
Borg offers an alternative - a coherent and transformational vision for the Christian life that includes authentic individual recommitment and political zeal.
Drawing on the bible as a metaphor and a sacrament, he grounds his principles on the "emerging paradigm" that is thriving in response to religious diversity and other modern challenges.
He identifies faith, the bible and Jesus as the heart of the spiritual tradition and then sets out an alternative framework of devotion. Incompatible with bigotry and pettiness, it stems from a fresh, more profound understanding of concepts like being "born again", the "Kingdom of God", resurrection, sin and salvation.
Rather than flee from the faith, Borg reminds us that in the search for truth, it is wiser to raise the courage and creativity to go deep rather than wide, by investing afresh in the tradition to which we already belong. He gives an example: if serious about reaching water, "better to dig one well sixty feet deep than to dig six wells ten feet deep."
This excellent book is profoundly relevant for our time. It challenges us to return with renewed vigor to a spirit of true Christianity which calls us to a higher standard of service and morality than ever before.
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Summary: Worth Reading a Second Time
Review: Heart of Christianity Borg starts this most valuable work with the observation that Christianity seems to be in the process of fissioning into two entirely different religions, which he chooses to call the "earlier paradigm" and the "emerging paradigm". His description of these two belief systems alone is worth the price of the book. He does this in a remarkably even-handed, fair manner. While he clearly prefers the emerging paradigm, he in no way denigrates the earlier paradigm or those who pledge allegiance to it. Obviously each individual (or group of individuals) invents their own god, each different, each pleasing or otherwise satisfactory to themselves. There are hundreds of thousands of different gods worshipped on Planet Earth. Even within Christianity there are tens of thousands of different versions of God. Ultimately what Borg is doing in this book is presenting us with his version of God - pleasing to him as an individual (and no doubt to thousands of other, like-minded individuals who perceive obvious problems with the earlier paradigm). Borg's version of God satisfies the longing instilled into him as a child, yet does not conflict with the scholar he was to later become. As such, his version of God is more of an intellectual concept, a kind of Universal Goodness that exists within the Universe; certainly not a warm fuzzie in the sky concerned with what type of parking slot you were able to find Monday morning. Whether such a God exists remains at heart a matter of faith. As always, God exists if we believe he does. That said, it must also be said that Borg's book is a very valuable as a resource, if for no other reason than to show what God is not. (Like Elaine Morgan's work Scars of Evolution it main value might be to point out problems with main-line orthodox Christianity, problems that should be addressed. This is not to denigrate Borg's work in any way. It is a valuable work, densely written, packed with information and observations, worthy of being read more than once (as I fully intend to do) Peter G. Roode
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Summary: What woud Jesus say?
Review: I am a practicing Chistian and a lay member of a Christian Fellowship. In a second study of Marcus Borg's book I find it ever more enlightening. What would Jesus say about the book? I think he would say, " If you want to know the God that is within you, and better understand me, Mr. Borg can help you>"
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