Publication
Imprint: New York : HarperOne, c2012. Responsibility: Marcus J. Borg. OCLC Number: 741541075. Physical: Text : 1 volume : viii, 248 pages ; 21 cm
Features: Includes notes, discussion questions.
Call number
Commentary / Borg
ISBN
9780061976582
Original publication date
2011
Collections
CSS Library Notes
Description: "Christianity, like any religion, is understood and defined by its language. Yet today, much of Christian language is poorly understood or distorted, leading to a religion that is quickly being stripped of its true meaning. With his clear, accessible style that his fans have come to love, Marcus Borg illustrates how modern Christianity has lost its transforming power: through a literalism that has impoverished the meaning of the Bible, and a misunderstanding of Christianity's core ideas. Borg offers a way to redeem Christian language from these distortions by reading Scripture through a "historical-metaphorical lens." This allows us to see Christian language in its ancient historical context and interpret the biblical text in a way that focuses on its religious purpose, thereby conveying the words richer and more powerful meaning. Speaking Christian explores such words and phrase as salvation, redemption, grace, eternal life and the Lord's Supper. Through this exercise we discover how the Biblical text can continue to be both persuasive and powerful, providing life-changing words for the 21st century"--
Table of Contents: Speaking Christian --
Beyond literalism --
Salvation --
The Bible --
God --
God's character --
Jesus --
The death of Jesus --
Easter --
Believing and faith --
Mercy --
Righteousness --
Sin --
Forgiveness and repentance --
John 3:16 --
Born again --
The only way --
The ascension --
Pentecost --
The rapture and the second coming --
Heaven --
The creeds and the Trinity --
The Lord's Supper --
The Lord's prayer --
Conclusion.
Location: COLLECTION: Religious Studies -- AREA: Religious Studies -- SECTION: Commentary / Filing name: Borg
Topics: In TinyCat -- See "Tags" above for our libraries topic areas. See "Subjects" below for LCSH (Library of Congress Subject Headings) (note you can tour our library via Tags or LCSH, but LCHS are not available for all items in our holdings).
FY2015 /
Table of Contents: Speaking Christian --
Beyond literalism --
Salvation --
The Bible --
God --
God's character --
Jesus --
The death of Jesus --
Easter --
Believing and faith --
Mercy --
Righteousness --
Sin --
Forgiveness and repentance --
John 3:16 --
Born again --
The only way --
The ascension --
Pentecost --
The rapture and the second coming --
Heaven --
The creeds and the Trinity --
The Lord's Supper --
The Lord's prayer --
Conclusion.
Location: COLLECTION: Religious Studies -- AREA: Religious Studies -- SECTION: Commentary / Filing name: Borg
Topics: In TinyCat -- See "Tags" above for our libraries topic areas. See "Subjects" below for LCSH (Library of Congress Subject Headings) (note you can tour our library via Tags or LCSH, but LCHS are not available for all items in our holdings).
FY2015 /
Other editions
Physical description
viii, 248 p.; 21 inches
Description
Asserts that a failure to understand Christian words and phrases has lead to the religion losing much of its meaning, and offers a path back to a true understanding of Christianity.
Language
Original language
English
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User reviews
LibraryThing member DubiousDisciple
What is meant by our Christian language? How do we understand words like “redemption”? Borg reflects on the difference in meaning between liberal and conservative Christian thinking, even though the language is identical. Borg is quite liberal, and he refuses to turn the meaning of words that
Early Christianity was not focused on heaven or hell. An emphasis on the afterlife has turned Christianity away from its roots, and consequently, many of the concepts of the Bible have been modernized. A lot of the meanings of words we use as Christians differ so severely from person to person that it renders some of us speechless. We simply don’t know how to say what we mean. At least in America, when liberal Christians speak of faith, resurrection, even God, the conservative interpretation is so popular that we often can’t be understood.
The problem words are numerous. Saved. Born again. Mercy. Sin. Belief. (Borg suggests that a proper synonym for "believing" is “beloving.”) I've struggled mightily with this problem on various online forums, to the point where it's tempting to simply give up on "speaking Christian." This makes Borg’s book especially timely for me. So serious is the problem that some have concluded that Christian language is beyond redemption and needs to be replaced by language that actually communicates what we want to communicate. But Borg encourages us to hang in there. If we avoid the language of our faith because of uncertainty about what it means, we grant a monopoly on it to those who are most certain about its meaning. That would be unfortunate, for the language is extraordinarily rich, wise, and transformative. Moreover, if we neglect or reject biblical and Christian language because of its common current-day meanings, a serious question arises: Can we be Christian without using the language of Christianity?
Borg says no. To abandon the language of Christianity would mean leaving behind something that has been profoundly nourishing. Religions are like language. Ceasing to speak French would mean no longer being French. Being Christian means "speaking Christian."
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are special and meaningful to him over to a Christianity that he feels has strayed from the original, radical, this-worldly message of the first Christians.Early Christianity was not focused on heaven or hell. An emphasis on the afterlife has turned Christianity away from its roots, and consequently, many of the concepts of the Bible have been modernized. A lot of the meanings of words we use as Christians differ so severely from person to person that it renders some of us speechless. We simply don’t know how to say what we mean. At least in America, when liberal Christians speak of faith, resurrection, even God, the conservative interpretation is so popular that we often can’t be understood.
The problem words are numerous. Saved. Born again. Mercy. Sin. Belief. (Borg suggests that a proper synonym for "believing" is “beloving.”) I've struggled mightily with this problem on various online forums, to the point where it's tempting to simply give up on "speaking Christian." This makes Borg’s book especially timely for me. So serious is the problem that some have concluded that Christian language is beyond redemption and needs to be replaced by language that actually communicates what we want to communicate. But Borg encourages us to hang in there. If we avoid the language of our faith because of uncertainty about what it means, we grant a monopoly on it to those who are most certain about its meaning. That would be unfortunate, for the language is extraordinarily rich, wise, and transformative. Moreover, if we neglect or reject biblical and Christian language because of its common current-day meanings, a serious question arises: Can we be Christian without using the language of Christianity?
Borg says no. To abandon the language of Christianity would mean leaving behind something that has been profoundly nourishing. Religions are like language. Ceasing to speak French would mean no longer being French. Being Christian means "speaking Christian."
Show Less
LibraryThing member ablueidol
A crucial case study in how the meanings of words change and how the contemporary reader assumes an objective truth that is socially and culturally constructed. All the more powerful as the writer starts from mainstream Christianity but challenges the conservative and limited views of these views
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without abandoning the core of the faith. Show Less
LibraryThing member mldavis2
This book has languished on my bookshelf for a long time and finally found its day in the sun. It should be required reading for anyone even remotely interested in Christianity.
Borg is not afraid to look at tradition as a humanly determined set of practices, doctrines, interpretations,
Borg is not afraid to look at tradition as a humanly determined set of practices, doctrines, interpretations,
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understandings and hence beliefs. His "liberal" view of Christian practices gives a practical and logical reason for those who cannot accept literal accounts of biblical historical writings to continue to be Christians in word, thought and deed. By putting biblical text into historical and linguistic context, he frees us from the need to accept ancient description at face value and allows us to follow the "will of God" as endorsed and practiced by His son, Jesus. Borg contrasts liberal and conservative interpretations and views of scripture and offers to both camps the inclusivity taught by Jesus himself. While this may make some conservative Christians uncomfortable, it should be required reading in a spirit of compassion and understanding. Show Less
LibraryThing member aegossman
Excellent.
LibraryThing member Elizabeth80
An old book but one I needed; it is easy to forget what you have known, what you have read previously.