Top 10 Christian Book of the Year

books:


	• The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith Marcus J. Borg HarperOne, 2004 - 234 pages average customer review:based on 82 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

"A Renewed Faith"

For much of my life I was taught that religious faith was rooted in an understanding that this book calls "an earlier paradigm." But another vision is described as "an emerging paradigm." In the "earlier paradigm" Jesus was portrayed as one who is for what we are for, against what we are against, goes where we go and stays away from people and places we stay away from, goes to a "seeker friendly" church when and where we go, blesses our business and makes us prosperous, flies our flag, waves our banners, fights our wars and cites our orthodox dogma. A domesticated Jesus. Borg, however, points me to an alternative and I am grateful for his book.

When I heard Marcus Borg give a lecture at Greencastle, IN, I was captivated by him as a person as well as by his presentation. He gives an articulate voice to much of what I have believed and thought for many years. In this book he draws a contrast between the "earlier paradigm" and an "emerging paradigm." A most helpful discussion in this book is at the point of distinguishing between fact and truth in his new vision of what Christianity is. He believes Jesus would say, "Faith is not about me" and would point beyond himself to God -- to God and that counter-world of unfailing justice, full inclusion, authentic freedom, incredible love, astounding forgiveness, sheer grace and unending peace.

This book has a provocatiave and helpful discussion of faith. Borg claims that faith, not belief, "is at the heart of Christianity" and has four primary meanings that he identifies with Latin terms (assensus, fiducia, fidelitas and visio)to demonstrate their antiquity. He points us the contribution each term makes to an understanding of faith. He argues that faith is misinterpreted when it is claimed to be "right belief" or "correct belief." "Believing," asserts Borg, "a set of claims to be true has very little transforming power." In concluding his discussion Borg seeks to demonstrate how the four primary meanings are subsumed under the original meaning of 'believing.' He writes, "In the modern period, we have suffered an extraordinary reduction in the meaning of 'believing' -- believing a particular set of statements or claims to be true. But, originally, believing included all of the dimensions of faith that I have described. The pre-modern meanings of 'faith' generate a relational understanding of the Christian life." Faith is our love for God and the way of the heart.

That's part of what he writes. "The Heart of Christianity" by Marcus Borg is one of the most helpful books I have read in this decade of my life. I can't recommend this book high enough. Read it and the heart of your Christian faith will beat with freshness and vitality! Mine is a "renewed faith" through his book and its challenge!

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The perfect gift...

This is one of the finest overviews of an emerging Christian theology. It allows continued participation in the Christian tradition for those who no longer find meaning in traditional interpretations of the Christian story. The move from a literal to a metaphorical perspective is a relief and offers a refreshing re-engagement with ancient but still meaningful truths. We've given copies of this book to all our relatives and many friends, and we've taught it in Sunday school -- don't miss reading this book!!!

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Amazing book

I was introduced to Marcus Borg books by the Pastor of my church. His ideas have changed my life. A good read for any open-minded, intellectual, and spriritual person.

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Great Book

One of the best over all views of the emerging paradigm within the Christian Church. Good stuff about the progressive and conservative points of view, and what the mainline churches need to learn from each of them. The seeds to the future are here for everyone to see. A must read for the serious Christian.

Top 10 Christian Book of the Year

Everything Borg writes is worth reading. He is clean, non-dogmatice, challanging and opens your eyes to a new, elivened view of your Christian faith. If your faith is getting stale, routine, boring enough to consider leaving the church, read this book. This is not the Christianity of your parents, but a new paradigm that brings Jesus and Christianity back to life and followers back to the personal and political model that Jesus lived and left as his legacy.

If you want to see your faith in a new and fresh light and come to understand its political importance read Borg. This book presents a rich new meaning to the inordinately dry concepts of sin, salvation, being born again, the afterlife, and the kingdom of God.

Rediscover you faith and read The Heart of Christianity.

John Laughlin, PhD, author of Thomas Merton: His Life and Work

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

World-renowned Jesus scholar Marcus J. Borg shows how we can live passionately as Christians in today's world by practicing the vital elements of Christian faith.

For the millions of people who have turned away from many traditional beliefs about God, Jesus, and the Bible, but still long for a relevant, nourishing faith, Borg shows why the Christian life can remain a transforming relationship with God. Emphasizing the critical role of daily practice in living the Christian life, he explores how prayer, worship, Sabbath, pilgrimage, and more can be experienced as authentically life-giving practices.

Borg reclaims terms and ideas once thought to be the sole province of evangelicals and fundamentalists: he shows that terms such as "born again" have real meaning for all Christians; that the "Kingdom of God" is not a bulwark against secularism but is a means of transforming society into a world that values justice and love; and that the Christian life is essentially about opening one's heart to God and to others.

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