Marcus Borg (1942-2015)
SPCK 2017 271pp £12.50
“How to be a Christian in the twenty-first century” is the subtitle.
Every so often one comes across a book which really strikes home. This for me was one such book. Marcus Borg was an inspiring writer and speaker, a New Testament scholar and influential theologian. He was also a leading figure in the Jesus Seminar which aimed to use the best scholarly evidence available to research the life and teachings of Jesus.
This book, published after his death, gathers together the best of his writings on what it means to be a thoughtful Christian in the 21st century, progressive, scientifically literate and socially engaged.
The chapters of the book see Jesus as a true mystic, one who is Spirit filled, and aim to reclaim mysticism for the modern church. He goes on to consider Jesus's powers and the question of whether Jesus was God. He draw out three key strands in Jesus's life and teaching –his mysticism and spiritual life, his compassion and love for people, and a passion for justice in the kingdom of God. This leads on to his vision for Christianity today.
I find it impossible to do justice to the full force of his writing, but for one who has difficulty with many of the theological traditions which have grown up with the church, this book is hugely refreshing and inspiring.
David Tidy