Great Book

[christyG]

I just started a new book by Marcus J. Borg, called The Heart of Christianity. I emphasise that I just started it, but I couldn't wait to tell you all about it! It is wonderful, so far.:)

It discusses the differences between the "traditional" which he calls "earlier" form of Christianity and emerging Christianity. Since we have hit on this topic a bit, in our discussions about church and such, I just wanted to you know about the book.

Christy

[Amie]

Christy,

I'm looking forward to hearing more about it :)

Amie

[christyG]

Granted that I am a little emotional at this time of the month (sorry men;) ), but I actually wept today while reading this book! It is so affirming to me of my own beliefs. It is like I am reading my own thoughts stated in a way that they make more sense to me.

This is not the only book that has affected me in this way. And each time it feels so wonderful that I want to try to duplicate the feeling, but it's not something that can be forced. In fact it always seems to happen by chance. A book catches my eye on the shelf, or a title strikes me as interesting and I take it home, and eventually get around to reading it and it always seems to be the perfect book at the perfect time.

Actually, that is exactly how I found you all at Comprehensive Grace and Women Beyond -- by chance. And as I read and read and was moved by what I read to such excitement every time something clicked, I just wanted to keep duplicating that feeling. It's what keeps bringing me back.:)

Anyway, I'm not sure if you can look at excerpts from the book on Amazon, but I am still thinking that if you are interested in where our Christian faith is going and how we can and are participating in that, then you should check it out.

Christy

[christyG]

Ohhh, I'm sorry guys, but I HAVE to come back to this! This book is so wonderful, and as I am reading, I come to comments, suggestions, stories that make me think of you all. I plan to share those with you from time to time, but if I had your addresses I would honestly send each and every one of you a copy of this book.

Maybe it's just because it is THE right book for me right now; but it has really done an indescribably great job of clarifying many things for me.

Again the title is The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith, by Marcus J. Borg. The title does not do the content justice. In fact I had it setting on my shelf for about 6 months before I actually picked it up to read it and only did then because I left my copy of The Celestine Prophecy at the laundry mat!:biglaugha: For those who know about the Celestine Prophecy you would know that these kind of coincidences are important events in our lives that we should become atune (sp) to.:9_cool:

Anyway, here's an excerp that I just read today that I thought I would share:
In this chapter Borg is explaining about being born again and is contrasting the "traditional" view of that concept with the "emerging" view. He is discussing that the theme of being born again is the theme of death and resurrection......

Indeed, this theme is the key to understanding the well-known verse in John often used as the basis of Christian exclusivism: 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' ...............Christian exclusivism understands this verse to mean that you must know about Jesus and believe certain things about Jesus in order to be saved. But 'the way' that John speaks of is not about believing doctrines about Jesus. Rather 'the way' is what we see incarnate in Jesus: the path of death and resurrection as the way to rebirth in God. According to John, this is the only way -- and, as I shall soon suggest, it is 'the way' spoken of by all major religions of the world. Dying and rising is the way. Thus Jesus is 'the way' -- the way become flesh. Rather than being the unique revelation of a way known only in him, his life and death are the incarnation of a universal way known in all of the enduring religions. pg. 111

Maybe you won't find that as powerful as I did, maybe I am just at that place that this is a statement of fact that I really needed to hear right now, but I find that very powerful for me. Powerful and affirming to me as a Christian, as a Christian who has turned away from the "traditional" theology of my past and into a "new life". One where it seems that, at times, I grow at the speed of light, and other times I am crawling trying to catch up with myself. Nancy has expressed this thought as well, as many of you have.

Anyway, I just had to share.:)

Christy

[Paige]

I'm extremely interested in getting a copy of the book for myself! Thank you for sharing the info so that I can go looking for it now. I'll probably find it at Amazon (you can find practically everything there). Sounds like a book that our fellowship group might just be ripe for. (I'm talking about our local one, but Amie, maybe for the ladies as well?)

Paige

[Amie]

Paige,

You're leadership in that area now, you make those determinations :)

Amie

[Bill]

I'd like to add a little to what Christy has quoted from the book. I too think that when Jesus said that He is the way and the truth and the life that He was making a statement of inclusivity.

Those hearing Jesus would have been offended by this statement because they viewed the Law of Moses as the way and the truth and the life and the way to the Father. The Law of Moses was designed to create distinctions between people and peoples. It, and I might add, all religions are exclusive in this way. They are all based on what we do or don't do.

Christ alone is inclusive because He includes all in His salvation without regard to their actions. He has freed us from the exclusivity of the Law in order that we can embrace everyone as one family under the love of God. He is indeed the way to the Father and that way is open to all and always will be.

I think it's fun to read through the gospel of John and look for the contrast that John is making between the Law of Moses and the grace and truth of Jesus. It's everywhere!

Bill

[backtothefuture]

Hi Hi,
Having a daughter as a Librarian has its advantages. I just asked for the book from the inter library loan.
I can't wait to read it.
Christy, don't you feel you are like just exploding on a new horizon:biggrinbounce:
Even just reading the book Good goats, I sat and read, and was like on man, I can't believe what I am reading. I also just read a book that Amie recommended about The Jews in the time of Jesus and the history really of the Jewish people and nation. I was blown away.( or it may have been Jesus in the times of the Jews) can't remember now, but it was great.
Thanks for the book recommendation.
Nancy