Just got home from a Marcus Borg lecture - what an awesome speaker! I've

[54anickel]

read several of his books and have always enjoyed his conversational writing style, but hearing him in person was great!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. I heard him speak in Oregon a couple of times (his home base)

I recommend his "Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time."

[54anickel]

2. I haven't read that one yet. It was on my list of books to pick up while there, but

with funds and free reading time running a bit short these days it has to remain on my list a bit longer. I was only allowing myself 2 books, the other one was "The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith" but that one sold out pretty quick so it's on my Amazon wish list for now. I did pick up "The Last Week" and "The First Christmas" while there - they weren't on my list, but they were "calling to me" from the table. I ended up going over my allowance with a copy of "The God We Never Knew" to replace the one I loaned out and never got back. That was my introduction to Borg, followed by "Reading the Bible Again for the First Time". Both of those titles are very dear to me as they contributed a great deal to my life.

I'll see if I can't get it from our small local library. They're in a state lending circle now and say they if it's in a library somewhere, they can get it. I recently picked up a card for the first time since moving here nearly 20 years ago - I've always simply purchased my books ever since moving out of the city with the "big" library. Of course I used to be able to afford to buy them as well....I'm discovering so many little luxuries I used to take for granted while afflicted with affluenza.

Edited to attempt clarity of my thoughts.

[Critters2]

3. I heard him years ago. One of my favorite Jesus seminar types.

On top of being a great scholar, he seems personable and warm. Makes the faith accessible to everyone. I like him a lot.

[54anickel]

4. Yes, that's a great description - "personable and warm". He also created

outline handouts for each session that made it much easier to follow along and listen closely, rather than trying to half listen while taking your own notes. I ordered a recording of this one so I'll be able to listen again, notes in hand, to be transformed anew whenever I feel so moved. I'll never understand the thought process of those that refer to him as a heretic. They won't even consider reading any of his works, but they'll take LeHaye and that Left Behind stuff as God's divine word, the final word at that. :crazy:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

5. It's so much easier to condemn someone if you have no idea what he's said

:-)

[54anickel]

6. Wanted to share this resource I came arcoss of various lectures

http://www.cathedral.org/cathedral/video/spring06.shtml

The lecture I attended pretty much covered the topic of his appearance on the Fall 2004 page.

I found both Borg's and N T Wright's lectures from the Spring 2006 page quite interesting as well. I'm still making my way through the videos as time allows.

[Critters2]

7. Today, I had to type words which could get my Progressive Christian creds revoked.

Those words? "Marcus Borg is wrong." I was writing a response to an essay by him in the book _Stricken by God?_ for an independent study I'm doing with Mark Heim. In the essay, Borg blames the crucifixion on Jesus on "the domination system". While I see what he's saying, from a Girardian pov he's mistaken. The domination system actually keeps a lid on the violence of the mob, what the Gospels call "the crowd". The crucifixion of Jesus took place when popular violence overcame the domination system, sweeping Pilate and Herod and the temple leadership up in its fury.

I think I'm right in disagreeing with Borg, but it took all my will power to type those four words. I have Progressive friends who may disown me. I kind of agree. I love Borg. So, there must be a problem with my thesis.

[Rabrrrrrr]

8. You're right, Borg is wrong.

[54anickel]

9. Well, I certainly wouldn't "disown" you over it. Seeing as how I'm not that well read in

either Borg or Girard and am not a "professional" theologian I can't offer the absolute supportive statement Rabrrrrrr gives either. :shrug:

Edit to add the additional "r"s