The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith

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The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith

4.13 of 5 stars 4.13 · rating details · 1,506 ratings · 144 reviews

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 transf...more

Paperback, 256 pages

Published August 17th 2004 by HarperOne (first published 2003)

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May 26, 2008 Nate rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: theology, spiritual-life

Interesting. I guess liberal Jesus-seminar-types do have faith after all....

I don't necessarily agree with everything, but I can see that Borg is really trying to forge a way of Christian living based on the historic faith. He is especially helpful in understanding that the biblical meaning of "belief" is not simply mental assent. It's not a checklist of right doctrines, but living faithfully, trusting God through Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

I do disagree with some stuff, which is wh...more Interesting. I guess liberal Jesus-seminar-types do have faith after all....

I don't necessarily agree with everything, but I can see that Borg is really trying to forge a way of Christian living based on the historic faith. He is especially helpful in understanding that the biblical meaning of "belief" is not simply mental assent. It's not a checklist of right doctrines, but living faithfully, trusting God through Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

I do disagree with some stuff, which is why I'm not a liberal.

For example:

1) I don't think the WHOLE Bible is meant to be taken metaphorically and stripped of its literal meaning. Sure, there are hugely important metaphorical meanings, but that doesn't mean that they have to be seen as unfactual. I understand the corrective of only focusing on literalistic proof-texted facts, but I think Borg goes overboard.

2) The Resurrection absolutely HAD to happen. It's not possible for us to be Christians to day if Jesus had not risen from the dead. Don't try to skirt around this, Marcus! I don't like how he talks about modern people who "can't believe" in things like miracles and the resurrection. I'm sorry, but you can, too.

3) This whole preoccupation with the "pre-Easter Jesus" over against the "post-Easter Jesus". Sure, doctrine took on a much fuller shape in the next 3-400 years of the church's history about what the incarnation meant and what the trinity was all about, but that doesn't mean that Jesus' bones are still in some ossuary in Palestine waiting to be discovered by James Cameron! "I'm King of the World!!!". Nevermind........

Overall, even though Borg has some glaring blind spots in his theology, he still manages to forge a way of living that looks an awful lot like "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself". I'm still grateful for many of his insights.

It's good not to just read stuff you agree with all the time. It makes you remember there's a whole world of ideas out there.....(less)

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May 24, 2008 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars

This really is an amazing book. Borg offers a vision of Christianity that doesn't require us to check our intellect at the door and that rejects the Christian exclusivism that so many of us find distasteful and irrelevant today. Borg offers a way of seeing the Bible, Jesus, and Christian practices that transcends the literal-factual interpretation that most people in my demographic can't swallow. My favorite thing about this book is Borg's rejection of the question, "Did it really happen?" Was J...more

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Aug 08, 2011 Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. Loved it. It may not appeal to people who are pretty content with their current understanding of Christianity, especially if it's very narrow or conservative understanding. But if you feel like Christianity has lost it's appeal (or that it never had much) I highly recommend this book. It made sense to me on a very deep level. My reaction to almost everything I read was "this is what I've always thought myself, but could never really express well, even to myself."

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Apr 03, 2008 Andrea rated it 5 of 5 stars

Ive seen this guy talk a few times, and read a number of his books. A Jesus scholar, really, and this is probably the one most important book in convincing me that following a "christian" faith, apart from connection to any particular religion, is still valuable to me. I dont know how to explain my complete lack of interest in the Bible as anything more than a literary/political work yet my continued membership in an Episcopalian church and my absolute spiritual hunger for the ritual of communio...more

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Aug 28, 2007 Mark rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: theology

If you want one book to help you find a strong foundation for being a liberal Christian in today's society, this one is it. Borg, a Lutheran who at one point left the church entirely and is now back and reinvested in his faith, provides a strong basis for how someone can embrace the lessons of science and modern life and still accept the Bible, the church, a spiritual life and hope for the future.

And there's the added bonus that he's a thelogian that conservatives love to hate. OK, that's a lit...more

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Jan 13, 2011 Joe Henry rated it 4 of 5 stars

Not long ago I heard someone refer to Marcus Borg as a “popular” author. It struck me as odd and I felt somewhat offended since, because Marcus Borg is one of my three favorites among contemporary authors who deal with religion, to me he is not nearly popular enough—that is, I think everyone should be reading Marcus Borg. On reflection, however, I reckon I took offense because I tended to equate “popular” with “shallow,” and, I would say, shallow Borg is not. Rather, I think he has a great talen...more Not long ago I heard someone refer to Marcus Borg as a “popular” author. It struck me as odd and I felt somewhat offended since, because Marcus Borg is one of my three favorites among contemporary authors who deal with religion, to me he is not nearly popular enough—that is, I think everyone should be reading Marcus Borg. On reflection, however, I reckon I took offense because I tended to equate “popular” with “shallow,” and, I would say, shallow Borg is not. Rather, I think he has a great talent to observe, pull from multiple sources, analyze, and report in a way that the reader might readily recognize the resonance with his own thinking and experience. He’s a great presenter…very readable. Like me, you might find yourself at times saying, “Exactly!”

As for a sampling into the content of the book, I quote from the preface, “What Does It Mean to Be a Christian Today?”

“For the past few centuries, this earlier way of seeing Christianity, what I call an “earlier paradigm,” has been shared in common by most Christians in Western culture. It remains a major voice within North American Christianity, perhaps still the majority voice. …this earlier way of being Christian views the Bible as the unique revelation of God, emphasizes its literal meaning, and sees the Christian life as centered in believing now for the sake of salvation later—believing in God, the Bible, and Jesus as the way to heaven. Typically, it has also seen Christianity as the only true religion. [Sound familiar?]

“The second way of seeing Christianity, the “emerging paradigm,” has been developing for over a hundred years and has recently become a major grass-roots movement within mainline denominations. Positively, it is the product of Christianity’s encounter with the modern and postmodern world, including science, historical scholarship, religious pluralism, and cultural diversity. Less positively, it is the product of our awareness of how Christianity has contributed to racism, sexism, nationalism, exclusivism, and other harmful ideologies.

“This book seeks to describe this emerging way of seeing Christianity. It is written primarily for people for whom the earlier vision of Christianity no longer works. In this time of change and conflict within the church, what is the heart of Christianity? What is most central to an authentic
Christianity and Christian life today?” (p. xii)

Tim Scorer, in collaboration with Borg, has developed an “experiential guide” for a 12-week study, based on the book. Living the Heart of Christianity: A Guide to Putting Your Faith into Action was published by Harper in 2006.

=====================================================
In short, a 7-8 (out of 10)...helpful, clarifying, enlightening, challenging...felt a little "plodding" to me at times, but it is hard to fault the man for organizing his thoughts, plunging in, and plowing through. I particularly liked his thoughts comparing compassion and justice in chapter 7 and his discussion of "Thin Places" in chapter 8. I am glad I was able to hear Borg speak--at Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, no less--when he was in Little Rock several years ago. It's nice to hear him speak again through the pages of this book.

I would recommend for personal reading or group reading such as Sunday School.

As I read, I thought of...
• Church leaders, who, I think, would find his analysis/presentation "of course" obvious and helpful.
• My sons, who, I suspect would be encouraged to hear more and more of the "emerging paradigm."
• My friend, Roger, who years ago asked me,"Do you think the church thing is going to last?"
• David LaMotte, who closed his 2008 Oct 12 Ferncliff concert for the 2nd Pres Family Picnic with an a capella rendition of the hymn, "This Is My Song" (lyrics by Lloyd Stone, 1934, melody of Sibelius's "Finlandia")--as Borg closes his final chapter, "Heart and Home: Being Christian in an Age of Pluralism.”
(less)

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Apr 07, 2008 Beth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Wow, an amazing book... a new way of living my faith that I will cherish for lifetimes to come. Currently attending a Unitarian Universalist Congregation, but am not fulfilled in my connection to the spirit through this practice... Marcus Borgs writings take me one step further and help my soul to grow and stretch, and become who it is I'm suppose to be. If anyone in Orlando wants to do the course that goes along with the book, contact me!

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Jul 30, 2012 Mark Andrew rated it 4 of 5 stars

"This book is essentially about looking at Christianity again for the first time. In that respect, it provides a valuable glimpse into the essence of Christianity for those who have left the faith because they no longer believe its doctrines and those who are trying to remain in the faith while questioning its doctrines. With those people in mind, Borg emphasizes the transformational aspect of Christianity by examining the "emerging paradigm" that is gradually replacing the belief-centered parad...more

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Apr 22, 2013 John rated it 4 of 5 stars

Some repetition of themes is unavoidable with Marcus Borg, but I keep reading him. Although his scholarship on the historical Jesus is impressive, I prefer to get my New Testament from Bart Ehrman or Borg's friend, John Dominic Crossan. What Borg does better than any other writer I know, even John Shelby Spong, is articulate a vision of a Christianity which is true to its roots in the Roman Empire yet is inclusive of world religions and acceptable to modern minds aware of the findings of the nat...more

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Aug 17, 2012 Adam Shields rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Short Review: This is a book about the essentials of Christianity written from an Emergent (his word) Christian. Really it is works through most of the traditional areas of systematic theology from a Liberal Protestant perspective. He brings useful counterpoint to many Evangelical theological ideas. So Evangelicals will alternately be frustrated and intrigued. This isn't a book I would say is a must read. But for those that like reading outside their tradition, this is a good book to give perspe...more

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Jul 20, 2011 John H.D. Lucy rated it 1 of 5 stars

Borg is probably not the best writer in the world, he makes lots of assumptions about the theology and positions of his reader. If only I had $100 for every time he says, "Obviously," "impossible," "makes no sense," "no one can think that way," about something that many people believe and think, sometimes including myself.

He does make some good points. But the points he makes aren't exactly arguments so much as simple descriptions of his viewpoint. If you want to read a book that explains the em...more

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Apr 05, 2013 David rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: spirituality-religion

Let me give a shout out to Clint Gill for recommending this book. I actually gave up on Borg several years back because of his dualistic fundamentalism within the Historical Jesus Movement. This is not nearly as dualistic nor dogmatic and shows both a rich scriptural response within scripture on atonement theology and approaches to Christ before moving on to the heart of the matter in Christianity, which is a collective transformation with the encounter of Jesus. I've actually simplified his res...more

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Nov 21, 2011 Ann rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'd like to see every Christian (and everyone else too for that matter) read Borg. His research and descriptions and conclusions allow all current major religions to be "correct" and, at the same time, he gives clear reasons for being Christian .. and what that means. This book certainly helped me along on that path.

On the other hand, his ideas of the "emerging paradigm" of Christianity today are something I heard about years ago and have felt and believed for the past 20 years or so. These idea...more

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Sep 28, 2009 Tim rated it 5 of 5 stars

I think this is a must read for any person of faith who wants to understand the emerging Church movement. Marcus Borg wonderfully writes his thesis and nails it to the door of the fundamentalist evangelical Church that has emerged in the U.S. in last century and a half.

His main points of seeing Christianity as metaphor and sacramental are beautifully written. His acceptance of other religions as sacred and metaphor for the same path to God is something I've experienced reading the ancient Chine...more

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Jun 17, 2009 Tracy rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone disenchanted with "traditional" Christianity

Shelves: non-fiction

I really appreciated Borg's clear description and exploration of what he calls the "emerging paradigm" in Christianity. In many ways, he articulates the ideas I have discovered in several Presbyterian churches since undergrad and come to embrace. These ideas contrast quite strongly with those espoused by the Wisconsin Synod Lutheran church in which I was brought up, representing what Borg refers to as the "earlier paradigm."

Borg's Christianity is open, multifaceted, inspiring, and passionate. I...more

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Dec 31, 2012 Roben rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm so glad I read this. Our new minister told me that this book was singularly inspiring.

The following are lines from The Heart of Christianity that I reread and treasure:

Of course, the earlier paradigm uses the language of God's grace and compassion and love, but its own internal logic turns being Christian into a life of requirement and rewards, thereby compromising the notion of grace. Indeed it nullifies grace, for grace that has condition attached is no longer grace.

The point is, there is...more

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Jun 14, 2012 Jenn Raley rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: faith

Despite the title, this book is primarily an explanation of what Borg calls the "emerging" version of Christianity, as opposed to the "earlier" vision.

The strongest part of this book is chapter 9, "Sin and Salvation". This chapter is an in-depth, biblically-rooted exploration of a more expansive way of looking at sin, salvation, and redemption than that expounded by today's generic Christianity. This chapter is recommended reading to anyone trying to sort out what these terms mean in Christianit...more

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Jan 17, 2012 Tim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: religion

I first encountered this book a few years ago at a church retreat for young adults, but just now got around to reading it. Borg offers up a conversational, passionate and well-organized case for what might be called liberal (he uses the phrase emerging) Christianity. For me the most compelling parts were the initial chapters dealing with the Bible, God and Jesus, and the final one (addressing religious pluralism). The middle section was a little muddled, but he was strong where it counts.

Not sur...more I first encountered this book a few years ago at a church retreat for young adults, but just now got around to reading it. Borg offers up a conversational, passionate and well-organized case for what might be called liberal (he uses the phrase emerging) Christianity. For me the most compelling parts were the initial chapters dealing with the Bible, God and Jesus, and the final one (addressing religious pluralism). The middle section was a little muddled, but he was strong where it counts.

Not surprisingly, Borg argues against a literal-factual reading of the Bible, instead suggesting that we should read it "historically, metaphorically and sacramentally." There is often a sense in the general culture that a literal-factual reading is somehow more "pure" or more "faithful" than a more metaphorical reading. Borg points out, pretty reasonably, that the Bible is a natural fit for a metaphorical reading, and that an over-emphasis on the factual is missing the forest for the trees. To give one funny example, he muses about a literal reading of the Bible passage where "Jesus sits at the right hand of God" and wonders if that implies that God literally has hands.

He also argues strongly against Christian exclusivism (the idea that Christianity is the only true faith) and the idea that God intervenes supernaturally in the world. This makes his perspective very easy to reconcile with a multi-cultural society and a scientific worldview (provided we scratch out one cringe-worthy paragraph about "post-modern science").

He does occasionally try to engage with the more traditional Christian view, although I wonder how well he manages it. Like more people, I suspect, he finds it easier to engage with a distorted version of the other side's arguments. Although the vast majority of his ideas resonated strongly with me, it would still be interesting to hear some back-and-forth with a traditional perspective. For me, the book's great contribution was the assertion that liberal Christianity is just as authentic, deeply felt and faithful as the more traditional variants, and that liberal Christians shouldn't apologize for their viewpoint.(less)

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Jan 25, 2013 Katy Resop rated it 5 of 5 stars

Four years ago I read Borg's "Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time," and the result was destructive. I loved and hated the book, not because of Borg but because I felt the Christian church had betrayed me. Borg's language about Jesus rang true--true to my thoughts and meditations, true to the reality I experienced, and true to history. But his language also complicated and even contradicted most Christian teachings I had encountered throughout my young life. "Meeting Jesus Again for the FIrst...more

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Nov 27, 2011 Bonnie rated it 3 of 5 stars

I appreciated Borg's explanation of the new paradigm of Christianity which harkens back to the metaphorical approach actually employed by the writers of the original Biblical texts. Borg offers a poetic way to retain one's faith in a postmodern world and effectively shows how Biblical literalism is a modern development. While demolishing more literal interpretations of the Bible, he asserts that mythology allows Christians to live a fruitful life of compassion while maintaining a closeness to Je...more I appreciated Borg's explanation of the new paradigm of Christianity which harkens back to the metaphorical approach actually employed by the writers of the original Biblical texts. Borg offers a poetic way to retain one's faith in a postmodern world and effectively shows how Biblical literalism is a modern development. While demolishing more literal interpretations of the Bible, he asserts that mythology allows Christians to live a fruitful life of compassion while maintaining a closeness to Jesus. Borg's brand of Christianity is about constant rebirth and transformation and eschews formulas for being born again with the thought that salvation should not be a work done through intellectual belief, but is through a radical kind of grace. Rebirth happens when a person is able to expand beyond the human selfishness that alienates us from one another. We learn to sense the "thin places" where the heavenly intersects with the mundane.

One criticism I would make is that Borg sets up the old paradigm against the new as though there could never be any middle ground. If we are to think of matters in a rational way, perhaps there cannot be compromise between being literal-factual and being historical-metaphorical. However, what I am trying to express is that it is possible to embrace ambiguity between the old ideas and the new. Soft literalism (just picking and choosing what parts of the Bible you will believe and follow within the context of a literal and likely infallible interpretation) can be avoided in this approach with the acknowledgement that the texts of the Bible were constructed by men as an expression of the divine. If a belief in the literal resurrection of Christ or the virgin birth is helpful to a particular Christian who can develop a complex historical-metaphorical interpretation of the Bible that also eschews exclusivism nonetheless, I don't see why there necessarily has to be a contradiction there.

That caveat addressed, I think that in broad strokes Borg's handling of current cultural movements is top-notch.(less)

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Apr 23, 2008 David added it

This Will Sway You: They'll be a lot of talk about how Borg doesn't believe in the resurrection and such. By reading him you will find that he doesnt ascribe to the events the way they are portrayed. He does however, reconcile the way we interpret Scripture and I believe his emerging paradigm could save Christianity. Not that it needs saving, but many of us have serious intellectual concerns regarding certain portions of the Bible that just CAN'T add up.

What Borg manages to do is revive the old...more

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May 03, 2012 Lee rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is an outstanding book. Celia and I read it
several times and compared notes. It makes you
rethink what you believe and provides excellent
open-minded arguments for a historical-metaphorical
lens for viewing the Bible. If you are willing to
think about the liberal-minded ideas Borg presents,
you will become more open-minded and open-hearted
about differing approaches to Christianity as
well as other faiths. THE PATH becomes much broader
when you use Borg's lens.
Highly recommended!!!

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Mar 25, 2009 Betty rated it 4 of 5 stars

About how metaphorical interpretation of the Bible and Christianity provides a rich source of a Christianity that is inclusive of all and is about Gods love and reaching for the reign of God that is available to all. It includes interpretation and practical way to live into a Christianity centered in our heart within the heart of God. This is a great book for those of us who are no longer comfortable with the literal interpretation of Christianity.

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May 18, 2013 JP rated it 4 of 5 stars

Marcus Borg articulates so well what I suspect is felt by most participative Christians who don't identify themselves with the fundamentalist religious right. I see why this book was given to each of the new member participants at St. Andrew. Borg thoughtfully conveys the "emerging" paradigm for Christianity (and supports that definition by comparing it, diplomatically, against the "earlier" paradigm). A lot of his concepts resonated with me.

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Jul 15, 2011 Kate Ditzler rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: spirituality-and-theology

When I identified Love and Compassion as two of my values earlier this summer, I knew I wanted to express them through my Christian faith. I knew that my passion for justice is one of my gifts, but ultimately, I was not sure how to go about encountering the Divine.

This book answered these questions for me. It answered questions I didn't even have on a conscious level, about sin and salvation, amongst others. It presents Christianity through a postmodern lens, and I find it compelling for itself...more

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Nov 17, 2012 Sean Mcdermott rated it 1 of 5 stars

In this volume he will indirectly take a swipe at C.S. Lewis, evangelical Christians and anyone who truly, truly believes in the resurrection of Our Lord.

He will give many kudos to Jim Wallis, social justice, Vida Scudder and the book "Nickel and Dimed" (refers to reading this book in the context of a book group as a consciousness raising event).

Excuse me, we're supposed to read a leftist's diatribe on the horrors of the free market and have our spirituality raised in our church book group as op...more

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Aug 06, 2011 Trish Collins rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the 1st of 3 books I have borrowed by Borg. I have embarked on a religious quest and was given this book by a former Roman Catholic priest; now a United Church of Christ Assoc. Minister. I liked this book very much,as it hits home for me. He speaks of an early paradigm and the emerging paradigm within Christianity. Coming from a RCC background I found it helpful to see my "liberal" views were neither new or my own, but shared by many.

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May 02, 2009 Megan rated it 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely will not delve into a thick review here because Marcus Borg gets SUPER deep in this one. I will argue that if you are a Christian and you are alive today you ought to read this and consider the diversity and openness amongst believers. It should be required reading and if it were maybe Christians would co-exist more peacefully considering varying denominations and factions within those denoms.

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Apr 26, 2011 Okanagan Regional rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction, pssm

The Heart of Chistianity encourages you to think outside the box about Christianity. Historical perspectives are explored and the future of Christianity is pondered. These ides, and issues are well researched, presented, and are truely thought provoking. In a technological, educated society old answers are not meeting the current needs of society. What path will religion take to remain relavant?

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Feb 20, 2009 Ellyn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2006

I loved this book! The author is a contemporary Christian scholar who lives in Oregon. He contrasts a more traditional way of viewing Christianity (the "earlier paradigm") with a newer "emerging paradigm", which sees the Bible more historically and metaphorically and focuses on transformation in this life through relationship with God. God is not a person out there, but a "more", a presence, an encompassing spirit, a dimension of reality. My reaction to this book was often, "Wow, I can believe t...more

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About Marcus J. Borg

Borg was born into a Lutheran family of Swedish and Norwegian descent, the youngest of four children. He grew up in the 1940s in North Dakota and attended Concordia College, Moorhead, a small liberal arts school in Moorhead, Minnesota. While at Moorhead he was a columnist for the school paper and held forth as a conservative. After a close reading of the Book of Amos and its overt message of socia...more Borg was born into a Lutheran family of Swedish and Norwegian descent, the youngest of four children. He grew up in the 1940s in North Dakota and attended Concordia College, Moorhead, a small liberal arts school in Moorhead, Minnesota. While at Moorhead he was a columnist for the school paper and held forth as a conservative. After a close reading of the Book of Amos and its overt message of social equality he immediately began writing with an increasingly liberal stance and was eventually invited to discontinue writing his articles due to his new-found liberalism. He did graduate work at Union Theological Seminary and obtained masters and DPhil degrees at Oxford under G. B. Caird. Anglican bishop N.T. Wright had studied under the same professor and many years later Borg and Wright were to share in co-authoring The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions, an amicable study in contrast. Following a period of religious questioning in his mid-thirties, and numinous experiences similar to those described by Rudolf Otto, Borg became active in the Episcopal Church, in which his wife, the Reverend Canon Marianne Wells-Borg, serves as a priest and directs a spiritual development program at the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Portland, Oregon. On May 31, 2009, Borg was installed as the first canon theologian at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.

Marcus J. Borg is Canon Theologian at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland, OR. Internationally known in both academic and church circles as a biblical and Jesus scholar, he was Hundere Chair of Religion and Culture in the Philosophy Department at Oregon State University until his retirement in 2007.

Described by The New York Times as "a leading figure in his generation of Jesus scholars," he has appeared on NBC's "Today Show" and “Dateline,” PBS's "Newshour," ABC’s “Evening News” and “Prime Time” with Peter Jennings, NPR’s “Fresh Air” with Terry Gross, and several National Geographic programs. A Fellow of the Jesus Seminar, he has been national chair of the Historical Jesus Section of the Society of Biblical Literature and co-chair of its International New Testament Program Committee, and is past president of the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars. His work has been translated into eleven languages: German, Dutch, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Indonesian, Italian, Spanish, Portugese, Russian, and French. His doctor's degree is from Oxford University, and he has lectured widely overseas (England, Scotland, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, Israel and South Africa) and in North America, including the Chautauqua and Smithsonian Institutions.(less)

More about Marcus J. Borg...

Books by Marcus J. Borg

Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time: The Historical Jesus and the Heart of Contemporary Faith

Reading the Bible Again for the First Time: Taking the Bible Seriously but Not Literally

The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Final Days in Jerusalem

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