Jesus At 2000 [Hardcover]

Marcus Borg (Author), EDITOR * (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 21, 1996

On February 9-10, 1996, six internationally known Jesus scholars participated in the first national symposium to commemorate the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus. Talking about the historical, religious, and cultural significance of Jesus, these scholars drew mass media attention and inspired a phenomenally successful follow-up discussion group on the Internet. Jesus at 2000 makes the symposium available to those seeking an introduction to the controversial historical study of Jesus and Christian origins and to those wishing to examine the intricacies of this New Testament scholarship more carefully.In addition to the papers presented by Marcus J. Borg, John Dominic Crossan, Alan F. Segal, Harvey Cox, Karen Jo Torjesen, and Huston Smith, this book includes questions from the symposium as well as a concluding chapter that introduces the historical study of Jesus and Christian origins to the newly curious. Readers will appreciate the wide range of perspectives offered, from historical Jesus scholarship to Jewish studies, early Christian history, world religions, and religion and culture. Written for a general audience, the book will be useful in both academic and church settings for those wanting to know what the academy is saying about Jesus.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"As an example of Jesus Seminar studies, the volume does not disappoint. It is not a listing of the well-publicized colored-bead voting on the historicity of the saying of Jesus; rather, it is billed as a scholarly stock-taking of Jesus as he turns 2,000." -- Journal of Ecumenical Studies

"I have used the 'Jesus at 2000' teleconferences with clergy, laypersons, and students. They are stimulating and challenging discussion starters. One lay respondent commented that they 'gracefully liberate myth from its taboo prison and reconstruct a potential faith breaker into a fully realized faith maker.' Marcus Borg's collection of partially revised versions of the teleconference talks, audience questions, and speaker responses, combined with his own introduction to research on Jesus and Christian origins will fill the many requests I have had for relevant, accompanying reading material." -- Rev. Dr. Dennis C. Duling Canisius College, Buffalo, New York

"In the 27th annual Trinity Institute, which had more participants than ever through the use of satellite and television, a unique group of scholars led by Marcus Borg made an invaluable addition to the current, widely popular, and often misunderstood 'Quest for the Historical Jesus.' In this book the Institute's rich and varied presentations are presented in a format that is particularly appropriate for congregational use. This contribution strengthens discourse about the Christian faith and is a magnificent introduction for laypeople." -- Rev. Herbert A. Donovan Jr.--ret.; Trinity Parish, New York City

"Take some of the most exciting thinkers around, focus them on the most significant person who ever lived, and what do you get? A book that not only chronicles the quest for the historical Jesus, but also gains new ground in our understanding of him." -- Walter Wink Auburn Theological Seminary; author of Engaging the Powers

"The essays have scholarly substance, but are still within reach of the committed general reader." -- The Antioch Review

"This is popular scholarship at its best. Originally based on lectures, this book has the informality of someone sitting in your living room yet the scholarly depth of great teachers. It unflinchingly asks the hard questions and suggests a variety of answers combining the canons of historicity with the insights of faith." -- Hershel Shanks, Editor of Biblical Archaeology Review and Bible Review

"This one-of-a-kind volume enlarges the current Jesus debate. The essays, by respected scholars, approach Jesus from a variety of angles-historical scholarship, Jewish studies, early Christian theology, contemporary popular culture, and the world's religions. The readable prose and study questions make the essays eminently useful for diverse settings-from college classrooms to church study groups." -- W. Barnes Tatum Greensboro College; author of In Quest of Jesus: A Guidebook and John the Baptist and Jesus: A Report of the Jesus Seminar

"Will be highly useful in various settings, both in the church and in the academy." -- Review & Expositor, 94 --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Marcus J. Borg is Hundere Distinguished Professor of Religion and Culture in the Philosophy Department at Oregon State University. He is the author of seven books, including the best-selling Jesus: A New Vision (1987) and Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time (1994).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; 2nd Printing edition (November 21, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813332524
• ISBN-13: 978-0813332529
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,649,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book from college., February 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Jesus At 2000 (Paperback)

I was a Theology major in college - this book was required reading material. As a more conservative Christian, I have a lot of respect for Marcus Borg. He is a widely respected theologian, but he also truly believes in Jesus Christ. This book shows how Jesus is viewed as we approach Y2K. Since it is now 2001, I find that Borg to be accurate in his predictions and views. Although other theological book I read in college were "scholastic" then Christian, I find Borg has written a refreshing book to which all can relate.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Gospels Reflect A Developing Tradition, May 6, 2002

By 

Patrick Doherty (Birmingham, Alabama, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jesus At 2000 (Paperback)

The historical study of Jesus and Christion origins is discussed by six well-known scholars. In two succinct essays and the book's introduction Marcus Borg gives us some basic tenets of modern Jesus scholarship. There is, for instance, no such thing as a wholly objective perspective on Jesus. The Bible is the human product of two ancient societies. The gospels are products of early Christian communities and they reflect a developing tradition within those groups of people. Jesus' public life took place in the first third of the first century while the canonical gospels were written during the last third of the same century. In between the newly emerging faith was sustained largely by oral tradition. Most of the other contributors to this book are probably in agreement with the above statements even though they come to this discussion from widely different backgrounds.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Place To Begin The Journey, May 3, 2002

By 

Rosemary Brunschwyler (Homewood, Alabama, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jesus At 2000 (Paperback)

For anyone interested in learning more about the work of the Jesus Seminar and contemporary Jesus scholarship this is as good a place as any to begin the journey. The diverse essays are mainly excellent. Most chapters are accompanied by questions and responses recorded during the actual scholarly symposium commemorating the 2000 anniversary of the birth of Jesus held at Oregon State University in 1996. The notes for each chapter are extensive and I find the list of resources at the end of the book to be very helpful for someone who is just beginning to become curious about the study of the historical Jesus.