Jesus in Contemporary Scholarship [Paperback]

Marcus Borg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1994

Who was Jesus? A cynic-like figure? A political activist? Professor Marcus Borg, a nationally known Jesus scholar, here offers an accessible guide through the growing maze of literature and research on Jesus. This state-of the art volume will be a welcome resource especially for libraries, research specialists and students. The book is divided into three parts. Part One deals with Jesus scholarship in the 1980s, focusing on the renaissance in Jesus studies during that period and summarizing the portraits of Jesus offered by North American scholars. Part Two examines issues in contemporary Jesus research, particularly questions related to the "eschatological Jesus" and the "politics of Jesus." Part Three looks at the potential of current research for helping rethink Jesus' identity and the implications for the modern reader and the church. Jesus in Contemporary Scholarship represents a "summing up" of current research and an illuminating and important contribution to the ongoing debate. Marcus J. Borg is Hundere Distinguished Professor of Religion and Culture at Oregon State University, a Fellow of the Jesus Seminar, and the author of the recently published Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Borg is the most articulate voice of those coming out of the Jesus Seminar. He writes clearly and forcefully, his claims are carefully stated and judiciously argued and he seeks to take seriously his dual role as a professor in a state university and as a committed churchman. [Jesus in Contemporary Scholarship] gathers together several previously published essays with other lectures to provide an interesting composite of current research into the historical Jesus. Not only are the works of other researchers accurately reported, but Borg discusses the critical issues at stake and why the matter of the historical Jesus is important for the life of the church." -- Charles B. Cousar, Columbia Theological Seminary, reviewing for Interpretation, October 1996 (Charles B. Cousar Interpretation )

"Borg is the most articulate voice of those coming out of the Jesus Seminar. He writes clearly and forcefully, his claims are carefully stated and judiciously argued and he seeks to take seriously his dual role as a professor in a state university and as a committed churchman. [Jesus in Contemporary Scholarship] gathers together several previously published essays with other lectures to provide an interesting composite of current research into the historical Jesus. Not only are the works of other researchers accurately reported, but Borg discusses the critical issues at stake and why the matter of the historical Jesus is important for the life of the church." -- Charles B. Cousar, Columbia Theological Seminary, reviewing for Interpretation, October 1996 (, Interpretation )

About the Author

Marcus Borg is Hundere Professor of Religion and Culture at Oregon State University, lecturer, and author of twelve books, including the best-selling Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time and the award-winning The God We Never Knew.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Trinity Press Int'l (August 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563380943
• ISBN-13: 978-1563380945
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,864 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Marcus J. Borg is professor emeritus in the philosophy department at Oregon State University, where he held the Hundere Chair in Religion and Culture, and author of the New York Times bestselling Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, The Heart of Christianity, The Last Week, and Jesus. He was an active member of the Jesus Seminar when it focused on the historical Jesus and he has been chair of the historical Jesus section of the Society of Biblical Literature.