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Without Buddha I Could Not Be A Christian

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I finished Marcus Borg's book wondering what was so special about Jesus. The American scholar paints a portrait of someone I would have like to have met, a man interested in the mystery of being, in personal transformation, in social and economic justice, a man who practiced peace through nonviolence, right up to the moment of his death. But with more than a few modern incarnations of the Jesus model - Mother Teresa, Desmond Tutu, Dalai Lama, Gandhi, Martin Luther King - I was left wondering, "Why bother with Jesus?"

Paul F Knitter in his new book , Without Buddha I Could Not Be A Christian, helped me find at least a partial answer.

Knitter is a former Catholic priest and retired scholar of comparative religions who since the 1980's has been exploring Buddhism as a way of enlightening, enlivening and refreshing Christian theology. His problems are nothing new: the distance between creator and created, between humans and and a divine Jesus; the presence of evil in a world controlled by an active god; Jesus' radical nonviolence and war in the name of God; the selfish nature of petitionary prayer and the exclusivity of Christian "truth." This book is Knitter's personal exploration of Buddhism as a means of addressing these issues and with an infusion of Eastern mysticism of rescuing Christianity from the literalists.

I'll leave it to the Christians to judge how well he has succeeded. What the book made clear to me is that Buddhism presents a more unified, less contradictory vehicle for approaching the great unknowable. It does not require belief, it does not preach or moralize, and it begins where all things begin - you and your perception of the world. As the Dhammapada says in the first two verses: "All experience is preceded by mind, led by mind, made by mind. Speak with a peaceful mind and happiness follows."

I couldn't help feeling as I progressed through the book that if Christianity needs such a drastic overhaul, then why not just go over to being a Buddhist? Why "rescue" Christianity from itself? Knitter doesn't provide a satisfactory answer. For him it seems to come down to a matter of nostalgia, of not being able to turn away from a tradition and a set of symbols that have defined most of his life. I suppose at the age of 70, Knitter will never be able to put Christianity aside entirely, though he did decide at the end of writing this book to take Buddhist refuge and the Bodhisattva vows, a kind of Buddhist baptism, if you will.

For myself, the book helped me find something about Jesus that matters. Like Socrates before him, Jesus was unflinching in the search for truth, allowing his guiding principles to play out in his life, up to and including the time and manner of his death.

"It was at this point that Jesus felt himself claimed - perhaps unconsciously but certainly agonizingly - by what Lonergan called the Law of the Cross. Faced and threatened by hatred and violence, Jesus knew - or better, he felt - that the divine Spirit acting through him could not respond to hatred and violence with more hatred and violence . . . But he also knew that if he didn't so respond, it was over. They would kill him. That horrified him. The Gospels report that he was so frightened that he sweat blood. He could neither avoid the issue by fleeing nor respond to it by violence. Somehow, having to die at this moment was part of his mission. Therefore, so be it. 'Thy will be done.'"

This is something to which we can all aspire, because so few of us make it that far, to live our principles regardless of the consequences to ourselves, even unto death.

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Once in a rare while a book comes along which is filled with such profound theological insight, spiritual wisdom, and especially courage and humility, that one wants to rush out to buy a dozen copies to send to one's friends.
Knitter, Paul Tillich Professor of Theology, World Religions and Culture at Union Theological Seminary, studied theology at the Gregorian University and then under the renowned Jesuit Karl Rahner as a graduate student. For most of his adult life he has struggled with virtually all of the doctrines of Christianity. More accurately, he has struggled with their exposition and interpretation in our wordy, dualistic, Western terminology. He shares his struggles and questions with the reader, never imposing solutions but simply offering another perspective that he finds in the teachings of the Buddha.
Is there any thoughtful Christian who has not winced at the anthropomorphisms, inconsistencies, intelligibility, and outright contradictions that often permeate our God talk, liturgical services, and prayer life, not to mention credal declarations?
Knitter's questions are directed at the conceptual language we use about God's transcendence and immanence, the Trinity, the Incarnation, creation, evil, the afterlife, the bodily resurrection of Jesus, salvation, the afterlife, eternal damnation, God's will. There is scarcely a piece of our belief system, our spiritual and liturgical life, or our Christian praxis that does not come under scrutiny. This includes the contemporary aversion to silence in liturgy and spirituality (he would increment the Sacraments to include a Sacrament of Silence), the prayer of petition (God the Super-magician who is asked to upset the order of nature for my benefit), eternal damnation (impossible!), just war theory (an oxymoron).
These are not the rantings of a disillusioned Christian, but the thoughtful reflections of a theologian who would see our faith enlarged and enriched. He permits us to throw out the dirty bath water so that we can see and touch the baby again. You will finish this book (probably after a second reading) with a deepened sense of the divine, a renewed and enlightened Christian faith.
Finally and logically Knitter leads us to Christian praxis and a vision of the radical changes required if, as individuals and church, we would realize God's "Kindom," to use his pregnant neologism.
Knitter is no armchair theologian. Having come out of the liberation theology tradition, he has worked actively in Latin America in the cause of peace, justice, and reconciliation. Thus the concluding chapter of the book addresses a Christian praxis rooted in the example and teaching of Jesus (and the Buddha). It reminds us that, to use the Buddhist expression, "to make peace we must be peace." No reader can finish this book without concluding that Christianity and just war theory are simply incompatible.
Knitter looks to the day when we can read a book entitled "Without Jesus I could not be a Buddhist."

Paul Knitter remains a Churchman but he is unflinchingly honest about the problems created for those who want to be followers of Jesus today, by what the Western Church has done over the centuries, with the life, example and teaching of Jesus.
In each chapter, Knitter spells out his own problems with one area of Christian orthodoxy, moves into who Buddhism offers in the corresponding area, and then brings back into his Christian self, whats he has gained from immersion in Buddhism.
He brings to this book his own rich maturity in Christian faith and the fruits of his Buddhist insights, all of it honed by discussions with his students. The result - presented with freshness and humour - is a book as much devotional and spiritual biography as academic theology. It has helped me to see Jesus as a living spiritual trail-blazer who cannot be understood in Western thought forms alone.
For anyone who is having difficulty with the dualist, paternalist, imperialist and exclusivist nature of Western Christian orthodoxy, but who still thinks trying to be a follower of Jesus in today's world is worth an effort, I warmly recommend this book.

This is a terrific book and I'm only 1/3 of the way through it now; it is speaks of truth in its highest form. It may very well be one of the most important books of our time on understanding the Buddhist and Christian dialog; and what they offer to spiritual seekers around the world. Prof. Knitter has written something here that is astounding and pure, brave and bold, and with great humility. This book will provide the reader with a deep understanding of both the Christian and Buddhist traditions, and enable you to grow profoundly in "the way" of each. The first chapter alone is a priceless jewel. - Ron Starbuck - Author/Poet Without Buddha I Could Not Be A Christian

The author makes a good case for addressing the difficult comparisons between Christianity and Buddhism. His theological background drives the story of his personal journey of faith, and sometimes gets in the way of his effort to persuade the christian reader to adapt the principles of buddhism to their own spiritual practice. nevertheless, Mr. Knitter's back and forth positioning of the interfaith dialogue is perhaps a good building block, especially for the reader who may be a bit reliant on doctrines when it comes to living out their faith.
I wish the the book was written a little more "on street level" so that persons who may be at a crossroads in
spiritual life could get a clearer view. Yet a worthwhile read for anyone who sincerely wishes for a more
meaningful interreligious dialogue.

I first became aware of this book when it was roundly criticized on a right wing Anglican blog.
All of those attacking (and that's the correct term) admitted they had not read the book but because of the title it must be bad.
I have been studying Buddhism for the last few years and I knew I needed to read this book.
Paul Knitter allows you to journey with him as he deals on a personal level with issues of Christian faith.
Most of the issues are things that have bothered me over the years and I found the author's insight helpful.
Looking from the perspective of Buddhist teachings does seem add understanding to both points of view. In many areas we really are saying very similar things.
I too am not sure about the Buddhist-Christian or Christian-Buddhist issue but I for one cannot simply recite ancient dogma week after week without thinking about it. If you are a thoughtful seeker I think you will enjoy this book. It definitely is not for people of the fundamentalist ilk.

Although I am more conservative that the author in my theology, this book was a good read and will make anyone think deeper about their faith.

As my title indicates I love this book. The author deals with questions he has had about his beliefs as a Catholic many of which I have struggled with myself. His explanations of how Buddhism has helped him understand Catholicism better have helped me grasp many of our beliefs at a much deeper, clearer level. I would add that had I not already had some background in Buddhism I might not have been able to follow him as well.

This book speaks with depth and understanding regarding the essentials of Buddhism and Christianity, and the author used an approach that is intelligent and balanced. I was challenged to examine my own long-held beliefs and learned the importance of one's tested and direct experience versus a blind acceptance of the tenets of any religion. I admired the author's integrity and struggles to be true to his Christian roots as he respectfully probed and questioned the teachings of both Christianity and Buddhism. Christianity is his religion of birth while much of the Buddha's way has informed and enriched his spiritual journey. I think we're each called to be fully human, an unsettling call for many of us at times, and the author draws us beyond our comfort zone toward a deeper examination of what we hold to be true. My mind and heart were equally engaged as I read and pondered his unrelented probings, and I'm grateful to the author for questioning his own long-held and cherished beliefs in search of the real and the true. He seems to have written this book as much for himself as for the reader, and I applaud his willingness to stand spiritually naked before us all. As with Gandhi his life is his teaching as he continues to live in process. I'm very impressed and I highly recommend this book.

I agreed to review this book for a group that includes former missioners who were based at non-Buddha territories. I am somewhat familiar with Bhuddhism but found the book more interesting as I progressed. Having just finished it, it was well worth the effort to continue! Such dialogue shows we are all aiming for the same thing, but take different paths. We need to learn more about how our different paths all converge! It takes alot of extra time to think through the text.