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Marcus J. Borg

Reading the Bible Again For the First Time: Taking the Bible Seriously But Not Literally Paperback – January 5, 2002

by Marcus J. Borg (Author)

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Many Christians mistakenly believe that their only choice is either to reconcile themselves to a fundamentalist reading of scripture (a "literal-factual" approach) or to simply reject the Bible as something that could bring meaning and value into their lives. In Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, Marcus Borg shows how instead we can freshly appreciate all the essential elements of the Old and New Testaments—from Genesis to Revelation—in a way that can open up a new world of intelligent faith.

In Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, Borg reveals how it is possible to reconcile a scientific and critical way of thinking with our deepest spiritual needs, leading to an insightful experience of ancient text. This unique book invites every reader—whatever his or her religious background—to engage the Bible, to wrestle with its meaning, to explore its mysteries, and to understand its relevance. Reading the Bible Again for the First Time shows us how to encounter the Bible in a fresh, new way that rejects the limits of simple literalism and opens up the rich possibility of living a life of authentic faith.

Print length

336 pages
Language

English
Publisher

HarperSanFrancisco
Publication date

January 5, 2002
Dimensions

7.9 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“[A]n accessible book, almost entirely devoid of scholarly jargon but filled with scholarly insight.” (Christian Century)

“Borg writes passionately about the enduring values of the Bible. The engaging historical details he includes make familiar stories read like new. Whether you read the Bible religiously or rarely, this book is thought-provoking.” (Christian Science Monitor)

“Borg… has a knack for clarifying difficult theological issues and writing in a pensive style that is extremely accessible to Christian laity and seekers of all stripes. Almost single-handedly, he opened up new avenues of thought for lapsed or nonbelievers interested in re-visioning the Christianity of their childhood.” (Spirituality and Practice)

“Provides many excellent metaphorical readings of biblical accounts, which unify the Bible’s stories.” (Library Journal)

“A highly readable and succinct introduction to biblical criticism.” (Publishers Weekly)

“[T]akes the Bible back from the specialists…nothing short of a blessing, even a miracle!” (Peter J. Gomes, author of The Good Book: Reading the Bible With Heart and Mind)

“Borg’s analysis is profound, challenging and engrossing; it will enable readers to use scripture creatively once again and truly make it a bridge for the divine.” (Karen Armstrong, author of A History of God)

“This welcome book removes many of the barriers that separate thoughtful people from the wisdom of the Bible.” (Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People)

About the Author

Marcus J. Borg (1942–2015) was a pioneering author and teacher whom the New York Times described as "a leading figure in his generation of Jesus scholars." He was the Hundere Distinguished Professor of Religion and Culture at Oregon State University and canon theologian at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland, and he appeared on NBC's The Today Show and Dateline, ABC's World News, and NPR's Fresh Air. His books have sold over a million copies, including the bestselling Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, Jesus, The Heart of Christianity, Evolution of the Word, Speaking Christian, and Convictions.

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Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0060609192
Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperSanFrancisco; Revised ed. edition (January 5, 2002)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.9 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #57,267 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #260 in Christian Bible Criticism & Interpretation
- #985 in Christian Bible Study (Books)

Customer Reviews:
442 ratings

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5 star		73%
4 star		17%
3 star		4%
2 star		2%
1 star		5%

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Amazon Customer

A "Tool" for Seeing the Spiritual When the Content is Problematic

Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2016

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I'm not finished yet as a friend and I are discussing it via gmail messaging. I'm an ex-believer, serious skeptic. My friend is a practicing liberal Christian. My "ex" status is about the use of scripture (any holy book) as a weapon against people rather than as spiritual tool and a guide as to how to treat each other. With the "weaponizing" of scripture came a closer look at how it is used for science, biology, anthropology; etc. This book was recommended as a possible different way of reading the Bible that could ease my criticism. I'm not sure yet whether my old love of scripture will return; but I'm finding it interesting. For those who do want to be "Christian"; it will be helpful. For me, it isn't changing my status as an apostate; however, it is making me less angry at its positions and how those are used in some circles. I highly recommend it for those who want to remain Christian but reject some of the literal interpretations, or the book as science. JMO

38 people found this helpful

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Ernest G. Barr

Deeper Meanings in Metaphors

Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2014

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I am a fan of Marcus Borg--if Borg wrote it, I'll read it! I bought "Reading the Bible Again for the First Time" in 2006 and appreciated Borg's interpretation of the Bible so much that I recommended it to a discussion group I lead; consequently, I bought five more copies for the group. Some of the concepts are new to a few of the group, but they follow the compelling insights of the author and are really into the discussion.

Among the many points made by Borg are that the Bible is a human product reflecting the culture and the historical period in which it was written. It tells us about how the two ancient communities (Hebrew and early Christian) saw things, not how God sees things. Much of the Bible is not written to be understood literally, but to a great extent in metaphors. For example, Borg quotes a Native American storyteller relating his tribe's story of creation: "Now I don't know if it happened this way or not, but I know this story is true." This expression could apply equally well to many of the stories in the Bible including not only the early Hebrew scripture, but those written by the Apostles as well.

There is a troublesome passage in the Gospel of John where Jesus is quoted as saying, "I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me." Borg explains the metaphor of the "way" or the "path" or the "journey" not as literal entities, nor are they a set of beliefs. Borg says for John the "way" or "path" of Jesus is the metaphor for being born anew (another metaphor) into a new way of being. In short, "The way of Jesus is a universal way, known to millions who have never heard of Jesus."

While many of these interpretations may be troublesome to some readers, it can be refreshing to those who are willing to reconsider traditional, fundamentalist understandings of the Bible and at least hold open the possibility that there are profound truths to be found beneath the literal word.

Ernest G. Barr

33 people found this helpful

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DrillG

Thought provoking viewpoint

Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2019

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I've been a Christian my entire life and long ago stopped taking the Bible literally in all instances, despite the convictions of my Sunday school teachers back in the day and quite a few pastors I've heard over the years. However, that doesn't mean I haven't felt a bit of guilt over my stance. While I don't agree with all of Dr. Borg's conclusions, the book is still a very thought provoking read. What is important is that Dr. Borg demonstrated through his life and this book that it is possible to be a devout Christian and not take 100% of the Bible literally (despite what conservative Christians will tell you). It truly is not an "all or nothing" situation.

4 people found this helpful

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Tim

For anyone serious about understanding the Bible

Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2014

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Biblical scholarship is finally available for people in the pews. If you are a person who has loved the Bible but has (even once) found yourself asking, "what does that mean?" then this book will be a godsend. Marcus Borg, one of the most noted biblical scholars of our time, provides a very readable explanation of the content that so many of us have heard for years and years and yet have only been able to recognize as being "from" scripture. Borg does a masterful job in laying out the premise for a much deeper understanding of our sacred heritage, beginning with his own fascination with the material as a young child, throughout his conservative seminary training into his role as a preeminent scholar who is determined to bring the beauty of our sacred tradition into the hands of the people for whom it was meant. His style is gracious and he is cognizant that seeing scriptural passages broken down and dissected (and assigned meaning that heretofore has been spoken of only in academic circles) can be a stressful endeavor for the common Christian with little or no training in biblical interpretation. Yet his analysis, while always respectful, is incisive and liberating. His insights bring to light the intentions of the biblical authors in such a way as to make them appear brand new. Reading this book will make you realize how much beauty has remained hidden in scripture because few people have been willing to share these valuable and life affirming insights with Christians outside the seminaries. Understanding the scriptures literally is clearly ONE way to read them, but perhaps the least effective. There is far more depth present than what a literal interpretation renders. Borg sheds light on that beauty within and in an extremely readable way provides us with some of the remarkable power contained in this sacred book. Although he has been dubbed a "liberal scholar" and carelessly dismissed by conservatives because of his association with the Jesus Seminar, he remains steadfast in his faith. He is committed to sharing his love of God and his understanding of Jesus as Messiah and Lord with others who love the Bible as he does. Reading this book will allow you to see scripture anew.......or, "Again, for the First Time."

15 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Steve Cornforth

Biblical realism without losing the heart

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 28, 2014

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I have struggled for a few years to get to grips with the many problems presented by the bible. The classic evangelical approach is that every word is to be taken as literal truth. I did a talk a few years ago about Joshua and the levels of violence were disturbing. I found myself admitting that I had very little to say. Then there are the inconsistencies in the gospels and the frankly unbelievable stories such as Adam and Eve, Jonah and Balaam's ass.

The warning has always been that if you select only those parts of the bible that you like that you water down the whole.

This excellent book by Marcus J Borg addresses those very concerns. He present s the bible in a new way - from the point of the view of those who wrote the various documents and those who would have received them. He places the bible within the world that it came into being, rather than as a guide book to be interpreted as if it was written last week.

So, for example, the gospels might be history - a factual narrative, testimony - statements of the impact of Jesus or metaphor - stories to tell readers what Jesus was like. But Borg does not write this in a way that dilutes the bible. On the contrary he points out that each of these is valid. The underlying truth remains the same.

He writes as an academic but in a way that does not hide his own passion and love for the scriptures.

A great read and highly recommended for anyone seeking the truth behind the most popular book in history.

16 people found this helpful

Tabbycat

Wonderful book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2013

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This book is well written and very refreshing. It helps the reader take the bible apart (just realising that the bible is actually not one book but a collection of books and stories helps so much! ) and analyse it without stripping away the beauty and wisdom contained therein.
It helps those of us who struggle with the common literalistic interpretation of the bible. Marcus Borg has written a wonderful and intelligent book - and I heartily recommend it to anyone.

3 people found this helpful

Esther

Accessible and full of insight

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 7, 2018

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Really accessible book - lots of popular theory (biblical criticism and historical perspectives) but presented with a faith stance which shows how the Bible can be valuable and contain truth without being literally interpreted. Worth a read for anyone interested in this area.

Rebecca Mynett

Another excellent read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 20, 2013

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This is another insightful book from Marcus Borg. The introductory chapters on how people read the Bible are very interesting. The chapter on the Pentateuch will be familiar to anyone who has done and introductory course on the Old Testament with its fairly standard discussion of J & P, and the Chapters on the Gospels and on Paul repeats will be familiar to anyone who has read some of Borg's other work. Where this book stands out, however, is in the chapters on the Prophets and on Revelation. I would definitely recommend it for those chapters.

One person found this helpful

ExistJeff

Get clearer about The Bible

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 29, 2015

Verified Purchase

This book has helped me put the Bible into perspective. As a Quaker my faith does not depend on literal adherence to it (rather I go along with the view traditionally described that we sit in God's presence). But with so much distortion of religious texts by fundamentalists it is excellent for our 'compass bearings' to be reviewed!

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