Book Preview - The Heart of Christianity

I picked up a book from the library today that is turning into an awesome read. (Yes, I do read things for personal enjoyment and reflection during the holidays; what better time?) I picked up a book by Marcus J. Borg called The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith. I have read through the first chapter so far, and I'm hooked. I've heard of Borg from my reading of Historical Jesus scholarship. He has written a fair bit on Jesus, and he is a big name aligned with the 'Jesus Seminar'.

This book is all about two different answers to the question 'What is at the heart of Christianity?'. The first he labels as the 'earlier paradigm': it is the majority approach to Christianity in the West, and it has been since the 1600s. The second he labels the 'emerging paradigm': this is a minority approach which has grown up in the past hundred or so years. He summarizes:

The Bible's Origin:
Earlier Paradigm - a divine product with divine authority
Emerging Paradigm - a human response to God

Biblical Interpretation:
Earlier Paradigm - literal-factual (truth based on literal, factual meaning)
Emerging Paradigm - historical and metaphorical (historical context of texts and metaphorical meaning)

Bible's Function:
Earlier Paradigm - revelation of doctrine and morals
Emerging Paradigm - metaphorical and sacramental (a visible vehicle of divine grace)

Christian Life Emphasis:
Earlier Paradigm - afterlife and what to believe/do to be saved
Emerging Paradigm - transformation in this life through relationship with God

And a side note - Emerging Christianity is pluralistic: it sees Christianity as one of many responses to the Divine; however, the distinctiveness and particularity of Christianity is not suppressed.

I finally have words to put on the very thing that I myself have come to see over the past year or two. Two years ago I was fully in the 'earlier paradigm' camp. Now, I find myself very much in the 'emerging paradigm' camp. And looking over the trajectory of my life this past year, I have a feeling the emerging camp is where I'll set up shop and make my home for life.

I'm curious to see what Borg has to say about all the various central elements of Christian faith, and how one particular person (Borg) approaches them from within the emerging paradigm.

It's an exciting read.

I plan on posting an in depth review once I finish the book.

As the old liturgy goes: the Lord be with you.
Kev