The Heart of Christianity - Rediscovering a Life of Faith
by Marcus Borg
"Do you still not perceive or understand? ... Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear?" (Mark 8:17-18)  
Book Review by Wayne Holst
Reviewed for Episcopal Life, New York. Jerry Hames, Editor. Oct. 9th, 2003.

THE HEART OF CHRISTIANITY: Rediscovering a Life of Faith, by Marcus J. Borg. Harper Collins: New York, NY. 2003. 234 pp. Hardcover. $22.95 US. ISBN #0-06-052676-9.

Reviewed by: Wayne A. Holst (750 words)

An old adage suggests that the trouble with trying to be a bridge-person is that you end up being walked over from both sides. All the same, in his latest book The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith, Marcus Borg revisions biblical metaphors and recreates classic themes to help mend serious divisions between Christians today. He wants to involve a wide range of people in reconstructive theological bridge-building.

Borg's approach, while focused and intentional, is also non-combative and consensus-seeking. He avoids the need to be right and centres instead on living in the real world with Christian integrity.

His solid grasp of the material and well-developed insights are complemented by a crisp writing-style. Previous books include Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time (1994), The God We Never Knew (1997),  and Reading the Bible Again for the First Time (2001).

Many who listen to his public presentations and read his books have rejected traditional beliefs about Jesus, God and the Bible. Yet they still desire to be spiritually nourished by Christian faith and to walk the talk.

Married to Marianne, an active Episcopalian priest, the author practices what he preaches as a lay churchgoer and does not just teach and write about religion.

Borg seeks to connect the religious academy with ordinary folk. He writes for lovers of faith and those seeking a faith to love.

The Heart of Christianity  describes an emerging, comprehensive way of viewing the faith. It is written primarily for people for whom the inherited version of Christianity no longer works. "In this time of change and conflict within the church, what is the heart of Christianity?" he asks inclusively. "What is most central to an authentic ... Christian life today?"

The nub of the contemporary conflict between Christians is about two comprehensive ways of seeing Christianity as a whole, he continues. There is an "earlier" and an  "emerging" Christian worldview. The author himself is committed to the latter, but he is no longer satisfied with the designations of "liberal" and "conservative".

He maintains that there is no single, right way of being Christian and he respects those who prefer an older, more orthodox approach than his own.

Under the rubric of seeing the Christian tradition again, the author revisits and expands upon key themes from his previous works on the Bible, God, and Jesus.

Under the heading of seeing the Christian life again, Borg refurbishes old biblical/theological images like "born again", the "Kingdom of God", "sin" and  "salvation"  and presents them as bridging metaphors with contemporary meanings.

Those holding an "earlier" worldview will undoubtedly find it difficult to accept the author's "emerging" position concerning the human origins of the Bible and this-worldly interpretations of God and Jesus. Similarly, those holding an "emerging" position may wince at the author's attempts to revive traditional terms from the "earlier" worldview.

Borg helps us appreciate what we hold in common.

The author considers that the heart of the matter, showing our love for God, requires a recovery of rituals, festivals and disciplines in modern church life.

Being part of a community is necessary for spiritual formation and sustenance. Adults, as well as children, need continuing development and education in the faith. Prayer, meditation and contemplation are necessary disciplines. Christian friendship (having a spiritual soul mate) is almost mandatory for growth, for it is not really possible to be a Christian alone.

Practicing compassion and justice is the public expression of the heart of the matter. How we vote or make our charitable donations should be a reflection of our values as Christians.  Many social problems seem so overwhelming. Yet doing what we can as part of a patchwork quilt of cooperation with others of good will can make a considerable difference.

Why be Christian? Are not all religions the same? In previous generations, religious diversity in America consisted of Catholics and Protestants. Now, we are experiencing religious pluralism more than any generation since the early centuries of Christianity.

Embracing religious pluralism as a friend not only introduces us to other faiths, but, in the process, helps us to understand our own Christian traditions better.

"For us as Christians, Jesus is the way," Borg concludes, "even though not the only expression of the way." Christians need to become more deeply Christian and to live more fully into their own tradition.

Our's is a time for bridging, not barrier-building. This book is a worthy ally to that end.
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Reviever's Bio: Wayne A. Holst is a writer, and an adult educator at St. Davids United Church, Calgary.
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St. David's United Church.Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
December
2004