STEP: Resource Review: "The Heart of Christianity"

Resource reviews

The Heart of Christianity
Marcus Borg
Amazon.com: $11.66 new, $3.16 used
234 pages

Marcus Borg's book The Heart of Christianity is the book I have been searching for over the past several years. I have wanted someone or something to explain to me the glaring differences between the two prominent theological perspectives prevalent in Christianity today. As a child raised by a very progressive family, I have always found profound differences in between the way most of my "Bible belt" friends talk about their faith and the way I talk about my own. While we profess many similar ideals, little else in our vocabulary or beliefs regarding the details of religion matches. I have often struggled with how to make sense of these differences until now, after reading Borg's work.

Perhaps the best characteristic of the The Heart of Christianity is the nonjudgmental tone Borg takes throughout the book. Though he argues for the progressive perspective, a Christian raised in the other point of view would not be uncomfortable with this writing. He acknowledges the legitimacy and valuable role that this particular side of the church has played throughout history and will still play in the future. While admitting this, he also takes the most important and fundamental differences between the two understandings and divides them into manageable bits of information. By the end of the book, readers should have a more competent understanding of basic theology and the vocabulary to intellectually discuss the various compelling arguments for all viewpoints, though most specifically the liberal view.

Though his writing is not filled with anecdotes or graphics, he simply and solidly explains each point with just the right amount of detail. His attempt to use a wide variety of sources went a long way to prove his credibility as well. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone that is curious or questioning various aspects of Christian faith as Borg does an excellent job of explaining the various positions in a profound and accessible manner.

Reviewed by: Merillat Pittman, Texas Christian University
Posted: June 24, 2009

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		Resource reviews The Heart of Christianity Marcus Borg Amazon.com: $11.66 new, $3.16 used 234 pages Marcus Borg's book The Heart of Christianity is the book I have been searching for over the past several years. I have wanted someone or something to explain to me the glaring differences between the two prominent theological perspectives prevalent in Christianity today. As a child raised by a very progressive family, I have always found profound differences in between the way most of my "Bible belt" friends talk about their faith and the way I talk about my own. While we profess many similar ideals, little else in our vocabulary or beliefs regarding the details of religion matches. I have often struggled with how to make sense of these differences until now, after reading Borg's work. Perhaps the best characteristic of the The Heart of Christianity is the nonjudgmental tone Borg takes throughout the book. Though he argues for the progressive perspective, a Christian raised in the other point of view would not be uncomfortable with this writing. He acknowledges the legitimacy and valuable role that this particular side of the church has played throughout history and will still play in the future. While admitting this, he also takes the most important and fundamental differences between the two understandings and divides them into manageable bits of information. By the end of the book, readers should have a more competent understanding of basic theology and the vocabulary to intellectually discuss the various compelling arguments for all viewpoints, though most specifically the liberal view. Though his writing is not filled with anecdotes or graphics, he simply and solidly explains each point with just the right amount of detail. His attempt to use a wide variety of sources went a long way to prove his credibility as well. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone that is curious or questioning various aspects of Christian faith as Borg does an excellent job of explaining the various positions in a profound and accessible manner. Reviewed by: Merillat Pittman, Texas Christian University Posted: June 24, 2009 Was this review or resource helpful to you? We want to know what you think. Send your comments on this review or on this material to blyons@helmdisciples.org. Your comments will be posted on this page.