Jesus in Contemporary Scholarship - by Marcus Borg (Paperback)

About the Book

Professor Borg, a nationally known Jesus scholar, offers an accessible guide through the growing maze of literature and research on Jesus. A welcome resource for libraries and researchers, the book focuses on the renaissance in Jesus studies in the 1980s, examines issues in contemporary Jesus research, and reveals how current research may help rethink Jesus' identity.

Book Synopsis

Who was Jesus? A cynic-like figure? A political activist? Professor Marcus Borg, a nationally known Jesus scholar, here offers an accessible guide through the growing maze of literature and research on Jesus. This state-of the art volume will be a welcome resource especially for libraries, research specialists and students. The book is divided into three parts. Part One deals with Jesus scholarship in the 1980s, focusing on the renaissance in Jesus studies during that period and summarizing the portraits of Jesus offered by North American scholars. Part Two examines issues in contemporary Jesus research, particularly questions related to the "eschatological Jesus" and the "politics of Jesus." Part Three looks at the potential of current research for helping rethink Jesus' identity and the implications for the modern reader and the church. Jesus in Contemporary Scholarship represents a "summing up" of current research and an illuminating and important contribution to the ongoing debate. Marcus J. Borg is Hundere Distinguished Professor of Religion and Culture at Oregon State University, a Fellow of the Jesus Seminar, and the author of the recently published Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time.

Review Quotes

"Borg is the most articulate voice of those coming out of the Jesus Seminar. He writes clearly and forcefully, his claims are carefully stated and judiciously argued and he seeks to take seriously his dual role as a professor in a state university and as a committed churchman. [Jesus in Contemporary Scholarship] gathers together several previously published essays with other lectures to provide an interesting composite of current research into the historical Jesus. Not only are the works of other researchers accurately reported, but Borg discusses the critical issues at stake and why the matter of the historical Jesus is important for the life of the church." Charles B.--Sanford Lakoff "Interpretation "

About the Author

Marcus Borg is Hundere Professor of Religion and Culture at Oregon State University, lecturer, and author of twelve books, including the best-selling Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time and the award-winning The God We Never Knew.