REVIEW: The Meaning of Jesus

The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions
Marcus J. Borg and N.T. Wright

Borg and Wright are two friends who happen to be on opposite ends of the theological spectrum. But not as much as you might think. The book is written as a "debate" of the historial Jesus. Each chapter focuses on an aspect of the life of Jesus and the sources of our knowledge of his life, namely, the gospels. His birth, teachings, death, resurrection and return are chapter topics. Each author takes turns "going first," and apparently each read the other's chapters and then rewrote their own chapters in response. Because they are truly friends, the debate is respectful and honest.

Most of you reading this are likely familiar with Borg's theology. For those who aren't, Borg is the "liberal" in this debate. He applies an historical-metaphorical approach to studying the Bible. He believes that the gospels do record actual events and actual sayings of Jesus, but he also argues that the gospels also containg events and sayings that didn't happen, but are conveyors of metaphorical and equally important truths. Wright is the "conservative," who believes in the historicity of the gospels. He argues that the gospel writers recorded these events and sayings because they believed they really happened. Both agree that the Bible contains timeless metaphorical truths, and view the gospels in a 1st century Jewish context.

Borg is easier to read than Wright. Borg's writing is easily understandable, while Wright's style is more "theological." Some of Wright's words just aren't in my vocabulary! But overall the book is fascinating, and a wonderful overview of the historical Jesus debate.

The real gem is the final two chapters. The title of the section is Jesus and the Christian Life. Borg and Wright summarize their positions and how each relates to living a Christian life. Borg includes a summary of the differences in positions in his chapter, and admits "some of the differences between Tom and me concern detail of relatively minor importance. Others might be more apparent than real and might be reconciled through sustained dialogue. Still others are not merely apparent, but real and major. I will comment, respectfully and affectionately, and (I trust) clearly and fairly about how I see the major differences." If only all our conversations about our faith and beliefs be so framed.

I really enjoyed reading this book because it presents different viewpoints. Sometimes I agreed with Borg, and sometimes I agreed with Wright. The "major differences" mentioned by Borg are in the areas of sources, methods, viewpoints, etc. They both agree that Christian living is simply taking Jesus seriously as a revolutionary prophet who challenges the political, social and religious status quo. Here is what each says in their final chapters, as summaries of what it means to live a Christian life.

Wright: "Is it not the ultimate aim that we should come face-to-face - and hope and pray to bring others face-to-face - with the one whose face (wounded yet glorious) we see the face of the creator God, the covenant God, the one who loves us more than we can guess? Is it not that we should be transformed by that meeting, that gaze, so that we can share the same love with the world around?"

Borg: "Being Christian is not about believing, but about a relationship with the God who is sacramentally mediated to us through the Christian tradition in a comprehensive sense of the word: the Bible, the gospels, Jesus himself, and the worship and practices of our life together in Christian community."

We can argue the details, but this is the only conclusion.