Speaking Christian: Why Christian Words Have Lost Their Meaning and Power—And How They Can Be Restored

Written by Marcus J. Borg

Narrated by John Pruden

In Speaking Christian, acclaimed Bible scholar Marcus Borg, author of Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, argues that the very language Christians use has become dangerously distilled, distorted, and disconnected from the beliefs which once underpinned it.

Stating a case that will resonate with readers of N. T. Wright’s Simply Christian, Borg calls for a radical change to the language we use to invoke our beliefs—the only remedy that will allow the Church's words to once again ring with truth, power, and hope.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Jun 21, 2011
• ISBN: 9780062109057

Marcus J. Borg

Marcus J. Borg (1942–2015) was a pioneering author and teacher whom the New York Times described as "a leading figure in his generation of Jesus scholars." He was the Hundere Distinguished Professor of Religion and Culture at Oregon State University and canon theologian at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland, and he appeared on NBC's The Today Show and Dateline, ABC's World News, and NPR's Fresh Air. His books have sold over a million copies, including the bestselling Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, Jesus, The Heart of Christianity, Evolution of the Word, Speaking Christian, and Convictions.

Reviews for Speaking Christian

[Dexter Richardson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Marcus Borg challenges the conventional manner that most evangelical Christians read the Bible. The Bible is read as an individual book of salvation to prepare for the afterlife. Borg suggests reading the Bible as a book that deals with the here and now particularly the teachings of Jesus as outlined in the kingdom of heaven/God. Jesus’s teachings about the broader community and goes beyond individual salvation. His book is worth reading.

[aegossman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent.

[ablueidol · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A crucial case study in how the meanings of words change and how the contemporary reader assumes an objective truth that is socially and culturally constructed. All the more powerful as the writer starts from mainstream Christianity but challenges the conservative and limited views of these views without abandoning the core of the faith.

[mldavis2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book has languished on my bookshelf for a long time and finally found its day in the sun. It should be required reading for anyone even remotely interested in Christianity. Borg is not afraid to look at tradition as a humanly determined set of practices, doctrines, interpretations, understandings and hence beliefs. His "liberal" view of Christian practices gives a practical and logical reason for those who cannot accept literal accounts of biblical historical writings to continue to be Christians in word, thought and deed. By putting biblical text into historical and linguistic context, he frees us from the need to accept ancient description at face value and allows us to follow the "will of God" as endorsed and practiced by His son, Jesus. Borg contrasts liberal and conservative interpretations and views of scripture and offers to both camps the inclusivity taught by Jesus himself. While this may make some conservative Christians uncomfortable, it should be required reading in a spirit of compassion and understanding.

[dubiousdisciple · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What is meant by our Christian language? How do we understand words like “redemption”? Borg reflects on the difference in meaning between liberal and conservative Christian thinking, even though the language is identical. Borg is quite liberal, and he refuses to turn the meaning of words that are special and meaningful to him over to a Christianity that he feels has strayed from the original, radical, this-worldly message of the first Christians.Early Christianity was not focused on heaven or hell. An emphasis on the afterlife has turned Christianity away from its roots, and consequently, many of the concepts of the Bible have been modernized. A lot of the meanings of words we use as Christians differ so severely from person to person that it renders some of us speechless. We simply don’t know how to say what we mean. At least in America, when liberal Christians speak of faith, resurrection, even God, the conservative interpretation is so popular that we often can’t be understood. The problem words are numerous. Saved. Born again. Mercy. Sin. Belief. (Borg suggests that a proper synonym for "believing" is “beloving.”) I've struggled mightily with this problem on various online forums, to the point where it's tempting to simply give up on "speaking Christian." This makes Borg’s book especially timely for me. So serious is the problem that some have concluded that Christian language is beyond redemption and needs to be replaced by language that actually communicates what we want to communicate. But Borg encourages us to hang in there. If we avoid the language of our faith because of uncertainty about what it means, we grant a monopoly on it to those who are most certain about its meaning. That would be unfortunate, for the language is extraordinarily rich, wise, and transformative. Moreover, if we neglect or reject biblical and Christian language because of its common current-day meanings, a serious question arises: Can we be Christian without using the language of Christianity? Borg says no. To abandon the language of Christianity would mean leaving behind something that has been profoundly nourishing. Religions are like language. Ceasing to speak French would mean no longer being French. Being Christian means "speaking Christian."