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The Story of the Foundation
The work of Marcus J. Borg allows the foundation to explore and articulate a meaningful and faithful Christianity for the 21st century. Above all, the values Marcus brought to his work we want to bring to ours.
Following Marcus Borg’s death on January 21, 2015, there was an outpouring of appreciation and an expression of immeasurable loss from people across the country and around the world who had read Marcus’ work, experienced him in the classroom or attended lecture presentations.
After that, there was a ground swell of interest and sense of urgency to continue to explore and articulate a realistic and meaningful Christianity for the 21st Century that would build upon the insights and understanding Marcus provided.
Subsequently, the Marcus J. Borg Foundation, Inc., was established as a 501(c) 3, non-profit charitable organization, a resource for continuing the conversation about Christianity for the 21st Century. In other words, Christianity for the modern world.
Marcus J. Borg was an author of great import that explored historical and biblical topics and applied them to modern Christianity. To clarify some of his thoughts, here is a list of progressive Christian values.
- Intellectual integrity and scholarship
- Elegance and clarity of thought
- Graciousness and humility
- Compassion and understanding
- Awe, wonder and gratitude for the privilege of our experience of life
- The art of asking the open-ended question
- Inquiry and conversation that engages both head and heart
- Theological education that is accessible and transformative
"A thin place is anywhere our hearts are opened..." - Marcus J Borg
Mission Statement
The Marcus J. Borg Foundation is committed to reimagining a realistic and meaningful Christianity for the 21st century. Additionally, our foundation builds upon the historical and biblical work of Marcus J. Borg. We are a resource for conversation, study and community building.
Marcus J. Borg
(3/11/1942 - 1/21/2015)
A Pioneering Voice for Progressive Christianity
Marcus was an American New Testament scholar, theologian and author.[1] He was among the most widely known and influential voices in progressive Christianity and internationally known in both academic and church circles. The New York Times described him as “a leading figure in his generation of Jesus scholars.” Marcus brought clarity and insight to an understanding of Jesus and Christianity that was accessible and transformative.
Marcus was on the faculty at Oregon State University from 1979 until his retirement in 2007 as the Hundere Endowed Chair of Religion and Culture. In 2009 he was made Canon Theologian at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland.
A Best Selling Author
Marcus authored twenty-one books which have sold over a million copies. Many are about Jesus. Some are about God, the Bible, the New Testament, the heart of Christianity, and reclaiming Christian language. His work often focused on what it meant to be a Christian – especially an American Christian in a time of deeply divided American Christianity. Consequently, he also authored a novel whose characters wrestled with these issues. His books have been translated into fourteen languages. Marcus appeared on NBC’s The Today Show and Dateline, ABC’s World News, and NPR’s Fresh Air.
