Welcome to the inaugural issue of The Marcus J. Borg Foundation monthly newsletter Awe and Wonder, Here and Now. We will provide news about events and a reflection related to the work of this Foundation: to explore and articulate a faithful and meaningful Christianity for the 21st Century.
News! We have a new website. Go to www.marcusjborg.org read our mission statement, values, initial goals, meet our new Board members and more…
Reflection: Awe and Wonder, Here and Now
Marianne Borg, Founding Chair
Days pass, and the years vanish, and we walk sightless among miracles. Fill our eyes with seeing and our minds with knowing. Let there be moments when your Presence, like lightning, illumines the darkness in which we walk. Help us to see, wherever we gaze, that the bush burns unconsumed. And we, clay touched by God, will reach out for holiness and exclaim in wonder, “How filled with awe is this place…”
I included this Jewish Sabbath prayer in my forward to Days of Awe and Wonder: How to be a Christian in the 21st Century, a collection of Marcus’ writings over his lifetime. This Sabbath prayer captures much of what the Marcus J. Borg Foundation is about: Seeing. Seeing again. And for the purposes of our work, Seeing Christianity Again. It is time for a new vision and understanding of our tradition.
Corrective Lenses
Marcus provided a set of “corrective lenses” to explore Christianity: the riches of scholarship, the importance of context and history, the imperative of metaphorical thinking, all part of seeing the world in which Christianity arose and developed. We will continue to use those lenses in our conversations, educational resources, and event offerings. We will also make use of the “lenses” of science, cosmology and quantum physics. This does not require we become physicists! Others are doing that work. But their discoveries about our world, how it works and the nature of Reality informs and expands our contemporary worldview, the one in which we live. The worldview of today is very different from the ancient worldview of early Christianity. Christianity, to be relevant and trustworthy in the 21st century, needs a new aggiornamento or “bringing up to date.” This “bringing up to date” will require reexamining our understanding of “God,” the language we use, our faith claims, our purpose and contribution.
Marcus cleared the way for us. We will follow in his way and continue to forge our own.
The Marcus J. Borg Foundation is committed to exploring and articulating a faithful and meaningful Christianity for the 21st century, one tradition among many, that can partner with others to assure the survival of humanity and the sustainability of our planet. The stakes are that high.
May we all see with awe and wonder how remarkable is this place and our part in it here and now.
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Ten years ago, the Pastor at the church I attend recommended to me Prof Borg’s book “The Heart of Christianity.” Reading it Helped me see that I was not a heretic, and that there was in the world of a group of progressive Christians who could put into words what I was feeling. I have been a church goer all my life, but never before with the internet in learning more that was sparked by that book. I have read several of the others since, and branded out to other writers as well. As it happens, I delivered my first sermon as a Lay Leader in our United Methodist church this past Sunday. I included a reference to “Meeting Jesus for the First Time.” I had to stop and breath halfway through to keep composure, I was pleased to see that tis foundation is carrying on what Prof. Borg started. I look forward to the Newsletters.
The heart of Christianity and meeting Jesus again might be one and the same. Marcus helped so many of us value our questions and re-examine our belief and unbelief. His scholarship is trustworthy. His understanding of Jesus and the Christian tradition broadened and deepened the way for so many of us. And in a way that made sense. I am so glad Marc’s discoveries are also your own. And that now you articulate them from your own heart and experience. Congratulations on your inaugural address! Your sermon. I love it that you had to stop and breathe. Great wisdom, stop and breathe. Give all this a little time and space…thanks for the reminder! And thank you for being in touch. Let us know what would be helpful for you as we continue along the way.