Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time

The Historical Jesus and the Heart of Contemporary Faith

By: Marcus J. Borg

Narrated by: Adam Verner

Of the many recent books on the historical Jesus, none has explored what the latest biblical scholarship means for personal faith. Now, in Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, Marcus Borg addresses the yearnings of those who want a fully contemporary faith that welcomes rather than oppresses our critical intelligence and openness to the best of historical scholarship. Borg shows how a rigorous examination of historical findings can lead to a new faith in Christ, one that is critical and, at the same time, sustaining.

Drawing on his own journey from a naïve, unquestioning belief in Christ through collegiate skepticism to a mature and contemporary Christian faith, Borg illustrates how an understanding of the historical Jesus can actually lead to a more authentic Christian life - one not rooted in creed or dogma, but in a life of spiritual challenge, compassion, and community.

In straightforward, accessible prose, Borg looks at the major findings of modern Jesus scholarship from the perspective of faith, bringing alive the many levels of Jesus's character: spirit person, teacher of alternative wisdom, social prophet, and movement founder. He also reexamines the major stories of the Old Testament vital to an authentic understanding of Jesus, showing how an enriched understanding of these stories can uncover new truths and new pathways to faith.

©1994 Marcus J. Borg (P)2018 Tantor

Articulated what I have been feeling for years.

Articulated what I have been feeling for years. Brings academic, scholarly, and historical research to a subject that is too often weighed down with church dogma or doctrine, so much so the individual is told not to think for themselves but to believe only what they are told to believe. The one-star review comments are proof of this. This book has brought me closer to Jesus and to God.

Excellent Examination of Christ

This is a great book for looking at who Jesus was as a human being. It places him in context with the time and place in which he lived and the traditions which he would have practiced. The separation between Jesus the Jew (pre-Easter) and the Christian Jesus (post Easter) is examined and shown in relation to the misconceptions and anti-Semitic traditions of the Christian doctrine. The inclusion of an exploration of the gospels and how they were written, who by, and why should be of great importance to those looking for a deeper understandingly the real Jesus and the divine Jesus. This is a enlightening book and has definitely served to help deepen my faith in God.

The narration is is very clear and easy to follow. There were were some spots of monotone performance where I zoned out but overall it was good.

Liberation of Beliefs

Great book giving a faithful but modern review of who Jesus was and what represents today,

Love the book, not so much the narrator

It’s hard to listen to this book because it seems like the narrator intentionally tries to portray some kind of godly voice or devotional voice at the expense of actually reading the book to us. He emphasizes words in the wrong place as if he’s speaking, but not understanding what he’s reading.

Taking me to the next level

What Marcus Borg is onto here is what I’ve been needing; it scratches an itch I’ve been feeling for a long time. Hearing this audiobook is launching me into a new and deeper understanding of Jesus and his message. I’m confident I’ll become a better follower of the Way through the insights contained here.

I read this book regularly

The narration was excellent. I enjoy the author’s perspective and always find that I enhance my relationship to Jesus when I read it!

A Helpful View of Jesus

Hearing Marcus Borg's view of Jesus in this audiobook helped me make sense of my faith. I also listened to his The Heart of Christianity, which was also very good. But I liked how Borg shared some of his own story in Meeting Jesus Again For the First Time, and also how he concentrated on Jesus. I would highly recommend this book to people who are struggling with the traditional views of Christianity. But it might not be that helpful to you if you are already comfortable in your beliefs about Jesus.

excellent book

this book rekindled my desire for a more meaningful relationship with God. Worth reading and then re-reading.

For those who need to rethink Jesus

This book so helps with the deconstruction and the reconstruction for believers in the 21st-century.

Great content, distracting narration

The content of the book is transformational. The narration was distracting. It sounded like it was computer-generated—too perfect and completely lacking in soul. A lot of the message is lost because of this. There is a complete mismatch between the words and the voice of the one delivering them. I plan to get the print version and read it again.