• The Heart of Christianity

  • Rediscovering a Life of Faith
  • By: Marcus J. Borg
  • Narrated by: John Pruden
  • Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (202 ratings)

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The Heart of Christianity

By: Marcus J. Borg
Narrated by: John Pruden
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Publisher's summary

World-renowned Jesus scholar Marcus J. Borg shows how we can live passionately as Christians in today's world by practicing the vital elements of Christian faith.

For the millions of people who have turned away from many traditional beliefs about God, Jesus, and the Bible, but still long for a relevant, nourishing faith, Borg shows why the Christian life can remain a transforming relationship with God. Emphasizing the critical role of daily practice in living the Christian life, he explores how prayer, worship, Sabbath, pilgrimage, and more can be experienced as authentically life-giving practices.

Borg reclaims terms and ideas once thought to be the sole province of evangelicals and fundamentalists: he shows that terms such as "born again" have real meaning for all Christians; that the "Kingdom of God" is not a bulwark against secularism but is a means of transforming society into a world that values justice and love; and that the Christian life is essentially about opening one's heart to God and to others.

©2003 Marcus J. Borg (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about The Heart of Christianity

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book worth rediscovering for both head and heart

This is another example of a book I had on my shelves for years but might never have read if Audible hadn't featured it in a sale. I listened to it in two sessions: It's very accessible, yet very rich, and still holds up 8 years after initial publication. It would be well worth a full credit.

Borg synthesizes other, more in-depth work (which made for more dense listening/reading) into a more pastoral format. "Heart" for him is what is most central and alive, the driving force deeper than intellect -- It gives Christianity transformative power. And it's so good to hear a Jesus Seminar scholar who still speaks so positively about mainline Christianity, one that satisfies both "head and heart." Borg makes a case for emerging Christianity (Did he coin the term in this book?), but he does not denigrate anyone who does not agree with all or any of his views - His is a very respectful, welcoming stance, so I think the listen could appeal even to traditionalists who just want to understand the "other" paradigm for being Christian today. The open hands on the book cover are a perfect illustration of the content.

The narration is better than most similar nonfiction-- Narrators seem to be challenged in finding the right note in books on spirituality, but this one is easy on the ears.

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19 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Faith without sacrificing intelligence. Beautiful.

Where does The Heart of Christianity rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Its different from my usual listens... I tend towards fiction. It certainly had a greater effect on me than any other book I have listened to.

What other book might you compare The Heart of Christianity to and why?

Falling Upwards by Richard Rohr

What does John Pruden bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He has a clear, easy to listen to voice. He read at the perfect pace for this type of work.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The entire book was inspiring. It deals with the new, more inclusive paradigm that is emerging in many churches.

Any additional comments?

This book made me comfortable with the idea of organized religion again.

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8 people found this helpful

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Finding Christianity Agan

What made the experience of listening to The Heart of Christianity the most enjoyable?

I always feel with Borg that I am being introduced to what I believe all over again.

What other book might you compare The Heart of Christianity to and why?

I liked Cahill's Desire of the Everlasting Hills, but Borg is even better. In fact, I would recommend both, Cahill first.

Which character – as performed by John Pruden – was your favorite?

Nonfiction books don't have main characters.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

More thrilling and honest than Dan Brown's works.

Any additional comments?

Believer and nonbeliever will find this book enlightening.

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Should be Titled "Heart of ANTI-Christianity"

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Someone looking for religion but NOT a relationship with Jesus Christ as a born again believer in the Grace (unmerited favor of God).

What could Marcus J. Borg have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

At least make up a different name for his religous belief proposal. He is historically inaccurate to call this Christianity.

Would you be willing to try another one of John Pruden’s performances?

Yes.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Well organized.

Any additional comments?

By his own definition Mr. Borg is not a Christian. He fails to take into account the overwhelming biblical and historical accounts as well as compelling evidence (The Christian Research Institute). Without Grace (unmerited favor in the forgiveness of ALL our sins past, present & future - through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ) there is no Christianity - but Hallelujah through the blood of Christ we have the righteousness of Christ to live in His glory! Mr. Borg presents religion, not true relationship through Jesus Christ.

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Interesting look at Christianity

This book really challenged my thinking on all things Christian whisk is always good.while I am not sure I agree with all his premises they made for very interesting discussions in my church book study group.

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Changes your way of seeing Christianity.

This book really challenged me in a great way. I’ve had a lot of bones to pick with Christianity and the hurt and pain the church caused me. This helped me see Christianity, Christ and God in a whole new way that made sense. A belief I could continue to hold in my heart while opposing the many people who have similar yet totally different spiritual beliefs.

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A new take on Christianity...

... that you might not have heard before.

I highly recommend this book to Christians who feel comfortable in their Christianity, as well as for non-Christians who think they know what Christianity is about - this book will likely make you rethink your views.

Most of all, I recommend this book to Christians who struggle deeply with issues with the Bible or Christianity that don't make sense. Before you declare yourself an atheist or agnostic, read this book! Please! It might save your faith, even rejuvenate it in to something better than you ever had.

This is a wonderfully refreshing take on Christianity that makes a lot of sense. A very compelling description of Christianity. I am speaking as a passionate Christian who struggles with some tenants and claims of Christianity on an intellectual level.

I also felt very uplifted and encouraged. He is not adversarial or condescending to more conservative kinds of Christians at all. He seems like a nice guy :)

I did not agree with everything he had to say, and you might not either, but just take what helps you and leave what doesn't.

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An Illuminating Discussion

I was looking forward to this book, as someone who once believed in the kind of "traditional" literalist Christianity, but who no longer finds that approach meaningful. Mr. Borg does a good job of explaining how we can understand the concepts that trip up many of us. His historical and philosophical explanations were convincing, and I could agree with things up to a point. But his personal faith and his experience of God/the Other/ the More . . . didn't compel me to want to experience this with others in a social situation.

On some level I must have expected that this discussion might 'bring me back to the fold'. Instead, I felt more like I was confirmed that I could lead just as meaningful and satisfying a life outside of any organized religion or belief in a transcendent factor. I'll read more books from the Jesus Seminar, since I've listened to John Dominic Crossain and John Shelby Spong speak and enjoyed their perspectives. I might listen to this book again in the future if I want to go further with his thoughts.

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Excellent for reconstructers!

As a recovering fundamentalist I found this very very helpful. It's a picture of a much more beautiful Christianity.

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Helped bring me back to Christianity

I have never been one to take a lecture, sermon, teaching or other information on the subject of Christianity at face value if I am told to simply accept what is being presented and leave my own thought process and intelligence, the brain God gave me, at the door. That has been my problem with traditional Christian dogma. Thankfully this book presents a case for Christianity that encourages me to use historical and scholarly research, to think for myself about what makes the most sense. One of the most important books for my personal spiritual growth.

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