Conflict, Holiness, and Politics in the Teachings of Jesus

(Paperback)

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Originally published in 1984, this extraordinary work has until now been available only in an expensive library edition. The present edition has been completely updated and redesigned, and includes an extended new introduction by Marcus Borg that relates the book's central arguments to subsequent Jesus scholarship. A foreword by N.T. Wright characterizes the book as one of the foundational works in the "third quest" for the historical Jesus. In the book, Marcus Borg argues that conflict between a politics of holiness and a politics of compassion, and their implications for Israel, resides at the center of Jesus' activity and teaching. He emphasizes several features that have since become central to Jesus scholarship: the importance of Jesus' inclusive meal practice, a non-apocalyptic paradigm for understanding Jesus, and Jesus as a social prophet and boundary-breaker. Marcus J. Borg is Hundere Distinguished Professor of Religion and Culture in the Philosophy Department at Oregon State University. He is the author of nine books, including Jesus in Contemporary Scholarship, also published by Trinity Press.

Reviews

"Full of wise judgments and fresh insight...The argument is crisp; the perspective is fresh and ground breaking; the judgments are sound and serious. On balance, this is an excellent study, of exceptional insight and coherence." --Biblical Theology Bulletin * Biblical Theology Bulletin *
"Certainly one of the most constructive and original books about Jesus to have been written in recent years. There is also a great deal of fresh and valuable detailed exegesis...an illuminating perspective on Jesus in the social context of his day (and) an important contribution to an important ongoing debate." --Themelios * Blurb from reviewer *
"A convincing account of the relation between the political and mystical dimensions of the renewal movement inaugurated by Jesus." --Journal of Theological Studies * Blurb from reviewer *
"Its argument is crisp and clear. It carves out fresh space wich many readers of the New Testament had never imagined existed and fills it with exegetical detail that is not only patient and well-documented but also creative and innovative." --N.T. Wright -- N.T. Wright * Blurb from reviewer *
"...a significant attempt to ascertain the programmatic character of Jesus' ministry within the political, social, and cultural crisis of Israel's resistance to Roman rule...This study presents a productive framework for re-examining the content, goals and material consequences of Jesus' ministry and sets a pressing agenda for future research." --Catholic Biblical Quarterly * Catholic Biblical Quarterly *
"Belongs to the forefront of recent study on the politics of Jesus. Remarkably free from religious bias, this superb historical analysis combines thorough familiarity with the scholarly literature and an unusually lucid expository style...A must for research libraries, the book will have as primary audience seminary students, graduate students, and research specialists." --Choice * Choice *
"I wish so much that this would have been a book close at hand at the beginning of my ministry instead of during my retirement years. Two issues, namely the feasting of the saints (or breaking of bread) and the place of worship in the temple provide much food for thought and elevate one's conscience to the Divine Presence. While in a sense a theological textbook, it is the type of work that lends scholarship to Chrisitian Faith and Practice, a discipline long overdue in the Body of Christ." -- Raymond B. Knudsen, Editor, The Counselor, April 11, 1999 -- Raymond B. Knudsen * Counselor, The *
"I have only scratched the surface of this rich and illuminating study from which I have learned much and will expect my students to learn as well. Perhaps one of its main contributions is the argument for the internal connections among the roles of Jesus and for the interrelatedness of religious experience, social ethics, and historical destiny." --Journal of American Academy of Religion * Journal of American Academy of Religion *
"This book is a first rate achievement and marks the advent on the scene of gospel studies of an author with a fine critical mind...a model of scholarship...a brilliant conceptional contribution to the discussion." --Journal of Biblical Literature * Journal of Biblical Literature *
"Now in a new and completely updated edition of a truly core work for anyone seeking the historical' Jesus...This new edition is enhanced with an extended new introduction by Borg that relates his central arguments to subsequent Jesus scholarship. Also highly recommended is Marcus Borg's Jesus in Contemporary Scholarship, which is also available from Trinity Press." --The Midwest Book Review, August 1998 * Midwest Book Review, The *
"An excellent republication of a classic book." -- Fred W. Burnett, Anderson University, reviewing for Religious Studies Review, July 1999 -- Fred W. Burnett * Religious Studies Review *

Author Bio

Marcus Borg is Hundere Professor of Religion and Culture at Oregon State University, lecturer, and author of twelve books, including the best-selling Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time and the award-winning The God We Never Knew.