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Reading the Bible Again for the First Time

Taking the Bible Seriously but Not Literally

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Reading the Bible Again for the First Time

By: Marcus J. Borg
Narrated by: Maurice England
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About this listen

Many Christians mistakenly believe that their only choice is either to reconcile themselves to a fundamentalist reading of scripture (a "literal-factual" approach) or to simply reject the Bible as something that could bring meaning and value into their lives. In Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, Marcus Borg shows how instead we can freshly appreciate all the essential elements of the Old and New Testaments - from Genesis to Revelation - in a way that can open up a new world of intelligent faith.

In Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, Borg reveals how it is possible to reconcile a scientific and critical way of thinking with our deepest spiritual needs, leading to an insightful experience of ancient text. This unique audiobook invites every listener - whatever his or her religious background - to engage the Bible, to wrestle with its meaning, to explore its mysteries, and to understand its relevance. Reading the Bible Again for the First Time shows us how to encounter the Bible in a fresh, new way that rejects the limits of simple literalism and opens up the rich possibility of living a life of authentic faith.

©2001 Marcus J. Borg (P)2020 eChristian Bible Study Bibles & Bible Study Christianity Middle East
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Excellent book, that really helped me see the Bible in a fresh light. Borg's approach makes the Bible a human rather than divine text, but that actually adds to its richness. Seeing the books of the Bible in their historical contexts, and as human response to the divine, and works written in response to each other, brings out lots of fresh insight. It also allows you to see the core message of Christianity, of compassion, justice, and liberation, without getting caught up in justifying the difficult parts of the texts.

A better way of reading scripture

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Well presented, thoughtful, insights. And well read. I’ve marked it a bit lower than you might expect as I didn’t come to the same conclusions as the author- but you might. So, read on!

Well presented arguments

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There was lots to like and reflect on in the book. Well worth a listen. Thinking about the Bible as metaphorical narrative was a new perspective for me. I don't agree with everything, but it certainly has me thinking.

The narration was good too... easy to listen to.

An interesting listen

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If you are a Christian, there are certain things that you accept. One of them is that the Bible is the Word of God and that those who wrote it were directed by The Holy Spirit. “God breathed”. You believe that by faith.

Further, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” ‭‭II Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

If you don’t believe ANY of that, you’re not a Bible believing Christian. You’re at best, a philosopher and at “worst” an atheist.
The author disregards, Creation, the Exodus, the Prophets and pours the cold water of disbelief on most of The New Testament! I’m surprised that he calls himself a Christian!

I was expecting insightful assessments on 20th/21st century Christianity. I got the Free Thinking “Hippy Generation” philosophy that I grew up with and grew out of as I matured. “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Unfortunately (for me), he hasn’t put away childish things! For me this was a waste of a credit.

Not Christianity

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