Evolution of the Word : reading the New Testament in the order it was written

First Title Value for Searching:

Personal Author:

Borg, Marcus J.

Edition:

1st ed.

Physical Description:

viii, 593 p. ; 24 cm.

Summary:

Analyzes the New Testament chronologically through each book of the Bible, detailing how the core values of Christianity took shape and developed over time.

Publication Information:

New York : HarperOne, c2012.

Subject:

Bible N.T. -- Chronology.

Bible N.T. -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.

SAILS ISBN:

9780062082107

Available:

Library	Shelf Number	Shelf Location	Status
Searching... Foxboro - Boyden Library	225.67 BORG	NONFICTION	Searching... Unknown
Searching... New Bedford Free Public Library	225.67 BOR 2012	NONFICTION	Searching... Unknown

Everyone knows the New Testament begins with the Gospel of Matthew, but how many know Matthew was actually one of the later books to be written (It wasn't even the first Gospel!) But Evolution of the Word is not your typical New Testament.

Marcus J. Borg, esteemed Bible scholar and bestselling author, shakes up the order of the New Testament as we know it by putting the books in a completely new order--the order in which they were written. By doing so, Evolution of the Word allows us to read these documents in their historical context. For the first time, see how the core ideas of Christianity took shape and developed over time.

Borg surveys what we know of the Jewish community of Jesus followers who passed on their stories orally. Into this context emerges the apostle Paul, whose seven authentic letters become the first collected writings that would later become the New Testament. Borg offers helpful introductions for each book so that as we read through these biblical documents, spanning over a century in time, we see afresh what concerns and pressures shaped this movement as it evolved into a new religion.

In this groundbreaking format, Borg reveals how a radical and primitive apocalyptic Jewish faith slowly became more comfortable with the world, less Jewish, and more pre- occupied with maintaining power and control. Evolution of the Word promises to change forever how we think about this historic work.

Reviews (2)

Booklist Review

*Starred Review* Borg, a theologian and author of Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time (1994), here turns his attention both to Paul, who is given credit for changing a Jewish sect into Christianity, and to the other authors of the New Testament. Borg's premise is that to truly understand the evolution of the early church, one must read the writings in chronological order. So instead of moving through Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the Acts of the Apostles, Borg begins with the seven letters of Paul deemed to be his own writings. Some of the best-authenticated (and earliest) writings of the New Testament are the letters Paul wrote to the churches that he established. From these missives, it is clear that a religion was evolving even before there were Gospels proclaiming the good news. The Gospels themselves are seen as more reactive when placed in this context. But the most helpful thing that Borg has to offer is a contextual introduction to each of the 27 books of the New Testament, not only explaining the much-argued-over religious points that may be arcane for today's readers but also discussing message, motive, and the men who were writing. An eminently readable and eye-opening addition to religion shelves, as well as a new and fascinating way to read the New Testament.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2010 Booklist

Library Journal Review

Borg (Hundere Distinguished Professor of Religion and Culture, emeritus, Oregon State Univ.; Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time), a prolific biblical scholar, guides the reader into understanding the New Testament (NT) by presenting its text in the New Revised Standard Version and arranged in the order in which its books were written. As such, the early Pauline epistles appear before the gospels, general epistles, and the book of Revelation. Borg finds this approach instructive since readers can understand the process by which the biblical material developed. He provides a helpful introduction to each NT book, ranging from three to eight pages in length. Additionally, he includes chapters addressing the oral period and Paul and his writings. A decade-by-decade timeline covering both events of the first century C.E. and the writing of biblical works offers helpful additional guidance. One problem with Borg's approach, however, is thatÅhe assumes general agreement among scholars as toÅtheÅdating of each book's writing. This is not always the case. VERDICT This book will provide general readers and undergraduatesÅwithÅa goodÅguide to the background and content of the New Testament. Of less value to specialists.-John Jaeger, Dallas Baptist Univ. Lib. (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Bishop Lowell Erdahl

Foreword	p. vii
1 A Chronological New Testament	p. 1
2 Before Anything Was Written	p. 11
3 Paul and His Letters	p. 19
Time Line	p. 31
New Testament
1 Thessalonians	p. 35
The First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians	p. 40
Galatians	p. 45
The Letter of Paul to the Galatians	p. 49
1 Corinthians	p. 57
The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians	p. 62
Philemon	p. 85
The Letter of Paul to Philemon	p. 89
Philippians	p. 91
The Letter of Paul to the Philippians	p. 94
2 Corinthians	p. 101
The Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians	p. 105
Romans	p. 119
The Letter of Paul to the Romans	p. 126
Mark	p. 149
The Gospel According to Mark	p. 157
James	p. 193
The Letter of James	p. 197
Colossians	p. 203
The Letter of Paul to the Colossians	p. 206
Matthew	p. 213
The Gospel According to Matthew	p. 220
Hebrews	p. 277
Letter to the Hebrews	p. 283
John	p. 301
The Gospel According to John	p. 309
Ephesians	p. 351
The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians	p. 355
Revelation	p. 363
The Revelation to John	p. 371
Jude	p. 401
The Letter of Jude	p. 403
1 John	p. 405
The First Letter of John	p. 408
2 John	p. 415
The Second Letter of John	p. 416
3 John	p. 419
The Third Letter of John	p. 420
Luke	p. 423
The Gospel According to Luke	p. 429
Acts	p. 489
The Acts of the Apostles	p. 492
2 Thessalonians	p. 547
The Second Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians	p. 549
1 Peter	p. 553
The First Letter of Peter	p. 556
1 Timothy	p. 563
The First Letter of Paul to Timothy	p. 568
2 Timothy	p. 575
The Second Letter of Paul to Timothy	p. 578
Titus	p. 583
The Letter of Paul to Titus	p. 584
2 Peter	p. 587
The Second Letter of Peter	p. 589

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Reviews (2)

Booklist Review

Library Journal Review

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