Notes on Marcus Borg, Evolution of the Word, chapters 1-2

Borg on Christianity as a Spiritual Path (

Canonical vs. Chronological New Testament Canonical = “the official ordering of the books in Church bibles” Chronological = “the actual historical order in which these books were written” “Documents” vs. “Books” What is the value of each approach? What are possible problems with each approach?

The Threefold Historical Context of the New Testament The Context of Jesus and Early Christianity The Context of Judaism The Context of the Roman Empire

Before the New Testament Was Written Early Christian Oral Tradition Oral Tradition and Memory Oral Tradition and Development Oral Tradition and Testimony What was the Earliest Historical Memory of Jesus by Christian Communities?

Earliest Memories of Jesus by His Followers Born c. 4 BCE during the reign of Herod the Great, and grew up in Nazareth Baptized by John Taught about the Kingdom of God The Kingdom of God concerned the transformation of this world, both personally and politically Spoke primarily to a rural audience: peasants and manual laborers Taught in parables Healed and exorcized Broke social boundaries Thought by followers to be anointed by the Spirit of God Went to Jerusalem c. 30 CE to celebrate Passover, created a disturbance at the Temple, and was arrested and executed through the collaboration of Judean religious and Roman imperial authorities Experienced by his followers after his death and designated by such titles as “Lord”