Speaking Christian

Why Christian Words Have Lost Their Meaning and Power—And How They Can Be Restored

By: Marcus J. Borg

Narrated by: John Pruden

In Speaking Christian, acclaimed Bible scholar Marcus Borg, author of Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, argues that the very language Christians use has become dangerously distilled, distorted, and disconnected from the beliefs which once underpinned it.

Stating a case that will resonate with readers of N. T. Wright’s Simply Christian, Borg calls for a radical change to the language we use to invoke our beliefs—the only remedy that will allow the Church's words to once again ring with truth, power, and hope.

Say That Again With Different Words

Often I have wondered,"How did we get here from there?". We make the "Good News" very complicated and fear based, needing to escape the "fires of Hell". It doesn't seem that our message to a suffering world is the same as Jesus'. My silent questions were openly discussed in this book and answered even with the scripture passages for explanation. Over the recent years I have learned the filter of belief we hold in our own minds influence what we think a phrase means. This book identifies the filters and gently challenges the listener to be willing to listen without the old filter. I have listened to this book four times in the past week, removing more of the filter each time and going back to scripture with an open mind and a prayerful heart. I highly recommend listening to this book. I hoped I could find a way of telling others from a different culture about my faith and found many of my own questions answered along the way.

Great Book, OK Presentation

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

A good book that would be a good read for someone already familiar with the Christian story who is struggling with questions of Christianity's relevancy in the 21st century.

What did you like best about this story?

I love the fresh take on the meaning of the language of faith and the ways in which Borg roots his understanding in the cultural and linguistic context of the Bible.

Have you listened to any of John Pruden’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Haven't heard John Pruden before, but felt that his reading did not always capture the wry wit of Marcus Borg. I have heard Borg speak and sometimes I imagined passages having a different tone or nuance than the one that Pruden put on it.

Great book, extremely well read by the narrator

Words are important, the author shows where many of the “Christian” words we use have been changed from their biblical roots.

Fascinating

My favorite book from my favorite author.

I have now read this book and listened to it four or five times in the last three years. I Learn something each time. I just listened to it again, it seems especially appropriate in mid 2017

thank God for Marcus Borg. much needed.

This book can help those caught in life's paradox to finally understand God's undying love for His/Her creation. A refreshing look at what the Bible is trying to teach us. How can we as Christians embody a transformed way of living. Imagine the Justice, Peace and transformation if we could only understand these concepts.