Week 6

As I think back to Borg’s book, I remember how he said everyone has a different interpretation of the bible. This week as I am reading the Gospel of Mark, I can understand why. There is a long time in history that this was the least popular of the Gospels. This was because many people thought it was too dull for their taste. However once people realized it was quite possibly one of the first Gospels to be written, they appreciated it much more. I find it fascinating that the Gospel According to Mark has no story of Jesus’ birth. It is interesting that it actually starts from when he was an adult. The reason I find this interesting is explained with a simple question, did the author not think it was important? Personally I think the birth of Jesus is very important, but maybe that is because I look further back on this even in history. The author most likely just overlooked his birth because personally he didn’t think it was anything special.

When you begin to read Mark’s Gospel, it begins with John preaching. Here he says to all that is listening “one stronger than I am is coming after me” (61). By this he means Jesus. I found this a very interesting way to begin the Gospel. As I mentioned above, we do not get to hear about the birth of Jesus, but John’s preaching foreshadows the fact that he is still coming. Later, the Gospel of Mark moves on to describe Jesus’ message. When few believe him Jesus must round of disciples. Once he has done so he begins to perform different miracles. This is what he does to show everyone that he is divine. As we continue reading through Mark’s Gospel it continues on with more and more accounts of miracles that had been done. I find it interesting that no one was a little freaked out by the fact he could do these things. When Jesus continued with his actions, he gathered more and more followers. The more followers he had, the more people started to believe he is the Son of God. I feel that this Gospel shows readers the beginning of Jesus’ life. It shows that the many lessons and actions preformed by him are really proof he is the Savior. Even though it was hard for some people to follow him at first. The more he preformed miracles, the more real the fact that he is the Son of God. I can understand how it would be a challenge for many to follow him, but if you open your mind, more things are possible. Reading this for me, reassured me in the role of Jesus. This Gospel helps show his will to forgive, with his actions he does. This reminds me of who Jesus is and the fact that he is supposed to be there for you to guide you in the right direction. At the beginning of the Gospel we get reminded of what it is to be Christian, to forgive, to love, to have faith and to help others. This is what is the most important thing to know. To love others is to love yourself.

Week 5

I have always been surrounded by a religious family. Growing up around them, you learn all about your family’s religion. I am a Christian and will always be one, however I have a problem grasping a few details. I feel like this is where the last chapter came in when Borg discussed the memory metaphorized and the metaphorical narrative. The way stories have been retold make my mind wander and I try to imagine them really happening. The one thing you cant be taught however is the God is truly everywhere. Many people don’t believe this when they are told, so it is hard for them to accept it. When Borg says, “Thinking the word “God” refers to a being separate from the universe, “out there” and “not here” is a major cause of atheism, agnosticism, and skepticism,” really made me think. If you don’t think that someone is not in your own universe, wouldn’t you have a completely different out look on him or her? I feel that there are so many different definitions of whom God is and where he is, that it confuses the majority of non-believers.

As a Christian I feel that I could be more religious. By that I mean I feel as if I should go to church more and become closer to God. However, as I read this chapter it reminded me that I don’t have to go to church for God to be near me. I can be in my room, driving, or even hanging out with my friends and I know he will be there. This is not something that I easily discovered. There were many times that I never felt he was with me, but I now know he is.

“I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” (6.1-3)

As Borg showed me yet again, everyone has his or her own experiences with God. They may be life changing ones, or they might be simple ones that direct you back onto a better path in life. Mine came to me my freshman year of college. I went on the freshman retreat with my three best friends; I didn’t really think anything of it on a religious point of view. I feel like I should have though. On the last night there, another speech was being given, like every night, but this time it hit me. I felt that all of a sudden God was right next to me telling me that everything was going to be all right. I of course wasn’t in any real danger, just the normal stresses of college, but it was very comfortable knowing he was there. Ever since that time on my freshman retreat I have had more faith and known for a fact he is always with me. That same weekend we had a night where we told what we were thankful for and lit a candle for that. I didn’t realize how lucky I was until then. I feel that everyone will have a different experience with God. Mine was a small one, but it made an enormous impact in m life. Borg once again reminded me of this and it strengthened my faith even more. I feel that a lot of questions are brought up in my mind from reading his book, however it also makes me look at things in a different perspective. With further reading I hope to discover more questions so I can find new answers.

Week 4

As I started my journey into my religion class, I knew I didn’t know much. However I thought that I at least understood the stories and teachings of Jesus. I feel that I should have known that I couldn’t have been taught absolutely everything, but for some reason I thought the stories didn’t change. As I started reading Marcus J. Borg’s Jesus: Uncovering the Life, Teachings, and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary, I realized I knew nothing compared to what has really been discovered about Jesus. I can remember being in church and listening to stories being told by several different people. All of theses stories I believed carried with me to this day. However I now simply have a different outlook on them. When I started to read about the concepts of memory metaphorized and the metaphorical narrative I was very shocked. To me I feel that it is the most logical way to explain things. By this I mean it is easier for many of the non-believers to believe. It can help them to look at it in at least two different ways.

The passage on page 59 states “Peter answered Jesus, “Lord if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when peter noticed the strong wind, he became frightened and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

This story could very possibly be a memory of someone, however it could also be a story that was retold in a metaphorical narrative way. A similar event could have happened that tested Peter’s strength but was retold in a way that was more metaphorical. To me this adds a little bit of confusion to my life. I learned many stories that have formed the way I see Jesus. Now that I think about it I wonder what stories are completely true and what stories are more metaphorical? It also makes me wonder what all the other people believe. By people I mean the ones who preach and live exactly by what they have read. Have they interpreted it the correct way? Is there even a “correct” way to interpret it? These are all the questions that Borg has now planted in my brain.
Although all these questions are floating in my head I still believe that Jesus was sent by his father. I am having a hard time deciding how I view the many stories I have heard, but overall I believe he was here to help many different people. He may or may not have been performing numerous different miracles, but he was here to teach those who listened. I believe that he would have done what he thought was right and maybe done a small miracle once in a while. If he would have done one every time someone asked, no one would care what he had to say. Everyone is going to interpret stories and the gospels differently. I am one of those people. I feel that reading Jesus by Borg has opened so many more questions in my mind. With further reading I hope to discover the answers to some of these. For the rest, I might have to wait to see what life throws at me.

Week 3

The Many Faces of Jesus.

This week we read Marcus Borg’s book, Jesus: Uncovering the Life, Teachings, and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary. In chapter one he began by saying that we are "Christ-haunted" and "Christ-forgetting". Borg then continues to point out that today, in our culture, Christians are divided over many different issues. By this he means that event though many people are all Christians, they still debate about things like the Iraq war and gay marriage. I personally found this very interesting because I had never really thought about it that way. It doesn't make sense that we could all be Christians, yet still fight over things because we all interpret it differently.


Right or Wrong?


In chapter two Borg summarizes his conclusions about the historical Jesus. The historical Jesus he calls the pre-Easter Jesus. I then thought it was interesting how Borg describes Jesus in four categories of a religious leader. These categories were spiritual person, teacher of wisdom, social prophet, and movement founder. I thought this was very interesting on how many different ways he was seen. There was one big thing in the reading that the author pointed out to me. This was, how do we know if we are interpreting the bible the "right" way? I feel as though there is almost no right or wrong way to interpreting it, however what the author says, makes me ponder that question in my mind. How do we know?

Week 2

Mindfully Slow Down.

This week we read about mindlessness and mindfulness. The majority of people go through out the day in a state of mindlessness. This makes total sense to me. So many people do not take the time to relax and enjoy their days anymore that it is quite sad. If you just have a mind set that you need to do these tasks to get through the day, then you wont enjoy it. The way our world works today, that is what everyone does. More people need to relax and enjoy the time they have, not just rush through it. The video on Slow that we watched made several good points. The speaker focused on the fact that we just rush through the day, no one ever enjoys it. People then don't even see what they are missing out on. Like the speaker said he even rushed through reading with his kid, just because that was the speed he was used to running at. I think that everyone needs to take a step back and revaluate their lives. I even believe that I am one of those people that need to do so. I am guilty of rushing through my days in order to just get it over with. My goal is to slow down and enjoy more of my life, not rush through it.

Week One: August 31

Who is Jesus?

Jesus is someone who was able to come and save many people from their own sins. He brought calm to many storms and was able to show people the better path in life. He was criticized many times and not liked by all, but was still successful in his work.

Jesus provided direction for many.

Savior

Who am I?

I am someone who wants to have the opportunity to help others. I have grown up with the passion for helping those who are less fortunate. Some day I want to teach in a school where the children dont get the help they need. I want to be able to give that to them. I am very passionate about what I do. I am also very generous, kind and caring.

I love to spend my time helping less fortunate.

Caring.