Yes, this is a book review of sorts, but let me start out with my own "Marcus Borg story", and tell you why I felt like I owed it to Marcus--a man I've never met--to read this book.
The setting for the story (mine, not Marcus's) is Albuquerque, New Mexico, at last year's Emerging Church Conference hosted by Richard Rohr, et al. We had a unique blend of people at our table, we all seemed to click immediately, and the conversation was authentic and deep right from the start.
I shared parts of our story with my new friend Marianne, and we seemed to really connect. We traded snippets of our spiritual journeys, and that's when Marianne asked me if I had heard of Marcus Borg. I told her I had, but I hadn't read much of his work. She asked why, and I told her that in the circles that I had spent much of my life (worshiping, studying, etc.) Marcus was generally viewed as "too liberal". She pressed me further. I told her that I had heard negative comments on Marcus's view of the immaculate conception, the resurrection, and also his participation in The Jesus Seminar.
That's when Marianne smiled at me and said, "The reason I ask is because I'm married to him."
I looked closely at her name tag, which I had ignored up until that point. Her name was Marianne, all right - Marianne BORG.
Open mouth. Insert foot. Bite down for all you're worth.
I must tell you that Marianne was gracious as she smoothly let me off the hook, and we've kept in touch by email. So, when I heard that Marcus had a new book out, and that it was his first book of fiction, I knew I had to read it!
OK... now to Marcus's story.
Although a work of fiction, rumour has it that much of the content of Putting Away Childish Things: A Tale of Modern Faith is reflective of Marcus' own experience as an academic and theologian. He is professor emeritus in the Philosophy Department at Oregon State University, where he held the chair in Religion and Culture, while his primary character Kate Riley is a popular religion professor at a liberal arts college in a small midwestern town.
Kate's classes are some of the most popular on campus, and she addresses a number of the hot button subjects--Jesus, the Bible, and homosexuality,etc.--candidly and honestly with her students. Even as Kate is up for tenure, she starts to feel the heat from an ironic coalition of parents, some who fear that she is "too religious" and other, Christian parents who think that she is "too liberal". Go figure.
Along the way we are introduced to one of Kate's students, Erin Mattison, a new Christian and member of a campus evangelical group called The Way, who is honestly questioning much of what she has been told about faith in Christ. While unsettled by some of Kate's teaching, she loves the class and the new found freedom to question that it encourages. In contrast, Erin's friend and fellow Way member Amy is also in the class, but seems more interested in monitoring Kate's teaching, and keeping an eye on Erin to make sure she doesn't stray off the path.
While all this is happening Kate is invited to apply for a visiting professorship position at a prestigious seminary, a move that her current employers are not supportive of. What should she do?
This is good writing. The story is well constructed, and the character development is excellent. These folks and their circumstances are believable, which is a testament to Marcus's abilities as there is a lot going on in a relatively short period of time. Surprisingly, this book is also a good resource as he has worked into the storyline several prayers, reflections and quotes that I know I will return to often. I highly recommend this book... perhaps particularly for people like me who have not had well-rounded exposure to Marcus's teaching before.
And beyond the story itself, I love the fact that Marcus has written this book in this genre. In an era where many of us within the faith refuse to listen to the theology of those we deem (or have been told are) too _________ (you fill in the blank), we need more story. Don't tell me what you believe, show me how it impacts and guides people's lives. Tell me a story. I hope we see more fiction from the pen of Marcus Borg.
We are returning to an age of narrative, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Highly recommended.
Check out the book from Amazon here
Read the press release here
Browse the book at HarperCollins here
Read more about Marcus Borg and his work here
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book free of charge from the good people at HarperCollins. As always, you get my opinions, positive or negative. A free book doesn't change that.
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