Is God a Spirit, Finding God in all things
65Review of the Book...The God We Never Knew written by Marcus J. Borg who is known as a Jesus & Biblical scholar in both academic and Church circles.
During the first chapter of the book I found it had a familiar tone. I felt like Borg and I attended the same church, singing the same tunes and wearing out the Apostles creed. Luckily I was spared his “finger shaking” Minister he describes humorously, but like Borg I too was shown an out there God. I was taught that God was accessible through prayer, but he needed to be summoned first.
In the first chapter Borg talks about the God he grew up with. Then in chapter two he argues that a “Panentheistic” concept of God is the most appropriate way of thinking about the sacred. Chapters three and four show the importance of how we think about and visualize God. Our lives are shaped by our thoughts and Borg shows us how important this concept is when it comes to thinking about God. Chapters five through seven is about living with God. In chapter five Borg speaks of spirituality and “opening our hearts.” Then the “dream of God” is introduced in chapter six followed by biblical images in chapter seven.
The most inspiring point in the book for me was the introduction of Panentheism. Even though I was unfamiliar with the word I was very familiar with the concept. As I have grown older I have discovered this way of seeing and living with God for myself but I was unfamiliar with the word.
Borg talks about the importance of how we see God can have a huge impact on our lives. I have believed for years that what we think about has a huge impact on who we are and what we can become. So this makes tremendous sense that seeing God in the right way can determine the quality of our lives.
He first introduces the Monarchial model where God is King. Borg shows us that if we see God only as a King then we become mere peasants. With this model we owe obedience and loyalty to God and are simply subjects. Since humans are not very good at this we become disloyal and disobedient servants deserving judgment.
The effect of seeing God as King is that is puts a huge distance between us and we feel God is not accessible. Even when Jesus is incorporated into this model it still leaves God as a lawgiver and judge. The Monarchial model also reinforces the superego Borg says. This turns God into the guard or the policeman who never sleeps reminding us that we are never good enough. Borg continues by saying “The monarchial model shapes not only the internal dynamics of the Christian life but also Christian perceptions of nature, politics and gender.”
Borg thankfully introduces another model that of God as Sprit...This “Spirit model” gives us an image of intimacy and belonging and encourages relationships. He says this Spirit “evokes a universal perspective and signifies divine activity in its widest reaches.” This is closely associated with the immanence of God. With this universal perspective one can see God through specific metaphors. God as Mother, intimate Father, God as Wisdom (Sophia), God as lover and journey companion. The Spirit model has a strong affect on Christian teachings. Creation and Sin look different as well as the human condition. Even God as King and Lord look different when we are freed from the monarchial model.
Borg continues with the pre-Easter Jesus defining him as the historic Jesus and describing him with a five stroke sketch. He says Jesus was a “spirit person” a healer, wisdom teacher through parables with wisdom flowing from him. He continues with Jesus as a social prophet, and also a movement initiator.
He moves on to the post-EasterJesus this is who he became after his death and is the Jesus of Christian tradition. He said the resurrection of Christ has two meanings. First God had said yes to Jesus and his vision, activity and his message. Secondly Jesus was now at God’s right hand a metaphor for a position of power and honor. Easter means Jesus is Lord and Lives.
Borg continues by stating that “one of the most important claims of this book is that God is all around us.”Then he explains why the sacred is not more apparent. He says that even though we are spatially close to God we are only aware of one level of reality the world of matter, space, time and energy. Even though we are capable of seeing more Paul says we are grounded in the finite not the infinite.
So how do we open our hearts and experience the sacred more? Borg says some people are more open, whether by personality types or maybe even genetics. It may happen after losing a loved one or when we become older. Whatever helps to open our hearts and experience the sacred that is what we should continue to engage in. Opening our heart to God is a process and the fruit of this is compassion and that is God’s goal for us to become more compassionate beings.
He concludes with “The Dream of God.” that the dream of God is “a politics of compassion and judgment.” This is much different than our contemporary American dream.
There are many strong points in this book. The first for me is my introduction to the term Panthenism. It answers for me how I feel about God and my closeness with him and nature. Other strong points are the explaining how we think about God has a direct influence on the kind of life we live. Another is explaining in depth how the monarchial model of God is not a healthy or appropriate way to view God. As for weaknesses my only complaint is that Borg seems to dismiss the empty tomb in this book and in other books and lectures by saying “it doesn’t matter”. Well it does matter to me, but I will overlook it after all he is just a mere mortal like me.
