Sunday, March 25, 2012

"Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time", Marcus Borg | Chapter Two

Jesus used spiritual practices, including both fasting and prayer.  We are told that he prayed for hours at a time, sometimes all night long, and presumably not because his prayer list had gotten exceptionally long.  Rather, it seems more likely that he practiced a form of contemplation or meditation similar to that of Hanina ben Dosa and Honi the Circle-Drawer.  About them it is said in the Jewish tradition that they would still their hearts before God before they would heal.  The practice of wordless meditation is not simply Eastern tradition, but is central to the Jewish-Christian as well. 
  
... It is plausible to locate Jesus' own spirituality within what we know of Jewish mysticism in his day.  Our picture of early Jewish mysticism has been growing, especially in the last several years.  The more we realize that there was a form of Jewish mysticism in first-century Palestine, the more likely it seems that Jesus stood in that experiential tradition.  
  
Marcus Borg, Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, pp 35, 36 
   
TALK ABOUT IT: 
If Christianity is uniquely grounded in historical reality rather than simply philosophical ideas, then how do we (the Church) incorporate the Jesus of history who is emerging as a "spirit person" or mystic?  
  
APPRENTICES OF JESUS, MARCUS BORG: CHURCH OF RECONCILIATION  
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2 comments:

  1. Diana78131March 26, 2012 at 6:56 AM

    For me understanding the historical Jesus renews by ability and faith in His presence and power. If all I had to go one was the organized church's doctrine, dogma and translation of the scriptures, I am not sure I would have hung in there. But, with a better understanding of first century Judaism and writings that give us a clearer understanding of what Jesus really was saying and how he came to know it, it is easier for me be follow him as my Master and Teacher.

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  2. Bruce WilsonMarch 29, 2012 at 10:09 PM

    What about understanding the Christ of faith too? The original Christ myth is awesome, and it's the one I have inherited. I guess I am having to navigate between historical truth, mythical truth, and doctrinal truth.

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