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Meeting Jesus Again For the First Time--Chapter 2

Questions for Chapter Two:

  1. Marcus Borg refers to “two voices…or layers of tradition” in the Gospels. What’s the difference between the two (page 20-21)?

  2. Using the Jesus Seminar color coding scheme, why does Borg suggest that the Book of John should be printed in black as opposed to red, pink or gray (page 22)?

  3. Did the discussion of Jesus Jewishness (page 22) have any surprises for you?

  4. What do the discrepancies in the Gospel birth stories (of Jesus) mean to Borg (pages 23-24)? To you? Any surprises in the commentary on the Gospel birth stories or were you aware of this information/interpretation?

  5. Are there “historical facts” or assumptions about Jesus’ socialization and early adulthood that surprised you (pages 25-28)? Any of this information that you reject?

  6. On pages 29-30, Borg offers two “negative claims” and “four positive strokes” in creating his “sketch” of the historical Jesus. Are these statements at variance with your view of Jesus? Do you concur?

  7. Do you see any parallel between the “four positive strokes” and Corinne Ware’s four spirituality types? Any significance to your findings?

  8. Identify the statements in Borg’s summary (“Some Impressions of Jesus” pages 30-31) with which you agree? Disagree?

  9. Is it sufficient for you to view Jesus as a “spirit person or mediator of the sacred” (pages 31-36)? Why or why not?

  10. Have you been marking up your book as you read? Are there specific passages that you highlighted which you affirm or which are troublesome for you