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Meeting Jesus Again For the First Time--Chapter 4

Questions for Chapter Four:

1. In Chapter 4 (“Jesus and Wisdom: Teacher of Alternative Wisdom”), Borg discusses the nature of wisdom and then defines both “conventional wisdom” and “alternative (subversive) wisdom” (pages 69-70) How do you react to these categorizations? Have you ever considered the “narrow way” or “road less traveled” as alternative or subversive wisdom? Do you agree or disagree with this categorization?

2. What does Borg mean when he refers to Jesus’ aphorisms[1] and parables as invitational? As provocative? What conclusions does he draw regarding the “Sermon on the Mount” and what does he mean by saying Jesus’ recorded aphorism and parables are “only one ‘performance’ of a story” (pages 70-75)? Your reaction? Any comments?

3.  What are the three “general features” of conventional wisdom? According to Borg, what is the outcome of living life governed by conventional wisdom (pages 75-80)?

4. What did Jesus teach by his “alternative wisdom” and what does it say about the image (nature) of God in comparison to the image portrayed by conventional wisdom in both Judaism and Christianity (pages 80-88).

5. What’s the difference between “secondhand religion” and “firsthand religion” (page 87-88)? How does this change your belief in the role of Christianity? Do you agree with Borg’s dichotomy between the roles of belief vs. a relationship with God?

6. Read the last paragraph on page 88 before the Notes. What’s your reaction to this summary paragraph?

7. What did you highlight or underline in this chapter? Any statements that bothered you? Where there any statements to which you said “ah ha, now I understand?”