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Evolution of the Word

The New Testament in the Order the Books Were Written

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Evolution of the Word

By: Marcus J. Borg
Narrated by: Bob Souer
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About this listen

Marcus J. Borg, esteemed Bible scholar and best-selling author, shakes up the order of the New Testament as we know it by putting the books in a completely new order - the order in which they were written. By doing so, Evolution of the Word allows us to experience these documents in their historical context. For the first time, see how the core ideas of Christianity took shape and developed over time.

Borg surveys what we know of the Jewish community of Jesus followers who passed on their stories orally. Into this context emerges the apostle Paul, whose seven authentic letters become the first collected writings that would later become the New Testament. Borg offers helpful introductions for each book so that as we examine these biblical documents, spanning over a century in time, we see afresh what concerns and pressures shaped this movement as it evolved into a new religion.

In this groundbreaking format, Borg reveals how a radical and primitive apocalyptic Jewish faith slowly became more comfortable with the world, less Jewish, and more preoccupied with maintaining power and control. Evolution of the Word promises to change forever how we think about this historic work.

©2012 Marcus J. Borg (P)2020 eChristian Bible Study Bibles Bibles & Bible Study Christian Living Christianity Middle East
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Excellent idea to present these writings in the order in which they were actually produced! And with a solid historical introduction to each of them and some theological (is that the word?) pointers. Without knowing it this is exactly what I was looking for something that would help me make sense of what is the new Testament really consists of. I am not a practising Christian I just want to understand what the whole thing is about. I recommend this book. The narration is also excellent, by the way.

Brilliant

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Exploring the books of the New Testament in the order they were written, is a worthwhile exercise. It highlights how the views of early Christian communities changed on several key topics, from their radical roots to a position more easily accommodated in the Roman empire (e.g. slavery), and becoming more concerned with structure and doctrine. The later books are not without value however, as the author points out.

Insightful and illuminating

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