Systemic justice is a result-oriented justice
Marcus Borg contends that Jesus has something to say about the way we organize ourselves in community — that when a society is structured to serve the self-interests of the wealthy and powerful it is not a just society. “If you have a society in which 1% of the population own 43% of the wealth, it is pretty clear that the 1% has structured that society so it kind of worked out that way — and they have a tremendous amount of power to sustain it.”
– Marcus Borg in Living the Questions 2.0
Internationally known in both academic and church circles as a biblical and Jesus scholar, Marcus Borg was Hundere Chair of Religion and Culture in the Philosophy Department at Oregon State University until his retirement in 2007. Borg has been described by The New York Times as “a leading figure in his generation of Jesus scholars” and is the author of over twenty books, including the popular “Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time” and “The Heart of Christianity.”
“LtQ Clips” offer thought-provoking observations and comments on spirituality and religion from prominent authors, scholars, and thinkers. These excerpts from“Living the Questions” curriculum are designed to spark conversation in questioning the dominant pop theology of American Christianity.
3 comments:
I'm surprised that even LJ would give this man the time of day.
Borg is actually an atheist dressed up in some ways like a Christian. He does not believe the events in the Bible in the traditional way. He does not believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus He does not believe He was seen by his disciples after the resurrectrion, Borg's beliefs are a distorted mixture of atheistic reasoning and Christian teaching.
He has encouraged pastors to teach their congregations that some of the Bible is wrong. However, I understand that he reasons that if the congregation is made up mostly of older people, well just don't bother, save it for the younger generation.
Borg claims that the New Testament is more mythology than history.
Why would anyone listen to this man on anything? Oh, Larry James would.
I do not agree with Marcus Borg about many things, but he is a thoughtful commentator from whom one can learn. That is why N.T. Wright, a much more traditional NT scholar, co-authors books with him in which they debate each other's beliefs. Dialogue is worthwhile, even (or perhaps most) with those with whom you disagree.
In any event, quoting someone on a point on which you agree with them is not expressing agreement with every other thought they've ever expressed.
Great comment by Borg. An important reminder that social and economic structures matter and do not happen by accident.
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