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The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Final Days in Jerusalem
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Average Rating:  out of 20 Reviews
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Price: $13.95
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Sale: $5.45
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Manufacturer: HarperOne
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EAN (European Article Number): 9780060872601
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Number of Items: 1
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Binding: Paperback
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Author: Marcus J. Borg::John Dominic Crossan
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Publisher: HarperOne
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Dewey Decimal Number: 232.96
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Publication Date: 2007-01-30
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Reading Level: 256
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Description: Top Jesus scholars Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan join together to reveal a radical and little-known Jesus. As both authors reacted to and responded to questions about Mel Gibson's blockbuster The Passion of the Christ, they discovered that many Christians are unclear on the details of events during the week leading up to Jesus's crucifixion. Using the gospel of Mark as their guide, Borg and Crossan present a day-by-day account of Jesus's final week of life. They begin their story on Palm Sunday with two triumphal entries into Jerusalem. The first entry, that of Roman governor Pontius Pilate leading Roman soldiers into the city, symbolized military strength. The second heralded a new kind of moral hero who was praised by the people as he rode in on a humble donkey. The Jesus introduced by Borg and Crossan is this new moral hero, a more dangerous Jesus than the one enshrined in the church's traditional teachings. The Last Week depicts Jesus giving up his life to protest power without justice and to condemn the rich who lack concern for the poor. In this vein, at the end of the week Jesus marches up Calvary, offering himself as a model for others to do the same when they are confronted by similar issues. Informed, challenged, and inspired, we not only meet the historical Jesus, but meet a new Jesus who engages us and invites us to follow him.
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Customer Reviews
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Review Summary: Who was responsible for Jesus's crucifixion? |
Date: 2008-09-09 |
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Details: This book is not intended to be a historical reconstruction of Jesus's last week on earth. The authors' purpose is to tell and explain events as they were given in Mark's gospel, because it is reported to be written the earliest (about 70 A.D.) Also it is the only one that chronicled that last week, day by day, like the authors did in this book. It still is found to be a wealth of information about the actual events and the social situation of the Jews at the time. The authors point out that Jesus was not rebelling against Judaism but against the political domination system that was common, and still is, in many parts of the world. It shows why persecuted groups of people find such compassion and encouragement in Jesus's words. Jews were such a group. The authors stress that it wasn't Jews as a whole that were responsible for Jesus's death but the rich and powerful political and religious leaders that aligned themselves with Roman powers. The authors believe that Jesus didn't die as a substitution or reconciliation for man's sins but because of them. Even all the disciples betrayed Jesus temporarily (except for Judas).
Even though the authors focus on the gospel of Mark, they refer to all the gospels (and even Paul's writings) to fill in gaps of time not reported on in Mark, events that couldn't be witnessed and to show contradictions in the stories. They believe that emphasis on the historical factuality of the Easter stories can get in the way of understanding them. If one has trouble believing the events, it could be a stumbling block to understanding their meaning. Parables can be true independent of factuality and sometimes may be the only way a truth can be expressed.
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Review Summary: Very good for reflection or 'book group' use |
Date: 2008-08-23 |
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Details: May I begin with the caveat that I am one who disagrees with the interpretations of the gospels which are common to The Jesus Seminar, with which both authors are much involved. This is not to downgrade their scholarly abilities, which are unquestionable despite one's agreement with the conclusions. For example, the works of Dominic Crossan are outstanding scholarship, quite possibly the most authoritative and original treatment of first century Palestine of our day.
This particular book is suited to devotional reflections or 'book group' study, as the lengthy works (which combine history, archaeology, literary analysis and the like) I would consider to be purely of the textbook class. Those other volumes, for all of their valuable detail in scriptural study, also contain unorthodox conclusions which, for example, those in church or school reading groups could find puzzling or offensive, the more since such settings would not lend to also considering other works, with contrary conclusions, from equally distinguished scripture scholars.
The Last Week is though provoking indeed, and includes reflections (for example, conformity of Jesus to "God's will" as illustrative of trust, not of God's having willed the suffering) which make excellent points clearly and with strict reverence for the scriptural context. The statements which appear sceptical about the original text's meaning or integrity should not provide difficulties, because the approach to the overall text is more akin to that of the 'story genre' of Judaism and many orthodox scripture scholars today.
Details related to the society, domination, anthropology, and beliefs of 1st century Palestine are explained with clarity and insight. Though Christology is acknowledged as a driving element in the gospel of Mark, it is not set forth as doctrine to be embraced per se - but the detail can lead the devout reader to the conclusions that it is indeed. The questions are more 'left open' than criticised.
Overall, unless one is using the book in a highly conservative or literalist congregation, it is a fine and enriching work. |
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Review Summary: Excellent historical analysis of gospels |
Date: 2008-05-30 |
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Details: This is a fascinating historical analysis of Mark's gospel focusing on the sections from Jesus's arrival in Jerusalem through the resurrection. Lots of socio-political background on the Jewish community and the Roman Empire. The authors argue that some of the traditional theological understandings of salvation through Christ's death are absent in Mark. |
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Review Summary: Scholarly insights for lay people |
Date: 2008-04-10 |
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Details: Borg and Crossan do a remarkable job at sharing their insights from the Jesus Seminar group with their readers. What could be a very dry and academic explanation turns out to be an easy to read story-telling that sheds new light into old assumptions. This book (as well as others by Borg and company) will change the way you look at traditional Christian customs. If you want to hear Marcus Borg in person he will be speaking at the Mercy Center in St. Louis on June 13-14. |
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Review Summary: The Last Week by Marcus Borg |
Date: 2008-03-12 |
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Details: I am now using this book in a group "Bible Study". It is a must read for students of the Bible. It gives a great comprehensive and inspirational study of Jesus' last week and is written with compassion and passion for telling "the story". While it is both challenging and thought-provoking, it does indeed hold true to the mission and meaning of Jesus' life and ministry. |
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