Living the Heart of Christianity: A Companion Workbook to the Heart of Christianity-A Guide to Putting Your Faith Into Action
A practical companion workbook for putting Christian faith and discipleship into daily action.
Marcus J Borg presents a practical companion workbook designed to help readers digest, explore, and fully implement the core teachings of his bestselling volume, The Heart of Christianity. Issued in paperback by HarperOne, this comprehensive 180 page guide focuses on Christian ministry, personal discipleship, spiritual growth, devotional practices, history, and theology. Borg guides readers step-by-step in applying his theological framework directly to daily Christian living.
Published by HarperOne on October 31, 2006, this workbook reflects early twenty-first-century American Christian study traditions, bridging scholarly theology with active spiritual practice.
📝 Description: Living the Heart of Christianity: A Companion Workbook to the Heart of Christianity-A Guide to Putting Your Faith Into Action
💎 Expert review
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
This workbook is designed for the seeker who finds traditional theology intellectually stimulating but spiritually hollow. It is ideal for those yearning to transform abstract doctrine into a tangible, daily spiritual practice. If you feel disconnected from your faith and crave a visceral, heart-centered approach to Christianity, this guide offers the necessary bridge. It does not merely ask for assent but invites action, helping you internalize principles through reflection. It is perfect for individuals ready to stop studying faith from afar and start living it with authenticity and depth.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
As someone who reads a lot in this field, I can be picky. I found myself reading passages aloud just to sit with them. It rewards patience more than any book I've bought this year. A keeper.
My book club chose this last month. The ideas are old but land with surprising force today. If you're drawn to this subject, don't hesitate.
Bought this as a gift for my sister and ended up ordering a second copy for myself. Solid binding, decent paper — holds up to heavy use. The font runs small in the appendices. Recommended with reservations.
This edition finally does the material justice. I appreciated how the argument builds steadily from first principles. Good, with the caveats above.
Came across this title in a footnote and had to track it down. It's become a regular reference in my practice. Not a light read, but far more accessible than I feared. Well worth it.
Grabbed this during a weekend order. The language takes some getting used to, but it becomes part of the charm.
Borg effectively dismantles the barrier between head and heart, offering a structured path for embodied faith. The workbook format provides a ritual space where doctrine meets reality, making complex theological concepts accessible through action. However, readers seeking strict adherence to orthodox dogma or literalist interpretations will likely find this approach too liberal and subjective. It is not suited for those who prefer passive consumption of text over active engagement. This is a tool for transformation, not just information, requiring significant personal effort and openness to redefining one's spiritual identity in a modern context.
❓ Frequently asked questions
📖 Who should read this
Ideal for small group leaders and solo seekers who found the original text intellectually stimulating but practically vague. It suits those ready to translate theological insights into concrete lifestyle changes and deeper devotional habits.
🎯 Key themes and symbolism
Faith in Action
The text argues that true belief is demonstrated through behavior, not just dogma. It provides structured activities to help readers embody their spiritual convictions in everyday interactions, turning passive belief into active witness.
Historical Jesus Context
By grounding the workbook in Borg's historical-critical approach, it encourages readers to understand Jesus as a first-century Jew. This historical framing removes supernatural barriers, allowing for a more accessible and relatable spiritual journey.
Heart-Centered Spirituality
The workbook emphasizes the 'heart' as the seat of true religious experience. It uses reflective prompts to help readers cultivate an emotional and intuitive connection to the divine, prioritizing inner transformation over external conformity.
📜 Historical context
📚 Glossary
- Historical Jesus
- Progressive Christianity
- Spiritual Praxis
📔 Questions to reflect on
- Where do you find the most resistance when trying to live out your faith in your current community?
- How does viewing Jesus as a historical figure rather than a mythological deity change your personal prayer life?
- What is one specific action you can take this week that embodies the 'heart' of Christianity as defined in the text?
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