Call no.: 226.0633 F982

Reviewed by Susan Walma.

 On the cover of the book appears the question that is the subject and also the subtitle of the book, “What did Jesus really say?” and it is this question that is addressed by the scholars of the Jesus Seminar.  Simply, and perhaps even simplistically stated, the scholars inventoried and classified the sayings attributed to Jesus using all surviving gospels thus not confining themselves only to the canonical ones. The scholars, each using their particular expertise, voted as to whether or not a particular saying could have been made by Jesus using red, pink, gray and black balls that were dropped into a box The balls were counted and the results were then calculated into weighted averages into a colour coded interpretation. The unofficial and more colourful one explained as follows:

 The introduction explains the methodology used in great detail in order to illuminate the historical and other analyses used to arrive at the methodology to answer the question: “What did Jesus really say?”. The scholars of the Jesus Seminar studied and analyzed the gospels using the ‘seven pillars of scholarly wisdom’ as set out in the introduction to the monograph and also the historical scholarship and context for the quest for the historical Jesus.

 The main part of the book is the Scholars Version translation, i.e., a translation using the aforementioned surviving gospels to translate the five gospels, Mark, Matthew, Luke [the synoptic gospels] and John as well as the gospel of Thomas using as much as possible the original or the oldest extant language in which that particular gospel is available. For instance, the gospel of Thomas was likely written in Greek, the lingua franca of the time of its writing; however the surviving gospel is available in the Coptic. Each gospel in turn is translated in sections according to the classifications of the sayings as expounded in the introduction. The colour coding is applied to the saying(s) of Jesus of that particular translation and explanatory commentary is provided to show the reasoning and often the historical and cultural context of this particular classification of the saying.

 This new translation and the accompanying commentary of the five gospels would be of interest to anyone who wants to study the gospels in the words of the editors: “…free of ecclesiastical and religious control.” At 553 pages in length and with a wealth of information contained herein, you may upon first reading of the library edition, find you wish to buy the book to have as a permanent item in your collection for biblical study.

Collins, Francis. The Language of God.  Free Press, 2007. Call no. 215 C712

 Sanguin, Bruce. Darwin, Divinity and the  Dance of the Cosmos.  CopperHouse, 2007. Call no.:  215 S326

 Reviewed by: Laura Butler

 Let me draw your attention to two new books that have recently been added to our church library:  The Language of God by Dr. Francis Collins, geneticist and head of the Human Genome Project and Darwin, Divinity and the Dance of the Cosmos by Bruce Sanguin, minister and writer from Canadian Memorial United Church. Both men speak of evolution as a divine unfolding of the Spirit of God moving in and through the very dynamics of this expanding universe and share their own faith journey with the reader. The evolutionary universe is a sacred text revealing God’s purpose, intentions and very being. Christians have a second text. The Bible- a library revealing the witness of God’s people to their relationship with God throughout history, written over a period of 1000 years. We revere both texts FOR WE ARE MADE OF STARDUST FROM THE DANCE OF THE COSMOS SOME 14 BILLION YEARS AGO, yet, today, we are witnessing to our relationship to God in our own experience. Dr. Collins describes in his book the painstaking research that went into the discovery and understanding of DNA. The human genome consists of all the DNA of our species, the hereditary code of life. This DNA is implanted in us all from our very beginning- the language of God is written in our innermost DNA and the future opens up vast possibilities of self-understanding and usefulness. DNA has been with us always – the unspoken language of God until recently. Challenged to apply his scientific investigation to the Christian faith this man who thought of himself as an atheist sought out a Methodist minister who introduced him to ‘mere Christianity’ by C.S. Lewis, which became a guiding light for his research and eventual commitment to the Christian faith.

 Collins explains how he as a scientist is able to reconcile his Christian faith and current scientific thought. He does so in a respectful tone while explaining scientific and theological concepts in a way that anyone could understand. There is good discussion on atheism, agnosticism, creationism, intelligent design and his term– biologos– where science and faith are in harmony– theistic evolution– THE LANGUAGE OF GOD! You really need to read the next book. DARWIN, DIVINITYand THE DANCE OF THE COSMOS by Bruce Sanguin because I cannot do it justice in a few words. His description of order emerging from chaos in the great flaring forth (big bang) some 14 billion years ago as the Holy One begins the journey of manifestation in time and space- the external body of Divine Being- is sheer poetry and one is filled with a sense of awe as we realize that we are part of that stardust that survived (only 1 billionth    of matter survived).The writings of Brian Swimme and Thomas Berry transformed Sanguin’s life and ministry as they spoke of evolution as a Divine Unfolding and made a presentation of a new  scientific worldview that combines technical understanding with spiritual meaning. The aim of the universe is beauty, and diversity is the primary expression of beauty; the loss of diversity is a loss of divine radiance from the earth. The evolutionary direction of the universe is toward increased consciousness. The human race is the latecomer on the planet, a conscious self made in the image of God. When God commissioned Moses in the wilderness, Moses faltered claiming he didn’t even know God’s name and God said, ” Tell them I Am has sent you.” The God of Being has sent you.

 I AM , and I am aware that I AM — a conscious self made in the image of God! Weaving together the latest scientific understandings of the universe with biblical narratives Sanguin creates an ecological and truly revolutionary Christian theology. It gives us as readers a rich opportunity to become reacquainted with the Spirit of God moving in and through the very dynamics of the unfolding universe. Sanguin says: “Today there is nothing more crucial than a compassionate response to the plight of our planet. The church must be at the forefront of shifting human consciousness away from an ethic of domination for economic gain and toward a spirituality of love.” AN EVOLUTIONARY COVENANT I will be your God, if you will be my people. I have come to you in many forms, and will continue to be present to you in radiant diversity and beauty. My people will never stop growing, because I manifest anew each moment. If you remain open to my presence in new discoveries, and continue to evolve– loving diversity, growing in mind, heart, and body, and loving wisdom – I will be your God. Learn from other creatures the sacred intelligence of the universe. These creatures are your kin. I will be with you in the tumult of change, giving you the courage, the power, and the wisdom to endure and to celebrate transformation.

Call number: 231.6 B469

Reviewed by: Jill Chamberlin

 “Only God deserves absolute surrender, because only God can offer absolutely dependable love.”

Dr Benner shows in a compassionate manner, how commonly we relate to God out of fear and obligation, never feeling in our hearts the abundance of God’s love for us.  Instead of struggling to deserve love, we can turn to God in trust, and float effortlessly in goodness and love.  From this trustful relationship, the promised transformation arises and we are led into increasing capacity to love ourselves and others as God loves us.

The author provides scriptures and advice for meditation on God’s love after each chapter of this short and profound book.

Levine, Amy-Jill, Dale C. Allison Jr., and John Dominic Crossan, editors. The Historical Jesus in Context. Princeton University Press, 2006>

 Call number:  232.908 L665

Reviewed by Susan Walma

Using primary sources, the 28 essays included in this book provide the reader understanding into the historical background of the times, the culture and the literary conventions of the world in which Jesus lived.  Each of these essays stands on its own and can be read independently, that is, you do not need to read them in the order in which they are presented in the book. I do recommend that you read the introduction written by Amy-Jill Levine first; it is invaluable in that it provides a short history of the quest for the historical Jesus and shares with the reader additional insight into the topics discussed in the essays.

It is not possible to adequately report on the many topics covered by the essays and keep this review to a manageable length. Suffice it to say that this book will be of interest to a beginning student of the historical Jesus, anyone who would like to study materials using primary ancient sources or who simply wants to find out if he or she wishes to pursue this subject further. The contributor(s) provide a bibliography at the end of each essay that is useful for further study; maps and a very useful glossary of terms are included as well as two indexes, one of ancient works and one of ancient persons.