The heterodox theologian and controversialist Marcus Borg, who died recently at age 72, has been eulogized in countless blogs and articles by admirers acclaiming his spiritual insights. Others, including some theological traditionalists, have recalled him personally as kind, thoughtful, and gracious. Doubtless he was cherished by his many grieving friends and family, and may God comfort them all in their loss.
Unfortunately, Borg did not believe in the kind of personal deity, or “supernatural theism” as he derided it, who provides this kind of direct comfort to individuals. Instead, he advocated an impersonal deity understood through panentheism (distinct from straight pantheism), which asserts that all creation is a part of God. As professor at Oregon State University, and as scholar at the once widely publicized Jesus Seminar, he specialized in deconstructing traditional Christian beliefs about God, Christ, and the Bible.
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