I just finished a Bishop Spong book which questions pretty much everything that could be considered a pillar of Christian faith. It was titled Why Christianity Must Change Or Die. You know, subtle. For those who don't know, Bishop John Shelby Spong is well known in Christian circles and particularly in the Episcopal Church where he served as bishop of the Diocese of Newark for many years. What makes him special is his ability to deconstruct traditional Christian understandings of oh, say, the Nicene Creed (problematic), the Trinity (doesn't exist?) or the Divinity of Christ (oh, yeah--he was a guy). Since this blog is not a book review, I'll leave it to the reader to go dig up Why Christianity Must Change for themselves. However, I will say that Spong doesn't embrace any kind of literal understanding of these things, rather he roughly reinterprets these doctrines in a manner so as to allow them to have meaning in his life. As one might guess, this approach usually doesn't fly so well with many people (think modern day heretic burning which usually involves denouncement, pouting, and dramatic exits on the part of those offended). At the same time, he argues that he is speaking to and for a large section of the population who feel and believe in the same manner as he.
So let me add myself to the pyre. I had never read a Spong book (and there are several); however, I was surprised to find that the questions he poses are very similar to the questions and assumptions I run into in my daily conversations with people (I know, bear with me, I've been in Seminary for three years...). Not only that, but I found that often I was on the same page as he was with his questioning of such doctrines as well as in his concern for those with similar perspectives. This is not to say that I hold his ideas exactly, but there is a commonality; furthermore, and more importantly, he is concerned about the faith of individuals who cannot hold the same "literal" beliefs of the traditional church but still possess a spiritual life (which is indeed an aspect of being human). His concern is that the church is not speaking to these individuals and by doing so, only works to futher marginalize itself from the world when it should be in the world, calling it into a new kind of being. I worry about this too. And certainly theology in the church has not always remained static, right? So, yeah, I like what he had to say.
Isn't this precisely what the emerging church is doing as well? Working to seek to speak to a new understanding of reality, in a new generation, that is meaningful to that community, generation, etc? In an effort to begin doing this, I'm going to be meeting with others for bible study, and meet head-on one of the most loved and contested works in the world: Holy Scripture. How does this ancient narrative speak to us today in a way that is neither dismissive nor paralyzing? I'm gonna find out...
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Sarah,
Thanks for your comments. I am a "John Shelby Spong Christian." In my long journey out of right wing literalist fundamentalism I encountered many notable authors along the way and one by one my religious "sacred cows" bit the dust. At some point in that journey I became aware of Spong but purposefully avoided his books out of fear that one or two of my favorite sacred cows I wanted to keep would be oblitered.... I wanted to hang onto SOMETHING from my past beliefs. But alas, it was not to be. I finally began a study into Spong with Christianity Must Change or Die and his understanding of the divine, the sacred, of "god." What I found captivated my thoughts like nothing I have ever studied before. His words ring true to me in every way. I have reached a new level of understanding of spiritual things.
Spong's understanding of the divine as being a higher level of human consciousness is profound and mysterious. My understanding of the humanity of Jesus, the human origin of the bible (as well as all sacred writings), the humanity of the prophets, the nature of "God," as well as or own human nature has changed radically.
It has led me to conclusions that many find heretical, and indeed they are to biblical literalists and fundamentalists, but liberating and inspiring beyond my ability to describe. To understand the divine as a high level of human consciousness, to see Jesus as a human possibility and the bible as being of human origin does not in any way destroy my faith, it strengthens it beyond measure because it says to me that it is possible to live a life of "loving wastefully" as Spong puts it. It says to me that it is possible to live a life of compassion for humanity. It says to me that it is possible to live a nonviolent life free from the "myth of redemptive violence."
Thank you for your post. I am glad to find another traveler has discovered Spong. I hope you take a look at his other books. He also carries on a rigorous speaking schedule which opens the possibility of hearing him speak in person.
Peace.
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