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Title: Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism : A Bishop Rethinks the Meaning of Scripture by John Shelby Spong ISBN: 0-06-067518-7 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: June, 1992 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.27 (114 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Intelligent, Articulate, Passionate
Comment: Spong's book is a fascinating and fresh interpretation of the bible, finally giving (possible) answers to many questions modern-day people have had concerning inconsistencies in the biblical text(s). The author does an admirable job of hashing through a great deal of material and it may well be an inspiring and faith-reaffirming book for the Christian who has doubts/issues/questions but rabid fundementalists will only be, at best, indifferent, and at worst, calling for Spong's head on a platter. The effect it had on me, was that reaffirmed all the criticisms and doubts I already held concerning the divine infallacy and accuracy of the Bible. Spong does not cover the political aspects of some of the bible's translations and development, but he covers the cultural aspects enough to make his point. In all, Spong reasserts the bible as an excellent and educating book, a book with many valuable lessons to teach us, but not a book to be taken literally or as the sole (sou! ! l?) source of the history of mankind. It's my feeling that more Pagans than Christians will enjoy this book, as many of Spong's ideas will probably be condemned before they're even given any consideration. That's a shame, because Christianity needs the kind of intelligent debate that Spong's thinking brings.
Rating: 5
Summary: 'for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life'-2 Cor. 3:6
Comment: "Can Jesus be for us the way, the truth, and the life without religious delusion or hysterical religious claims?" John Shelby Spong asks us on page 143... After I read his first chapter I admired and extolled his goal in this work. I held my breath though to see how extreme he would be, since I just read Uta Ranke-Heinemann's "Putting Away Childish Things" who destroyed the Bible. But Spong, I advocate so much more because he still calls Jesus Lord and Christ, he loves the Bible, it is the book of his life, and he in no way wants to eliminate it; just fundamentalism. As do I. ( In "Putting Away Childish Things" she acted as if there was still something left for us -- love -- after destroying the Bible... that sounds nice and fine but you can certainly be loving without being religious.) First he shows us a portrait of God through fundamentalism. Try reading the Old Testament word for word. Taken literally, anyone is delusional for worshiping THAT in this day in age. Not only does he do that, but exposes the cosmological implications that even a "Bible believer" could not accept if you take the Bible word-for-word literally. (If Jesus ascended physically at the speed of light, he's still flying now !!) From the historical perspective of the OT, Spong teaches the laymen about the 'Documentary Hypothesis', as well. Then into the New Covenant, he gives us his own chapter for each one of the gospels. Though he cant believe the teachings of John's gospel were authentic to Jesus, he thinks that it most closely resembles the real purpose of Jesus and God's love. And I love the message of this book. "Once we lay aside a commitment to the literal truth of the literal words of a biblical text, we discover that there is a way through these words to enter the timeless dimension of eternal love, graceful acceptance, and inclusive community." (pp127)
Rating: 3
Summary: the reverend makes some good points ...
Comment: Like another reviewer, I wonder if the polarization of ratings and the invectives used by readers have less to do with the merits of the book then with the own beliefs of the reviewers. No matter where your religious beliefs fall, you must admit, Rev. Spong does make some compelling - and controversial - arguments. But look at the title! The Rev. is not writing for fundamentalists (ie. those who take a literalist interpretation of the Bible) but for those readers who live in the secular and scientific age and have difficulty reconciling science with Biblical Christianity.
The book is a collection of essays on the nature of Jesus and the message of Christianity. It seems to me that it is the latter that causes the most conflict rather than the latter. It is my understanding that to be considered a "Christian" one must believe in the divinity of Jesus (that Jesus of Nazareth was God as man.) Spong seems to deny this, (which is puzzling to me as well as to others) yet agrues that the issue of Jesus' divinity is not what is central to Christianity - rather it is the message of Christ that is important. I found this argument compelling and fascinating.
Certainly there is much in the Bible that flies in the face of fact and science - ignoring this is what makes one a "fundamentalist." Spong argues that one need not take every word of the Bible literally, but rather one should step back and look at the message, lessons and morality that the Bible (and Jesus) articulate, without getting caught up in semantics. Yet it is precisely these points that are causing such a sharp division of opinion about Rev. Spong's book.
While it is understandable that many feel threatened and angry about Spong's essays, they do have their merit whatever your personal religious beliefs. A fascinating (and well presented) argument.
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Title: Why Christianity Must Change or Die: A Bishop Speaks to Believers In Exile by John Shelby Spong ISBN: 0060675365 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: May, 1999 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: A New Christianity for a New World : Why Traditional Faith is Dying & How a New Faith is Being Born by John Shelby Spong ISBN: 0060670630 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 17 September, 2002 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: Liberating the Gospels : Reading the Bible with Jewish Eyes by John Shelby Spong ISBN: 0060675578 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: December, 1997 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Living in Sin? : A Bishop Rethinks Human Sexuality by John Shelby Spong ISBN: 0060675071 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: February, 1990 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
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Title: Resurrection : Myth or Reality? by John Shelby Spong ISBN: 0060674296 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: March, 1995 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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