Posted on 04/12/2005 11:19:52 PM PDT by churchillbuff
O'Reilly has written a dustjacket blurb for Bishop Spong's new book: "The Sins of Scripture challenges Christians to look beyond the myths of their faith into the heart of the matter." I also got an email from a Spong-promoting outfit that says O'Reilly will have Spong on his show.
Here's the Publishers Weekly review on amazon:
Spong, a retired Episcopal bishop and prominent spokesperson for liberal Christianity, focuses this book on "terrible texts" which have been used to justify such "sins" as overbreeding, degradation of the environment, sexism, child abuse and anti-Semitism. These biblical texts, according to Spong, are not the incontrovertible Word of God, but flawed human responses to perceived threats. An incendiary example of this is Spong's assertion that Paul was a closeted gay man whose anti-gay statements were motivated by little more than his own self-loathing. Spong does not stop there; in the course of the book he suggests that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married; that none of the supernatural events described in the Bible took place (including the resurrection); and that theism itself is a misunderstanding of God. Interestingly, readers who do not endorse Spong's radical reinterpretation of Christianity will still find much in this book they can affirm. His explanation of the roots of Christian anti-Semitism is fascinating and much less challenging to orthodoxy than many of his other claims. Unfortunately, Spong leads with his weakest section, which features a variety of poorly constructed arguments claiming, but giving inadequate evidence for, a strong causal relationship between biblical injunctions and both overpopulation and environmental problems. Nonetheless, this absorbing book has much to offer readers of all persuasions.
A guy that gets to be a Bishop and put "Right Reverend" before his name, I try not to show any disrespect towards him.
Wow. That's perfect.
You're far too kind and a gentleman :-)
You're far too kind and a gentleman :-)
...or maybe just hedging some of my bets.
It is sad that adjectives must be used in front of the word "Christianity" in order to facilitate meaning. I remember being shocked and offended the first time I saw it referred to as "biblical Christianity" (is there any other kind?!), but I understand now why such clarification might be necessary.
Overbreeding? Where does he get this as a "sin."
spong is an absolute blasphemous nut. go to www.johnankerberg.com</b> check out the debate (available on video) between Walter Martin and Spong.
If the Bible is wrong, where does Spong's moral teachings and what he calls sins come from? If we can all make up our own, why is his "more right" than anyone else's?
If he is a well known biblical scholar, why did he come to the conclusion, cited above, that the Bible is, in effect, detrimental to humanity? Where do his moral teachings come from, and why should they be accepted by anyone?
He deserves none of my respect for trashing the teachings of Christ.
Do you remember that scene at the end of "Ghost" when the dark spirits swarmed the murderer and pulled him away to the netherworld?
When I'm reminded of Spong, I can't get that image out of my head.
Just to play devil's advocate (sorry), I think it's definitely wrong for people to keep having kids when they can't afford them and as a result "have to" go on welfare ( I wouldn't call it a sin, tho').
I've only read a couple of his books and I'm not qualified to speak about religion in any depth. My perception -- just my perception -- is that he feels the text divinely inspired but secondary to a person's own "relationship" to God.
But again, I'm neither a biblical scholar or an expert on Spong. I just feel the guy deserves some respect, whether you happen to agree with him or not.
I think when he dies, he's in for a 'whoopsie' of biblical proportions.
Spong is not a spokesman for any kind of true Christianity. Spong is a spokesman for "liberal theology" (a far more accurate term).
btw, see post 27 :o)
Good Lord!
That's not "liberal Christianity." It's not Christianity at all.
Good point, tame. :-)
I just reread the article and I'm with you. Mother of God!
Spong has long ago fallen through the ice.
Actually Catholics believe you must have faith in Christ.
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