Burke Lecture: John Shelby Spong

A pre-eminent voice for liberal Christianity, John Shelby Spong was the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark for 24 years before his retirement in 2000. His admirers acclaim his making contemporary theology accessible to the ordinary lay person—he's considered a champion of an inclusive faith by many both inside and outside the Christian church. His challenges to the church have also made him a target of hostility, fear, and death threats. Calling himself "a joyful, passionate, convinced believer in the reality of God," he seeks not to create a new religion, but to reform the church he loves. Series: "Burke Lectureship on Religion & Society" [1/2005] [Humanities] [Show ID: 9117]

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  Education

[Anna Johnson]

If the Church was like this I would gladly go back :) This man is an honest True God faring Man and I could listen to him all day. Thank you John Shelby Spong

[Steven Armstrong]

Bishop Spong doesn't have any problem with God. He has a problem with a certain interpretation OF God based on a literal reading of the Bible when it is assumed by some to be literally true and infallible. Many conservative Christians make the error of supposing that belief in God equals belief in the Bible. Not all Christians believe the Bible is literally true. Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God is within us... it isn't in any book or religion or dogma. It's in your own consciousness!

[carpo719]

I think he is rough, but every point is valid. I agree with all his thoughts for the most part. But Sam Harris, you can get on audiobook. Interesting stuff, but it's what turned me away from atheism.

[MyReluctantTheology]

I haven't read Sam Harris' book, but I've seen some of his interviews and lectures. I've also seen a lot of films of Christopher Hitchens. They are pretty harsh, but Spong isn't any bit more gentle than they are.

[carpo719]

Have you heard Sam Harris, Letters to a Christian Nation? All those guys are abrasive. There is a lot of animosity among them.

[maximilian sprocket]

Go Spong Go . Bishop spong is The Man

[Jaybird196]

I would not go back, BUT I certainly would've stayed far longer :) . Mr. Spong strikes me as a very good man, exemplary even. I think lots of people, religious or not, could learn much from someone like him.

[truthhelper]

Visit The Truth Contest website...

It will help you understand a lot

[Acts238OfChrist]

You're preaching another Jesus 2 Corinthians 11:4, Romans 1:23. Your version of Jesus is the Jesus that loves everyone, the feel good message/version, which is not the Jesus of scripture. Not everyone who says they're Christian are actually Christian Matthew 7:21. Only those who pick up their cross Luke 9:23, and deny the flesh Romans 6:12, and has a living faith James 2:17, are Christians. John Shelby is ashamed of gods words Luke 9:26. Jesus is god John20:24-

20:28, Philippians 2:5-2:6

[Acts238OfChrist]

John Calvin had many men burned at the stake, who didn't agree with his form of Christianity,

which at the time was comprised of the trinity and infant baptist. Calvin also had Michael Servetus burned at the stake, Servetus was Christian and followed the instructions of Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one. Calvin was against the truth and taught god was 3, and had Servetus burned at the stake.