John Shelby Spong

John Shelby Spong

Former Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Newark

"“On Faith”" panelist John Shelby Spong served as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark for 24 years before his retirement in 2000. His books, seeking to make contemporary theology accessible to lay readers, have sold over a million copies. His latest book, The Sins of Scripture: Exposing the Bible's Texts of Hate to Discover the God of Love (2005), examines the holy book of the Judeo-Christian tradition. A committed Christian who has spent a lifetime studying the Bible and whose life has been deeply shaped by it, Spong has been a visiting lecturer at universities, Including Harvard, and churches worldwide, delivering more than 200 public lectures each year to standing-room only crowds. His best-selling books include Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism, A New Christianity for a New World, Why Christianity Must Change or Die, and Here I Stand. Close.

John Shelby Spong

Former Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Newark

"On Faith" panelist John Shelby Spong served as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark for 24 years before his retirement in 2000. His books, seeking to make contemporary theology accessible to lay readers, have sold over a million copies. more »

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Criticism and judgment

Yes, of course. You can also be a Christian and be critical of the Church and the way the Church has used the Bible over the centuries to reinforce its killing prejudices.

Yes, of course. You can also be a Christian and be critical of the Church and the way the Church has used the Bible over the centuries to reinforce its killing prejudices.

You can also be a patriot and criticize your own government.

The State and the Church, human life and all human institutions must stand under the judgment of the God of Life, Love and Being.

So do the religious voices that pronounce God’s judgment.

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Posted by John Shelby Spong on February 23, 2007 2:19 PM

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