In The Sins of Scripture, Bishop John Shelby Spong takes on a thematic exploration of the Bible, carefully analyzing those passages that inf...
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Jan 30, 2012
Joe
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In general, when I read John Shelby Spong, I am tremendously impressed with his grasp of the breadth and depth of the material and his ability to tell the story in such a straightforward, courageous, no-holds-barred fashion as well as in a very accessible style. He speaks my language, so to speak. In fact, he says/writes plainly and boldly what he thinks, and so often my response is "Yes, exactly; why have we Christians been so slow...perhaps reluctant...to see/say the obvious?"
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Mar 17, 2011
Lee
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The subtitle of this book is Exposing the Bible’s Texts of Hate to Reveal the God of Love. I read this book a few years back, and the reason it came to mind today is because I am feeling overwhelmed by the aggressiveness of anti-Bible crusaders. Unquestionably, there are many passages in the Bible that are not only questionable theology, but downright appalling. Unquestionably, there are “Christians” today who pounce on these texts in order to promote discrimination or oppression. But the majori
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Nov 29, 2011
kingshearte
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This book had some very interesting perspectives on a variety of topics, and I bet it has pissed a lot of people off. I think a lot what Spong has to say is quite valid though.
First and foremost is his assertion that the Bible is not, and never has been, the literal word of god. This is a belief I have held for a long time. God did not set pen to paper (or chisel to stone) and write this book. Men wrote this book. Even if we accept the notions that it was written as a result of divin More...
First and foremost is his assertion that the Bible is not, and never has been, the literal word of god. This is a belief I have held for a long time. God did not set pen to paper (or chisel to stone) and write this book. Men wrote this book. Even if we accept the notions that it was written as a result of divin More...
Jan 21, 2010
Claire
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A good book with a thesis that should be the subject of more authors' attention. Spong enjoins us to approach the Bible as an epic written by men and to seek within this epic those aspects of the Christian faith that are genuine eternal truths: kindess, love, the other, God as the force of nature (not as a doting parent), etc. I appreciated that breath of fresh air and honesty with himself and facts. However, his arguments about particular "sins of scripture" are not rock solid, and I
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Sep 24, 2011
Choong Chiat
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This book provides a highly thought-provoking and incisive criticism of how certain passages in the Bible have and continue to be cited by many as justifying "sins" such as the oppression of women, homosexuals and non-believers.
On top of this, towards the end, the author of this book also sketches out his vision of a Christianity which will be much more inclusive, tolerant and progressive.
While I, as a free thinker, am highly supportive of what has been put fort More...
On top of this, towards the end, the author of this book also sketches out his vision of a Christianity which will be much more inclusive, tolerant and progressive.
While I, as a free thinker, am highly supportive of what has been put fort More...
Feb 01, 2009
Lee
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A fantastic book. Spong is a great writer and has a great understanding of what Christianity should be. He carefully discusses the uses and abuses to which the Bible has been used for centuries. Anyone who wants to see Christianity mature and shed its discriminating past should read this book. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interesting in seeing Christianity become more than what it it.
Oct 27, 2007
Jeremy
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The author offers his analysis and thoughts on some of what he calls the Bible's "terrible texts" which have been used by too many Christians as justification for judgmental/hateful attitudes and actions. As a Christian who is in a personal battle to separate the essence of beauty in Chritianity from all of the violence and oppression that has come out of these texts, I found it to be a worthwhile read and to offer serious challenges to some of the assumptions and beliefs I carry. I do
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Nov 24, 2008
Tvshi
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This is not particularly well-written from a gripping or grammar perspective, but his deconstruction of the Bible's supposed support for degrading women, gays, children, the environment and more are MUST READ material. I'm going to be a WAY better debater now.
Sep 17, 2011
This was recommended (strongly) to me by someone. He insisted that I read it. The topic bothers me, to be frank, so we'll see how this goes. I'm trying to keep an open mind while this retired Episcopal bishop tells me why the Bible isn't always true.
Jun 04, 2008
Alicia
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This book was a difficult start for me, but I found it to be one of the best books I've read in the last couple of years. This book examines some of the passages from the Bible that have been used to justify certain positions and attitudes that are hurtful towards particular groups of people. I thought that this book had the most compelling argument that the passages regarding homosexuality as a sin are not the word of God. I especially liked the concluding chapters that talk about how the Bi
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May 30, 2009
Bryan
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For all Christians and non-Christians. This measure the human duality towards a Jesus ethos of Matthew 5 and the Bronze-Age barbarism of the OT (the stolen Jewish Torah which provides Christianity an epistemology).
Jul 05, 2009
Marianne
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Evaluates traditional reading of biblical passages that have lead to racism, misogyny, homophobia, war, overpopulation, destruction of the environment, and suggests alternative interpretations.
Dec 09, 2007
Nathan
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this book got me going to church again (as an episcopalian). a long time ago i went to church as a southern baptist and it was just bad (except for one time when my friend jessica and i had a laughing fit over a sermon about dorcas, cause we were immature and her name was dorcas) so i stopped going. but then one day i saw tavis smiley interviewing the rev. spong and i thought, 'oh golly, look how smart and not a biggot he is, i think i'll give these episcopalians a try.' so i did and i've bee
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Dec 08, 2011
Crystal
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Had some good info, although I did not read every chapter. It definitely gave me something to think about, and some support to my liberal beliefs.
Dec 28, 2007
Ajrowe0615
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This is one of the many progressive Christian books I've read by Spong, Borg, Crossin, Armstrong, et. al.
Spong doesn't pull any punches and flat out points out the hateful and down-right evil parts of Christian scripture out there and how a modern person can reconsile oneself with it. These scriptures were all written by violent ancient people who really had no real understanding of the world they lived in. When you take the cultural crap out of it, the wisdom teachings can be ver More...
Spong doesn't pull any punches and flat out points out the hateful and down-right evil parts of Christian scripture out there and how a modern person can reconsile oneself with it. These scriptures were all written by violent ancient people who really had no real understanding of the world they lived in. When you take the cultural crap out of it, the wisdom teachings can be ver More...
Jul 09, 2011
Evelyn
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Excellent book that will open your mind and your heart, if you let it!!!!
Nov 27, 2009
Gypsy Lady
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A neighborhood book club selection that generated good discussion.
Sep 08, 2008
tim
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If you deal with people who like to use the bible to put you in your place, this book is your ammunition for fighting back. It's not hard to catch a bible-quoter in a contradiction, so that's the easiest part of this book. What I appreciate is the repeated argument against the bible as the Word of God and the repeated illustration of how it is simple a collection of stories that reflect the time, place, and authors of it's origin. If more Christians saw the bible as literature, we'd all be be
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Oct 06, 2008
Joan
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I love this book. Spong uses he Bible to discount the biblical. He uses biblical examples to confront sexism, racism, homophobia. I wondered how he could continue to be Christian with all of that. Then at the end he turns it around and suggests that the teaching of Jesus had much the same effect on society as theories of Copernicus, Galielo, Darwin, Freud - people who created new paradigms. Fully human, Jesus led to "The dawning of a new consciousness in human life."
Sep 16, 2007
Charlotte
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It was incredibly interesting to read a criticism of Christianity written by a Christian - a bishop, in fact. It was, at times, difficult for me to keep my concentration as I read Spong's very detailed explanations of the Bible, its stories, and its characters. But I enjoyed reading it. The subject matter is intriguing, and Spong is a credible source of new information about some age-old subjects.
Jun 12, 2008
Jane
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Jill--you might find this really interesting...I only read a select few chapters (the ones on homosexuality, women in the church, and the church and the environment) and it didn't take me long. This is by an Episcopal bishop with extremely forward-thinking ideals. I think you'll like it. It helped me see the Catholic church in a whole new light.
Dec 16, 2009
Summer
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I am just about to finish the last chapter. This book is giving words to thoughts and idea's I've been struggling with for a year. I want people to read this so we can talk about it. It is so good. Well researched, nicely written, provocative and amazing! I want to meet John Shelby Spong...
Sep 14, 2008
Raeven
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Very informative. Gives you a lot to think about. Rescues the bible from fundamentalism and prefers truth to lies, honesty to hypocrisy and looks beyond ptriarchal attitudes towards creation, women, children, sexual orientation, and so much more. Read it!
Jan 05, 2008
Sally
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Goes into many of the aspects of the Bible that the author feels are harmful to accept as true today because they reflect the consciousness of the more primitive societies in which the Biblical texts were written, rather than the divine word of God.
Sep 19, 2007
Ronando
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A great read. This book is a great eye opener if you would like to hear a criticle perspective from a more than qualified apostate.
This book truly does a good job in introducing the reader "the bible's texts of hate to reveal the god of love."
This book truly does a good job in introducing the reader "the bible's texts of hate to reveal the god of love."
Aug 04, 2009
Rhianna
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Informative and thought provoking. This book is an interesting read for any practicing Christian or anyone else who interacts with Christians, which is everybody. This book has the intent to bring positive change to the church and our society.
Dec 28, 2007
Anna
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This is a book written by a devout Christian looking to save his religion from doing more harm than good. In doing so he makes many beautiful points, which even a non-Christian like myself can appreciate.
Sep 01, 2008
Mike
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John Shelby Spong was the long time Episcopal Bishop of Newark (retired in 2000) and a stalwart believer in an informed reading of scripture. Not well liked by the religious right.
