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A New Christianity for a New World: Why Traditional Faith is Dying & How a New Faith is Being Born – A Vision for Radical Reformation and the Church of Justice and Love
In his bestselling book Why Christianity Must Change or Die, Bishop John Shelby Spong described the toxins that are poisoning the Church. Now he offers the antidote, calling Christians everywhere into a new and radical reformation for a new age. Spong looks beyond traditional boundaries to open new avenues and a new vocabulary into the Holy, proposing a Christianity premised upon justice, love, and the rise of a new humanity -- a vision of the power that might be.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
About the author
John Shelby Spong
49 books307 followersJohn Shelby Spong was the Episcopal bishop of Newark before his retirement in 2000. As a leading spokesperson for an open, scholarly, and progressive Christianity, Bishop Spong has taught at Harvard and at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. He has also lectured at universities, conference centers, and churches in North America, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific. His books include: A New Christianity for a New World, Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism, Resurrection: Myth or Reality? Why Christianity Must Change or Die, and his autobiography, Here I Stand.
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January 4, 2023
First the superficial: I don't like Spong's writing style. He's obviously passionate about his subject, but by the middle of the book this results in paragraphs of high-emotion concluding sentences instead of supporting information. (Dare I call a bishop too preachy?) Also, I don't appreciate an author telling me how I will hear and respond to his book in the first chapter. This comes off as arrogant and defensive.
As for the substantial: I read in Spong's book, not a critique of Christianity as a whole, but of his specific "brand" of Episcopal Christianity. Several of his rallying cries are moot in other denominations. As a member of a non-creedal anabaptist denomination, I don't see Christianity limited by the definition of a creed, and I don't associate baptism with original sin because it is postponed until an age of knowledgable consent. As a woman who has been extended the priviledges of a seminary education and a voice from the pulpit, the patriarchal history of the church (though still an issue) has not limited my participation in the church leadership roles to which I've been called and gifted.
I don't believe that Spong's chorus of God as life, love, and being are mutually exclusive of God being an actual...Being. And I don't believe that his complaints against the church, as humanly flawed as it is, are a reason to kill off God.
His arguments for a non-theistic God are shaky at best. While I am convinced of the existance of the Q document, I don't believe that the commonality of the material in Matthew and Luke prove that they contain the entire of the more ancient document. Couldn't Matthew have borrowed some of the Q document's material that speaks of Christ's divinity, and Luke have plucked other pieces? His other major argument seems to be that non-believers don't believe. This is evidence of freewill, not of God's lack of existance. Another piece of this argument saddens me for Spong's sake. He harps on the seemingly barbaric need for God to kill His Son. However, if the 3 persons of the Trinity are more tightly woven than Spong believes, God didn't kill his Son for humamity's sins; God sacrificed God's own Self in an act of unconditional love for humanity's betterment. That seems to better define God as life, love and the Ground of Being than any of Spong's postulations.
My 2 star rating comes from what I see as the possible value of Spong's work. Instead of removing selfhood from God and divinity from Jesus, I think Spong's arguments are useful in reverse. If non-believers can come to respect Spong's perception of God as important enough to invite into their life and thought processes, this could be a first step toward accepting God as a loving Being, worthy of the trust of a personal relationship.
A small soapbox issue: It takes a brave (or clueless) man to argue on the same page (209) that 1) people who have too many children are immoral and should be condemned by the church and/or the law and 2)that new life should continue to be celebrated by the church through liturgical ritual. What does this "celebration" look like for a couple who has just been condemned by the church as immoral for creating the very same life that's being celebrated? Who determines which child tips the scales from ritual-worthy to an immoral act of the parents? (Disclaimer: I'm currently pregnant with our 3rd child, which seems to be the child of debate in our society.)
As for the substantial: I read in Spong's book, not a critique of Christianity as a whole, but of his specific "brand" of Episcopal Christianity. Several of his rallying cries are moot in other denominations. As a member of a non-creedal anabaptist denomination, I don't see Christianity limited by the definition of a creed, and I don't associate baptism with original sin because it is postponed until an age of knowledgable consent. As a woman who has been extended the priviledges of a seminary education and a voice from the pulpit, the patriarchal history of the church (though still an issue) has not limited my participation in the church leadership roles to which I've been called and gifted.
I don't believe that Spong's chorus of God as life, love, and being are mutually exclusive of God being an actual...Being. And I don't believe that his complaints against the church, as humanly flawed as it is, are a reason to kill off God.
His arguments for a non-theistic God are shaky at best. While I am convinced of the existance of the Q document, I don't believe that the commonality of the material in Matthew and Luke prove that they contain the entire of the more ancient document. Couldn't Matthew have borrowed some of the Q document's material that speaks of Christ's divinity, and Luke have plucked other pieces? His other major argument seems to be that non-believers don't believe. This is evidence of freewill, not of God's lack of existance. Another piece of this argument saddens me for Spong's sake. He harps on the seemingly barbaric need for God to kill His Son. However, if the 3 persons of the Trinity are more tightly woven than Spong believes, God didn't kill his Son for humamity's sins; God sacrificed God's own Self in an act of unconditional love for humanity's betterment. That seems to better define God as life, love and the Ground of Being than any of Spong's postulations.
My 2 star rating comes from what I see as the possible value of Spong's work. Instead of removing selfhood from God and divinity from Jesus, I think Spong's arguments are useful in reverse. If non-believers can come to respect Spong's perception of God as important enough to invite into their life and thought processes, this could be a first step toward accepting God as a loving Being, worthy of the trust of a personal relationship.
A small soapbox issue: It takes a brave (or clueless) man to argue on the same page (209) that 1) people who have too many children are immoral and should be condemned by the church and/or the law and 2)that new life should continue to be celebrated by the church through liturgical ritual. What does this "celebration" look like for a couple who has just been condemned by the church as immoral for creating the very same life that's being celebrated? Who determines which child tips the scales from ritual-worthy to an immoral act of the parents? (Disclaimer: I'm currently pregnant with our 3rd child, which seems to be the child of debate in our society.)
June 21, 2009
I thought this book was fantastic. I've been reading so many books that have forced me to really look at my spirituality and all the while I have wondered how these ideas could be applicable in church. This book addressed this issue and others. My favorite thing about this book was the way it began. The author begins by explaining that he is a Christian and why he is a Christian. Then he lists a bunch of things that he doesn't believe, many of which are some of the fundamental beliefs of Christianity. I really appreciated the honesty of this. After having read "The Phoenix Affirmations" I have wanted to make my own list of things that I believe and haven't gotten around to doing it yet. Anyway, he then spends most of the book going through step by step the reasons why he is still a Christian and how he experiences Christianity despite not believing in some of the fundamentals. I think if Bart Ehrman where to read this book maybe he would still be a Christian.
January 19, 2011
More than anyone else, Bishop John Shelby Spong has helped shape a new Christianity for a new world. He is a leader in liberal Christianity, and many of us have been following along, reading his books for years. If there’s any cause for frustration with Spong as an author, it’s that he never quite seemed to dig deep enough, to answer the big questions, about where this new, practical, thinking man’s version of Christianity would carry us.
If you’ve been yearning to finally get down to the nitty gritty of all the wonderful talk, the time has come. The big questions are answered. How does Christianity survive in a post-theistic world? How does eternity fit into this dream? What about prayer?
I think the best way to present this book is just to pass on some of my favorite quotes from the first half of the book. If you find yourself nodding your head, this is the book for you, and the second half will open your eyes.
“In the face of religious hostility on one side and incredulous disdain for my unwillingness to reject my faith-tradition on the other, I continue to insist that I am a Christian.”
“The audience I seek to address is … people who feel spiritually thirsty but know that they can no longer drink from the traditional wells of the past.”
“They will rejoice that they at last have found a way to put their heads and their hearts together.”
“People no longer believe in God in a real and operative sense, even if they do continue to believe in believing in God.”
“The God who is love is slowly transformed into the love that is God.”
“I am free of the God who was deemed to be incomplete unless constantly receiving our endless praises; the God who required that we acknowledge ourselves as born in sin and therefore as helpless; the God who seemed to delight in punishing sinners; the God who, we were told, gloried in our childlike, groveling dependency. Worshiping that theistic God did not allow us to grow into the new humanity that we now claim.”
If you’ve been yearning to finally get down to the nitty gritty of all the wonderful talk, the time has come. The big questions are answered. How does Christianity survive in a post-theistic world? How does eternity fit into this dream? What about prayer?
I think the best way to present this book is just to pass on some of my favorite quotes from the first half of the book. If you find yourself nodding your head, this is the book for you, and the second half will open your eyes.
“In the face of religious hostility on one side and incredulous disdain for my unwillingness to reject my faith-tradition on the other, I continue to insist that I am a Christian.”
“The audience I seek to address is … people who feel spiritually thirsty but know that they can no longer drink from the traditional wells of the past.”
“They will rejoice that they at last have found a way to put their heads and their hearts together.”
“People no longer believe in God in a real and operative sense, even if they do continue to believe in believing in God.”
“The God who is love is slowly transformed into the love that is God.”
“I am free of the God who was deemed to be incomplete unless constantly receiving our endless praises; the God who required that we acknowledge ourselves as born in sin and therefore as helpless; the God who seemed to delight in punishing sinners; the God who, we were told, gloried in our childlike, groveling dependency. Worshiping that theistic God did not allow us to grow into the new humanity that we now claim.”
January 1, 2014
I was very interested to read this, but ultimately it was disappointing. Spong is a passionate, deep thinker about modern Christianity, and I applaud his willingness to tear down dogma in the first hundred pages or so. However, after all of that, what is left is fairly weak. I came away from this realizing that Christianity stripped of a theistic God is nothing more than some nice writing and an empathetic worldview--that's not enough to hang a religion on. Spong does nicely point out that 80% of modern Christianity is post-Christ--meaning the traditions that we hold to so dearly were created through a complex history involving real people with real motives and real problems. However, his solution--which is implicitly promised in the title--is less than compelling. I think this book is a "feel good" volume for fallen away Christians, but doesn't offer much beyond this.
September 24, 2013
Spong's books have their flaws to be sure. As many reviewers have pointed out, his tone can be ham-handed and adversarial, some of what he says is little more than rehashed Unitarianism, he often tries to structure a logical argument within seemingly dichotomous existensial parameters, and he is oddly speechless on the subject of the Hereafter.
I'd almost give this book four stars for Spong's courage alone. His willingness to put himself out there and endure the demonization of countless legions of fundamentalist Christians is something I've had the notion but never the will to do. (Although, full disclosure, I've been in and out of communion with the Catholic Church for all of my 42+ years on Earth.) Bishop Spong's dedication in the midst of this oh-so-self-righteous opposition is a testament to his real and continually evolving faith.
I've always held firmly to the belief that Matthew 7:1--"judge lest not ye be judge"--was at some point in time stricken from the collective memories of most fundamentalist Christians. Catholics too are always quick to play that intellectual and moral get-out-of-jail-free card by claiming they can "Love the sinner but hate the sin."
Yeah, right. The question is, "What would Jesus do?" not "What does Levitcus say about it?" What makes Bishop Spong's message so refreshing is that he gets this. He embraces this Jesus, and he's a man at peace with himself because of it.
I'd almost give this book four stars for Spong's courage alone. His willingness to put himself out there and endure the demonization of countless legions of fundamentalist Christians is something I've had the notion but never the will to do. (Although, full disclosure, I've been in and out of communion with the Catholic Church for all of my 42+ years on Earth.) Bishop Spong's dedication in the midst of this oh-so-self-righteous opposition is a testament to his real and continually evolving faith.
I've always held firmly to the belief that Matthew 7:1--"judge lest not ye be judge"--was at some point in time stricken from the collective memories of most fundamentalist Christians. Catholics too are always quick to play that intellectual and moral get-out-of-jail-free card by claiming they can "Love the sinner but hate the sin."
Yeah, right. The question is, "What would Jesus do?" not "What does Levitcus say about it?" What makes Bishop Spong's message so refreshing is that he gets this. He embraces this Jesus, and he's a man at peace with himself because of it.
September 5, 2015
I want to love everything Jack Spong says, but I struggle with his insistence on stripping wonder from the Christian faith. His approach to the development of theistic faith is a bit too Freudian. Yes, people developed God in response to the fear of the unknown. Yes, many faiths thought of God as a punishing parent. However, I don't see a lot of space in Spong's book for the positive side of faith--the side that is full of wonder at all that exists. Perhaps we can postulate a being bigger than ourselves, beyond ourselves, a being so grand that we cannot possibly contain our understanding of it--and perhaps we create metaphors for that being. Perhaps we recognize, humbly, that all we know is not all there is, and that amazing things and events break into day to day existence once in awhile--things that are to be wondered at and appreciated. Spong's approach is not poetic enough. It is too reductionistic. It does not take into account the reality of the numinous in other cultures and faith systems. So, yes, a new faith is being born, but I don't think it's the scientific materialism that Spong seems to promote.
January 25, 2013
Unfortunately, I cannot rate this book less than 1 star. Spong's book is one of those books that makes makes most people scratch their heads, but for me it was more like pound my head into a brick patio.
In the first chapter John Shelby Spong goes on to throw out all of the difficult Christian doctrines (i.e. the supernatural birth, the incarnation, the creation story, etc). It took me weeks to stop banging my head against the wall and pick the book back up. Through the rest of the book he lays out his religion and tries to convince the reader that mainstream Christianity should adopt as orthodoxy. This book is a great read if you're stuck in a Mexican jail and it's the only book they have; otherwise, read anything else.
In the first chapter John Shelby Spong goes on to throw out all of the difficult Christian doctrines (i.e. the supernatural birth, the incarnation, the creation story, etc). It took me weeks to stop banging my head against the wall and pick the book back up. Through the rest of the book he lays out his religion and tries to convince the reader that mainstream Christianity should adopt as orthodoxy. This book is a great read if you're stuck in a Mexican jail and it's the only book they have; otherwise, read anything else.
March 31, 2017
Although I agree with Spong in general, I find his "Theism is dead or dying" mantra distracting and annoying. He may be right but I respond much more positively to the writings of Marcus Borg, Philip Gulley or Richard Rohr, to name a few. They are all saying the same thing for the most part but the latter authors focus more on reconsidering how we interpret the Bible and life of Jesus and how this impacts our lives as Christians. The best part of this book was the last chapter where Spong summarizes the flood sermon by Kathrin Ford and her conclusion regarding creeds and the future of Christianity.
May 3, 2010
A philosophical book about the on-going evolution of Christianity, which I found fascinating. It may prove offensive to some, particularly fundamentalists, but it opened my mind and struck a chord with me. Plus that, it's easy to read.
February 17, 2010
A friend recommended this book by the former Episcopal Bishop of Newark. I was skeptical--as a former Episcopalian myself, what could he make me understand. A lot it turns out. In spite of his protestations, I would call him a Unitarian Universalist, but he prefers to be a Christian with a new view of that faith. His new faith is all-encompassing and based on love. If you're interested, read it. I don't want to damper his argument--it's interesting to see how he gets there.
It's well-written and carefully thought out.
It's well-written and carefully thought out.
December 11, 2013
Fascinating, challenging, provocative. Would infuriate fundies, which is always okay in my book. Bishop Spong presents some thought-provoking ideas for those of us who are from a Christian background and yet are unable to accept the dull-minded literalness, exclusivity, and afterlife-focus of so many Christians. The chapter "Jesus Beyond Incarnation" is an amazing and amazingly different look at Jesus.
December 6, 2023
Spong doesn't disappoint in giving you lots to think about! Very interesting ideas. Not particularly easy to read, but it was worth the effort for me.
May 25, 2011
Honestly it is just wonderful. I am so sad that I was prejudiced against him for so long.
August 20, 2011
Absolutely beautiful treatise on how Christianity can stay relevant for those of us who have a hard time with literalism.
May 9, 2012
A much needed read for this day and age.
June 17, 2023
A New Christianity for a New World by John Shelby Spong is a refreshing and thought-provoking exploration of faith that challenges traditional Christian doctrines and paves the way for a more inclusive and relevant spiritual path. Spong, an esteemed theologian and Bishop, fearlessly engages with the evolving world around us and offers a compelling vision for a revitalized Christianity that embraces the complexities and discoveries of the modern era.
One of the most striking aspects of Spong's book is his ability to articulate complex theological ideas in a clear and accessible manner. Drawing upon his vast knowledge of Scripture, history, and philosophy, he addresses the concerns and doubts many people have about Christianity. With profound insights, he dismantles the literal interpretations of ancient texts and presents a compelling case for a metaphorical and symbolic understanding of religious narratives. Through his nuanced approach, he invites readers to embrace a faith that is intellectually honest and resonates with their own experiences.
Spong's commitment to inclusivity and justice shines through the pages of this book. He boldly challenges the traditional dogmas that have perpetuated discrimination, prejudice, and exclusion in the name of religion. With unwavering conviction, he advocates for a Christianity that embraces diversity, celebrates human rights, and acknowledges the inherent worth of every individual. This emphasis on love, compassion, and social responsibility breathes new life into the Christian message, making it relevant and transformative for the modern world.
What sets A New Christianity for a New World apart is its unwavering optimism and hopefulness. Rather than succumbing to cynicism or disillusionment, Spong envisions a future in which faith evolves and adapts to the changing needs of humanity. His unwavering faith in the power of love and the potential for spiritual growth is contagious, leaving readers inspired and eager to embark on their own personal journeys of discovery and renewal.
Throughout the book, Spong displays a deep respect for intellectual inquiry and the pursuit of truth. He encourages readers to engage with their faith critically, asking difficult questions and seeking answers that align with reason and compassion. By embracing a faith that is open to exploration and reinterpretation, Spong demonstrates that Christianity can continue to evolve, staying relevant and meaningful in a rapidly changing world.
A New Christianity for a New World is a courageous and timely work that calls for a transformative shift in religious consciousness. It challenges believers to reexamine their assumptions, embrace uncertainty, and embark on a profound journey of spiritual growth. Spong's wise and compassionate voice resonates long after the final page, reminding us that faith can be a vibrant and empowering force that guides us towards a more compassionate, just, and inclusive world.
In a time when many are searching for a faith that aligns with their deepest values, A New Christianity for a New World offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for a vibrant and relevant spirituality. Regardless of one's religious background, this book is an essential read for anyone seeking to engage in a meaningful dialogue about faith, authenticity, and the potential for spiritual transformation in our world today.
One of the most striking aspects of Spong's book is his ability to articulate complex theological ideas in a clear and accessible manner. Drawing upon his vast knowledge of Scripture, history, and philosophy, he addresses the concerns and doubts many people have about Christianity. With profound insights, he dismantles the literal interpretations of ancient texts and presents a compelling case for a metaphorical and symbolic understanding of religious narratives. Through his nuanced approach, he invites readers to embrace a faith that is intellectually honest and resonates with their own experiences.
Spong's commitment to inclusivity and justice shines through the pages of this book. He boldly challenges the traditional dogmas that have perpetuated discrimination, prejudice, and exclusion in the name of religion. With unwavering conviction, he advocates for a Christianity that embraces diversity, celebrates human rights, and acknowledges the inherent worth of every individual. This emphasis on love, compassion, and social responsibility breathes new life into the Christian message, making it relevant and transformative for the modern world.
What sets A New Christianity for a New World apart is its unwavering optimism and hopefulness. Rather than succumbing to cynicism or disillusionment, Spong envisions a future in which faith evolves and adapts to the changing needs of humanity. His unwavering faith in the power of love and the potential for spiritual growth is contagious, leaving readers inspired and eager to embark on their own personal journeys of discovery and renewal.
Throughout the book, Spong displays a deep respect for intellectual inquiry and the pursuit of truth. He encourages readers to engage with their faith critically, asking difficult questions and seeking answers that align with reason and compassion. By embracing a faith that is open to exploration and reinterpretation, Spong demonstrates that Christianity can continue to evolve, staying relevant and meaningful in a rapidly changing world.
A New Christianity for a New World is a courageous and timely work that calls for a transformative shift in religious consciousness. It challenges believers to reexamine their assumptions, embrace uncertainty, and embark on a profound journey of spiritual growth. Spong's wise and compassionate voice resonates long after the final page, reminding us that faith can be a vibrant and empowering force that guides us towards a more compassionate, just, and inclusive world.
In a time when many are searching for a faith that aligns with their deepest values, A New Christianity for a New World offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for a vibrant and relevant spirituality. Regardless of one's religious background, this book is an essential read for anyone seeking to engage in a meaningful dialogue about faith, authenticity, and the potential for spiritual transformation in our world today.
March 2, 2021
This book came at a most opportune time as I deconstruct my own faith and the foundations of my religious upbringing. I found the ideas presented here refreshing and exhilarating, exemplified by the nearly endless underlining. Now that I’ve stepped back and have had some time to reflect, his theories seem woefully inadequate and in some cases wrong—even evil, such as his argument that parents who have too many children should be named “immoral and be penalized severely” (p. 209). This seems a far cry from Spong’s overall call to be quick to love and slow to judge.
By the end of the book, Spong’s vision for Christianity sounds a lot like Unitarian Universalism. Which is fine, but that form of worship is already well established and comes with its own set of problems. His description of God sounds a lot like Lao Tzu’s Tao, written thousands of years ago. I loved the Tao Te Ching and have been looking for more resources fitting a Taoist viewpoint into Christianity, so I was happy to see it, but Spong makes no such connections. While mentioning Hinduism and Buddhism, Taoism was never once mentioned.
Written 20 years ago, science has come a long way since then. Spong relies heavily on Darwinian evolution as the source for evil, decisions, emotions, action, and belief. I believe today much more can be explained by neurology and the behavioral sciences.
I would have liked more in the way of citations, but I suppose Bishop Spong is no historian. While there is an extensive bibliography, it is not clear how it connects to the content of the writing. However, the book provided much in the way of the historical Jesus versus the mythologized Christ. It also provided a starting point to reconsider Christianity and begin to build a new future. If nothing else, it does enough to shake one from the comfort of complacency. For that I am grateful.
By the end of the book, Spong’s vision for Christianity sounds a lot like Unitarian Universalism. Which is fine, but that form of worship is already well established and comes with its own set of problems. His description of God sounds a lot like Lao Tzu’s Tao, written thousands of years ago. I loved the Tao Te Ching and have been looking for more resources fitting a Taoist viewpoint into Christianity, so I was happy to see it, but Spong makes no such connections. While mentioning Hinduism and Buddhism, Taoism was never once mentioned.
Written 20 years ago, science has come a long way since then. Spong relies heavily on Darwinian evolution as the source for evil, decisions, emotions, action, and belief. I believe today much more can be explained by neurology and the behavioral sciences.
I would have liked more in the way of citations, but I suppose Bishop Spong is no historian. While there is an extensive bibliography, it is not clear how it connects to the content of the writing. However, the book provided much in the way of the historical Jesus versus the mythologized Christ. It also provided a starting point to reconsider Christianity and begin to build a new future. If nothing else, it does enough to shake one from the comfort of complacency. For that I am grateful.
August 28, 2019
I've read a lot of Spong, because I like to argue with him in my mind. Personally, I think he's lost his belief in God and doesn't realize it yet. In the book, his final conclusion is that there is no entity that is God; that God is the atmosphere we live in, the people around us, the good work we do. I am a mystic, which means a person who knows that anyone can have a personal acquaintance with God (and this is not a Born Again experience). We know God on a talking-to basis and God/the Holy Spirit sometimes talk back -- neither side of which is spoken -- so Spong's belief that God is not an entity means to me that he has lost his faith in God. I've thought this about Spong for years, but this book appears to make this clear. Mystics rarely speak of their experience(s) except to each other for fear of being told they are delusional, or crazy.
Of course, how a being infinitely large and infinitely powerful can pay attention to all of the universe all of the time is a mystery.
Of course, how a being infinitely large and infinitely powerful can pay attention to all of the universe all of the time is a mystery.
September 20, 2021
Sadly, I think the author has read the Bible but missed several key points. This book contains a great deal of logical fallacies and strawman arguments created so he can liberate the Bible from fundamentalist believers. I’m truly not sure why he sat about doing this because, in his own words, he disagrees with so many key tenets of orthodox, bible-based Christian faith that he might as well have created a new religion. My husband says that his goal was to modify Christianity, but you would have to do a great deal of twisting of words and using emotional reasoning to keep the name Christianity on his system of beliefs. I find it confusing to read a passage of scripture referred to in this book and then read his interpretation, sometimes meaning almost the opposite of what is actually written in scripture. I admit that it’s possible I am misunderstanding some of what he is trying to say. Unfortunately, I will not have the opportunity to discuss any of this with him, so his book will have to suffice.
January 1, 2022
I chose this book for an Advent read to honor dear Jack's recent death. I know it to be the what-to-do-about-it response to his earlier what's-wrong-with-it How Christianity Must Change or Die. I grew up with his words in my ears, as he was my bishop as I came of age, and this reading experience has reminded me why I continue to refer to him as "my bishop" decades later.
A New Christianity for a New World imagines a community of faith beyond theism. The opposite of theism is not atheism but nontheism, and it is my wish for every self-professed atheist to read this book. Jesus can remain one's doorway to the God-experience. And God and faith are not to be known, but to be lived. A main idea is defining God as life, love, and being, and our faith as an expression of realizing these liberating concepts. But to read his backstory, his research, his perspective, his speaking-to-the-reader is to have one's own revelation. All will be glad upon doing so.
My, how I wish someone would have told me that he had a public lectureship at Harvard while I was in Boston!
A New Christianity for a New World imagines a community of faith beyond theism. The opposite of theism is not atheism but nontheism, and it is my wish for every self-professed atheist to read this book. Jesus can remain one's doorway to the God-experience. And God and faith are not to be known, but to be lived. A main idea is defining God as life, love, and being, and our faith as an expression of realizing these liberating concepts. But to read his backstory, his research, his perspective, his speaking-to-the-reader is to have one's own revelation. All will be glad upon doing so.
My, how I wish someone would have told me that he had a public lectureship at Harvard while I was in Boston!
June 13, 2023
This is the necessary sequel to Why Christianity Must Change Or Die. How do we get beyond traditional theism that tells us that a capricious God is somewhere "out there" and that humans are inherently sinful and only a blood sacrifice can redeem us? While avoiding the similes and metaphors that will surely petrify in 20, 50, or 100 years into the same literal interpretations we are currently saddled with, Bishop Spong described his vision of a new reformation with a new vocabulary for a new humanity that is no longer hamstrung by old divisions of nationality, race, gender, sexuality, language, or even religion. In its place he proposes a Christianity based on justice and radical love, a thread that can be found throughout the Judeo-Christian scriptures but which often gets overpowered by the violence and injustices of civilization.
I was particularly taken by his explanation of some of the behaviors that we term "evil" -- racism, slavery, homophobia, patriarchy, militarism, addiction, etc. -- as being rooted in the survival instincts that once served our species well in the past but that now hinder our progress. I also appreciated the way he grappled with the idea of prayer, and how he personally transformed it from the traditional thanksgivings, confessions, and petitions, into a time of contemplation and meditation to prepare for the true prayers of the day -- by which he meant being fully present with the family, friends, parishioners, and other people that he would encounter that day.
Martin Luther started the Protestant Reformation in 1517 with his 95 theses on the debate about indulgences. Approximately 500 years later, Bishop Spong published his 12 theses in his final book, Unbelievable: Why Neither Ancient Creeds Nor the Reformation Can Produce a Living Faith Today. How much longer, I wonder, before we see this new Reformation in practice, and will we still recognize it as Christianity, the same way Catholics and Protestants still recognize each other -- reluctantly - as heirs of the 1st century Jesus experience?
I was particularly taken by his explanation of some of the behaviors that we term "evil" -- racism, slavery, homophobia, patriarchy, militarism, addiction, etc. -- as being rooted in the survival instincts that once served our species well in the past but that now hinder our progress. I also appreciated the way he grappled with the idea of prayer, and how he personally transformed it from the traditional thanksgivings, confessions, and petitions, into a time of contemplation and meditation to prepare for the true prayers of the day -- by which he meant being fully present with the family, friends, parishioners, and other people that he would encounter that day.
Martin Luther started the Protestant Reformation in 1517 with his 95 theses on the debate about indulgences. Approximately 500 years later, Bishop Spong published his 12 theses in his final book, Unbelievable: Why Neither Ancient Creeds Nor the Reformation Can Produce a Living Faith Today. How much longer, I wonder, before we see this new Reformation in practice, and will we still recognize it as Christianity, the same way Catholics and Protestants still recognize each other -- reluctantly - as heirs of the 1st century Jesus experience?
March 10, 2020
“God is not a person. God is not a being. God is being itself.” And we are ALL part of that being. Almost everything in this book aligns perfectly with what I feel. It is like he is reading my mind. The religion of theism is dying. It is just a matter of time. The creeds, the rules and regulations - they all have to go. We are all part of the ground of being. We are all part of god. The only thing that matters is love. Anything we can do that enhances the being of others is god and heaven. Anything we do that diminishes - in any way - another person is a sin.
September 9, 2019
Another Though Provoking Book By Spong
Once again, very solid. I agree with everything, but, who Jesus is. I've read most of his books, and who he claims Jesus is, doesn't make sense. And to be honest, he would argue, it doesn't matter. He is empowered and lives an abundant life. I love his thoughts and his books.
Once again, very solid. I agree with everything, but, who Jesus is. I've read most of his books, and who he claims Jesus is, doesn't make sense. And to be honest, he would argue, it doesn't matter. He is empowered and lives an abundant life. I love his thoughts and his books.
April 27, 2025
Spong challenges our theistic view of God, and opens up a deep meaning about our Christian faith. "To spread the power of love, to push back the power of hate, is to enter the realm of God." This sums it up-Spong rejects tribal cultural restrictions and creeds, but believes that the true spiritual existence requires us to recognize that God is present in the love of everyone.
June 20, 2017
Thought provoking
July 7, 2017
My paperback
September 14, 2017
I experienced much of this book as a sense of relief, amazement, and gratitude--that at last someone was helping me make Christianity make sense for the 21st century.
December 9, 2018
A must read for anyone concerned with the continuing life (or not) of the Christian church.
May 24, 2020
Thought provoking, persuasive and highly readable. At a time when for many, Christianity is all but dead, John Shelby Spong throws a lifeline.
December 9, 2021
liked his reforms but too xtian for my proclivities
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