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19 August 2010: The Origins of the New Testament, Part XXXIV: The Raising of Lazarus and the Identity of the Beloved
We began this study of John with the assertion that the author of this gospel was writing a highly symbolic, interpretive account of Jesus of Nazareth. He created this account some 65-70 years after the events he is describing, which marked the end of Jesus’ earthly life. He tells his readers time and again that …
Q & A:
Anne Harrison from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, writes:
How does one respectfully answer or relate to dear friends who want to debate an issue (such as the "sin" of homosexuality)? I know they are trying to "convert" me!
12 August 2010: The Origins of The New Testament, Part XXXIII: The Gospel of John
If I had to give my readers one clue and one clue only that would unlock the Fourth Gospel and allow its honesty and wonder to flow forth, it would be that in reading John one must always keep in mind that the author is not writing history or biography. Indeed, this author is constantly …
Q & A:
Mitzi Roberts, via the Internet, writes:
Thank you for your enlightenment. I find the more we try to define God, the more likely it is that we are on the wrong page. The more I read of your teachings, the more I know that we must not try to understand, but to accept that we will never understand on this plane. The Bible tells a beautiful story and I love my Episcopal upbringing, but I don't have to take everything in the Bible and prayer book as "gospel." At 76 years, it is so comforting.
5 August 2010: The Origins of the New Testament, Part XXXII: Introducing the Johannine Material
The last series of books that I will consider to complete our study of the Bible’s origins is referred to as “The Johannine Literature.” It consists of five books: the Gospel of John, the three epistles, I, II and III John, and the Revelation of John. There was a time when people generally assumed that …
Q & A:
Bert Knapp from Granbury, Texas, writes:
I have just finished reading your latest book, Eternal Life: A New Vision. I believe the thought you stated, but I have been afraid and almost ashamed to admit it. I am 81 years old and my journey of faith has involved many changes. I certainly enjoy reading your weekly columns and look forward each week to reading your latest series on "The Origins of the New Testament." After reading your book, however, I am curious about your position on prayer. I will appreciate receiving your thoughts.
A grateful reader.
29 July 2010: The Origins of the New Testament, Part XXXI: The General Epistles — James, I & II Peter and Jude
When we come near the end of the New Testament, we run into four small books that bear the names of well-known figures in the gospel tradition. They are James and I Peter, each of which consists of five chapters; then there is II Peter with three chapters and finally Jude with only one. James …
Q & A:
John, via the Internet, writes:
For some time now, I have been reading your weekly essays and I have read many of your books. Your understanding of the Bible and your insight into it are remarkable. I am challenged by your thoughts. However, I read a lot about what you no longer believe, but what do you believe? Regarding Jesus, I would like to see, in a page or less, what your basic belief really is. Do you believe in any of the basic doctrines that we have been taught since childhood?
22 July 2010: The Origins of the New Testament, Part XXX: The Epistle to The Hebrews
We do not know who wrote it. We do not know the date of its composition. We do not know to whom this book in the Bible was actually written. We are clear that it was not authored by Paul. It was certainly not written as a letter or an epistle. Its format is much …
Q & A:
sleahead.kerry1, via the Internet, writes:
My husband was raised in Christian Science, but was an avowed atheist all his adult life, often denigrating the faith of others. In June of 2008, a friend gave us a copy of A New Christianity for a New World. After reading this and Why Christianity Must Change or Die, my husband announced, "If Bishop Spong can write this and still be a believer, I guess I am too." I was widowed that August (2008). I shall be forever grateful to you, Bishop Spong, and your message to those of us who have been in exile.
15 July 2010: The Origins of the New Testament, Part XXIX: I and II Timothy and Titus — The Pastoral Epistles. We Have the Truth!
Thus far, as we have explored the origins of the various books of the New Testament, we have not yet come across that familiar form of human religion that asserts: “We have the Truth!” “If you disagree with me, the truth is not in you.” It is our “God-given duty to define truth, defend truth …
Q & A:
Mary Ann Dobrik, via the internet, writes:
I am very disappointed that the Gospel of John is not being discussed next in this series of columns. Elgin United Church book study is studying this gospel, following the question series in: John: 26 Studies for Individuals and Groups written by N.T. Wright. I do not particularly like this study book and was hoping that Bishop Spong's articles would give me some helpful guidance in refuting some of the remarkable fundamentalist claims in this study book. When will Bishop Spong reach the Gospel of John in his discussions? I need his insightful scholarship.
Will Bishop Spong be coming to Peterborough, Ontario to lecture in 2011? I hope so.
Respectfully,
Mary Ann Dobrik
8 July 2010: The Origins of the New Testament, Part XXVIII: Acts III — The Story of Paul
When the book of Acts moves beyond the conflict that set Jewish Christians against Greek Christians, it is ready to chronicle the story of how Christianity became a universal human religion. From the capital of Judaism to the capital of the Roman Empire is the story line that the book of Acts follows. The hero …
Q & A:
Dr. Larry L. Ligo, Professor of Art History at Davidson College, writes:
Thank you so much for your clear, informative, exciting, liberating insights into the meaning of Christ for Christians living in the twenty-first century. I first heard of you and your ministry in a Charlotte Observer article when you were lecturing in the Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte last fall. I missed your presentation there, but was intrigued by the article and have since read five or six of your books. Thank you.
I also wish to express my condolences to you concerning the recent death of your friend Michael Goulder. I have gained much from your treatment of his work in Liberating the Gospels. I have been trying to find copies of his out of print books, but have not, as of yet, been successful.
Will you be speaking in the North Carolina area in the near future? Do you have a schedule of your up-coming speaking engagements?
1 July 2010: Hendersonville, N.C.A Church, an Organization and the Signs of Victory
Henderson County is located near Ashville in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina, near where I grew up in Charlotte and into which I return every summer as if drawn like a magnet. In this county is an incredible church, together with a number of courageous clergy. The church is the First Congregational Church …
Q & A:
Katherine Barney from Worthing, Sussex, UK writes:
Can you help me to understand the movement in American politics that you call "The Tea Party"?
24 June 2010: The Origins of the New Testament, Part XXVII: Acts & the Rise of Universalism
The book of Acts is a travelogue, a journey, designed by Luke to bring fulfillment to the words he puts into Jesus’ mouth at the very beginning of this book: “You shall be my witnesses,” Jesus says, and then he tells them where: “in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of …
Q & A:
Hank Schuthof of Ingleside, New South Wales, Australia, writes:
You are my friend, Bishop, though it is only one-sided. You don't know me, but as many, many more, I admire your columns (I now have stored 330 in my computer) and your books, with Eternal Life, in my humble eyes, as your greatest achievement. However, there are two questions I still cannot answer myself. The first one, on page 91, you say, "Our Father who art in heaven, the prayer attributed, I think incorrectly, to Jesus himself." Has your thinking here to do with a historical implausibility or do you think that Jesus would never have said that? If you mean the latter, my question is whether Jesus was not a man of his time and haven't you spent much effort to demystify Jesus for us? My second question is more about your whole oeuvre. As reasonable and true everything you write is for me, I wonder whether the not deeply-interested masses will spend so much study time to rid themselves from the worn-out symbols. Also, I think people need some hold for their daily spiritual needs. Therefore, hasn't the time arrived for a "Newer Testament," just as Jefferson has tried in his time? Please do not see this as criticism, but as an honest hope that, for once, the world will be able to abandon the worn-out paradigms.
17 June 2010: The Origins of the New Testament, Part XXVI: The Book of Acts
In the early manuscripts of the Bible, the book of Acts served the purpose of providing transition from the gospels to the epistles. There was a deep historical fallacy in this assumption though it seemed logical, at least historically, to have stories of the life of Jesus precede stories of the spread of Christianity after …
Q & A:
Dr. Lennart Peterson of Gainesville, Florida, writes:
I am professor of physics, emeritus, from the University of Florida and I am a Unitarian. Several years ago, I had a conversation with a man who was doing some carpentry work for me and this conversation made a deep and frustrating impression on me. He asked me if I believed in the Bible. I gave the usual Unitarian type of "no" as a reply and proceeded to give an example. I related to him the story of the rainbow that God supposedly made as a promise never again to destroy mankind by a flood. I explained that, as a physicist, I can very easily deduce everything about a rainbow just by applying very basic physical principles. Therefore, if the story was true, then it follows that the laws of physics must have been different after the flood than before the flood. Since this makes no sense to me, the story can not be true. The man had absolutely no idea what I was talking about. This leads me to my question. Fundamentalism requires one to suspend logical thinking. But logical thinking, especially as it pertains to scientific knowledge, is a weakness in the U.S. and in underdeveloped areas. How can people who do not have this scientific knowledge and who cannot apply the logic of science be helped to understand the narrowness of their point of view? How do I as a scientist talk to them in a mutually constructive and humane way?
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