Progressing Spirit

My Return to South Africa

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on December, 26 2007

For years I have yearned to return to South Africa. I have not
been there since 1976 when apartheid was still fully enforced.
Nelson Mandela was in jail on …

I have read several of your books and as a result have changed my
thinking I believe to a more rational approach to Christianity
and the Old Testament.

Answered by Bishop John Shelby Spong

Christpower

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on December, 19 2007

Dear Friends,

On December 24th, 1974 I delivered in my Church in Richmond, Virginia, a sermon, which sought to put the Christmas story into a modern context through …

In keeping with the Christmas season for the Question and Answer
part of this column, I would like to publish with the permission
of its author, Joy Cowley, …

Answered by Bishop John Shelby Spong

Submission to the Church of England’s Listening Exercise on Human Sexuality

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on December, 12 2007

Dear Friends,

From time to time a report comes across my desk
that is so important that I want to share it with my readers.
That …

I call your attention to the biblical story of
Jesus saving the adulterous woman from death by stoning, when he
allowed that the stoning could proceed if only …

Answered by Bishop John Shelby Spong

A Voice Within the Catholic Hierarchy Finally Speaks Out

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on December, 5 2007

“The Pope has too much power. The Pope is finally answerable
to the Church.”

“The Catholic Church has a problem with credibility.”

“The Church’s teaching on …

Where was the Christian God before he appeared to Moses and
declared that the Israelis were his chosen people? Why didn’t
the great civilizations of the world, prior …