Rescuing The Bible From Fundamentalism, by John Shelby Spong

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 10:59 am

Somebody (Dale Wisely, perhaps?) reccomended this book (written by an Episcopal Bishop) on the forum a couple months ago. I found out that www.quakerbooks.org had a surplus and they were on sale for $6.50 so I bought one and I got it a couple of days ago.

Wow.

It really is a page turner. I can't stop reading it. I'm taking it to my Bible class today and hoping I don't get called names for bringing up some of its points and questions, which I intend to do.

Everybody should read it.

Feadan · Post by **Feadan** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 11:03 am

Cran, you...you.... heretic!

Cheers,
David the Infidel

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 11:13 am

That's the nicest thing anybody's ever called me.

Flyingcursor · Post by **Flyingcursor** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 11:19 am

You sure find enough free or cheapstuff online. I should keep track of these things.

jsluder · Post by **jsluder** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 11:24 am

Cran, does this mean you're now hiding under a bed with a Spong?

Seriously, though, I've read "Rescuing the Bible...", as well as a couple of Spong's other books. I find myself agreeing with him far more often than not.

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 11:34 am

jsluder wrote:Cran, does this mean you're now hiding under a bed with a Spong?

Well, not since you gave it away! Hrmph.

Lorenzo · Post by **Lorenzo** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 11:39 am

Spong is wrong about several things.

At some point, with the advancement of science, the heavens became too technical for religious people to be explaining. In the same way, the Bible is also too technical to be explained without the assistence of an unbiased qualified historian.

Spong is not that historian.

Lambchop · Post by **Lambchop** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 11:41 am

Cranberry wrote:I'm taking it to my Bible class today and hoping I don't get called names for bringing up some of its points and questions, which I intend to do.

Uh oh. Better bring that spork. You may need it for self-defense.

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 11:42 am

Lorenzo wrote:Spong is wrong about several things.

At some point, with the advancement of science, the heavens became too technical for religious people to be explaining. In the same way, the Bible is also too technical to be explained without the assistence of an unbiased qualified historian.

Spong is not that historian.

Who is?

Flyingcursor · Post by **Flyingcursor** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 11:46 am

I would hope you don't get called names for asking questions. Questions are good. It's the answers that can be bothersome.

I've read some of his stuff. He dismisses Christ and His atoning sacrifice. Since the belief in that sacrifice is the very heart of the Christian faith, he is basically expounding a new religion. Why doesn't he leave the Episcopol church and make his own? Wouldn't that take a load off?

jsluder · Post by **jsluder** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 11:47 am

Cranberry wrote:
Lorenzo wrote:Spong is wrong about several things.

At some point, with the advancement of science, the heavens became too technical for religious people to be explaining. In the same way, the Bible is also too technical to be explained without the assistence of an unbiased qualified historian.

Spong is not that historian.
Who is?

That's what I was going to ask, too.

Lorenzo, have you managed to actually find an unbiased qualified Bible historian? And, if so, has this person written any books? I'm honestly curious.

Thanks,
John

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 11:53 am

jsluder wrote:
Cranberry wrote:
Lorenzo wrote:Spong is wrong about several things.

At some point, with the advancement of science, the heavens became too technical for religious people to be explaining. In the same way, the Bible is also too technical to be explained without the assistence of an unbiased qualified historian.

Spong is not that historian.
Who is?
That's what I was going to ask, too.

Lorenzo, have you managed to actually find an unbiased qualified Bible historian? And, if so, has this person written any books? I'm honestly curious.

Thanks,
John

I'm honestly curious, too.

missy · Post by **missy** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:16 pm

I'm currently (ok, I've been at it since Christmas) trying to read through Isaac Asimov's Guide to the Bible. This is a BIG book (it covers old and new Testiments). It is written ONLY from a historical standpoint - trying to place biblical names and places, showing inacuracies and how things do match up, etc. Dr. Asimov (so far in my reading) has taken NO stand on the "truthfullness" of the teaching of the Bible.

As I said, this is a LONG book, filled with lots of details, maps, etc. Not counting the glossary, etc - it's over 1200 pages.

If I do get through it, I'll give more of my impressions.

Missy

Lorenzo · Post by **Lorenzo** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:35 pm

I'd start with Noss. His book, Man's Religions (6th edition, revised 1980), is a good starting point with no bias that I could detect. There are perhaps hundreds of qualified scholars/writers/historians contributing to his book from various angles of Judism and Christianity, and the scriptural historical background.

MarkB · Post by **MarkB** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:40 pm

If you like that book try this one: The Pagan Christ by Tom Harpur.

http://www.tomharpur.com/

This will get you thinking.

Book review here:

http://www.tomharpur.com/Reviews/PaganChrist.asp

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Rescuing The Bible From Fundamentalism, by John Shelby Spong

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