The Bishop's Voice: Selected Essays

by John Shelby Spong, Christine M. Spong (Compiler)

For twenty years, Episcopal Bishop John Spong, wrote a monthly column in his diocesan newspaper, The Voice. Throughout the years, he used the paper as a pulpit for his progressive views about faith, dogma, tradition, and human rights. Compiled and edited by his daughter, Christine, this collection serves as an excellent introduction to Spong's breathtaking breadth of interest and capability as one of the century's leading voices for religious and human inclusivity.

Genres: Religion

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

John 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.

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great collection of articles by the ever controversial but always honest Bishop Spong. Whether you agree with him or not as a Christian, you have to love his passion and desire to incorporate all of humanity into the faith he loves. He is a pioneer in women's rights, civil rights, and gay rights, not only in the community, but also in the church. He is one of a VERY rare breed in his generation to embrace such issues (he is in his 70s), as well as many other controversial topics including errancy in the bible, and literalism. He is one of the many "heroes" that has fought valiantly to change the Christian church. For, as he says, it MUST change...or die. I look forward to finishing this book and reading another right behind it.

[Kev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have much of these essays and newsletters on my harddrive and go to them when I need inspiration -- which is OFTEN!