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Why Christianity Must Change or Die: A Bishop Speaks to Believers In Exile
An important and respected voice for liberal American Christianity for the past twenty years, Bishop John Shelby Spong integrates his often controversial stands on the Bible, Jesus, theism, and morality into an intelligible creed that speaks to today's thinking Christian. In this compelling and heartfelt book, he sounds a rousing call for a Christianity based on critical thought rather than blind faith, on love rather than judgment, and that focuses on life more than religion.
257 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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About the author
John Shelby Spong
42 books302 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
May 12, 2007
William James would say that the reason I like Bishop Spong so much is that because he reconfirms all of my already existing prejudices. But this book rang like a revelation to me. At a time when I continued to be disillusioned with the Christian church, yet was beginning to despair that I would find anything else spiritual that would be truly meaningful to me, Bishop Spong opened a door and told me that it was okay to go back inside. That the fundamentalists don't own Christianity. That I could believe as I did and still call myself Christian. I've said before that without reading this book, I never could have married Andrew, that my whole life would have been different. And I still believe that to be true. I can't really explain how grateful I am that I found it.
July 15, 2011
This book changed my life. I "searched" for it for years, stuck in the middle between my beliefs and the control and manipulation I felt from the fundamentalist church I was raised in. Determined not to "throw the baby out with the bathwater," I kept searching. I stumbled across this book at a bookstore. I had never heard of it or of John Spong. I have since read almost everything Spong has written and been privileged to meet him and hear him speak on several occasions. He is brilliant. He is the Episcopal Bishop who in the 70's (I think that decade is correct) ordained the first gay priest to the Episcopal church in New Jersey. When I realized that about him, I realized I had "heard" of him before stumbling across his book. He was that horrid, heathen, clergyman my church had told me years before was preaching blasphemy and would surly rot in hell. Never did I dream I would find him on my own. Much of his theology and beliefs are quite controversial. There are a few areas where I may still not agree with him. But, it is rare to read something written from such a brilliant mind, that is also written so the lay person can understand it. I truly was a "Believer in Exile" and he freed me.
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December 12, 2021Interesting book. I couldn't buy the author's premise, but I did finish the book. Seems to be a case of wanting one's cake and eating it, too. I prefer the argument that CS Lewis made in Mere Christianity, when he wrote about people who say: "'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.'" Lewis said: "That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic -- on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg -- or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."
February 25, 2011
This is an amazing book! Yet, for the "traditional" Christian believer, it is probably too heretical, so be forewarned. For me, though, I appreciate Bishop Spong's careful parsing of theistic Christianity and his alternative espousal of the nontheistic view. Frankly, it's his willingness to be open and honest about the "cracks in the foundation" of traditional religion that is one of the most compelling features of the book. Its most moving one, though, is his passionate exposition of the nontheistic alternative in a way that is both intellectually and spiritually convincing.
In sum, this is a book by a senior church official who disagrees with most of the doctrine and dogma of both his denomination and his faith. In fact, he goes so far as to say that many of these historical features are, in fact, untrue (or, more charitably put, figurative) and therefore - in direct challenge to the virulent Christian Fundamentalism of our day - should not be taken literally. I have to admit that, skeptic and seeker though I may be, it was a little hard for me to believe that I was reading the work of a bishop of my church calling the Bible not divinely inspired, suggesting that the Gospel stories were written incorporating elements of other then-contemporary (= pagan) faiths, doubting that the physical resurrection occurred, etc. And yet, all of these more fantastical elements of the Christian faith have, in fact, made doubters and skeptics of so many in our time. The Bishop acknowledges that our far more scientifially-evolved era makes it all but impossible to believe many of the scriptural claims that reflect a first-century understanding of the world. Accordingly, he suggests, our faith must evolve to reflect what we now know, or face the reality that it will die like so many others have done throughout the ages; hence, his urging of a nontheistic approach for fellow "believers in exile."
This was a lot to digest, and yet it was so well argued that I enjoyed working through the Bishop's more challenging concepts. Unfortunately, there are a couple of aspects of the book that are less convincing: The first is that the Bishop is often dismissive of those who still hold to more traditional Christian views. I don't suggest that he's wrong, just that he could be a tad more humble or empathetic in his comparison and contrasting. The second weakness is that as he surveys major aspects of the faith to assess their relevance to its future, he does a thorough job with all elements save the most unusual/unique one, life after death. In fact, in dealing with the prospect of immortality, the Bishop seems to fall back on the same unreasoned/unreasoning faith that he debunked throughout the book. This is a disappointment, to be sure, and a significant though not fatal flaw. Therefore, despite these weaknesses, this is overall a strong, thought-provoking effort worthy of serious study and consideration.
Accordingly, I strongly recommend this book to those interested in religion, spirituality, Christianity, etc., or to anyone who relishes a well-reasoned debate. I also warn you to be prepared for the heretical, but, once experienced, also hope that you will enjoy wrestling with the Bishop's unique and compelling perspective. This book makes you think, question your own beliefs and assumptions and then decide again on what you will choose as your own faith. As such, then, it both advances ones spiritual understanding and indelibly enhances it. Enjoy!
In sum, this is a book by a senior church official who disagrees with most of the doctrine and dogma of both his denomination and his faith. In fact, he goes so far as to say that many of these historical features are, in fact, untrue (or, more charitably put, figurative) and therefore - in direct challenge to the virulent Christian Fundamentalism of our day - should not be taken literally. I have to admit that, skeptic and seeker though I may be, it was a little hard for me to believe that I was reading the work of a bishop of my church calling the Bible not divinely inspired, suggesting that the Gospel stories were written incorporating elements of other then-contemporary (= pagan) faiths, doubting that the physical resurrection occurred, etc. And yet, all of these more fantastical elements of the Christian faith have, in fact, made doubters and skeptics of so many in our time. The Bishop acknowledges that our far more scientifially-evolved era makes it all but impossible to believe many of the scriptural claims that reflect a first-century understanding of the world. Accordingly, he suggests, our faith must evolve to reflect what we now know, or face the reality that it will die like so many others have done throughout the ages; hence, his urging of a nontheistic approach for fellow "believers in exile."
This was a lot to digest, and yet it was so well argued that I enjoyed working through the Bishop's more challenging concepts. Unfortunately, there are a couple of aspects of the book that are less convincing: The first is that the Bishop is often dismissive of those who still hold to more traditional Christian views. I don't suggest that he's wrong, just that he could be a tad more humble or empathetic in his comparison and contrasting. The second weakness is that as he surveys major aspects of the faith to assess their relevance to its future, he does a thorough job with all elements save the most unusual/unique one, life after death. In fact, in dealing with the prospect of immortality, the Bishop seems to fall back on the same unreasoned/unreasoning faith that he debunked throughout the book. This is a disappointment, to be sure, and a significant though not fatal flaw. Therefore, despite these weaknesses, this is overall a strong, thought-provoking effort worthy of serious study and consideration.
Accordingly, I strongly recommend this book to those interested in religion, spirituality, Christianity, etc., or to anyone who relishes a well-reasoned debate. I also warn you to be prepared for the heretical, but, once experienced, also hope that you will enjoy wrestling with the Bishop's unique and compelling perspective. This book makes you think, question your own beliefs and assumptions and then decide again on what you will choose as your own faith. As such, then, it both advances ones spiritual understanding and indelibly enhances it. Enjoy!
April 4, 2008
Seek ethics. Review truer intention.
I was raised Episcopalian.
My Grandmother gave me her copy a couple years back when she came to visit me in Alabama. She insisted I read it to find comfort. We spent hours on the porch reading together in the mornings over Earl Grey tea, lightened with rice milk and raw sugar before work.
I am proud she introduced me to this radical mind, a bold read for a traditional, upper class Bermudian immigrant in her early 80's. I treasure her penciled underlines and doodles in the chapter 'A New Basis for Ethics in a New Age'. She clearly read that chapter more than once, per me, without me there.
This is a book I will definitely not recycle or pass on.
An easy read, quick. I still pick it up and review.
Again! This references 43 BC! *insert woah!*
I was raised Episcopalian.
My Grandmother gave me her copy a couple years back when she came to visit me in Alabama. She insisted I read it to find comfort. We spent hours on the porch reading together in the mornings over Earl Grey tea, lightened with rice milk and raw sugar before work.
I am proud she introduced me to this radical mind, a bold read for a traditional, upper class Bermudian immigrant in her early 80's. I treasure her penciled underlines and doodles in the chapter 'A New Basis for Ethics in a New Age'. She clearly read that chapter more than once, per me, without me there.
This is a book I will definitely not recycle or pass on.
An easy read, quick. I still pick it up and review.
Again! This references 43 BC! *insert woah!*
December 22, 2019
This sounds like the handbook of an atheist, but it's not. Read this book if you've ever felt or wondered about the conflict between Christianity and science and how we might resolve it.
The book speaks to those who feel they are in exile from Christianity, but even if you don't identify with that or consider yourself a Christian, you will enjoy it. If nothing else, it helps to articulate the problems you might have noticed with today's version of Christianity.
The book speaks to those who feel they are in exile from Christianity, but even if you don't identify with that or consider yourself a Christian, you will enjoy it. If nothing else, it helps to articulate the problems you might have noticed with today's version of Christianity.
January 23, 2012
I was initially drawn to this book by Spong's use of exilic metaphor to describe the faith journey of Christians who no longer feel at home in institutional Christianity. He is a sincere and passionate thinker I appreciate much more now that I've read some of his work. I was particularly intrigued by the chapter "The Meaning of Prayer in a World with No External Deity."
The title is a little melodramatic. "Christianity" is very diverse, and forms of it are quite robust. These forms aren't threatened by most of the concerns Spong examines in this book because they work for people in everyday life. As long as something works for people, they'll find ways to construct theology and worldview around their practices and communities.
A more accurate title--closer to the spirit of what I took away from the book--would be "Why Some Christians Must Change." Spong dwells less on moral failures than he does on antiquated worldview, which surprised me--I suppose it's a generational difference. His faith journey has been a modernist one; mine has been more influenced by postmodernism.
The title is a little melodramatic. "Christianity" is very diverse, and forms of it are quite robust. These forms aren't threatened by most of the concerns Spong examines in this book because they work for people in everyday life. As long as something works for people, they'll find ways to construct theology and worldview around their practices and communities.
A more accurate title--closer to the spirit of what I took away from the book--would be "Why Some Christians Must Change." Spong dwells less on moral failures than he does on antiquated worldview, which surprised me--I suppose it's a generational difference. His faith journey has been a modernist one; mine has been more influenced by postmodernism.
July 15, 2007
Like Crossan, this former Episcopal Bishop still considers himself Christian but doubts the fundamental creeds. His doubts are very well founded, but I can't understand why he remains Christian. OK, I actually get it -- he has a lot invested. That is why MOST remain Christian or never doubt.
I lost a girlfriend and all my guy friends from my Christian days after I deconverted. Then I had to eat crow with my family. And I have to tip-toe in my professional life in the nomimal Christian society where it is considered undesirable (even by nominal Chrisitans) to say you are not Christian. I had nothing to gain by leaving my faith. Oh yeah, I guess I had one little thing to gain -- integrity.
I lost a girlfriend and all my guy friends from my Christian days after I deconverted. Then I had to eat crow with my family. And I have to tip-toe in my professional life in the nomimal Christian society where it is considered undesirable (even by nominal Chrisitans) to say you are not Christian. I had nothing to gain by leaving my faith. Oh yeah, I guess I had one little thing to gain -- integrity.
January 8, 2011
This book was wonderful. I had unanswered questions and felt guilty for questioning. I no longer question. Bishop Spong explains with love and devotion how one can have questions and still be a believer.
I've read it twice.
Going through the rest of his collection and rereading.
I reread to refresh my memory and instead it refreshed my soul. :)
I've read it twice.
Going through the rest of his collection and rereading.
I reread to refresh my memory and instead it refreshed my soul. :)
May 14, 2014
In this book, Bishop Spong has written what can be considered his comprehensive case for the reformulation of Christian beliefs. However, it's also the comprehensive showcase of his blind egotism. His ideas and reasoning is shabby and aggressive to say the least (and I say this as someone who loves Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan), his interaction with Christian history is an embarrassment (particularly when he called Galileo "not very courageous" for recanting), and his self righteous attitude that pervades every page is absolutely nauseating. Any good that may have come from this book has been said more skillfully elsewhere. Any Jesus scholarship that could add to how we interpret Christ in the Christian tradition is poor and in need of massive corrections. Any hope to be found in this man as a leader of Liberal Christianity is nonexistent. Read Borg for a replacement theologically and read Crossan for a replacement historically if you want legitimate Liberal Christian thinking (but be sure to balance it out with some Wright ;p).
June 23, 2019
Not just the manifesto of Susan from the Parish Council.
Of course it does seem like that initially but it quickly transforms into an argument for a "non theistic" form of Christianity which is instead based on an understanding of the human "centre of Being" with Jesus becoming a great example of being a loving person who had a fully actualised humanity.
He comes to this conclusion based on the belief that with modern scientific, historical and psychological understandings God being understood as something distinct, all powerful, all knowing creator who intervenes in human affairs is no longer justifiable and that just as understandings of God have developed in the past so too will it now.
This is followed by an argument against biblical literalism which for Spong means viewing anything that hints at the supernatural or divine as being more than an analogy, myth or the disciples poorly expressing themselves. Spong's view being that they truly didn't witness anything supernatural but viewed Jesus as being so loving and self actualised they couldn't help but talk about him in a supernatural way. Probably the most extreme argument I've read when it comes to the arguing the disciples are misunderstood.
Throughout this you'll also find a smattering of simple mistruths (eg Galileo being sentenced to death for saying the earth orbits the sun) and some very uncharitable understandings of other views. For instance Spong argues that people who claim their opposition to homosexual behaviour is grounded in the bible but don't follow every other biblical teaching are just using Christianity as a mask for their real prejudice. Reasoning that would be the equivalent of saying that a person who eats chocolate whilst on a diet must not actually believe in believe in the diet .
He endeavours to escape the nihilistic conclusions of his system of ethics with the old argument that simply applying reason to the human experience will lead to the authors conclusions, of course it breaks down pretty quickly and his examples could easily be used by others to argue the exact opposite, to give an example :
Spong -we are all interconnected therefore it is objectively wrong to increase the pain in another life
Authoritarian - we are all interconnected therefore it is objectively good to increase the pain in another life to serve the interests of the greater community
Overall Spong believes that he is a genuine believer and God and a Christian and not a humanist but unless you are willing to subscribe to a notion of non-theistic theism this book is just a curious argument for humanism .
Of course it does seem like that initially but it quickly transforms into an argument for a "non theistic" form of Christianity which is instead based on an understanding of the human "centre of Being" with Jesus becoming a great example of being a loving person who had a fully actualised humanity.
He comes to this conclusion based on the belief that with modern scientific, historical and psychological understandings God being understood as something distinct, all powerful, all knowing creator who intervenes in human affairs is no longer justifiable and that just as understandings of God have developed in the past so too will it now.
This is followed by an argument against biblical literalism which for Spong means viewing anything that hints at the supernatural or divine as being more than an analogy, myth or the disciples poorly expressing themselves. Spong's view being that they truly didn't witness anything supernatural but viewed Jesus as being so loving and self actualised they couldn't help but talk about him in a supernatural way. Probably the most extreme argument I've read when it comes to the arguing the disciples are misunderstood.
Throughout this you'll also find a smattering of simple mistruths (eg Galileo being sentenced to death for saying the earth orbits the sun) and some very uncharitable understandings of other views. For instance Spong argues that people who claim their opposition to homosexual behaviour is grounded in the bible but don't follow every other biblical teaching are just using Christianity as a mask for their real prejudice. Reasoning that would be the equivalent of saying that a person who eats chocolate whilst on a diet must not actually believe in believe in the diet .
He endeavours to escape the nihilistic conclusions of his system of ethics with the old argument that simply applying reason to the human experience will lead to the authors conclusions, of course it breaks down pretty quickly and his examples could easily be used by others to argue the exact opposite, to give an example :
Spong -we are all interconnected therefore it is objectively wrong to increase the pain in another life
Authoritarian - we are all interconnected therefore it is objectively good to increase the pain in another life to serve the interests of the greater community
Overall Spong believes that he is a genuine believer and God and a Christian and not a humanist but unless you are willing to subscribe to a notion of non-theistic theism this book is just a curious argument for humanism .
December 31, 2009
John Shelby Spong is a brave man, sharing the truth of his own journey in the world of Christianity. A retired Bishop of the Episcopal Church, he understands well how fearful & unmoving an institution can become. He understands that he treads in dangerous waters when dealing with deep-seated beliefs, dogmas & fears within the Church at large, yet he carves a path of forward thinking & does so with loving & visionary clarity.
Christianity, as with all the great sacred institutions, is full of truth & beauty. Unfortunately, much of it has become clouded by the thinking of those who wish to define God once & for all time, & for all others, as well. Spong is masterful at mining the deeper meaning - the essence - of the faith & sharing his insightful views of Christianity's need for change, in order to preserve its meaning & even its existence for future generations.
Christianity, as with all the great sacred institutions, is full of truth & beauty. Unfortunately, much of it has become clouded by the thinking of those who wish to define God once & for all time, & for all others, as well. Spong is masterful at mining the deeper meaning - the essence - of the faith & sharing his insightful views of Christianity's need for change, in order to preserve its meaning & even its existence for future generations.
January 8, 2017
If I didn't have people that I respect who thought this was a worthwhile book, I would have put it down after the first chapter and been just happy with not having spent anymore time with Spong. As it is, I'll concur with his premise, so long as the Christianity he wants to change is the one he describes. I don't recognize the Christianity he is attacking, and wouldn't even begin to call what his suggestions for change "Christian". His complaints about the Creed sound like Philosophy 101 students who think they have cornered all of history into a corner when it's really their own shadows and possibly insecurities. And I should mention that I do enjoy reading books that I don't agree with... so this was an outlier. I like the wrestling and sharpening. In this case, we were on different planets, let alone books or pages.
July 3, 2025
The thing I most appreciate about Spong’s books is that they offer a path forward to remaining Christian without feeling as if I am living in cognitive dissonance. Spong is refreshingly honest, and says the quiet part out loud. It is extremely comforting to read words that reflect my own faith experience. I very much resonate with the term he uses in this book—a believer in exile. I have this beautiful vision for the future of the church that is so difficult for me to articulate in words, and this book DID IT. This is the vision. I will forever be grateful for Spong’s courage to speak toward this vision for the future of Christianity, despite intense criticism (because change—even when necessary—will always feel threatening to those who are comfortable with the status quo). The only way Christianity will ever evolve with us (as humanity continues to evolve) is by more and more courageous people saying the quiet parts out loud.
December 4, 2019
Excellent book - enjoyed reading!
June 17, 2013
this was intersting. Bishop John Shelby Spong discusses how the concept of a personal God (theism) has become obsolete in our modern society. He describes how advances in science such as astronomy and evolution have proven that the Bible cannot be true. He describes himself as a "believer in exile" telling the story of the Jewish city of Jerusalem in ancient times. The Jewish people in Jerusalem had their faith centered on the city, they believe that God had blessed them and was maintaining their defenses, they had many festivals that were public, and they had a temple where they felt the presence of God resided. For 400 years, they worshiped in peace – then they were conquered and scattered into a foreign land and the temple destroyed. They needed to rebuild their faith from the bottom up – and it led to a reimagining of what it meant to be Jewish.
Spong says that a similar situation faces Christians today. He says that believers in exile must come to understanding a new form of Christianity. He believes that God is not a being that can be prayed to or worshiped directly but is a force that unifies the cosmos and reflects the wonder of life. Such a God cannot be petitioned for favors, and you cannot have a "relationship" with God the way born-again Christians claim to have with Jesus. Keeping this in mind, I thought the God of Spong was kind of "useless." what is the benefit of having a higher power if you can't pray – he seems to think that to be centered in God means to live one's life to the fullest – I can't argue with that. But I don't see how Christianity could still be Christianity without a personal God. He's welcome his interpretation, and I agree that Christianity has many facets of many possible interpretations, as does the Bible, which it is based on.
I found the lessons of biblical history to be interesting. I don't how much of an expert Spong is on the subject, but he discussed which books of the Bible were written first and how different doctrines in Christianity appeared at different times. I would like to read more about this, possibly from an actual biblical scholar.
I find myself in a similar position of exile, where I find it impossible to believe in God, but I think I must find refuge in atheism rather than reimagining the Christian faith in a way that makes it completely opposite of what the Christian faith has traditionally been known as.
I also disagree that Christianity is dying. It's true that many people have left Christian churches, and fewer people are converting, but I don't believe the Christian church is dying – there are still many Christians out there and still more becoming Christians everyday through the evangelism efforts of many different churches. I think Christianity will be around for a very long time, though obviously it's influence is declining. I don't see the extinction of Christianity happening anytime soon.
Spong says that a similar situation faces Christians today. He says that believers in exile must come to understanding a new form of Christianity. He believes that God is not a being that can be prayed to or worshiped directly but is a force that unifies the cosmos and reflects the wonder of life. Such a God cannot be petitioned for favors, and you cannot have a "relationship" with God the way born-again Christians claim to have with Jesus. Keeping this in mind, I thought the God of Spong was kind of "useless." what is the benefit of having a higher power if you can't pray – he seems to think that to be centered in God means to live one's life to the fullest – I can't argue with that. But I don't see how Christianity could still be Christianity without a personal God. He's welcome his interpretation, and I agree that Christianity has many facets of many possible interpretations, as does the Bible, which it is based on.
I found the lessons of biblical history to be interesting. I don't how much of an expert Spong is on the subject, but he discussed which books of the Bible were written first and how different doctrines in Christianity appeared at different times. I would like to read more about this, possibly from an actual biblical scholar.
I find myself in a similar position of exile, where I find it impossible to believe in God, but I think I must find refuge in atheism rather than reimagining the Christian faith in a way that makes it completely opposite of what the Christian faith has traditionally been known as.
I also disagree that Christianity is dying. It's true that many people have left Christian churches, and fewer people are converting, but I don't believe the Christian church is dying – there are still many Christians out there and still more becoming Christians everyday through the evangelism efforts of many different churches. I think Christianity will be around for a very long time, though obviously it's influence is declining. I don't see the extinction of Christianity happening anytime soon.
September 2, 2010
If any book was going to turn me into a Christian, it would have been this one. Spong presents a Christianity that is scientifically tenable, does not raise disturbing questions about the morality of God, and is immune to the question of why evil exists in the world. He does this by treating God as an impersonal pan*theistic force and Jesus as one who was more in touch with this force than any other. All of us -- he says -- can be in touch with this God.
This all seems like mysticism light, which is why it's troubling that he doesn't develop some of his concepts further, considering how well developed these concepts are in other mystical works.
For instance, he does not provide compelling reasons for following Christianity. He talks about this God as being ultimate fulfillment, but he should have developed this further, perhaps tying it in with the problem of suffering.
Then his beliefs on immortality are particularly undeveloped. He talks about believing in immortality, but he's unclear about what he means.
Yes, other books go into more detail, and yes the findings of this book may not be original, but this is a good introduction to what is essentially a mystical view of religion for the interested layperson. This could be especially useful for those who feel a connection to Christianity but find they cannot logically embrace it, this book is one way of doing so.
This all seems like mysticism light, which is why it's troubling that he doesn't develop some of his concepts further, considering how well developed these concepts are in other mystical works.
For instance, he does not provide compelling reasons for following Christianity. He talks about this God as being ultimate fulfillment, but he should have developed this further, perhaps tying it in with the problem of suffering.
Then his beliefs on immortality are particularly undeveloped. He talks about believing in immortality, but he's unclear about what he means.
Yes, other books go into more detail, and yes the findings of this book may not be original, but this is a good introduction to what is essentially a mystical view of religion for the interested layperson. This could be especially useful for those who feel a connection to Christianity but find they cannot logically embrace it, this book is one way of doing so.
March 7, 2015
This book speaks directly to where I am after almost 60 years of active church membership as a Southern Baptist, United Methodist, and Episcopalian. For the first time in my life, I am not an active part of the church; I am, as Bishop Spong states, a "believer in exile." I have come to doubt the existence of a theistic God who resides "up there." I have been seeking a reinterpretation of the life of Jesus. And, most recently, as a person of almost constant prayer, I have wondered if praying makes any sense without a theistic God. Spong has, himself, gone through this process, as this book reveals, and his reinterpretations are quite informative. He does not provide an easy solution, however, and I think simply being a creedal Christian is far easier than his suggestion that our relationship with God requires a far more active and mature relationship with our fellow human beings and the world. But as believers in exile, we can't successfully go back; the only way is forward. Theists and biblical literalists will take huge exception to Spong's arguments but fellow "believers in exile" and seekers will find much of interest in this book.
July 9, 2011
I LOVE THIS BOOK! Even after reading it the first time, I always keep it readily available to reread a chapter or two as a refresher. In this day & age, there is way to much UNSUPPORTED info about religion that people swallow up like candy without further thought or investigation (which REALLY bugs me). This is a scholarly approach by a very a christian bishop. Like everything else... even religions are heavy in politics & the TRUTH vanishes. Don't fall for that! USE YOUR BRAIN! This book is great for anyone wanting to learn more or frustrated with "religion" in general. It will give you back your hope!
October 26, 2012
First, Spong is not for everyone. Readers will find him an in-your-face radical who challenges traditional concepts of God and truth and even reality. Second, this is a brave book, worth reading for its thought provoking ideas. But if your mind is already made up you should avoid this book.
November 20, 2012
The Christianity formulated in a 1st century desert is totally inadequate
to life after two thousand years of progress in science and knowledge. Spong details the
inadequacies of Christianity and its traditions.
to life after two thousand years of progress in science and knowledge. Spong details the
inadequacies of Christianity and its traditions.
dnf
July 24, 2018anyways I stopped reading this ages ago but forgot to mark it? yeah this guy is a heretic so
January 1, 2021
Imbarazzante.
November 4, 2025
John Shelby Spong is a bishop in the Episcopalian Church, and early purveyor of a reformist, liberal Christianity that rejects fundamentalist belief and urges Christians to simply believe the evidence they see with their own eyes. He says that it is fine to acknowledge that the precepts of the ancient faith often aren't adequate anymore. That science has changed the way we see the world, that our ethics have advanced over the millennia, that we don't have to be shackled to old understandings.
This is a very comforting book to those of us who grew up in deeply religious households. It says that you don't have to strip that religion entirely from your life. That you can make it work for you.
I thought Spong's Born of a Woman was an excellent meditation on Mary and femininity in Christian history. This is a more general book and perhaps one more likely to appeal to readers less well-versed in Christian arcana. I didn't find there was a lot of material that was blowing my mind (though perhaps I would have if I had read this when I was 17) but I was certainly nodding along to most of his points.
I've gone through a big old cycle in my life, of being a religion obsessed teenager to going to the opposite pole of finding all religious belief distasteful if not actively oppressive to now being again a regular church-goer and Sunday school teacher, albeit one who takes religious ideas with a big grain of salt and who has to cross his fingers for the bulk of the Apostle's Creed. But I have found that I enjoy being part of a community that talks about spiritual issues without being bogged down in dogma to be a valuable part of my life as it is now.
If you are that type of person as well, you will find this book speaks your language. The Christianity that it believes in has no use for falsity or shitty hierarchies or hateful attitudes that unfortunately are the hallmark of much Christian belief in present-day America. Spong is a good guide through re-thinking our programming and stretching ourselves to find a better way.
This is a very comforting book to those of us who grew up in deeply religious households. It says that you don't have to strip that religion entirely from your life. That you can make it work for you.
I thought Spong's Born of a Woman was an excellent meditation on Mary and femininity in Christian history. This is a more general book and perhaps one more likely to appeal to readers less well-versed in Christian arcana. I didn't find there was a lot of material that was blowing my mind (though perhaps I would have if I had read this when I was 17) but I was certainly nodding along to most of his points.
I've gone through a big old cycle in my life, of being a religion obsessed teenager to going to the opposite pole of finding all religious belief distasteful if not actively oppressive to now being again a regular church-goer and Sunday school teacher, albeit one who takes religious ideas with a big grain of salt and who has to cross his fingers for the bulk of the Apostle's Creed. But I have found that I enjoy being part of a community that talks about spiritual issues without being bogged down in dogma to be a valuable part of my life as it is now.
If you are that type of person as well, you will find this book speaks your language. The Christianity that it believes in has no use for falsity or shitty hierarchies or hateful attitudes that unfortunately are the hallmark of much Christian belief in present-day America. Spong is a good guide through re-thinking our programming and stretching ourselves to find a better way.
April 24, 2025
This is essentially one of the dying gasps of twentieth century liberalism. The brand of Christianity that Spong promotes is now dying very quickly while a more “traditional” one (that actually believes in the tenets of Christianity) is still alive.
Spong’s view of God appears to be so narrow that when he reads the story of Jesus ascending into heaven he thinks “well God isn’t in the sky because the atmosphere is in the sky”. He seems unable to comprehend that perhaps God could show the apostles a sign they understood (ie Jesus rising into the sky) to communicate heavenly realities.
His understanding of the development of Christian theology goes like this: The parts of the New Testament that have things like miracle stories and a resurrection must have been written fairly late. Why? Well, because that theology didn’t develop until late in the first century. How do we know that? Well, because the parts of the New Testament that have things like miracle stories and a resurrection were written later.
We call this circular logic.
Interestingly enough he seems to argue that the demise of things like kneeling for communion and ad orientem worship are happening because people don’t really believe in God anymore like they used to. On that point at least I broadly agree but take the opposite view on whether it’s a good thing. In his view, worship of the future is going to be marked by “self conscious awareness”.
But make sure you stick around at the end for the most uninspiring and convoluted rewriting of the Apostle’s Creed you’ve ever seen, in which the poor man is completely unable to state that he believes in anything concrete without providing a million and one qualifiers.
I’m just glad I’m reading this book in 2025 so I can see how untrue all of his predictions are proving to be.
Spong’s view of God appears to be so narrow that when he reads the story of Jesus ascending into heaven he thinks “well God isn’t in the sky because the atmosphere is in the sky”. He seems unable to comprehend that perhaps God could show the apostles a sign they understood (ie Jesus rising into the sky) to communicate heavenly realities.
His understanding of the development of Christian theology goes like this: The parts of the New Testament that have things like miracle stories and a resurrection must have been written fairly late. Why? Well, because that theology didn’t develop until late in the first century. How do we know that? Well, because the parts of the New Testament that have things like miracle stories and a resurrection were written later.
We call this circular logic.
Interestingly enough he seems to argue that the demise of things like kneeling for communion and ad orientem worship are happening because people don’t really believe in God anymore like they used to. On that point at least I broadly agree but take the opposite view on whether it’s a good thing. In his view, worship of the future is going to be marked by “self conscious awareness”.
But make sure you stick around at the end for the most uninspiring and convoluted rewriting of the Apostle’s Creed you’ve ever seen, in which the poor man is completely unable to state that he believes in anything concrete without providing a million and one qualifiers.
I’m just glad I’m reading this book in 2025 so I can see how untrue all of his predictions are proving to be.
May 14, 2024
I never imagined I would find a book that expressed my views so articulately. What do you believe about God and the Church? THIS BOOK. Spong is such a wise theologian and used not only Biblical references, his lived experience, and a knowledge of the potential shortcomings of his arguments but also pulled on eastern religions.
Spong gently walks the reader through his argument with grace and patience even on the written page.
I will be forcing everyone who wants to know me to read this book now.
Spong gently walks the reader through his argument with grace and patience even on the written page.
I will be forcing everyone who wants to know me to read this book now.
November 15, 2023
This book blew my mind. I thought it would be negative, but instead, I found the message to be positive and affirming, especially to someone who may be questioning the whys and wherefores of Christianity. His is a layered argument; each chapter builds on the next.
If you believe the Bible can be interpreted literally, this is not the book for you.
If you believe the Bible can be interpreted literally, this is not the book for you.
June 6, 2022
It challenged my beliefs, and I am thankful
This book put into words many things I have questioned regarding orthodox religion. I can identify with the feeling of a post modern Christian in exile. It has helped me to be able to better articulate what I have felt. I am thankful I received this book recommendation from a dear friend.
This book put into words many things I have questioned regarding orthodox religion. I can identify with the feeling of a post modern Christian in exile. It has helped me to be able to better articulate what I have felt. I am thankful I received this book recommendation from a dear friend.
June 8, 2012
Ugh. I hardly ever give one star, but I had to force myself to finish this one. It's not that I hate 'that heretic Spong'; I found in reading him that I could at least appreciate his forthright approach, and he certainly is a brave and unconventional thinker. And it wasn't so much that I found his style irksome and overly wordy, although there was that (for example, the frequency with which, about every page or so, he begins or ends a thought with wording to the effect of 'but I must stress that this God is not the theistic, external God of traditional Christianity, because that God is unarguably dead, and all the outdated assumptions of theistic religion are simply no longer operable in our postmodern world').
No, the reason it was such a struggle for me to get through this book could be summed up in a statement of Karl Barth's: 'Belief cannot argue with unbelief, it can only preach to it.' I discovered pretty quickly that it was going to be difficult, if not impossible, for me to enter into a conversation with Spong, because the entire book is based on a premise with which I disagree (the aforementioned 'theisic God is dead' premise). The modern era has indeed issued challenges to many of the traditional doctrines and assumptions of the the Christian faith, and the church, in consequence, has changed significantly over the last two centuries. But I'm simply not convinced that these advances in human knowledge have rendered the historic, orthodox assertions of the church to be entirely obsolete, and I don't think Spong did a very good job of presenting a convincing picture to the contrary. He mostly just mentioned a few major developments (e.g. Copernican revolution, Darwins' 'Origin of Species', etc.) and then proceeded to assume that "theism is no more." For example, Spong repeats numerous times his belief that our modern knowledge of the cosmic order has drained all significance from the incarnation, the ascension, the afterlife, etc. Here is an excerpt from page 205:
"There appears to be no place in our universe for heaven. It has been radically dislocated from its ancient spot just beyond the clouds. If heaven is no longer a locatable concept, then we have to recognize that neither is God, since heaven was God's abode."
This seems to me to be overly simplistic, to say the least. Not reason enough for me to throw out 2000 years of spiritual depth, experience, and development.
I would not, therefore, say that this book presented a challenge to my Christian faith, per se. However, as an individual who has grown up and found expression for that faith in the Anglican tradition, it did give me cause for concern (among other reasons) about the current and future state of the Episcopal Church. Spong was a long-time bishop of that church. As such, he took sacred vows, before God and the church, to "guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the church" and "to confrom to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of The Episcopal Church" (from the 'Book of Common Prayer': Ordination of a Bishop). At his ordination, he publicly led all present in affirming the creed, the very words that he used in the opening of this book as a demonstration of how those very essential and foundational beliefs of the church are no longer believable. Apart from what this may imply about Spong's character, the more pointed concern for me is what it says about the church that would elect and confirm him as bishop, and subsequently allow him to continue in that very influential office.
Ultimately, I guess I didn't enjoy this book because it was simply not written for me. I am not a "believer in exile." But I am also neither an ignorant, unthinking pew occupant, nor an angry, dishonest reactionary, fearful about my ability to maintain an unjust status quo institution. Unfortunately, those three types seem to be the only ones conceivable to Spong.
No, the reason it was such a struggle for me to get through this book could be summed up in a statement of Karl Barth's: 'Belief cannot argue with unbelief, it can only preach to it.' I discovered pretty quickly that it was going to be difficult, if not impossible, for me to enter into a conversation with Spong, because the entire book is based on a premise with which I disagree (the aforementioned 'theisic God is dead' premise). The modern era has indeed issued challenges to many of the traditional doctrines and assumptions of the the Christian faith, and the church, in consequence, has changed significantly over the last two centuries. But I'm simply not convinced that these advances in human knowledge have rendered the historic, orthodox assertions of the church to be entirely obsolete, and I don't think Spong did a very good job of presenting a convincing picture to the contrary. He mostly just mentioned a few major developments (e.g. Copernican revolution, Darwins' 'Origin of Species', etc.) and then proceeded to assume that "theism is no more." For example, Spong repeats numerous times his belief that our modern knowledge of the cosmic order has drained all significance from the incarnation, the ascension, the afterlife, etc. Here is an excerpt from page 205:
"There appears to be no place in our universe for heaven. It has been radically dislocated from its ancient spot just beyond the clouds. If heaven is no longer a locatable concept, then we have to recognize that neither is God, since heaven was God's abode."
This seems to me to be overly simplistic, to say the least. Not reason enough for me to throw out 2000 years of spiritual depth, experience, and development.
I would not, therefore, say that this book presented a challenge to my Christian faith, per se. However, as an individual who has grown up and found expression for that faith in the Anglican tradition, it did give me cause for concern (among other reasons) about the current and future state of the Episcopal Church. Spong was a long-time bishop of that church. As such, he took sacred vows, before God and the church, to "guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the church" and "to confrom to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of The Episcopal Church" (from the 'Book of Common Prayer': Ordination of a Bishop). At his ordination, he publicly led all present in affirming the creed, the very words that he used in the opening of this book as a demonstration of how those very essential and foundational beliefs of the church are no longer believable. Apart from what this may imply about Spong's character, the more pointed concern for me is what it says about the church that would elect and confirm him as bishop, and subsequently allow him to continue in that very influential office.
Ultimately, I guess I didn't enjoy this book because it was simply not written for me. I am not a "believer in exile." But I am also neither an ignorant, unthinking pew occupant, nor an angry, dishonest reactionary, fearful about my ability to maintain an unjust status quo institution. Unfortunately, those three types seem to be the only ones conceivable to Spong.
October 16, 2016
This book made me wonder if I'm not as theologically progressive as I thought I was. It's a challenging read–partially because of the author's writing style and partially because of his views–and one that requires patience and open-mindedness. Spong spends the first half of the book essentially deconstructing Christianity before making much of effort to reconstruct it. I can easily see why he's such a controversial figure. There were many times when even I became miffed at his arguments. Ultimately, I either agreed with his reconstructions or found them interesting, but his path to reaching those conclusions did not fully convince me, especially since he seems to go for the most conservative or traditional understandings of church practices to tear down in light of his conclusions. For example, when criticizing baptism, he makes a sweeping statement that baptism is salvation itself without at all mentioning that this is only the view in some denominations. Personally, I've never been part of a tradition that taught baptism as salvation.
More generally, I'm not convinced an external, theistic God cannot exist whatsoever. I don't see why his framework cannot still have room for an external God, if God is truly beyond all things that human beings adequately define our limited logic and language. Maybe I don't understand because I'm not a seminary student (which at times I felt I had to be in order to understand what the author was talking about).
This said, I think this book provides a vastly different perspective and some valid critiques of traditional Christianity that you'll accept, reject, and/or mull over for a few hours.
More generally, I'm not convinced an external, theistic God cannot exist whatsoever. I don't see why his framework cannot still have room for an external God, if God is truly beyond all things that human beings adequately define our limited logic and language. Maybe I don't understand because I'm not a seminary student (which at times I felt I had to be in order to understand what the author was talking about).
This said, I think this book provides a vastly different perspective and some valid critiques of traditional Christianity that you'll accept, reject, and/or mull over for a few hours.
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