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Here I Stand: My Struggle for a Christianity of Integrity, Love, and Equality – A Legendary Bishop's Voice for Love Over Hatred
The legendary Episcopal Bishop tells of his lifelong struggle to champion an authentic christianity based on love, not hatred.
480 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
36 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
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 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 24, 2013
Disclaimer: I'm a Spong fan and perhaps even a Spongian in my personal theology, so I am predisposed to like (almost) anything that the Bishop writes ... and this biography is no exception. It's an honest look at his life - far more candid than many I have read for such a public figure - and I found it to be a page-turner, especially those chapters that relate his experience as a bishop of the Episcopal Church. I have read many of his books and heard him speak many times, but I will admit to being surprised by the story of (and, in fairness, by) 'the man behind the bishop.'
It's vintage Spong: at turns heretical (but almost always with positive intent) and endearing. His theology (and the unapologetic and often purposefully provocative way in which it's shared) is often heretical to more conservative believers both within the Episcopal Church and outside of it, whereas his description of the pain of his hardscrabble upbringing is as palpably endearing as it is revelatory.
John Shelby Spong is a singular human being in every sense of the word. A son of the Segregated South, he has evolved into one of the most progressive voices in modern Christianity such that someone who was raised in and benefited from race- and gender-based exclusion ended up being a tireless champion of inclusion. His description of his distress at the health challenges of his first wife and his inability to figure out how to address them (and her) effectively before her death is surprisingly forthright. He acknowledges his personal faults and mistakes in a most candid and attractive way (but seems noticably less self-critical with respect to the professional sphere of his life, which is a bit of a disappointment - he's a more humble and less righteous person than religious leader, which is an interesting [and more common] juxtaposition).
For example, he calls out the leaders whom he has known over the years, especially those who have disappointed him (and a few times too often in a less than charitable way). Yet his relating of his experience as a(n if not the) leading advocate for the full inclusion of women and gays and lesbians in the life of the church is both gripping and inspiring due to the evident and abundant Christian love and passion that undergird it. It's hard not to admire a man who has been so willing to advocate for those dispossessed and oppressed by an institution ostensibly dedicated to the example of its patron that is instead often depressingly repressive, regressive and dehumanizing.
I could go on, but won't. Suffice it to say that if you want to learn more about this fascinating spiritual leader, this biography will give you much insight. It will also inspire you, as the Bishop's fervent, inclusive advocacy is infectious: he continues to be at the forefront of evolving and expanding our understanding of and appreciative for the Divine. To get such a revealing look at the man behind the legacy is an authentically inspiring gift. Bishop Spong's willingness to engage the true mystery of faith has been a revelation to me and this biography has helped me to extend and ehance my appreciation for him as a person, too. Read it and be inspired.....
[Note: This biography was written to coincide with Bishop Spong's retirement from the Episcopal Church in 2000, so while it offers a wealth of insight and information, it does not cover his equally impressive contributions in retirement. In fact, some would say that his leadership (in his public speaking/educational efforts, in his writing and in his theology) after leaving the church is even more impactful. Let's hope that he chooses to update his biography and share the inside story of this rich period, too, at some point in the future.]
It's vintage Spong: at turns heretical (but almost always with positive intent) and endearing. His theology (and the unapologetic and often purposefully provocative way in which it's shared) is often heretical to more conservative believers both within the Episcopal Church and outside of it, whereas his description of the pain of his hardscrabble upbringing is as palpably endearing as it is revelatory.
John Shelby Spong is a singular human being in every sense of the word. A son of the Segregated South, he has evolved into one of the most progressive voices in modern Christianity such that someone who was raised in and benefited from race- and gender-based exclusion ended up being a tireless champion of inclusion. His description of his distress at the health challenges of his first wife and his inability to figure out how to address them (and her) effectively before her death is surprisingly forthright. He acknowledges his personal faults and mistakes in a most candid and attractive way (but seems noticably less self-critical with respect to the professional sphere of his life, which is a bit of a disappointment - he's a more humble and less righteous person than religious leader, which is an interesting [and more common] juxtaposition).
For example, he calls out the leaders whom he has known over the years, especially those who have disappointed him (and a few times too often in a less than charitable way). Yet his relating of his experience as a(n if not the) leading advocate for the full inclusion of women and gays and lesbians in the life of the church is both gripping and inspiring due to the evident and abundant Christian love and passion that undergird it. It's hard not to admire a man who has been so willing to advocate for those dispossessed and oppressed by an institution ostensibly dedicated to the example of its patron that is instead often depressingly repressive, regressive and dehumanizing.
I could go on, but won't. Suffice it to say that if you want to learn more about this fascinating spiritual leader, this biography will give you much insight. It will also inspire you, as the Bishop's fervent, inclusive advocacy is infectious: he continues to be at the forefront of evolving and expanding our understanding of and appreciative for the Divine. To get such a revealing look at the man behind the legacy is an authentically inspiring gift. Bishop Spong's willingness to engage the true mystery of faith has been a revelation to me and this biography has helped me to extend and ehance my appreciation for him as a person, too. Read it and be inspired.....
[Note: This biography was written to coincide with Bishop Spong's retirement from the Episcopal Church in 2000, so while it offers a wealth of insight and information, it does not cover his equally impressive contributions in retirement. In fact, some would say that his leadership (in his public speaking/educational efforts, in his writing and in his theology) after leaving the church is even more impactful. Let's hope that he chooses to update his biography and share the inside story of this rich period, too, at some point in the future.]
June 16, 2017
The best book I know of for any rational person grappling with how to resolve reason and faith, particularly of a Christian nature. Spong has been much maligned by many of his contemporaries, but that's because he pushes the limits of Christian thought. His ideas have made it possible for me to continue to believe--albeit in a very different manner than the simplistic way I did as a child. He blends most of his theological insights with stories of his own life as a Christian coming to maturity in the segregated South. Those stories alone make this book worth reading.
September 18, 2022
Bishop Spong Speaks Truth to Power
Having read “Why Christianity Must Change or Die” I wanted to know more about John Shelby Spong. His autobiography is a testament to this man’s depth of understanding of humans and their belief in God. Reading this book solidified my admiration for him and his courage.
Having read “Why Christianity Must Change or Die” I wanted to know more about John Shelby Spong. His autobiography is a testament to this man’s depth of understanding of humans and their belief in God. Reading this book solidified my admiration for him and his courage.
July 1, 2019
I'm not exactly sure what to say about this book. There were times that I debated putting it down and not finishing it, but I made it through to the very end. I even read the Appendixes. Without a doubt, Bishop Spong is passionate about the things he believes in. He identifies as a Christian, but doesn't want to be religious, nor does he believe in the virgin birth, miracles, repentance, resurrection, salvation, sin and the divine nature of God and Jesus Christ. I came away wondering why he even bothers to call himself Christian. I had some issues with how, as he came to these conclusions, he had no problems with accepting a paycheck from an organization that supports that divinity and those belief systems. He claims he came to these conclusions so he could be free of the restraints of religion. If you want to be free from those religious restraints, don't be religious! God cares about how we live. He gives us commandments. His Son, Jesus Christ, helped us to better understand those commandments and how to live them. And no, society now is not the same as society then. But certain principles of living transcend time and culture. For Bishop Spong, truth comes only through scholarship. There is a place for scholarship within religion-one of my own sons is a religious scholar. Scholarship aids our understanding and hopefully adds to our faith, but when scholarship trumps divinity, I feel we've made a wrong turn somewhere. I agree that Bishop Spong was treated in an unchristian manner by fellow clergy. That is never appropriate. But he gave it back to them, so I'm not sure how that makes him any better. And he pretty consistently wrote about other church leaders(listing their names) who did not follow his "banner" with contempt and in a sneering tone. He lumped all conservatives into one group behavior, and all liberals into another group behavior, etc., even while complaining that the liberals and conservatives did the same thing to him. Only he has the ability to see clearly and correctly. I came into this book with little knowledge about the workings of the Episcopal Church, and I came away not very impressed. It saddened me that a Church and body of people who are supposedly seekers, followers, and disciples of Christ would spend so much time and energy politicizing themselves and their religious system and church. I was dismayed at the popularity contests that are involved in selecting Bishops and even rectors. I'm hoping that this skewed presentation is not what the Anglican Church is really like. This reads more like a political book than a spiritual book, which was a major disappointment for me.I was hoping to read of a man's spiritual journey. It's certainly a book with an agenda. I'm not even certain that I would want to meet him on a personal level. That said, he has the courage of his convictions and certainly put himself on the firing line for desegregation, women in his church,and the LGBT community in his church. And I commend him for that. I guess I was expecting to see/feel more of his heart, and what I felt was his intellect, knowledge and ego presented in a fairly pushy way. For me, God and Jesus help me to grow intellectually and morally. They help me to become the best human being I can be, but more importantly, they touch my heart, helping me to continually grow spiritually and keeping me on my personal path of discipleship. I was hoping to read about the path of a fellow disciple, and instead found a hatchet job on God, Jesus Christ and Christianity. I'm trying to figure out if I regret reading it. Probably not, because it has reaffirmed for me many of my own dearly held religious beliefs, and made me grateful for my understanding of my relationship with my Heavenly Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
May 25, 2022
I really loved this in a lot of ways. It made me excited to read his other books and really understand his theological views/undertakings. It just fell apart for me at the end when he really seemed to lean in to how he’s been burned by the Church, subsequently marring the names of many associates. Otherwise, a beautiful love letter of a life well-lived in service to the world.
September 1, 2024
I really enjoyed that. Personal views aside, the resilience and ability of the man are extraordinary. Spong appears to have an inner motivation to see things through and a conviction to match. Would recommend even for high performers from a non-religious background. The principles of people leadership are the same. That was really good. Thanks for the read.
December 30, 2022
A memoir by the famous bishop John Shelby Spong, known for being on the forefront of issues facing society and the church, from race relations to gay marriage. Most interesting was the juxtaposition of his life events with the events related to the positions he took within the church. It did drag in a few places
September 13, 2010
An interesting look at an American Episcopalian bishop's life, the US wing of Anglicanism. I have heard John Shelby Spong speaking and he is charasmatic and impressive. I read 'Here I Stand' without having read any other of his books so I come his autobiography either cold or fresh, depending on how you look at it.
The section dealing with Spong's southern childhood is lovely; his earnest, troubled existence is recorded with affection and some humour.
I was less enamoured of the larger part of the book dealing with Spong's adult life. It charts fascinating territory, from a liberal seminary, to priesthood at a delicate age, to a life of contoversy as Bishop of Newark. Where Spong deals with his professional life he is generally engaging, detailing his development of a more and more inclusive Christianity over many years. His engagement with his parishioners is delightfully honest and adult. The sections on his personal life frustrated me, however, though he clearly attempts to deal with his first wife's mental illness with respect. He claims to regret some of his actions, or inactions, as a husband but the frankness he displays when discussing his childhood flags. His marriage is allocated a neat couple of paragraphs a chapter, and it is his professional triumphs that dominate. These are genuinely impressive, but I wanted more shadow, more doubt. A couple of decorous references to a bad temper remain unexplored. By the end of the book, his description of the courtship with his second wife is almost absent. The narrative travels from work colleagues to life partners in a uncomfortably hasty amount of time. If this was a whirlwind realisation of true love, fine, but I was left wanting.
To be fair, autobiography is not my favourite genre, so my standards may be unrealistic. In all, an interseting portrait of what seemed to me a partially examined life.
The section dealing with Spong's southern childhood is lovely; his earnest, troubled existence is recorded with affection and some humour.
I was less enamoured of the larger part of the book dealing with Spong's adult life. It charts fascinating territory, from a liberal seminary, to priesthood at a delicate age, to a life of contoversy as Bishop of Newark. Where Spong deals with his professional life he is generally engaging, detailing his development of a more and more inclusive Christianity over many years. His engagement with his parishioners is delightfully honest and adult. The sections on his personal life frustrated me, however, though he clearly attempts to deal with his first wife's mental illness with respect. He claims to regret some of his actions, or inactions, as a husband but the frankness he displays when discussing his childhood flags. His marriage is allocated a neat couple of paragraphs a chapter, and it is his professional triumphs that dominate. These are genuinely impressive, but I wanted more shadow, more doubt. A couple of decorous references to a bad temper remain unexplored. By the end of the book, his description of the courtship with his second wife is almost absent. The narrative travels from work colleagues to life partners in a uncomfortably hasty amount of time. If this was a whirlwind realisation of true love, fine, but I was left wanting.
To be fair, autobiography is not my favourite genre, so my standards may be unrealistic. In all, an interseting portrait of what seemed to me a partially examined life.
August 27, 2016
Much less theology than I was expecting, honestly--I was hoping for more. (But I guess that's what the rest of Spong's books are for!) I could have done without the chapters after chapters on Episcopalian bureaucracy and inside baseball, although the bureaucracy aspect of Spong's work is critical to understanding how he didn't always fit in with the status quo. (But could we have trimmed the minutiae down a bit?)
While this book dipped too far and too often into self-aggrandizement, I was amazed that Spong recognized his white, male, and heterosexual privileges--it's not often that you see someone of his generation so aware of their privilege.
I wish, though, that Spong addressed doubt. Surely, in his decades of ministry, he experienced doubt and frustration about Christianity. (And if he didn't, I wish he would have addressed why and how that was possible.)
"Christianity ultimately provides no one with real security. Rather, it gives to me and others the capacity to embrace the radical insecurity of life as free, whole, and mature persons." (445)
While this book dipped too far and too often into self-aggrandizement, I was amazed that Spong recognized his white, male, and heterosexual privileges--it's not often that you see someone of his generation so aware of their privilege.
I wish, though, that Spong addressed doubt. Surely, in his decades of ministry, he experienced doubt and frustration about Christianity. (And if he didn't, I wish he would have addressed why and how that was possible.)
"Christianity ultimately provides no one with real security. Rather, it gives to me and others the capacity to embrace the radical insecurity of life as free, whole, and mature persons." (445)
May 27, 2012
Meaning and origin of life
Life and Life Sciences examined with integrity (genetics and nurture)
Earth existence and formation explained well in Science
Luck and chance formed life (natural selection - evolution)
Life after death NOT essential
This life is enough!!
Older you get the better you are able to experience life
Fascinating to be alive
Live life fully wring every moment out of life.
This life is everything – do not sell people into looking forward to a better life afterlife
What comes after dying? (A somber subject! A denial)
Death is a natural part of life
You taste death when you lose your loved ones
(Bury a wife, father son …)
Case and cause for Religion
Ultimate mystery - Death
Eternal Life – A new vision
Religion – telescopes looking for God outside
But look for God inwards
Footprints of eternity
Life and Life Sciences examined with integrity (genetics and nurture)
Earth existence and formation explained well in Science
Luck and chance formed life (natural selection - evolution)
Life after death NOT essential
This life is enough!!
Older you get the better you are able to experience life
Fascinating to be alive
Live life fully wring every moment out of life.
This life is everything – do not sell people into looking forward to a better life afterlife
What comes after dying? (A somber subject! A denial)
Death is a natural part of life
You taste death when you lose your loved ones
(Bury a wife, father son …)
Case and cause for Religion
Ultimate mystery - Death
Eternal Life – A new vision
Religion – telescopes looking for God outside
But look for God inwards
Footprints of eternity
November 12, 2010
Bishop Spong is just plain awesome. He has been one of the leading voices in US Christianity for the full inclusion of LGBTQ individuals in the life of the church, against fundamentalism interpretations of the bible and, lately, for a total rethinking of Christianity away from theism. I didn't know much about his history, and this was a neat look at how he went from a young man in North Carolina to a radical bishop in Newark. I particularly enjoyed reading about how this theological thinking evolved, the way he sought to change the communities he worked in around various social issues, and his personal struggles and in his family. A great look at a great leader.
July 22, 2012
Spong's autobiography is simultaneously a view of one man's spiritual journey and an insider's look at the culture wars that have gripped America's religious life over the last half century or so. I was drawn to this book because of Spong's other writing and came to appreciate more deeply the crucible in which those works were formed - as he suggests with his subtitle, the challenge of maintaining a church life without sacrificing one's sense of integrity, love and commitment to equality (which emerges more strongly from his honest portrayal of his own ignorance and prejudice).
May 12, 2014
Bishop James Spong is a very courageous man who loves the church but who does not believe we can keep asserting supernatural happenings in the Bible are true anymore, except as metaphor. This has lots of details about the church hierarchy that only Episcopal clergy would enjoy. I would highly recommend "Why Christianity Must Change or Die" for an intro to his thought. I enjoyed the frank discussions of civil rights era.
May 23, 2022
What an incredible individual this man is! He pulls no punches, lays everything out there, dirty linen and all, but generally his life has been lived in honor of those who have been relegated to the shadows of human life - women, homosexuals, people of color, it doesn't matter, if there's injustice, he's been on the front lines, and at times seemingly the only on the line at all, willing to stand up for and with the oppressed. Very highly recommended.
May 10, 2008
A friend of mine introduced me to this author who is also a Episcopal Bishop. It was intresting read; he has some very challenging ideas in the way we think of God, the Church and today's most pressing social issues. A good read for anyone praying that there is more to religion than just what we currently have.
September 21, 2010
Enjoyed learning about his childhood and young adulthood. Too much detail given about how he became a bishop which wasn't interesting to me. Read the first half of the book closely and skimmed the second half.
January 30, 2016
This books is my favorite from Bishop Spong. He writes about his early life and life as an Episcopal priest. Thought as controversial Bishop Spong never sought about to be, but he's stance for racial justice, women rights and LGBT rights upset many even within his own church.
September 19, 2009
Bishop Spong is an oustanding voice in religious thought for our time. This book gives significant insight into the man and what he stands for.
May 5, 2013
Kept attention 5
Well written 5
Must read 3
Important 3
Accessible 5
Well written 5
Must read 3
Important 3
Accessible 5
June 2, 2013
I have enjoyed Spong's columns for years but I found this boom a bit dry and long.
November 17, 2014
I read my fathers copy
June 12, 2016
A very detailed and long autobiography. One needs endurance to get through this lengthy personal history.
May 27, 2025
Challenging story of a Christian leader with some less than orthodox convictions. Challenged me to think and study Scripture more deeply.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews