What Do Christian Symbols Mean in a Land Where Christianity is No Longer Practiced?

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on 1 December 2011 2 Comments
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Question

Let me say that you are such an inspiration to me!  Your courage to disintegrate the veneer and debris which surrounds God, Jesus and the Gospel has been rockin’ my world!  I love it!  Thank you!

I’m wondering if you are familiar with Eckhart Tolle.  You both come from divergent perspectives, but I see a lot of similarities.  Just wondered if you could offer a word or two concerning how you feel about the teachings.  Thanks!

Answer

Dear Ian,

Thank you for your comments. Yes, I am familiar with the work of Eckhart Tolle and find it edifying, if not terribly original.  Tolle has captured, I believe, the essence of Christianity in a modern image.  Much of his thought is based on the writings of Meister Eckhart, whose name he has actually co-opted, who lived in the 13th and 14th century, so it is not particularly new.  He has, however, given Meister Eckhart’s thoughts a modern twist and that is a major contribution.

Meister Eckhart succeeded Thomas Aquinas in his chair of theology when Aquinas died.  His appointment represented a major transition in thought and the church of his time was not ready to hear his far more radical message.  Meister Eckhart, a true mystic, was put on trial for heresy, but he died before he was found guilty, thereby saving the church from one more embarrassing moment.

Thanks for writing.

~John Shelby Spong

 

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