Turning the Tables and Righteous Anger

Column by Rev. Irene Monroe on February, 14 2019

I have chosen Matthew 21: 12-17 text about Jesus turning over the tables of the money changers” because I notice America is angry. And, with this anger I’ve noticed we have lost the ability and desire to “ agree to disagree,” to talk across our differences; thus, consequently, civil discourse has devolved. For so many, this story of Jesus turning the tables of the money changers becomes a non-apology for getting angry, for posting biting commentaries, and for online rants on divisive political issues, theological controversies and discussions on some polarizing social and cultural issues.

The Charleston Murders: The Final Battle in the Civil War?

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on July, 16 2015

It was a brutal murder of nine people in an AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. The victims, including their pastor, who was also a member of the South …

The School of Theology at Drew University Installs Javier Viera as its New Dean

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on November, 20 2014

From time to time, I have an experience inside organized Christianity that is filled with such excitement that it creates in me the hope that there might be a …

A Meditation on Patriotism in a Changing World

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on August, 7 2014

Patriotism is a powerful force that manifests itself in a variety of ways. One is extreme nationalism. We see that in the behavior of President Vladimir Putin of Russia, …

Thoughts While Listening to America’s Health Care Debate

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on March, 20 2014

We had one of our closest personal friends to dinner recently. He is a stock analyst, a very successful and wealthy man with a passion for understanding the economy. …

America’s Health Care Debate and What it Reveals

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on December, 5 2013

Every nation I visited on my recent European lecture tour has a National Health System, paid for by tax dollars and run for all the people by the government …

Scandal in the Roman Catholic Church: The Charade Goes On!

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on July, 18 2013

The Roman Catholic Cardinal Archbishop of Sydney, Australia, is the Most Reverend George Pell. He is a tall, impressive-looking man, whose career in his church has followed the traditional …

A Meditation on the State of America on its 237th Birthday

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on July, 11 2013

The United States celebrated its 237th birthday this past week. It seems, therefore, a fitting time for some moments of national reflection. In today’s column I seek to …

Learning about Europe’s Economy and Christianity’s Place in it

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on December, 27 2012

Throughout the past few years, and certainly as a factor in the recent American presidential race, the state of the economy has been front and center. An important aspect …

The Presidential Campaign and the Book of Judges

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on October, 11 2012

A major debate in this year’s presidential election eliciting great emotion and spirited rhetoric relates to “the size and role of the federal government.”  A study of American …