The Birth of Jesus, Part VII. The Role of Ruth: The Seductress

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on January, 10 2013

The third woman mentioned in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus is also unique in a number of ways. Her name is Ruth and she, like Rahab, is a foreigner. …

The Birth of Jesus, Part IV. The Two Versions of the Birth Story

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on December, 5 2012

The familiar stories of Jesus’ miraculous birth entered the Christian tradition in two different forms, separated by perhaps a decade. The original narrative was written by a man we …

Christpower

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on December, 22 2011

A Note to my Readers:

Many years ago, in 1974 to be specific, for the sermon at the Christmas Eve Midnight service at St. Paul’s …

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

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on December, 1 2011

Italy is a Roman Catholic country!  That was stated time after time as we journeyed through Florence, Tuscany and the Cinque Terre.  The signs of this faith tradition were …

Joseph – An Essential Character in Matthew’s Vision of Jesus

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on January, 5 2011

Christmas has faded from our memory.  The trees are down, the tinsel and the chaos of the day have been cleared away.  The crèche scenes have been stored …