“Think Different–Accept Uncertainty” Part XVI: The Story of the Crucifixion, Part One

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on September, 6 2012

Somewhere between a third and forty percent of each of the four gospels in the New Testament is concerned with the last week in the life of Jesus of …

A Salute to the United Church of Christ

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on July, 26 2012

Sometimes, as one goes about the normal duties of one’s professional life, a pattern of activity slowly becomes visible until one wonders why this had not been seen before.  …

“Think Different—Accept Uncertainty” Part XIII: Miracles As Signs to Be Interpreted

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on July, 5 2012

Today, as a part of the overall series entitled “Think Different–Accept Uncertainty,” I want to begin to press this mini-unit on the miracle stories of the gospels toward …

“Think Different—Accept Uncertainty” Part XII: Are the Miracles of Jesus Miracles or Interpretive Signs?

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on June, 14 2012

Last week, we began to look at the miracles attributed to Jesus in the gospels.  Most of them are familiar stories to those of us raised in the Christian …

Remembering My Mentors Part III: Janet Robinson, Bible Teacher

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on May, 31 2012

Her name was Janet Robinson and I met her shortly after my 12th birthday.  She was a member of my church and active as a Sunday school teacher.  She …

Conflicting Emotion: Pride in the President, Shame at the Response of Many Church Leaders

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on May, 17 2012

When the President of the United States, announced his support for gay marriage, the political landscape began to roil and I was filled with two quite opposite sets of …

The Retirement of Rowan Williams – The Archbishop of Canterbury

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on April, 19 2012

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend and Right Honorable Dr. Rowan Williams, has recently announced his plans to retire at year’s end. This announcement was greeted with …

“Think Different – Accept Uncertainty” Part VII: The Corruption of Human Life According to the Bible

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on March, 22 2012

In the beginning all was good, said the oldest biblical story of creation (Gen. 2:4b-3:24).  That goodness was symbolized by the portrait of life in …

“Think Different – Accept Uncertainty” Part IV: Expanding the Bankruptcy of Theism

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on February, 16 2012

Before proceeding with this series, I want to return to my theme of last week and examine the concept of theism more closely.  In so doing, I run the …

Should a Competent Newspaper Publish Uninformed Prejudice?

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on February, 2 2012

An article on homosexuality, which appeared recently on the Op-Ed page of the Star-Tribune of Minneapolis, calls into question the decision on the part of that paper’s editors …