The Birth of Jesus, Part II: Paul and the Virgin Birth

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on November, 15 2012

In the writings of Paul, there is not a single reference to a supernatural birth tradition, regarding Jesus of Nazareth.  That is a fact easily established.  Determining what that …

The Birth of Jesus, Part I: Introduction

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on November, 8 2012

Most of the portraits of the mother of Jesus that hang in the great museums of the world are dependent first on the biblical stories of Jesus’ birth and …

“Think Different–Accept Uncertainty” Part XIX: The Dawning of Resurrection

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on October, 18 2012

Behind the narratives of Easter contained in the gospel tradition was an experience that was undeniable, powerful and true to the followers of Jesus.  That experience exploded upon them …

“Think Different—Accept Uncertainty” Part XIV: Analyzing the Miracles Attributed to Jesus

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on August, 2 2012

When most people think of the miracles included in the gospels, they usually think of a broad series of apparently supernatural acts. They tend not to be familiar with …

Is an Interfaith Future a Possibility in Our World?

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on June, 21 2012

Recently I was part of an intensive two-day “think tank” experience on “The Future of Interfaith Cooperation,” which asked the question as to whether the religious violence that marks …

“Think Different-Accept Uncertainty” Part XI: Beginning a Probe of the Miracles Attributed to Jesus

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on June, 7 2012

Deconstruction is always easier to do than reconstruction, but it is not nearly so important.  It is never enough to say who or what Christ is not, but we …

“Think Different – Accept Uncertainty” Part IX: What is the Human Reality Our Ancestors Called Original Sin?

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on April, 26 2012

What does it mean to be human?  What does it mean to be alive?  Why are we constituted the way we are?  What was there and what is there …

“Think Different – Accept Uncertainty” Part VIII: Deconstructing the Story of the Fall

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on March, 29 2012

The way Christians have told the Christ story, beginning with Augustine in the fourth century and continuing through Anselm in the twelfth century, is to postulate an original and …

“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 …

Harrisena Community Church in Lake George New York: A Story Worth Telling

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on December, 15 2011

This church was built in 1866 by John J. Harris to be used as an Episcopal summer chapel serving vacationers in the Lake George, New York area.  In 1869 it was …