“Think Different–Accept Uncertainty” Part XVII: The Story of the Crucifixion, Part Two

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on September, 20 2012

It is certainly a fact of history that a man named Jesus of Nazareth was crucified by the Romans somewhere around the year 30 CE.  This crucifixion came during the …

“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 …

“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 …

“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 …

“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 X: The Christ – He Is Not the Savior of the Fallen

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on May, 24 2012

In my studies of the origins of life and its evolution, I have become convinced that the traditional and primitive claim that involves the concept of “original sin” has …

On Being Honored by the Jesus Seminar

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on April, 12 2012

In the early spring of this year the Jesus Seminar paid me a special tribute at its meeting held in Salem, Oregon.  First, I was invited to give two …

The Health Care Debate: Is It Possible to Reach Conclusions That Are Satisfactory?

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on April, 5 2012

The argument before the Supreme Court as to whether the Federal government can mandate health insurance for all citizens represents a fascinating dance around shifting realities.  It is an …

“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 …