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John Shelby "Jack" Spong (June 16, 1931 – September 12, 2021) was an American bishop of the Episcopal Church, born in Charlotte, North Carolina. He served as the the Bishop of Newark, New Jersey from 1979 to 2000. Spong was a liberal Christian theologian, religion commentator, and author, who called for a fundamental rethinking of Christian belief away from theism and traditional doctrines.[1] He was known for his progressive and controversial views on Christianity, including his rejection of traditional Christian doctrines, his advocacy for LGBTQ rights, and his support for interfaith dialogue[2]. Spong was the recipient of many awards, including 1999 Humanist of the Year. He was a contributor to the Living the Questions DVD program and was a guest on numerous national television broadcasts. Spong passed away on September 12, 2021, at his home in Richmond, Virginia, at the age of 90[3].

The Right Reverend

John Shelby Spong

Bishop Emeritus of Newark
Spong in 2006
Church Episcopal Church
Province Province 2
Diocese Newark
In office 1979–2000
Predecessor George Rath
Successor John P. Croneberger
Orders
Ordination December 1955

by Edwin A. Penick

Consecration June 12, 1976

by John Allin

Personal details
Born June 16, 1931


Charlotte, North Carolina, US

Died September 12, 2021 (aged 90)

Richmond, Virginia, US

Nationality American
Denomination Anglican
Parents John Shelby Spong, Doolie Boyce Griffith
Spouse Joan Lydia Ketner (m. 1952, d. 1988)

Christine Mary Bridger (m. 1990)

Children 5
Previous post(s) Coadjutor Bishop of Newark (1976–1979)
Alma mater University of North CarolinaVirginia Theological Seminary
Website progressingspirit.com

Early life and career

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The Right Reverend John Shelby Spong was born on June 16, 1931, in Charlotte, North Carolina [2]. He grew up attending fundamentalist churches and was heavily influenced by his mother's religious beliefs.[4] After his father passed away when he was 12 years old, Spong continued to attend church and became more involved in his faith[2]. He attended public schools in Charlotte and later went on to study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1952 as a Phi Beta Kappagraduate. He received his Master of Divinity degree from the Virginia Theological Seminary in 1955. Spong also received honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees from Virginia Theological Seminary and Saint Paul's College, Virginia, as well as an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Muhlenberg College. In 1999, he was awarded the Humanist of the Year award by the American Humanist Association.[5]

In 2005, he wrote: "[I have] immerse[d] myself in contemporary Biblical scholarship at such places as Union Theological Seminary in New York City, Yale Divinity School, Harvard Divinity School and the storied universities in Edinburgh, Oxford and Cambridge."[6]

Spong served as rector of St. Joseph's Church in Durham, North Carolina, from 1955 to 1957; rector of Calvary Parish, Tarboro, North Carolina, from 1957 to 1965; rector of St. John's Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, from 1965 to 1969; and rector of St. Paul's Church in Richmond, Virginia, from 1969 to 1976. He held visiting positions and gave lectures at major American theological institutions, most prominently at Harvard Divinity School. He retired in 2000. As a retired bishop, he was a member of the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops.[7][8]

Spong was one of the first American bishops to ordain a woman into the clergy, in 1977, and he was the first to ordain an openly gay man, Robert Williams, in 1989.[7] Later the church followed his lead. An Episcopal court ruled that homosexuality was not counter to its principles in 1996, and the church recognized same-sex marriages in 2015.[9]

Spong described his own life as a journey from the literalism and conservative theology of his childhood to an expansive view of Christianity. In a 2013 interview, Spong credited the Anglican bishop John Robinson as his mentor in this journey and said reading Robinson's writings in the 1960s led to a friendship and mentoring relationship with him over many years.[10] Spong also honors Robinson as a mentor in the opening pages of his 2002 book A New Christianity for a New World.

Recipient of many awards, including 1999 Humanist of the Year,[5] Spong was a contributor to the Living the Questions DVD program and was a guest on numerous national television broadcasts (including The Today Show, Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, Dateline, 60 Minutes, and Larry King Live). Spong's calendar had him lecturing around the world.[11]

Late Life and Death

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In his later years, John Shelby Spong's views shifted from the literalism and conservative theology of his childhood to an expansive view of Christianity[12]. In a 2013 interview, Spong credited the Anglican bishop John Robinson as his mentor in this journey and said reading Robinson's writings in the 1960s led to a change in his views. Spong's later work focused on a more nuanced approach to scripture, informed by scholarship and compassion, which he argued can be consistent with both Christian tradition and a contemporary understanding of the universe[13].

John Shelby Spong passed away on September 12, 2021, at the age of 90 [14][15][16]. His death was mourned by many in the Episcopal Church and beyond, who recognized his contributions to Christian theology and his advocacy for LGBTQ rights and inclusion in the church. The notice was announced by the St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia, where Spong had once been rector [16][17]

Writings

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Spong's writings rely on Biblical and non-Biblical sources and were influenced by modern critical analysis of these sources.[18] He is representative of a stream of thought with roots in the medieval universalism of Peter Abelard and the existentialism of Paul Tillich, whom he called his favorite theologian.[19]

A prominent theme in Spong's writing was that the popular and literal interpretations of Christian scripture are not sustainable and do not speak honestly to the situation of modern Christian communities. He believed in a more nuanced approach to scripture, informed by scholarship and compassion, which can be consistent with both Christian tradition and contemporary understandings of the universe. He believed that theism had lost credibility as a valid conception of God's nature.

Spong stated that he was a Christian because he believes that Jesus Christ fully expressed the presence of a God of compassion and selfless love and that this is the meaning of the early Christian proclamation, "Jesus is Lord."[18][20] Elaborating on this last idea, he affirmed that Jesus was adopted by God as his son,[21] and he says that this would be the way God was fully incarnated in Jesus Christ.[22] He rejects the historical truth claims of some Christian doctrines, such as the virgin birth[21] and the bodily resurrection of Jesus.[20] In 2000, Spong was a critic of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Roman Catholic Church's declaration Dominus Iesus, because it reaffirmed the Catholic doctrine that the Roman Catholic Church is the one true Church and that Jesus Christ is the one and only savior for humanity.[23]

Spong was a strong proponent of the church reflecting the changes in society at large.[24] Towards these ends, he called for a new Reformation, in which many of Christianity's basic doctrines should be reformulated.[22]

His views on the future of Christianity were "that we have to start where we are. As I look at the history of religion, I observe that new religious insights always and only emerge from the old traditions as they begin to die. It is not by pitching the old insights out but by journeying deeply through them into new visions that we are able to change religion's direction. The creeds were 3rd- and 4th-century love songs that people composed to sing to their understanding of God. We do not have to literalize their words to perceive their meaning or their intention to join in the singing of their creedal song. I think religion in general and Christianity in particular must always be evolving. Forcing the evolution is the dialog between yesterday's words and today's knowledge. The sin of Christianity is that any of us ever claimed that we had somehow captured eternal truth in the forms we had created."[25]

Spong debated Christian philosopher and apologist William Lane Craig on the resurrection of Jesus on March 20, 2005.[26]

In 1991's Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism: A Bishop Rethinks the Meaning of Scripture, Spong argued that St. Paul was homosexual, a theme that was satirized in Gore Vidal's novel Live from Golgotha.[18]

Criticism

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Spong claimed that his writings evoked both great support and great condemnation from differing segments of the Christian church.

New Testament Catholic scholar Raymond E. Brown was critical of Spong's scholarship, referring to his studies as "amateur night". Spong frequently praised Brown's scholarship, though the affection was not returned, with Brown having commented that "Spong is complimentary in what he writes of me as a NT scholar; ... I hope I am not ungracious if in return I remark that I do not think that a single NT author would recognize Spong's Jesus as the figure being proclaimed or written about."[27]

Spong's ideas have been criticized by some other theologians, notably in 1998 by Rowan Williams, the Bishop of Monmouth, who later became the Archbishop of Canterbury. Williams described Spong's Twelve Points for Reform as embodying "confusion and misinterpretation".[28]

During a speaking tour in Australia in 2001, Spong was banned by Peter Hollingworth, the Archbishop of Brisbane, from speaking at churches in the diocese.[29] The tour coincided with Hollingworth leaving the diocese to become the Governor-General of Australia. Hollingworth said that it was not an appropriate moment for Spong to "engage congregations in matters that could prove theologically controversial".[30] After Spong's book Jesus for the Non-Religious was published in 2007, Peter Jensen, the Archbishop of Sydney, banned Spong from preaching at any churches in his diocese.[31] By contrast, Phillip Aspinall, the Primate of Australia, invited Spong in 2007 to deliver two sermons at St John's Cathedral, Brisbane.[31]

Following Spong's death, Mark Tooley told The Washington Times that "he (Spong] claimed that he was making religion relevant for a new generation who could not believe in the supernatural, often citing his daughters. But the irony was that as he was making his case, modernity was ending and postmodernity starting, and his rationalist perspective became passé. There was new openness to the supernatural."[15]

Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, described Spong's teaching as constituting the historic definition of heresy, having "denied virtually every major Christian doctrine."

Contributions to Christian Theology

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John Shelby Spong was a prominent theologian who made significant contributions to Christian theology. Spong's views on the Bible, God, and Jesus Christ challenged traditional Christian beliefs and helped to shape the debate on the future of Christianity.[2][6][12] Spong's influence can be seen in the work of other theologians and scholars, and his contributions to Christian theology will continue to be studied and debated for years to come.

Spong's contributions to Christian theology can be seen in his many books, including "A New Christianity for a New World," "Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism," and "Why Christianity Must Change or Die"[18][32][33]. In "A New Christianity for a New World," Spong argues for a fundamental rethinking of Christian belief away from Theism and outlines his ideas for doctrinal changes within Christianity in the modern world. In "Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism," Spong challenges the literal interpretation of the Bible and argues for a more nuanced approach to scripture.[18] In "Why Christianity Must Change or Die," Spong argues that Christianity must adapt to the changing world or risk becoming irrelevant.[33]

Spong's influence on the theological debate can be seen in the work of other theologians, such as Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan, and Karen Armstrong, who also challenged traditional Christian beliefs and called for a more inclusive and progressive faith.[34] Spong's contributions to Christian theology helped to shape the debate on the future of Christianity and influenced many people's views on the religion.

Spong's writings rely on Biblical and non-Biblical sources and were influenced by modern critical analysis of these sources.[18] He believed in a more nuanced approach to scripture, informed by scholarship and compassion, which he argued can be consistent with both Christian tradition and a contemporary understanding of the universe.[18] Spong's views on Christianity were particularly relevant in the 21st century, as many people began to question traditional Christian beliefs and seek a more inclusive and progressive faith.[18]

Spong was a strong advocate for the inclusion of women in the church. He was one of the first American bishops to ordain a woman into the clergy, in 1977,[7] and he continued to support women's ordination throughout his career. Spong argued that the church needed to be more inclusive and accepting of diversity, including gender diversity.[2][3][4]


Spong was one of the first American bishops to ordain a woman into the clergy, in 1977, and he was the first to ordain an openly gay man, Robert Williams, in 1989.[7] Later the church followed his lead. An Episcopal court ruled that homosexuality was not counter to its principles in 1996, and the church recognized same-sex marriages in 2015.[9]

Spong was also a strong supporter of LGBTQ rights and was the first American bishop to ordain an openly gay man, Robert Williams, in 1989.[7] Spong argued that the church needed to be more accepting of LGBTQ people and that traditional Christian beliefs about sexuality needed to be reinterpreted in light of modern knowledge and understanding.[35]

Awards and Honors

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John Shelby Spong received several awards and honors throughout his career. He was a Phi Beta Kappagraduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1952 and received his Master of Divinity degree from the Virginia Theological Seminary in 1955. Spong also received honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees from Virginia Theological Seminary and Saint Paul's College, Virginia, as well as an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Muhlenberg College. In 1999, he was awarded the Humanist of the Year award by the American Humanist Association.

Publications

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John Shelby Spong was a prolific author who wrote many books on theology and Christianity. His works can be divided into several categories:

  1. Doctrinal Changes in Christianity:
    • "A New Christianity for a New World" (2001): In this book, Spong argues for a fundamental rethinking of Christian belief away from theism and outlines his ideas for doctrinal changes within Christianity in the modern world.[32]
  2. Reinterpreting the Bible:
    • "Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism" (1991): In this book, Spong challenges the literal interpretation of the Bible and argues for a more nuanced approach to scripture[18].
    • "Re-Claiming the Bible for a Non-Religious World" (2011): In this book, Spong argues that the Bible should be read as a human document, not a divine one, and that it should be interpreted in light of modern knowledge and scholarship[36].
  3. Criticizing Traditional Christian Beliefs:
    • "Why Christianity Must Change or Die" (1998): In this book, Spong argues that Christianity must adapt to the changing world or risk becoming irrelevant[33].
    • "Eternal Life: A New Vision" (2009): In this book, Spong challenges traditional Christian beliefs about the afterlife and argues for a more metaphorical interpretation of eternal life[12].

Spong's books were controversial because they challenged traditional Christian beliefs and called for a more inclusive and progressive church. Despite the controversy, Spong's books were widely read and influenced many people's views on Christianity and theology. A comprehensive list of his publications is found ahead.

  1. ^ Interview. ABC Radio Australia, June 17, 2001
  2. ^ a b c d e Paulsen, David (2021-09-13). "RIP: John Shelby Spong, former Newark bishop who pushed for LGBTQ+ inclusion, dies at 90". Episcopal News Service. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  3. ^ a b Risen, Clay (2021-09-19). "John Shelby Spong, 90, Dies; Sought to Open Up the Episcopal Church". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  4. ^ a b "The Right Reverend John Shelby Spong, 1931-2021 · Leadership Gallery · The Church Awakens: African Americans and the Struggle for Justice". episcopalarchives.org. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  5. ^ a b "The Humanist Foundation". Churchofhumanism.org. Archived from the original on 2013-05-06. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
  6. ^ a b Shelby Spong, John (2005). The Sins Of Scripture. HarperOne.
  7. ^ a b c d e Gross, Terry (October 1, 2021). "Remembering John Shelby Spong, Episcopal bishop and LGBTQ champion".
  8. ^ The General Convention of the Episcopal Church: House of Bishops Archived 2014-10-10 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ a b Risen, Clay (19 September 2021). "John Shelby Spong, 90, Dies; Sought to Open Up the Episcopal Church". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  10. ^ "The retired Bishop John Shelby Spong interview", Read the Spirit website, 23 June 2013.
  11. ^ Speaking calendar
  12. ^ a b c Shelby Spong, John (2009). Eternal Life: A New Vision. HarperOne. ISBN 978-0-062-52593-5. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
  13. ^ Smietana, Bob (2021-09-13). "Bishop John Shelby Spong, firebrand who championed LGBTQ inclusion, has died". Religion News Service. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  14. ^ Risen, Clay (2021-09-19). "John Shelby Spong, 90, Dies; Sought to Open Up the Episcopal Church". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  15. ^ a b https://www.washingtontimes.com, The Washington Times. "John Shelby Spong, liberal Episcopal bishop, dies at age 90". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2023-04-25. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  16. ^ a b https://www.washingtontimes.com, The Washington Times. "John Shelby Spong, liberal Episcopal bishop, dies at age 90". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2023-04-25. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  17. ^ Smietana, Bob (2021-09-13). "Bishop John Shelby Spong, firebrand who championed LGBTQ inclusion, has died". Religion News Service. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i Shelby Spong, John (1991). Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism. HarperOne. ISBN 978-0-062-52591-1. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
  19. ^ "Challenging the 'Sins of Scripture'". Interview with Bill O'Reilly. April 14, 2005.
  20. ^ a b Shelby Spong, John (1994). Ressurrection: Myth or Reality? A Bishop's Search for the Origins of Christianity. HarperOne. ISBN 978-0-06-067546-2.
  21. ^ a b Shelby Spong, John (1994). Born of a Woman: A Bishop Rethinks the Virgin Birth and the Treatment of Women by a Male-Dominated Church. HarperCollins. ISBN 9780060675233.
  22. ^ a b Interview. ABC Radio Australia, June 17, 2001
  23. ^ Shelby, John (2010-11-05). "Dominus Iesus: The Voice of Rigor Mortis". Beliefnet.com. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
  24. ^ Liberal Bible-Thumping, The New York Times, May 15, 2005
  25. ^ Q & A for 2-14-2013 – electronic newsletter, A New Christianity For a New World, https://progressingspirit.com/
  26. ^ William Lane Craig vs John Shelby Spong | "The Great Resurrection Debate" (part 1), retrieved 2023-01-17
  27. ^ Stravinskas, Peter M. J. ""Behold! I tell you a mystery!"". www.catholicworldreport.com. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  28. ^ "Rowan Williams vs Jack Spong". aus.religion.christian.narkive.com. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  29. ^ "Bishop banned by Hollingworth to preach here". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2003-10-01. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  30. ^ Cupitt, Don (2001-07-07). "Fear of ideas: The decline and fall of Anglicanism". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  31. ^ a b "Heresy in the Cathedral". albertmohler.com. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  32. ^ a b Shelby Spong, John (2001). A New Christianity for a New World. Harper San Francisco. ISBN 978-0-060-67084-9.
  33. ^ a b c Shelby Spong, John (1998). Why Christianity Must Change or Die. HarperOne. ISBN 978-0-062-52592-8. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
  34. ^ J. Borg, Marcus (2003). The heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a life of faith. HarperCollins.
  35. ^ "John Shelby Spong". LGBTQ Religious Archives Network. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  36. ^ Shelby Spong, John (2011). Re-Claiming the Bible for a Non-Religious World. HarperOne. ISBN 978-0-062-52594-2. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
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