[Apologetics] Bishop John S. Spong

[Stuart D. Gathman]

On Sun, 26 Nov 2006, Dianne Dawson wrote:

> Bishop Spong's name is tickling something in my memory but my brain can't
> upload it.  :-)  All I can remember is that he is a retired Episcopalian
> bishop. Could someone please remind me (positive, negative, or neutral)?  

He is a very outspoken heretical Episcopalian (those weren't
always synonomous).  Famous quotes:

"It matters not whether Jesus rose from the dead.  It matters only
that he is risen in our hearts."

"The Church wrote Scripture, the Church can rewrite Scripture."

>   My interest is piqued because each year my parish presents "A Festival of
>   Lessons and Carols."  I have attended in past years and enjoyed it.
>   Apparently it is Episcopalian in origin.  This year I am one of the readers
>   so I was doing some research into the readings.  I found an article by
>   Bishop Spong titled "Rethinking the Festival of Lessons and Carols."
>   http://www.dioceseofnewark.org/vox20197.html.  Before I put too much stock
>   in this article I'd like to know more about the author.

Festival of Lessons and Carols is a very good Anglican tradition.
It is not uniquely Episcopalian - but originates from England.

The Episcopal church was formed as an Anglican province at the time
of the American Revolution. 

I can't say that absolutely *everything* Bishop Spong says is
wrong (otherwise he'd be as good as the Bible/Magisterium with
a trivial logical transformation).  But it is pretty close to 50%.

-- 
	      Stuart D. Gathman <stuart at bmsi.com>
    Business Management Systems Inc.  Phone: 703 591-0911 Fax: 703 591-6154
"Confutatis maledictis, flammis acribus addictis" - background song for
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