The Bible contains many passages that believers and nonbelievers alike would recognize as appalling theology. These texts are used to discriminate, oppress, or condemn.

Episcopal bishop and advocate for liberal Christianity John Shelby Spong addresses these passages.

Key Insights

⛪ Christian History: Christianity has historically persecuted other religions, reflecting a flawed interpretation of faith.

🧠 Guilt and Control: The church’s focus on guilt has been a mechanism of control, often leading to psychological harm rather than spiritual growth.

🌈 LGBTQ+ Inclusion: Spong’s acknowledgment of the church’s historical treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals highlights the need for inclusivity and love.

👩‍🎓 Women’s Rights: Discusses historical injustices against women, emphasizing their second-class citizenship in society and religion.

✝️ Jesus’ Message: Spong calls for a re-evaluation of Jesus’ teachings, focusing on love, acceptance, and humanity rather than guilt and division. Spong encourages a view of God not as a distant judge but as an intimate presence within humanity, fostering a more compassionate and loving understanding of faith.

⚔️ Religious Intolerance:

• Christianity has often claimed exclusivity, leading to violence against other faiths (e.g., Crusades, Heritic trials).
• The belief in being the “only true faith” has fueled persecution and division.

🚫 Oppression of Women:

• The Bible has been used to justify the subjugation of women, denying them rights to vote, work, or hold positions of power.
• Examples include the 1874 U.S. Supreme Court ruling barring women from practicing law, citing biblical justifications.

🏳️‍🌈 Persecution of LGBTQ+ Individuals:

• The church has historically persecuted gay and lesbian people, even burning them at the stake.
• Modern examples include the picketing of Matthew Shepard’s funeral with signs quoting Leviticus.

🕊️ Critique of Traditional Theology:

• The “woodshed theory of atonement” (Jesus taking punishment for humanity’s sins) is criticized as portraying God as abusive and guilt-inducing.
• Traditional Christian teachings often emphasize human sinfulness and unworthiness, which can be psychologically harmful.

🌍 Call for a New Humanity:

• The author argues for a reinterpretation of Christianity that empowers people to become fully human, rather than focusing on guilt and sin.
• Jesus’ teachings are seen as breaking down barriers of tribe, gender, and religion, calling for a universal love that transcends divisions.

🔬 Science and Theology:

• The virgin birth and ascension stories are challenged by modern scientific understanding (e.g., the discovery of the egg cell, space exploration).
• Darwin’s theory of evolution undermines the idea of a “perfect creation” and a “fall from grace,” suggesting a need to rethink Christian theology.

Revd John Shelby Spong (1931-2021) was the Anglican Bishop of Newark for over 20 years. A popular writer and lecturer; he highlighted much damage done in god’s name and called for a reassment of what the bible is and what God really wants from humans.

Spong held a B.A from UNC Chapel Hill, and a M.A from Virginia Theological Seminary.