The audience that I try to reach are members of what I call the church alumni association. Now they are people who have not found in institutional religion a God big enough to be God for their world. John Shelby Spong alumnusassociationaudience Change image and share on social
Apologetic explanations do not develop unless there is a reality that has to be explained and defended. Jesus was undeniably a figure of history. John Shelby Spong apologeticdefenddevelop Change image and share on social
The church is not going to survive if they are going to tell people that they have to twist their minds into 1st century pretzels. John Shelby Spong 1stcenturychurch Change image and share on social
God is a presence that I can never define but I could never deny. John Shelby Spong definedenygod Change image and share on social
In the first gospel, Mark, the risen Christ appears physically to no one, but by the time we come to the last gospel, John, Thomas is invited to feel the nail prints in Christ's hands and feet and the spear wound in his side. John Shelby Spong appearchristfeel share on social
A lot of people hear me attacking their certainty. I don't have any interest in doing that. I'm interested in penetrating the meaning of certainty. John Shelby Spong attackcertaintyhear Change image and share on social
Oh the Christian church has encouraged enormous immaturity among the peoples who are its primary adherence. John Shelby Spong adherencechristianchurch Change image and share on social
Was Judas Iscariot a figure of history? I do not think so. There is no mention of him in any source before the 8th decade. John Shelby Spong 8thdecadefigure Change image and share on social
I believe that is what the God experience does for us. It calls us beyond our limits into the fullness of life - into a capacity to love people we are not taught to love - and into an ability to be who we are. John Shelby Spong abilitycallcapacity share on social
I think one of the things we've got to look out for is human beings claiming that they know how God operates. John Shelby Spong beingclaimgod Change image and share on social
