Anyone around here who has read this book? I'm considering whether or not to order it.
Eternal Life - A New Vision - book by John Shelby Spong
http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061936678/Eternal_Life_A_New_Vision/index.aspx
no offense, but from the description it sounds a bit like "New Age" and esoteric belief, I would personally not buy it.
Looks quite interesting to me (as do some of his other titles). I must just run out and pick it up myself. If I do, I will let you know. :thumbsup:
I am a great fan of Bishop John Shelby Spong, retired Episcopal Bishop of Newark. I have read four of his books and have been receiving his weekly essay via the Internet for years. Although I am not a Christian, I find it inspiring to read his idea of transforming Christianity to make it wholly conform to scientific knowledge. Spong is all but a humanist, as he describes himself as "God-intoxicated," with a completely different idea of God from the usual father figure.
I confess that I have been puzzled by Spong's repeated definition of God as "the source of life, the source of love, and 'the ground of all being,' which he adopted from his spiritual guide, Paul Tillich. I had hoped that this book would shed further light on this definition. Here, Spong finally reveals that he is a mystic, and that this hallowed tradition of mysticism has seen God through inner experience, not external revelation. He asserts that God is not the theistic, creative, all-controlling deity of the Bible, but rather a divine aspect of our own nature as human beings. Jesus, he says, was fully human, and did not come down to earth as an incarnate God to "save" humankind from original sin (which does not exist, because of evolution). Spong disavows all the miraculous and supernatural explanations of God and Jesus, and believes that the Gospel writers were not trying to be literal in their descriptions of the life of
Jesus. Instead, they were explaining in their limited vocabulary the God-experience like-minded people saw in Jesus.
Spong's main thesis is that human self-consciousness, superseding the consciousness of other animals, left us with fear and anxiety when it was experienced by early man. Because of the knowledge of his frailty and impending mortality, man invented religion to allay these fears. Spong recounts the steps through which religion has grown, starting with animism, going through goddess worship for fertility, ascending to multiple gods of both sexes, and finally resulting in the one patriarchal God of Judaism, Chrisitanity, and Islam. Spong goes "beyond religion," asserting that this form of worship was suitable for the childhood of the human species. Now, the contributions of Galileo, Newton, Darwin, and Einstein have rendered the theistic God obsolete.
Bishop Spong's description of the evolution of religion, interspersed with his own life experiences, make up the most informative part of the book. But when he starts to describe his own view that he and other human beings will live eternally "beyond heaven and hell," he loses me. I think it is just another delusion manufactured by Spong, through his relentless study of the important aspects of science and human nature, and his boundless love of spirituality. He says that there is no present, only the current moment becoming an endless future. Because we can imagine things outside time and space, both the past and the future, we are really timeless beings. Our consciousness will become the consciousness of all the universe, just as Jesus modeled for us.
Spong tells us that the love he has given and received from his family, friends, and acquaintances is the most cherished aspect of his personal "divinity." Most of all, the love of both his wives was the greatest gift he has received. Since God is "the source of love," he is assured that his consciousness will live forever, and he welcomes death when it must come. In his last chapter, Spong says that we human beings are entitled to choose euthanasia when death becomes inevitable, because of the medical prolongation of life not available to previous generations.
The book is eloquent and beautiful, if not wholly rational,and is typical of Spong and his enormous life achievements.
Personally... It sounds like a man trying to build a ladder on his own trying to reach God, rather than a man who has been touched by and inspired BY God. (not that God HASN'T touched him... but some of his views do not seem to be very God-inspired. more "man-inspired". hope you guys know what I mean.)
Just my opinion. He talks about "evolution" as being one reason a theistic God is obsolete. I don't feel his views are very evolved. I find them a bit archaic and ego-driven. And yes, "new age". A lot of new age stuff revolves around self, no matter how much they talk about "one" and "being one", etc. it most definitely revolves around self.
Granted, this is all based off that link. I haven't read the book. But that's my first gut instinct. There are certain terms that people use that throw up the red flags for me.
And the "steps" in which religion has grown... He's pretty quick to assume the reasoning. How does he know God wasn't behind it?
I'm always open minded, but I've read this sort of thing before... and for me, it lead to a brick wall and nothingness. Well, actually... I take that back. It strengthened my own views and my faith in God. It pushed me closer to Him, ultimately. So, it's good to read other people's views and opinions. So I wouldn't discourage you from reading it. Perhaps you will come to a different conclusion, or perhaps it will strengthen what you already believe.
Peace.. :HeartThrob:
Don't mean any personal offense to anyone posting here, but it sounds like extreme deceit to me - which of course, leads away from the true God, the Father of Abraham, Isaac, Jesus, and believers on the name of Jesus unto salvation.
Quote from: jabcat on October 23, 2009, 09:48:59 PM
Don't mean any personal offense to anyone posting here, but it sounds like extreme deceit to me - which of course, leads away from the true God, the Father of Abraham, Isaac, Jesus, and believers on the name of Jesus unto salvation.
The man was a bishop. I would say he knows about Jesus.
Deceit or not by reading the reviews is a book about Christ(ianity) for none believers. So of nmuch use for most here I think.
However Chris says it's a good writer.
WW, there are many professed believers who are deceivers, and many have never even believed on Jesus to the extent of having the life-changing, born again experience. Scripture says the demons believe and tremble. But they're still up to no good. Paul said beware of wolves in sheep's clothing that sneak in to destroy the flock...and to expose them. I believe we must be VERY careful to not wrongly judge someone, but IMO, if they go so directly against the written Word as what this man APPEARS to do from what you posted earlier, I would just personally say "beware". But of course, everyone's free to do what they choose - just hopefully it's a good choice. My opinion.
James.
No worries Bugs.
I only book I read is the Mod James Version
I didn't know reFormer (James) had written one :laughing7:. I apologize.
Hi WhiteWings: One caution:
When you use someone else's review of a Book or any material that is not your own, you should give the link or reference to the material. This board could get in trouble for not doing this. In your reply #3 of this topic, the review you posted is at the following link (and other places):
http://www.amazon.com/review/R3CLOZ7V4L8TEN
No biggy. I know you meant no harm, but I just thought I would mention this. Thanks! :thumbsup:
In His Love, John :HeartThrob:
Sparrow,
Doesn't St. Paul himself say 'Work out YOUR OWN SALVATION' with fear and trembling'!!!
I see nothing wrong in trying to understand our relationship to God instead of just saying 'well i believe in Jesus'. Didn't Christ Himself that said about people who say they believe in Him and do miracles in His name are surprised when He says Get away from me!'
Godbless
Nancy
Nancy,
I'm confused. I don't think Sparrow has posted anything in this thread. So I'm not clear as to what the point of your post is.
Anne
___________________________
Nancy - nevermind my comment. I could not see Sparrow's post until now - not sure why. Just ignore me on this one. Sorry. - Anne
Quote from: jfraysse on October 24, 2009, 12:09:09 AM
Hi WhiteWings: One caution:
When you use someone else's review of a Book or any material that is not your own, you should give the link or reference to the material. This board could get in trouble for not doing this. In your reply #3 of this topic, the review you posted is at the following link (and other places):
Hi John,
Different country different rules. But I'll try to play a bit more by the USA rules.