John Shelby Spong modern chruch
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Don Ginesi from the Internet writes:
"I have read many of your books and would like to pose a simple question. I am a chemical engineer by trade and my best friend is a Russian Orthodox minister. What do you think Jesus would think of Christianity, as it exists today? He started the process with a tightly wound ball of ideas for living a counter-cultural lifestyle in a very difficult time in history. Since then those wonderful ideas have "snowballed" for over two thousand years and are now a huge mass called the Christian Church. Some things I think Jesus would like. But other things, particularly the elitism of each sect that only they have the true "keys to the kingdom" would upset him. This scientist and priest would like to hear your answer."
Dear Don,
Neither I nor anyone else is competent to speak for Jesus. I do believe, however, it is the Church's duty to measure itself from time to time against the one it honors as its founder.
His life was powerful because he gave it away. Institutional Christianity seems obsessed with accumulating power. His love knew no limits and rejected no one. Over its history the Church has discriminated against Gentiles, women, people of color, left handed people, mentally ill people and homosexual people.
He invited all to come to him and the Church has participated in religious wars, crusades, inquisitions and anti-Semitism. The one redeeming reality of church life is that we do seem to have the power to reform ourselves from time to time. Reformation is what keeps us a living body. The need for reformation has never been greater.
-- John Shelby Spong
.
Don Ginesi from the Internet writes:
"I have read many of your books and would like to pose a simple question. I am a chemical engineer by trade and my best friend is a Russian Orthodox minister. What do you think Jesus would think of Christianity, as it exists today? He started the process with a tightly wound ball of ideas for living a counter-cultural lifestyle in a very difficult time in history. Since then those wonderful ideas have "snowballed" for over two thousand years and are now a huge mass called the Christian Church. Some things I think Jesus would like. But other things, particularly the elitism of each sect that only they have the true "keys to the kingdom" would upset him. This scientist and priest would like to hear your answer."
Dear Don,
Neither I nor anyone else is competent to speak for Jesus. I do believe, however, it is the Church's duty to measure itself from time to time against the one it honors as its founder.
His life was powerful because he gave it away. Institutional Christianity seems obsessed with accumulating power. His love knew no limits and rejected no one. Over its history the Church has discriminated against Gentiles, women, people of color, left handed people, mentally ill people and homosexual people.
He invited all to come to him and the Church has participated in religious wars, crusades, inquisitions and anti-Semitism. The one redeeming reality of church life is that we do seem to have the power to reform ourselves from time to time. Reformation is what keeps us a living body. The need for reformation has never been greater.
-- John Shelby Spong
.
posted by lbutler1 at
6:37 PM
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