"I think that anything that begins to give people a sense of their own worth and dignity is God."
John Shelby SpongTiny Panda Quotes
Quotes by John Shelby Spong
John Shelby Spong, born on June 16, 1931, in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a distinguished Episcopal bishop and theologian renowned for his progressive views on Christianity. Spong rose to prominence as the Bishop of Newark, where he championed a reformist vision, advocating for inclusivity and challenging traditional dogmas. His influential writings, including "Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism," sought to reconcile faith with reason, inspiring countless individuals to rethink their spirituality. Spong’s legacy endures as a beacon for those seeking a modern understanding of religious faith.
7 quotes found
"I do not live in a world where people can walk on water, or still a storm, or take five loaves of bread and feed 5000 men plus women and children. If that is a requirement of my commitment to Jesus, I find it difficult to stretch my mind outside the capacities of my world view."
John Shelby Spong"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"When I grew up in the South, I was taught that segregation was the will of God, and the Bible was quoted to prove it. I was taught that women were by nature in inferior to men, and the Bible was quoted to prove it. I was taught that it was okay to hate other religions, and especially the Jews, and the Bible was quoted to prove it."
John Shelby Spong"Let me say that I consider myself a deep believer in the reality of God. I might define God quite differently from the way some people in the Christian faith would do so, but I do not doubt the reality of that experience."
John Shelby Spong"Many of the characters who appear in the pages of the Fourth Gospel are literary creations of its author and were never intended to be understood as real people, who actually lived in history."
John Shelby Spong