Rating: 
Summary: who really knows?
Review: I only gave a four star because I am searching myself for truth. Deprogramed from the united pentecostal church,I have a more opened mind. For the people who say only the bible is truth, why do you say that? Because that is what was planted in your brain. Whoever wrote the bible and did not sign it, was very clever and covered the bases but was very contradicting. This is a bishop talking.Someday, I hope to pull the covers. Why can't there be another truth, like aliens or there really is no god. I say study ,search, or is it safer to just believe out of the fear the church puts in you or a crutch that you don't open you mind. Oh, what a waste.People say there is god and bible, they believe it. People say and even have proof there is something contrary to the bible, no that's blaspheme .Clever. Spong did a good job.
Rating: 
Summary: Faith in Vain
Review: I'm sorry, but Spong's account of the Resurrection just does not square with the Scripture. The disciples who wrote the Gospels are VERY specific in saying that the appearances of Christ were actual, BODILY appearances. They specifically say that they touched the wounds of the risen Christ, and the entire New Testament is based on this idea.Guys, all but one of the original 12 disciples DIED for their faith, for the idea that Christ was God who rose from the dead. But look. Judge for yourself by picking up the Bible and reading the account of the Resurrection, and think for yourself about whether or not it sounds symbolic or literal. If you're a Christian who's lost his faith but still has occasional moments of fear and trembling that maybe Christianity might be right, then Bishop Spong's book will no doubt comfort you. If that's what you're looking for, you will no doubt get it. But the case he builds does not hold water, and the comfort he gives in this book is, in the long run, empty. Don't take my word for it. Take 45 minutes or so, pick up the Gospels and see the very clear, bodily details given to the risen Christ. Under a real examination of the Scriptures, Spong's shameless practice of seeing exactly what he wants to see becomes obvious. If you have solid reasons for disbelieving Christianity, then so be it. But don't bet the rest of your life on this man's so obviously tainted "scholarship". Again, grab the Gospels, read for a half hour, and then see if you still think it's all just symbolism.
Rating:
Summary: Empty comfort for doubting Christians
Review: I'm sorry, but Spong's account of the Resurrection just does not square with the Scripture. The disciples who wrote the Gospels are VERY specific in saying that the appearances of Christ were actual, BODILY appearances. They specifically say that they touched the wounds of the risen Christ, and the entire New Testament is based on this idea. Guys, all but one of the original 12 disciples DIED for their faith, for the idea that Christ was God who rose from the dead. But look. Judge for yourself by picking up the Bible and reading the account of the Resurrection, and think for yourself about whether or not it sounds symbolic or literal. If you're a Christian who's lost his faith but still has occasional moments of fear and trembling that maybe Christianity might be right, then Bishop Spong's book will no doubt comfort you. If that's what you're looking for, you will no doubt get it. But the case he builds does not hold water, and the comfort he gives in this book is, in the long run, empty. Don't take my word for it. Take 45 minutes or so, pick up the Gospels and see the very clear, bodily details given to the risen Christ. Under a real examination of the Scriptures, Spong's shameless practice of seeing exactly what he wants to see becomes obvious. If you have solid reasons for disbelieving Christianity, then so be it. But don't bet the rest of your life on this man's so obviously tainted "scholarship". Again, grab the Gospels, read for a half hour, and then see if you still think it's all just symbolism.
Rating: 
Summary: Not his best.
Review: In "Rescuing the Bible From Fundamentalism", John Shelby Spong, biblical scholar and Episcopal bishop of Newark explains that the texts of the bible are filled with truth, but a deeper, symbolic truth rather than a surface literalism. In "Born Of A Woman", he reinforces this by saying, in essence, "Yes, this applies even to the stories of Christmas and the virgin birth." In this book, he parallels that one by saying, "Yes, this applies even to the Easter story and the resurrection, the cornerstone and linchpin of Christianity." As in those other books, it is refreshing to hear a practicing, active Christian admit what has been obvious to me for all of my adult life, namely that no thinking adult could easily wrap his/her head around the concept of biblical literalism. But for some reason, something seemed to be missing in this book; in "Rescuing the Bible.." and "Born of a Woman", I didn't feel like I was reading biblical scholarship; that's meant as a compliment. The style was almost conversational, and it was easy to read Spong's explanations. This book seems to me a great deal more dry and scholarly than either of those. It still presents interesting ideas, but it was more of an effort to focus on the writing. I frequently found my mind wandering, which didn't happen in either of the aforementioned books. Worth reading, but somewhat slow going.
Rating:
Summary: Not his best.
Review: In "Rescuing the Bible From Fundamentalism", John Shelby Spong, biblical scholar and Episcopal bishop of Newark explains that the texts of the bible are filled with truth, but a deeper, symbolic truth rather than a surface literalism. In "Born Of A Woman", he reinforces this by saying, in essence, "Yes, this applies even to the stories of Christmas and the virgin birth." In this book, he parallels that one by saying, "Yes, this applies even to the Easter story and the resurrection, the cornerstone and linchpin of Christianity." As in those other books, it is refreshing to hear a practicing, active Christian admit what has been obvious to me for all of my adult life, namely that no thinking adult could easily wrap his/her head around the concept of biblical literalism. But for some reason, something seemed to be missing in this book; in "Rescuing the Bible.." and "Born of a Woman", I didn't feel like I was reading biblical scholarship; that's meant as a compliment. The style was almost conversational, and it was easy to read Spong's explanations. This book seems to me a great deal more dry and scholarly than either of those. It still presents interesting ideas, but it was more of an effort to focus on the writing. I frequently found my mind wandering, which didn't happen in either of the aforementioned books. Worth reading, but somewhat slow going.
Rating: 
Summary: Like It or Not, He's Right!
Review: In the Third Millenium, which we are already in, the truth of the resurrection will be in its power to hold before us that which is beyond the God of our understanding. Without that, we have a Cosmic Bellhop who we hope will cynically do our bidding in prayer over against those we oppose, a prayer that is born from a frustration with anyone who holds a different view of life from us . What Bishop Spong does is confront all of us who have the courage to challenge ourselves at the deepest level and confound and anger those whose agenda is control through exploiting another's vulnerability to fear and guilt. This book is a well crafted jewel. Yet, those who don't get it won't get it without some great pain to force them into its truth. The Right Reverend John Shelby Spong has warned us with a compassionate offering in this book that that pain will soon fall hard on those who traffic in ignorance and refuse to listen. This book is a wonder. Read, study and inwardly digest it. To not do so is to leave us vulnerable to those who would demand we leave behind all that is reasonable, historic, and traditional from a time before the written letters of Paul! Buy this book! Agree with it! Challenge it! Be confronted by it! Don't settle for the opinions of others or even my personal opinion here! Do the homework! We have only our illusion to loose!
Rating:
Summary: Liberal Theology at Its Best
Review: John Shelby Spong pursues the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. For the layperson who can overcome traditional viewpoints, he sets out to propose solutions which are not grounded in a literal understanding of the Bible; nor are they based in a quest for the historical Jesus. He attempts to get to the true meaning beneath the legends and myths that encase the resurrection story. As most Christians would do well to realize, he asserts that even though Jesus was of history, we will never know all that Jesus was or meant. Most especially, we will never know exactly what happened on that moment he suffered and died. He asserts that the first Christians became convinced that Jesus did not die and, to express the intensity of their experience, they used the language and style of midrash. This book appealed to me as one who wanted a reasonable, nonliteralist faith grounded in the mystery of reality beyond time and space. I would highly recommend it for one who wants to delve deeper into their faith. As with his other books, this is a daring examination of the very foundations of Christianity.
Rating: 
Summary: An arrogant attack on traditional Christianity.
Review: John Shelby Spong would be an engaging, thought-provoking scholar if he were not so full of himself. While his argument for a metaphorical reading of the New Testament resurrection accounts bears some weight, his condescending treatment of people who believe the stories report literal history blunts his case.
Spong thinks so highly of himself that he assumes if he can't take the accounts literally, then no intelligent person could. Those Christians who do -- which includes not just Fundamentalists, but also evangelicals and most mainline Protestants -- will read this book with the clear impression that Bishop Spong think them frankly stupid.
It's not an effective way to win converts to one's view
Rating:
Summary: Athiest Truth
Review: man this book is deep , and very true, now i await the book talking about all the idiotic killing has been done in the name of this so called pretenciuos "Jesus" i recomed all books by this author in my contry only 8 % even practice religion
Rating:
Summary: Incredible work. This guy's questioning is just too good.
Review: Read this book and understand a new perspective of looking Christ's resurrection. This is the moment of easter, after the 3 day suffering that Jesus faced in the cross. It's only obvious that the diehard Christian will want to refute these ideals because it threatens the cornerstone of christianity----which is the theory that Jesus did come back from the dead, and thus is the ultimate savior for the world. Spong challenges these ideas very well by using Scriptural texts and evidence. I think that the main reason why book is good is because it is thought-provoking and challenges the reader to challenge their own minds and faith through logical, hard-fact historical evidence. Spong's point in turning the idea of resurrection upside down is not empty, but full of scholarly essence. Read for yourself and you'll see.
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