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The Sins of Scripture: Exposing the Bible's Texts of Hate to Reveal the God of Love
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Average Rating:  out of 134 Reviews
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Price: $24.95
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Sale: $6.95
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Manufacturer: HarperOne
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EAN (European Article Number): 9780060762056
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Number of Items: 1
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Binding: Hardcover
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Author: John Shelby Spong
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Publisher: HarperOne
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Dewey Decimal Number: 220.6
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Publication Date: 2005-04-01
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Reading Level: 336
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Description: In the Sins of Scripture, Bishop John Shelby Spong takes on a thematic exploration of the Bible, carefully analyzing those passages that inform some of our key debates, like the role of women in the church and in society, and homosexuality, to name just two. Beyond that he also looks at scriptures that have helped shape culture and history -- bringing to light the undercurrent of anti-Semitism he finds in the Gospels, for example. The journey is particularly compelling because Bishop Spong believes in and values the good the Bible has brought to many through the ages. His goal is not to define the Bible itself as something to be set aside, but instead to honor and value what he loves about it while still labeling what he dramatically calls "texts of terror" for what they are. The true joy of the book is found in Spong's vigorous intellect, which he shines bright in an attempt to catch a reflection of the age, culture and circumstances in which the texts he examines were written. Like an archaeologist working with ideas instead of tools, he removes the rocks, brushes away the sediment and reports on what he finds. What were the roots and cultural realities behind the Scriptures that define the role of women in the church? What were the hopes and fears driving the writers who condemned homosexuality in such stark terms? What is the justification behind scriptures recommending "the rod of correction" (or as Bishop Spong simply labels it: "[t]he physical abuse of children…".) Whether or not you agree with some of his musings along the way, many of his conclusions are hard to argue with. Putting aside the issue of divine origin of the Bible, no one can deny passages have been used in service of very human ends. Finally, the Sins of Scriptures can be seen as a careful observer of what those ends have been. And when taken on those terms, it makes an interesting read, regardless of one's religious background.--Ed Dobeas
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Customer Reviews
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Review Summary: Every Review On Here is One-Sided from All View Points Whether Negative or Positive |
Date: 2008-11-21 |
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Details: I read through many of the reviews for this book-the negative ones and the positive reviews. I am a fair person-not one-sided at all. Let me say this then point out something:
1. I noticed the negative reviews preached about how Spong isn't a Christian and preached about Christ, all the while not daring to mention one true fact Spong has presented in his book:
The Old Testament itself does contain many stories about acts of genocide (wiping out entire tribes,etc), rape ("take the virgins for yourselves"), all done in the name of God (if you haven't read the OT, it does literally say, "And the Lord, said to Moses..." to do such acts), murder (stoning to death unfaithful spouses, even children who disobey, etc)...
Not one of the negative views on this book, stated this very fact. No one mentioned it. You have to admit Spong is right about how the Old Testament presents God and the horrific, disgusting acts of questionable morals committed by those in the OT (all in the name of God/the Lord who so told them to do so).
2. I noticed how many reviewers spoke of Spong in a positive way. Even one reviewer said he has helped her faith in Christ. I think that is great, wonderful, and even beautiful but the positive reviewers were just as one-sided.
I am not a Christian. My husband is. He's not "liberal" or "conservative"-he is more in the center. He tends toward rationality-not extremes and neither do I. I figure as a non-Christian who does respect and agree with what Christ taught, I can be less biased.
The negative reviewers have a great point even if they were ignorant, even fanatical in some ways:
If you take away the miracles, virgin birth, resurrection,...you don't have too much left. Are you really a Christian then?
I think the problem really liberal non-Christians, and Christians alike have about Jesus is this: They have twisted and perverted Christ just as much as the conservatives have.
You must read the NT with a knowledge of the history behind the letters, the meaning of the original translation of words to understand their meaning. In, fact some words share a different meaning than what is defined in English. You've gotta go back to the Hebrew to Greek translation. My hubby pointed this out, we've studied, etc. I would not want to take away the meaning Christ has for so many people. There is a respect there. However, I have my opinions and beliefs just like everyone else.
The Bible has been used as an excuse for atrocious acts throughout history. It has also been used to justify sexism (one reviewer denied women's history in the church and said Christianity has only helped women...yes women could have a more positive role, if people would read the NT correctly but still, history speaks for itself about women in Christianity).
The Bible does contain horrible acts of violence and hate in the OT.
You can either choose to believe it was God (gross) or not...I guess those who left these facts out that had an issue with his book must not want to allow their minds to go there, fearing it will shake their faith...then again many just accept God is that terrible.
God is Love in my opinion. Love to all.
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Review Summary: A Must-Read for every Christian who loves Jesus |
Date: 2008-09-10 |
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Details: I just finished reading this book. Okay, I am going to be as honest as possible. Bishop Spong goes through all the passages of the bible that have been used by fundamentalist right-wing Christianity and the Catholic Church to oppress, kill, and hate. Entire chapters are dedicated to the biblical passages that have historically been read literally regarding homosexuals, women, and the environment. Carefully and methodically, the good Bishop puts each passage in the context of the time and place in history that the Israelites were experiencing when the passages were written. The most shocking chapter was Chapter three, in which he gave several modern-day examples of the humanity and horrors that people have created by obedience to the religious doctrine of "be fruitful and multiply." I seriously had never thought to connect the dots and see events in this way. Wow. This passage, it is explained in the text, was written when the Jewish people were captive in exile. It was vital to maintain their identity as a people, and preserve their culture. This spiritual hope through the worship of God to return to the promised land, made a bleak situation bearable for the Jewish people and their growing families. I have not read such a compassionate and understandable perspective before.
While I do not agree with many things the Bishop believes, his many points were compelling and extremely readable. Alternate or "new scholarly" views of the New Testament(mostly written by former Christians!) generally rub me the wrong way, I typically find intolerance, ignorance, and hate when the Bible's supposed contradictions are printed. However, Bishop Spong authors this book in such a compassionate way, I was not at all offended as expected. These issues are extremely thought provoking and at this time in U. S. history, with the rise of extreme Christian fundamentalism, the message is urgent.
The book wraps up with the story of how the early Christians went against the Jewish Establishment with the foundation of love and tolerance taught by Jesus Christ. (An example is given from Acts 8:26-40 in which the Ethiopian Eunuch is baptized by Philip the deacon, which is prohibited by Deuteronomy 23:1.) I have hope that mainstream Christianity will stop the pursuit of these archaic Old Testament laws and institutionally preserved prejudices and love all people, as Jesus did. This book is a must-read for all intellectual Christians who choose Jesus and love! |
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Review Summary: Sins oF Scripture |
Date: 2008-04-19 |
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Details: Bishop Spong has a fantastic knowledge of scripture and challenges the reader to think deeply about the verses of scripture that have been used out of context to harm others and cause pain. If a reader believes that every word of scripture is sacred the person may not find this book satisfactory. However if a reader's mind is open and is willing to consider what the scriptures originally written in Hebrew and common Greek may have been mistranslated or copied incorrectly in the many years before the printing press was invented the reader will find new insights. Bishop Spong is able to read the original languages and knows the history of the period in which the Bible was written as well as any other author I have read. |
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Review Summary: The Sins of Scripture |
Date: 2008-04-09 |
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Details: A faithfulled and comtemporary exploration of the Bible and how it has been used to meet the needs of man rather than to the glory of God. |
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Review Summary: Logical Absurdities Abound! |
Date: 2008-04-03 |
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Details: In this book, Bishop Spong asserts that "Christ did not die for our sins, that is theological nonsense. We are not sinners, just incomplete and insecure people."
The Bible, however, HAS sinned, and the book is devoted to specific passages that are examples, including John 14:7 which is attributed to Jesus.
We might ask ourselves, "who wrote the Bible?" The answers is various people, some of whom we identify as apostles and evangelists of the early church. In writing these passages, they must have sinned, but Spong asserts that we are not sinners. His main thesis is a logical absurdity. Somebody must have sinned, presumably the authors of these biblical passages, but Spong doesn't believe that human beings sin. It is an abusurdity to claim that a book can "sin", since sin can only be attributed to human beings.
Spong's thesis turns Protestant Christianity on its head. Protestant Christianity has always stated that the Bible is inspired by God, and reveals OUR sin and leads us to repentance and faith. Spong turns this central belief upside down and says that we are not sinners, but the Bible has sinned. This thesis makes no logical or theological sense at all and is a refutation of Protestant Christianity. If human beings have misused biblical passages, (which we all can agree to) then this is a confirmation that we are sinners. This is a observable fact that most people would attest to, but is quite different from what Spong is implying; that we have not sinned, but the Bible has!
Bishop Spong's books are rife with logical and theological absurdities such this, and outright refutations of the faith he promised to uphold when he was ordained a priest and then a bishop. |
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