It was titled "Would God Re-Write the Bible?" by John Shelby Spong, Bishop of Newark, a few weeks ago, I read an item from a U.S. East Coast newspaper.
A new look at the book. Bishop Spong challenged the clergy of his diocese to undertake a thorough reexamination of the Bible. He appointed a task force to "engage scholars, scientists, evangelicals, Catholics, fundamentalists, and atheists who might have anything to tell the church about the Bible and its authority for our day."
The bishop's point is that although mainstream churches say they believe the Scriptures are the Word of God, they often don't treat them so. He writes: "Have we not come to treat the Bible dishonestly by quoting it where it buttresses our arguments and ignoring it everywhere else?" And he challenges: "Have we clergy thought about these things? Are we concerned? Do we care?"
These are good questions and the bishop must be congratulated for honestly confronting them. He told the clergy of his diocese that if done well, this study could be the most significant and controversial matter they have ever addressed.
Now, I am not sure how the bishop regards this magazine. So, if the Newark task force wants to hear from anyone who has something to say about the authority and relevancy of the Bible for our day, they might find this interesting, and perhaps even helpful.
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