Retired Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong, best known for his notoriously liberal interpretation of Christianity, does not adhere to a literal view of the Resurrection. In his 1995 book, Resurrection: Myth or Reality? He questioned "Does Christianity fall unless a supernatural miracle can be established?"
For Spong, 82, the answer is an emphatic no.
"I don't think the Resurrection has anything to do with physical resuscitation," he said. "I think it means the life of Jesus was raised back into the life of God, not into the life of this world, and that it was out of this that his presence " —not his body— "was manifested to certain witnesses."
Spong thinks the Resurrection must be placed in context to be interpreted and understood -- something he tried to do as a young priest in the Bible belt through yearlong Bible study classes culminating in the Easter story, he said. "I tried to help people get out of that literalism," he said. "But you don't do it in a single sermon. You need time to lay the groundwork and for people to process it, ask questions. You have to begin to build it."
Spong's Bible studies were enormously popular, attracting 300 people to each session, he said. His congregations grew as a result. "When people hear it, they grab on to it," Spong said. "They could not believe the superstitious stuff and they were brainwashed to believe that if they could not believe it literally they could not be a Christian." A Christian, Spong said, is one who accepts the reality of God without the requirement of a literal belief in miracles.
"What the Resurrection says is that Jesus breaks every human limit, including the limit of death, and by walking in his path you can catch a glimpse of that," he said. "And I think that's a pretty good message."
Spong made headlines as the bishop of the Diocese of Newark, where he served for more than two decades and in 1989 ordained the first openly gay male priest in the Episcopal Church. He would later go on to ordain about three dozen LBGTQ clergy in the diocese by the time he retired, Religion News Service reported in 2013.
He was part of a movement of writers who felt the Christian faith needed to adapt to a changing world in order to have a viable future and who often rejected miracles or other spiritual parts of the Bible and denied the virgin birth.
Corinthians 15:12-19 12Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
You see Shelby Spong was not the first genius that thought he knew more than God. This seems to be a reoccurring problem with mankind especially with some educated people. His rebellion and arrogance led many good hearted people a stray.
13But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Spong studied at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1952 as a Phi Beta Kappa graduate. He received his Master of Divinity degree from the Virginia Theological Seminary in 1955.
Armed with this master's degree Shelby challenged God's word, called the father a liar and wrote many books on why God's word can't be trusted.
Our faith is in vain if there is no resurrection, we are found false witnesses, those that are dead are perished, (forget about the hope) and we are of all men most miserable.
But the good news is Shelby and all like him who think they know more than God will one day face the same God that they disrespect and slander.
1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
The word in the Greek translated spiritual in verse one means, things or matters. The translators supplied the word gifts to convey this however, this can be confusing considering the context of what is discussed with gifts, manifestations, ministries, operations, etc.
This is why the word gifts is in italics. King James for the most part uses an italicized word to show there is no corresponding Greek word in the text.
God's heart is that his beloved would not be ignorant concerning spiritual matters. It is the responsibility of the leadership to insure that the truth of God's word is always placed first and foremost in the church.
All who endeavor to lead make mistakes because the best we get is to see through a glass darkly. However to blatantly disrespect God and his matchless word and contradict dozens of clear scriptures that teach simple clear truth is heresy and stupidly. And then take it a step farther and lead helpless innocent believers astray is evil incarnate.
1 Corinthians 12:2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
The words carried away represent the Greek word apago in the text. At the end of the verse the words "you were led" is also a form of this word. It's the Greek word ago.
NAS 1 Corinthians 12:2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the dumb idols, however you were led.
Here the NAS uses the words led astray (apago). To be led is one thing "however you were led" (ago). But to be" led astray" (apago) carries a sense of force, intimidation and fear.
Matthew 26:57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
The words "led away" Greek word apago. Here you see the force that they used to wield their will over Jesus.
Matthew 27:2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
Again same truth "led away" (apago).
Matthew 27:31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. "led him away" (apago). Mark 14:44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. "lead away" (apago).
In all these occurrences of the Greek word apago you see force was exercised to accomplish the will of one over another. To forcefully carry someone off.
NIV 1 Corinthians 12:2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.
The NIV brings out the truth that the people of Corinth were influenced… Likewise the forceful speeches of many a charismatic compelling leader plays a big part in leading God's people astray today.
God's people want to trust their leaders and believe they are honest in what they present as truth. But far too many times a leader starts down a path away from God. Hardness of heart, arrogance and pride stops a leader from turning at God's reproof.
Some lead their people into sinful behavior and devilish doctrines ending in tragedy. Spong who teaches that the resurrection is fake should be the poster child of this group of intellectual idiots. Tragically they leave a wake of destruction and shattered lives.
2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. ESV James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
The question begged to be asked now is what does the word teach about the resurrection?
Matthew 20:18-19 18Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 19And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
Not according to Shelby Jesus must be a liar. Oh, let's all believe Shelby everyone knows Jesus doesn't know what he's talking about.
Mark 9:9 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead. Mark 14:28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. Luke 18:33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
The list is too long but here are some verses Spong, who holds a Masters in divinity, conveniently overlooked.
John 2:19-22, Acts 2:24-28, John 20:11-21, Mark 16:9-11, Matt 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:33-40, Mark 16:12-14, John 20:26, 1 Cornth 15:3-8, Rom 8:11, Acts 9:3-9, Eph 1:20, Col 2:12, Heb 13:20, 1 Cor 6:14, Rom 4:24, 25, Mat 16:21-17:23, Luke 9:22, Acts 2:32-3:15, 26 Acts 4:10, Acts 5:30, Acts 10:40, Acts 13:30, 33, 34, 37 2 Cor 4:14, Gal 1:1, 1 Th 1:10, 2 Tim 2:8. And dozens more…..
This is what I know: HE IS RISEN.
Don't ever let anyone talk you out of the resurrection, the entire New Testament rest on this truth. Happy resurrection God bless you.