I've only read a couple of his books and I'm not qualified to speak about religion in any depth. My perception -- just my perception -- is that he feels the text divinely inspired but secondary to a person's own "relationship" to God.
But again, I'm neither a biblical scholar or an expert on Spong. I just feel the guy deserves some respect, whether you happen to agree with him or not.
Well, the above article seems to imply that the Bible is not only not true, it's detrimental. The problem with a person's own "relationship" to God, is there is no objective criteria. Charles Manson, for example, had his own ideas about his own personal relationship with God, and without objective criteria, how can anyone say it is less valid than another?
I'm sure you will respect the Anti-Christ too. After all he is a man, he can't be all bad....right?
I might have had some respect for him if he'd left the Episcopal church, instead of staying on to sabotage it (and being well paid in the process).
Below is the Nicene Creed. It is a part of every Episcopal service. If the priest can't say it and believe it, he has no business being a priest.
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.
Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Every time he recited this creed, Spong was lying. How much respect should I have for a liar?
He may be entitled to his opinions, but he is not entitled to the job of priest or bishop. And without the veneer of legitimacy those offices lent to him, he'd be just another wacko self-worshipping liberal.