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The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search |
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a healthy church...transformingLIFE |
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Bishop's reflection |
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Spong: Confusion at the footy! As a Bishop who has been working to transform a Church institution, I agree with John Spong's assertion that we need to change and adapt to 21st Century life just as the church has needed to adapt to different times and cultures across the ages. However, I am deeply offended by John Spong's parody of orthodox Christians, and the recklessness of his teachings.John Spong's position may be summarised in his '12 Theses' from the late 1990s, where he systematically denies most of the major tenets of Christianity such as theism, creation, the divinity of Christ, the cross as Christ's reconciling death, the resurrection, the ascension, the Holy Spirit, prayer, eternal life and biblical revelation. Spong's approach is like a member of the Melbourne Football Club Committee who decides that playing soccer is more satisfying than playing Australian Rules Football and he decides to change the Club. This member, with his agenda for 'reform', begins to argue that the rules of Aussie football should be changed to those of soccer: the number of players should be reduced, the playing field should be rectangular not oval shaped, a round ball should be used, the goal posts reduced to two and a goal to count as one point! After all, we must "move with the times" and most of the world agrees that soccer is "the accepted code"! Dubbed 'traditionalist'Traditional Melbourne Football Club supporters are not impressed, but they are accused of being 'fundamentalists'. A heated exchange erupts on the Footy Show. When asked why, if he finds the rules of soccer more satisfying than Aussie football does he not join a soccer club, the reform-minded member replies that he is committed to playing Aussie football and that his views are neither pro-soccer nor anti-Aussie rules, but a new Australian Rules Football for a new age! Can you imagine that the supporters of the Melbourne Football Club, the true singers of 'the red and the blue', the ones who have been dubbed 'traditionalist' and 'fundamentalist' will remain cool, calm and collected? Not likely, mate! Confusion, consternation and questions of integrity would reign. Similarly, confusion, consternation and questions of integrity surround John Spong's insistence on his commitment to Christianity while denying its very essence. A pale shadowMoreover, the beliefs Spong now denies were the ones he vowed to uphold when he became a bishop during his ordination service. This is particularly questionable on the grounds of honesty, as it is his status as a bishop that gives him the high profile from which to expound his views that rip at the heart of the people and their beliefs that bestowed on him the authority of bishop. In religious dialogue it is important that we respect the beliefs of others and not parody or weaken their presentation in any way. The so-called 'fundamentalist' Christianity that John Spong criticises is not the Christianity that many of us know and uphold. Spong's 'fundamentalist' Christianity is but a pale shadow of true Christianity, a parody of its beliefs and practice. I find this very offensive. Spong then has the intellectual dishonesty to knock down this diluted Christianity, this 'straw man', as though gaining a victory over a formidable opponent! Spong's is an empty cry of triumph for he has triumphed over his own frail creation. Hope, purpose and loveI believe the great issues of identity, purpose and destiny are answered in the revelation of God in Christ:
This gives me hope, purpose and love. Thanks be to God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. P.S. You can read the full text of this month's Reflection on our website
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