Author(s): John Shelby Spong

Spirituality

In the past the Bible has been used to justify oppression, violence, discrimination against women and homosexuals, and murder. Few can argue with the authority of the 'Word of God'. But in this bold new book, bishop and humanitarian John Shelby Spong explains how the Bible has been misread--and how its overall message eclipses what he deems these texts of terror. Exposing and challenging the wrong done in the name of God, Bishop Spong also seeks to redeem these texts and reveal their ultimate depth and purpose. Bishop Spong looks specifically at texts used to justify homophobia, anti-Semitism, treating women as second-class citizens, corporal punishment, and environmental degradation, but he also delivers a new picture of how Christians can use the Bible today. A sample of the texts Spong will explore: Genesis 2:18-23 She shall be called woman because she was taken out of man. Leviticus 18:22 'You shall not lie with a man as with a woman; it is an abomination.' Proverbs 23:13, 14 'Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. If you beat him with a rod, you will save his life from Sheol'.