EPISCOPAL BISHOP SAYS BIBLE IS A MYTH

EPISCOPAL BISHOP SAYS BIBLE IS A MYTH

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December 10, 1996 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) - Episcopal Bishop John Spong, of Newark, New Jersey, is bolder than many of his modernistic fellow clergymen. Spong does not attempt to cover his unbelief with a robe of doublespeak. He plainly states that he does not believe in the deity, virgin birth, miracles, atonement, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He boldly states that all of these traditional Bible beliefs are religious myths.

In recent issues of his diocesan newspaper, The Voice, Spong has stated that Darwin's evolutionary theory has "destroyed forever the power of the traditional Christian myth." Darwin's concept of an imperfect universe developing through evolution eliminated the traditional idea of the fall, he said. And consequently, the bishop continued, the interpretation of Jesus as a divine rescue operation became "inoperative" (Ecumenical News Service, Dec. 6, 1996).

This is a consistent position. Spong is correct in concluding that if the Bible's record of the creation and fall of man is a myth, the doctrine of salvation is also a myth. He is wrong, though, in thinking the Genesis record is inaccurate. The description we have in Genesis of the creation and fall of man perfectly fits every known fact of science and observation. Consider just two of the chief features of the Genesis account. Genesis says the plants and animals reproduce in kind. That is precisely what we observe. Genesis says man is at enmity with God and with other men. That is precisely what we observe.

In another recent column in his paper, Spong answered the question, "Can one be a Christian without being a theist?" The Episcopal bishop replied that the image of God in the Bible was "no longer operative." He continued: "But if, on the other hand, one can begin to envision God in some way other than in the theistic categories of the traditional religious past, then perhaps a doorway into a religious future can be created."

In another column he stated that labeling homosexuality a sin is a "traditional religious stereotype." He said homosexuals were "simply people born with a different sexual orientation," not people who need to be delivered from their evil and returned to "normalcy" (Ibid.).

Spong has ordained homosexuals to the ministry, and he recently stated that there are 15-20 "out-of-the-closet" gay and lesbian priests service in his diocese.

Spong has been the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark since 1976.

In O Timothy, Volume 12, Issue 5, 1995, we reviewed John Spong's ministry in an article entitled "A Bold Blasphemer: The Story of a Modernist Episcopalian Bishop." This is available in the O Timothy Computer Library. Contact Way of Life Literature for details. 1701 Harns Rd., Oak Harbor, WA 98277. (360) 675-8311.

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