Spong's Latest News Letter...

[_Mary]

I really, really like Spong, and I can agree with him that Galilee is the place that the authentic Jesus can most be felt today. It is largely but not wholly untouched by the tourist industry. It's where 'I' most felt the footprint of Jesus of Nazareth. I can certainly relate to
Spong in that way.

I'm not sure I can totally agree with all Spong's ideas however. I too found Jerusalem a difficult place to feel anything of the authentic Jesus, but since the temple was there, I'm pretty sure Jesus of Nazareth visited on more than one occassion and saw it as an integral part of his teaching mission and the course that led to his crucifixion.

I'd be interested in knowing the sources that Spong used for his ideas. I'm assuming he didn't just pull them out of thin air, or go by pure instinct?

That Jesus called Judas to be part of his apostolic ministry is interesting, I'm pretty certain it's authentic in terms of Judas' political background, but I'm not sure that we 'really' know who Judas was, anymore than many of us really know who and what Jesus really was?

Just some thoughts.

Mary

[_Roger Morrison]

Roger,

I'm really not sure what Spong establishes here. That Jesus was a "military insurgent", in a sort of "Al Qaeda" style? Would we expect the Sermon on the Mount from bin Laden types?

Would bin Laden say, "put away your swords, for he that lives by the sword shall die by the sword"?

Just offering an opinion to what seems very oblique suggestions by Spong.

Ray, I think Spong is attempting to demyth the "the Jesus Story" handed (forced) to us via the traditional Christmas celebration of recent times. As well, when that "story" becomes detached from the supposed purpose of the "Jesus Mission"--to rescue humanity from "THE Fall"-- then some (I for one:-) see the "Social Gospel"--the Mount-Sermon--as the crux of Jesus' purpose. Which was/is:

To instruct humanity in how to best understand itself, and the destructive forces/influences that challenge honest acceptance of self as an integral part of a Universe meant to be shared with all life in sustaining, rather than competing with each other for more pie than necessary. Leaving more in want than not... Had that model patterned human behavior, rather than the commercial/military model of every previously collapsed Empire, we would not be facing the world crisis we now do, IMSCO.

Thanks for your thoughtful questions. Roger

[_karl61]

I like reading his thoughts - which are in print. I like the way he keeps things simple. The only thing I would say is that not all the Jews in Judea were taken away to Babylon as some stayed. And not all returned when Cyrus let them go. Some commentators say that second Isaiah is really a call for the Jews in Babylon to come back home but some were established there and remained there.

I agree with the Sea of Galilee thoughts as that is where Jesus hung out with his buddies.