Old Men's Musings

In my youth, I remember hearing someone say, "When it comes to theologians, most of them begin to lose their minds in their old age. This is why most of their wisdom is forgotten once they have already made their theological declarations in their younger days." Or something like that. I thought of this while I began reading former Episcopal Bishop of Newark (New Jersey) John Spong in his new book, "A New Christianity for a New World." While it would be a tough argument to assume Spong has written stellar theology in his younger days, anyone reading his new book will be shocked beyond understanding.

Resisting the temptation to burn his book reading up to the second chapter, I have begun to see the points to his positions more clearly. He writes radically and believes the only hope for Christianity's survival is the deconstruction and ultimate demise of the theism of God and Jesus, the Christ. His arguments remind me of a comparitive religion major arguing against the uniqueness of the Judeo-Christian faith and therefore, is less relevant than one might assume.

Understanding that the Judeo-Christian faith really is not as unique as the faith tradition of my youth, I still am not ready to throw the "baby out with the bathwater." However, my thoughts on Spong, his book, and how Christianity has indeed evolved (and will need to continue evolving, if it wants to make as great an impact on the 21st Century as it did on the 20th) have been playing over in my mind since I began this book on Tuesday. I must admit that I have found myself reading less and daydreaming more.

Spong isn't the only person who is contemplating a new face of Christianity for post-modern Christians. Articles in the New York Times, Soujorners, New Century, and Beliefnet all explain the shift in ministry and practice in this new century. Many of the thoughts and practices of how Christianity needs to change are completely new- and the oldtimers of modern Christian dogma are having a tough time keeping up or accepting new visions and new interpretations. It is somewhat like the Star Trek movie in with Capt Kirk was having a tough time accepting the Romulans into the Federation. He said something like, "My generation cannot accept new ways of doing diplomacy, I am a dying breed. I still can't bring myself to trust them." In much the same way, older pastors are having a tough time changing to meet the new spiritual interpretations of a generation of men and women who grew up with religious pluralism and continually asked, "So what?"

"So what," is a good question to ask Spong. "Why are you saying this?" Spong believes that Christianity's theism is in its death throes and Spong believes that if Christianity is to survive, it needs to address its tribal interpretations of the God of the Old Testament, its dependency on the Bible as the sole authority from which God speaks, and the theology surrounding Jesus as a mythical god. He wants us, yes, you and me, to answer why we believe what we believe. And, his conclusion follows that since our beliefs are so technical and so "off the mark", we had better change our message if we want to have an impact on the world.

I think Spong is asking the right questions. Why do I believe what I believe? And, why is it important? And, how can this message reach out to a new generation that thinks Christianity is lame?

I am not finished reading the book- I am not even close. However, faith being like a muscle (it only gets bigger when its used), I am already having to flex it while reading Spong. Have you read this book? Will you read it? I believe his thoughts reflect the thoughts of thousands who are struggling with the issues he raises- read Spong and you'll get in the minds of countless men and women who have forsaken the faith of their youth for feel good philosophies, spiritualism, as well as an articulated response to the fundamentalist regimes of religious tyranny.

I agree with Spong that Christianity does need to change- both in its message and its delivery. What that change will look like will probably not be identifyable for another generation. However, unless we can make our faith relevant for this generation, Christianity in America may someday look like the Christianity in Spain or London. It'll have lost its impact, the pews will be empty, and many people will have missed the joy of knowing God.