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  • Unbelievable

  • Why Neither Ancient Creeds nor the Reformation Can Produce a Living Faith Today
  • Written by: John Shelby Spong
  • Narrated by: Bob Souer
  • Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (3 ratings)

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Unbelievable cover art

Unbelievable

Written by: John Shelby Spong
Narrated by: Bob Souer
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Publisher's Summary

Five hundred years after Martin Luther and his Ninety-Five Theses ushered in the Reformation, best-selling author and controversial bishop and teacher John Shelby Spong delivers 12 forward-thinking theses to spark a new reformation to reinvigorate Christianity and ensure its future.

At the beginning of the 16th century, Christianity was in crisis - a state of conflict that gave birth to the Reformation in 1517. Enduring for more than 200 years, Luther's movement was then followed by a "revolutionary time of human knowledge". Yet these advances in our thinking had little impact on Christians' adherence to doctrine - which has led the faith to a critical point once again.

Spong contends that there is mounting pressure among Christians for a radically new kind of Christianity - a faith deeply connected to the human experience instead of outdated dogma. To keep Christianity vital, he urges modern Christians to update their faith in light of these advances in our knowledge, and to challenge the rigid and problematic Church teachings that emerged with the Reformation. There is a disconnect, he argues, between the language of traditional worship and the language of the 21st century. Bridging this divide requires us to rethink and reformulate our basic understanding of God.
©2018 John Shelby Spong (P)2018 Tantor
Spirituality Bibles & Bible Study Ministry & Evangelism Theology
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What the critics say

“Spong's stimulating call for a newly revitalized Christianity will appeal to contemporary Christians who view traditional Christianity as dismayingly outmoded.” (Publishers Weekly Starred Review)

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Lot's of questions...not many answers

The book summarizes in 12 theses what J. S. Spong has been discussing over his previous books. He is very bold in promoting the need for a new Christian "reformation", using powerful arguments against biblical literalism and ancient creeds that obscure the original message from Jesus/Yeshua. However, I feel that there is something missing, as if J. S. Spong is still stuck with the traditional Christian paradigm from which he is trying to unshackle. Although brilliantly opening our eyes for new understanding of the Gospels, I do not really see real answers that would enable to conciliate science and faith, the objective and the transcendent. I guess each of us should reflect on J. S. Spong theses, whether we agree with them or not, and find ourselves the keys to unlock heavens’ door (or whatever it is meant by "heaven" in our futile attempt to describe the transcendent with our poor language).

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great book poor narrator

I really like the book. I like all of Bishop Spong's books. But this narrator made me feel like I was being yelled at the whole time. It was like he had to have a 'confident' voice to make the point. That is not like John Spong at all. I love listening to john Spong speak about his ideas. He does it in such a heartfelt and kind way. John Spong makes you feel like if you believe what he thinks is unbelievable, it is understandable, and you shouldn't feel bad. But this narrator makes you feel like there is no way you should have ever believed that. I'm sure that was not Bishop Spong's intent. I really think that the publishers should consider re-releasing this book with a different narrator; one who speaks more like Bishop Spong. This narrator is way too strident. The books content is great.

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