Bishop John Shelby Spong, Biblical Scholar & Author, Speaking at First Church of Christ Congregational in West Hartford Center on November 4, 2014.
Submitted Release
Bishop Spong and wife Christine Spong. Submitted photo.
John Shelby Spong, the former Episcopal Bishop of Newark known for his progressive views on Christianity and human rights, will present two lectures at noon and 7 p.m., Tuesday, November 4, at First Church of Christ Congregational in West Hartford Center. Bishop Spong’s lectures will focus on his most recent book, “The Fourth Gospel: Tales of a Jewish Mystic” (HarperOne, 2013).
The first lecture, from noon to 2 p.m. in the church auditorium, will be part of a luncheon and book signing. This noon lecture is sold out, but at 7 p.m., Bishop Spong returns for a lecture in the Meeting House followed by a reception, book sale and book signing. The evening lecture is free and reservations are not required.
Bishop Spong has written 24 books, including “Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism,” “A New Christianity for a New World,” and “Why Christianity Must Change or Die.” Bishop Spong has been a visiting lecturer at Cambridge and Harvard and at universities and churches worldwide. In his latest book, “The Fourth Gospel: Tales of a Jewish Mystic,” Spong argues that the Gospel of John was misinterpreted by the framers of the 4th Century creeds to be a literal account of the life of Jesus. Rescuing John’s Gospel from its creedal captivity, Spong provides a unique primer about how to be a Christian in the post-Christian 21st Century.
The lectures are sponsored by the John P. Webster Library, a Ministry of the First Church of Christ Congregational, West Hartford. The library is open to the public and provides a diverse collection of religious and secular resources and services to engage religious and spiritual growth, inspiration, learning and fellowship for all.
First Church of Christ Congregational, is at 12 South Main Street, West Hartford, CT 06107, www.whfirstchurch.org. For additional information, contact the John P. Webster Library at 860-232-3893 or [email protected].
