Heart of Christianity – Sunday, 12 January 2014 – Linder Hall at
San Diego First United Methodist Church
Hi to All:
Next Sunday we'll consider and discuss Spong's chapters 2 and 3. Here are some issues and questions to ponder for the discussion.
1. P. 11. According to Spong, how do biblical scholars tend to view the Gospel of John?
2. Pp. 11-12. What are the characteristics of low Christology and high Christology? Which one do you tend to follow? Why?
3. Pp. 12-13. What does Spong say about the Book of Signs?
4. Pp. 13-14. What do you suppose Spong has in mind when he writes: "Stories that the synoptic gospels portray as miracles with no great hesitancy are much more obscure in John"?
5. P. 14. In reference to the story of the woman taken in the act of adultery, I was surprised to learn (from Spong) that the story was not included in the early manuscript of John, but was added into John's gospel well into the Middle Ages. Your comments? In this connection, Spong points out (pp. 14-15) how "internal evidence" suggests that more than one person contributed to the Gospel of John. Your thoughts?
6. Pp. 16-17. I marvel how Spong digs deeply to ascertain the bitter conflict between the leaders of the synagogue and the followers of Jesus and their excommunication from the synagogue.
7. P. 17. I'm especially appreciative that Spong specifically defines the referent for "the Jews" in the Fourth Gospel. Are you? Explain.
8. P. 18. What does Spong say about the 3rd stage in the development of the Fourth Gospel? Furthermore, can you briefly explain the three stages (or sources) which, according to Spong, contributed to the development of the Fourth Gospel?
9. P. 19, last paragaph. Are you ready to join Bishop Spong in his journey of a "new understanding of what Christianity is"? Your thoughts?
10. Chapter 3, pp. 21-29. What do you now know that you didn't know before you read the bullet points in this chapter?
Please read these two chapters (they're not long!), write some short notes to refresh your memory of your answers to some questions, above, bring your notes to class, and we'll have a marvelous discussion.
Please remember our dear friend, Liz Respess, as she undergoes treatments for a knee replacement. Hasta domingo, Ben
Next Sunday we'll consider and discuss Spong's chapters 2 and 3. Here are some issues and questions to ponder for the discussion.
1. P. 11. According to Spong, how do biblical scholars tend to view the Gospel of John?
2. Pp. 11-12. What are the characteristics of low Christology and high Christology? Which one do you tend to follow? Why?
3. Pp. 12-13. What does Spong say about the Book of Signs?
4. Pp. 13-14. What do you suppose Spong has in mind when he writes: "Stories that the synoptic gospels portray as miracles with no great hesitancy are much more obscure in John"?
5. P. 14. In reference to the story of the woman taken in the act of adultery, I was surprised to learn (from Spong) that the story was not included in the early manuscript of John, but was added into John's gospel well into the Middle Ages. Your comments? In this connection, Spong points out (pp. 14-15) how "internal evidence" suggests that more than one person contributed to the Gospel of John. Your thoughts?
6. Pp. 16-17. I marvel how Spong digs deeply to ascertain the bitter conflict between the leaders of the synagogue and the followers of Jesus and their excommunication from the synagogue.
7. P. 17. I'm especially appreciative that Spong specifically defines the referent for "the Jews" in the Fourth Gospel. Are you? Explain.
8. P. 18. What does Spong say about the 3rd stage in the development of the Fourth Gospel? Furthermore, can you briefly explain the three stages (or sources) which, according to Spong, contributed to the development of the Fourth Gospel?
9. P. 19, last paragaph. Are you ready to join Bishop Spong in his journey of a "new understanding of what Christianity is"? Your thoughts?
10. Chapter 3, pp. 21-29. What do you now know that you didn't know before you read the bullet points in this chapter?
Please read these two chapters (they're not long!), write some short notes to refresh your memory of your answers to some questions, above, bring your notes to class, and we'll have a marvelous discussion.
Please remember our dear friend, Liz Respess, as she undergoes treatments for a knee replacement. Hasta domingo, Ben
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First United Methodist Church
2111 Camino del Rio South
San Diego, CA 92108
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