Biblical Literalism: A Gentile Heresy

20th October – 22nd October 2016

With John Shelby Spong

In this short course, based on his latest bestselling book, Jack Spong uses the Gospel of Matthew as a guide to explore the gospel story’s grounding in Jewish culture, symbols, icons and story-telling tradition to explain how the events of Jesus’ life, including the virgin birth, the miracles, the details of the passion story, and the resurrection and ascension were never written to be understood literally. Literalism is a gentile heresy.

Jack Spong liberates the gospel to provide a blueprint for a new Christianity in a new world by casting off the church’s often leaden and, he would argue, heretical reading of the of the story of Jesus.

John Shelby Spong was the Episcopal Bishop of Newark before his retirement in 2000. As a visiting lecturer at Harvard and at universities and churches throughout the world, he is one of the leading spokespersons for liberal Christianity. The author of over two dozen books he has been a transformative voice in the Christian world and especially for those who would refer to themselves as ‘believers in exile.’ Jack is a Fellow of Gladstone’s Library.

Includes free entry to Matthew’s Passion Story: It’s Not History!, a public lecture by Bishop Spong.

Residential prices start from £202, non-residential from £150. Discount rates for clergy and students apply.

For more information or to book, please call 01244 532350 or email [email protected].