Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism

In this book, the author refutes fundamentalist thinking. Drawing on recent biblical scholarship, he aims to bring the Bible alive, to understand the culture in which it was written without sacrificing its beauty and contemporary insight. By the author of "Living in Sin?".

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In Protestant fundamentalist communities, "literal" interpretation of the Bible is used to deny rights to just about anybody who doesn't agree with them on issues ranging from homosexuality to war and retribution. The Roman and Anglican communities have used a literal interpretation of the Bible to deny ordination to women. In his book, Bishop Spong aims to bring the wisdom of the ages alive for those who would understand the culture in which the Bible was written without sacrificing the Bible for its beauty and contemporary insight. In Bishop Spong's words, "How can the Bible be used with integrity by men and women of faith? How can it be lifted out of the prejudices and cultural biases of bygone eras? How can it be a source of life to 20th and 21st generations? If it continues to be viewed literally, the Bible, in my opinion, is doomed to be cast aside as both dated and irrelevant". Drawing on recent biblical scholarship and his own love for Scripture, Spong brings the Bible alive for a secular audience rescuing it from the parochial, chauvinistic world-view of fundamentalism.