Why Christianity Must Change or Die

An important and respected voice for liberal American Christianity, Bishop John Shelby Spong has integrated his often controversial stands on the Bible, Jesus, theism, and morality into an inspiring creed that challenges today’s Christian to face up to the challenges of leading a spiritual life in today’s often confusing world.

In his compelling and heartfelt book Why Christianity Must Change or Die, Spong sounds a rousing call for a Christianity that is based on critical thought rather than blind faith, on love rather than judgment, and that focuses on life more than religion.

John Shelby Spong was the Episcopal Bishop of Newark before his retirement in 2000. As a leading spokesperson for an open, scholarly and progressive Christianity, Bishop Spong has taught at Harvard and at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. His books include A New Christianity for a New World, Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism, Resurrection: Myth or Reality?, Why Christianity Must Change or Die, and his autobiography, Here I Stand.

“This is Spong’s manifesto, offering his vision for the institution he made his career serving.”

- Library Journal