Religionless Christianity - Preview

Yet another year has come and gone, and now, another post. -- Rob-bear

That phrase "religionless Christianity" sounds like an oxymoron (something that is self-contradictory). It also sounds almost obscene — or sly, and tickling. There's a hint of mischief in the words.

Well, maybe.

The concept was introduced by Lutheran Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in a couple of letters to his friend (later his biographer and editor/translator) Eberhard Bethge. But because Bonhoffer was executed by the Nazis just a month before World War Two ended, Bonhoeffer never had a chance to develop his thought — to "fill in the blanks" about what he meant.

Since then, a lot of people have tried to do that. They've worked hard, no doubt. But they're not Bonhoeffer. And I'm a bit suspicious about what they're saying — in effect, what they are trying to put into Bonhoeffer's mouth (as I see it).

That, of course, won't stop me from trying to do some serious thinking about the present (and perhaps future) shape of Christianity. But it will put a cautionary note into my thinking.

The other person who will figure in this pilgrimage (a word I use advisedly) is Bishop John Shelby Spong. He a retired Bishop of the Episcopal [Anglican] Church in the United States of America. I've read all or parts of several of his books, the current one being Why Christianity Must Change or Die. I tend to have some fairly strong feelings about Spong. While I like his analysis, I find his suggestions for change are -- to put it kindly -- peculiar, and often unhelpful. Again, this is a note of caution.

With those caveats, I begin the journey.