Old news perhaps, but completely relevant to the idea of open discussion and debate is the recent story of Peter Jensen deciding to ban John Shelby Spong from speaking in Sydney Anglican Churches, as reported in the Sydney Morning Herald and in The Australian. This seems to have created somewhat of a stir all over the world, with commentators divided over the issue. It has received some publicity at UK-based site Ship of Fools, as well as by evangelical commentator Al Mohler. Domestically, John Dickson has also reported on the issue.
Let me be the first person (or perhaps not, as the case may be) to say that I’m no real fan of Spong. A few months ago I found “Why Christianity Must Change or Die” in a second-hand bookshop and thought I might read it just so that I could know what all the fuss was about. Having read the book, I must admit that while he occasionally made interesting observations, I was largely unconvinced by his arguments. Still, as a (now retired) bishop in the Anglican Communion with some degree of standing, was the ban justified? Should rogue bishops be prevented from speaking and if so, on what basis? And if it is right to ban someone speaking on theological grounds, where does one draw the line? Should one be banned from speaking if they believe in women’s ordination? If they are pre-millenial? If they are not Calvinist? Where does it stop? I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts.
August 21, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Censorship…very interesting.
When it comes to the preaching platform, I actually would support the concept of censorship.
When it comes to discussion within the community, that is perhaps a different matter.
My thoughts are only just developing on this. I will watch Sydney Anglican Watch with interest.
August 21, 2007 at 11:53 pm
Hey Emblazoned,
Thanks for your comments. I’d like to think that I’m not completely unsympathetic to the perspective to those who argue in favour of the ban on the basis that some things are more important than the free dissemination of ideas. Nonetheless, it does raise a few interesting questions:
(1) If an individual parish wanted to invite Spong to speak, should the Archbishop prevent them from doing so?
(2) Is there another forum outside the pulpit, but still within a Sydney Anglican context in which Spong could legitimately disseminate his views – for instance, on a university campus?
I can’t say I definitely know the answer to these questions, but I certainly would be interested in knowing what other people think.
August 22, 2007 at 8:53 am
Moore College seems like the ideal place for the discussion of new ideas, but something tells me this isnt how it works…
August 22, 2007 at 10:32 am
As far as I know, no individual Parish could organise Spong to speak if Jensen has made it clear that he can’t. Jensen’s decision applies to every single piece of land owned by the Sydney Diocese, and every ministry formally attached to it.
In other words:
St Alban’s Epping would not be able to get Spong to speak.
The Anglican Chaplain at Macquarie University would not be able to get Spong to speak.
Spong could be invited by a Uniting Church, or a University Christian group, though, and Jensen could obviously do nothing about it.
August 22, 2007 at 10:39 am
Yes OSO, this is my understanding too. It goes well beyond merely not extending an invite.
So this raises a philosophical and ecclesiological question about how central power should be in a religious institution. Should the rector of St. Alban’s be entitled to invite Spong to speak if he so desires? Just out of interest OSO, how does this kind of issue play itself out in Presbyterian circles?
September 3, 2007 at 12:34 pm
Ah, yes…strange what a weak faith will do. Resort to censorship, plain and simple.
It’s a cliche, but “what would Jesus do?” Prevent Spong from speaking? Not the Jesus I am familiar with. And, the attempts to counter Spong by so-called conservative churchmen are so sad. One hot-shot debater finally gave up and said there is nothing more to be said! Oh he’s a really solid Christian!
Good grief, every time some big wig in the church closes a door on Spong he (maybe a “she”, too) simply puts all of his writings in bold type. Well, okay then, let’s hear it for censorship!
Spong, right or wrong; he’s got us talking about Jesus!! Now that’s a lot more that his detractors have been able to do!
R. S. Hale
November 18, 2007 at 10:27 pm
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