18AR23-11

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AR 23:11 - "Caesaropapism" vs. Ehrmanism

In this issue:

EHRMAN, BART - an update on his disputed sense of "orthodoxy"

HINDUISM - "a welcome guide for readers with little knowledge but a strong interest"

SPONG, JOHN SHELBY - has he taken his last shot?

Apologia Report 23:11 (1,377)

March 29, 2018

EHRMAN, BART

"How Was Orthodoxy Established in the Ecumenical Councils?" by Bradley Nassif, professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at North Park University -- responds to "a small but influential group of scholars [asserting] that the notion of 'orthodox Christianity' must be abandoned because it never really existed [and who] conclude that 'Orthodoxy' was simply the victory of powerful emperors and bishops over so-called 'heretical' groups."

Nassif finds that this thinking "is particularly influential in our day. [This] 'historical reconstruction' of orthodox Christianity appears repeatedly in popular format through television documentaries, videos on the history of the Bible, and sensational articles in tabloid magazines at the grocery store.

"This attempt at reconstruction [is] represented by Bart Ehrman." Nassif "seeks to compliment" the refutation of Ehrman on the subject, The Heresy of Orthodoxy: How Contemporary Culture's Fascination with Diversity Has Reshaped Our Understanding of Early Christianity, by Andreas J. Kostenberger and Michael J. Kruger [1] and thus "provide readers with a reliable compass to guide them through this complex period of Christian history."

Nassif's conclusion makes for a helpful background summary of the "relations between church and state in the age of the Ecumenical Councils [AD 325-787, and] illustrates complexities that were involved in the formulation of orthodox theology. It demonstrates that the church and its tradition never ultimately bowed to the imperial will, even though there were false councils and internal strife. Even the true councils were never accepted automatically and rarely won the acceptance of the entire church at once.

"Moreover, orthodoxy was never viewed as one of many possible 'orthodoxies' to choose from; nor was it the result of caesaropapism by Roman emperors despite occasional attempts to the contrary; nor was it the victory of powerful bishops over oppressed theological minorities. Rather, the triumph of orthodoxy was the triumph of the Spirit of Truth over error. It was the mysterious work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the 'one, holy, catholic and apostolic church'" of the Nicene Creed. Christian Research Journal, 2017 - 40:6, pp42-47.

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HINDUISM

Being Hindu: Understanding a Peaceful Path in a Violent World, by Hindol Sengupta [2] -- Publishers Weekly <www.goo.gl/vt6TN2> explains that Sengupta "introduces non-Hindu audiences ... using a practitioner's perspective.... in a mix of personal memoir, general history, and speculation about where the faith community is headed. Sengupta's summaries are succinct and knowledgeable, and his expertise is evident. He includes scholarly analyses of Indian nationalism and a literature review of Hindu religious works, with some especially interesting discussions of Hindu takes on recent religious debates, such as the tensions between religion and science. This summary approach, however, can mean that certain topics - such as the history of India and how Hinduism developed in competition with other religions - don't get the detailed attention they deserve. Sengupta's personal experiences - particularly his years getting a master's degree in New Delhi and tangents on poets and philosophers who inspired him - detract from the more in-depth analysis of cultural practices that he attempts to make the focus of the book. But for readers with little knowledge of Hinduism but a strong interest in it, Sengupta will be a welcome guide."

Library Journal (Dec '17 #1) adds: "Sengupta seeks to extricate Hinduism from the mire that is modern religious discourse and urge Hindus toward a greater appreciation for their identity. At its heart, Hinduism is marked by a tolerant plurality - 'truth is one, the sages manifest it differently' - and all truth lies within, not outside. His engagement with the modern makes this timely as well. Chapters ask: 'Is God afraid of science?' and 'How does Hinduism fit into the Internet age?' Sadly, this personal journey must engage with Eurocentric views and the objectification of an ancient and revered culture. Nor does Sengupta shy away from India's injustices, such as the caste system or female infanticide. Yet, the Hinduism that he proposes tends toward the ideal without necessarily engaging some of India's darker cultural realities and the fantastically diverse ethnicities that comprise India, the homeland of Hinduism. The writing is warm and appealing as Sengupta deftly presents a tradition that is ancient, wise, and accepting. VERDICT A satisfying and engaging guide to Hinduism for inquiring minds."

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SPONG, JOHN SHELBY

Perhaps you've wondered if we've heard the last from Spong? N'yet. His latest: Unbelievable: Why Neither Ancient Creeds Nor the Reformation Can Produce a Living Faith Today [3] -- the publisher announces that within Spong "contends there is mounting pressure among Christians for a radically new kind of Christianity - a faith deeply connected to the human experience instead of outdated dogma. To keep Christianity vital, he urges modern Christians to update their faith in light of these advances in our knowledge, and to challenge the rigid and problematic Church teachings that emerged with the Reformation. There is a disconnect, he argues, between the language of traditional worship and the language of the twenty-first century. Bridging this divide requires us to rethink and reformulate our basic understanding of God. ... Spong sees in Luther's movement a model for today's discontented Christians." [Imagine Luther's reaction if he only could have known!]

Publishers Weekly (Dec '17 #2) chimes in: "Rejecting a traditional image of the supernatural and omnipotent God of theism, Spong ... challenges the idea of original sin, claiming that Christians are not fallen ... but are in fact evolving creatures always yearning for wholeness and seeking to be loved and empowered. This striving toward further evolution is the essence of grace.... Resurrection, for Spong, is not some supernatural resuscitation of Jesus's physical body, but God calling Christians forth into 'our essential oneness, our universal consciousness, our interconnectedness.' Spong's stimulating call for a newly revitalized Christianity will appeal to contemporary Christians who view traditional Christianity as dismayingly outmoded."

Instead of going along with this, Kirkus (Jan '18 #1) reports that Spong has "penned what he declares to be his final book, encapsulating a lifetime of thinking and teaching.... Spong asserts that the entirety of traditional Christian theology has been debunked by science and reason, leaving the church intellectually bankrupt. ... The author sees God not as a being, but as 'Being itself.' Indeed, 'God is not a noun we are compelled to define; God is a verb that we are invited to live.'" Spong's "view toward modern Christianity is regrettably smug. Having made his home in the declining Episcopalian denomination, he seems to look at the 'church' and see only his reflection: Western, highly-educated, and skeptical. Throughout his 12 theses, Spong speaks only for his own brand of waning Christianity, excluding even from consideration the tens of millions of Christians worldwide who may not share his views but indeed still believe in what he rejects. A Western elite's dream for a new Christianity."

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SOURCES: Monographs

1 - The Heresy of Orthodoxy: How Contemporary Culture's Fascination with Diversity Has Reshaped Our Understanding of Early Christianity, by Andreas J. Kostenberger and Michael J. Kruger (Crossway, 2010, paperback, 256 pages) <www.tinyurl.com/26r2yjz>

2 - Being Hindu: Understanding a Peaceful Path in a Violent World, by Hindol Sengupta (Rowman & Littlefield, hardcover, 200 pages) <www.goo.gl/WHjSis>

3 - Unbelievable: Why Neither Ancient Creeds Nor the Reformation Can Produce a Living Faith Today, by John Shelby Spong (HarperOne, 2018, hardcover, 336 pages) <www.goo.gl/iXPCek>

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