Short description
The renowned Episcopal bishop shares his life story, focusing on his struggles with some fundamentalist Christians and Catholics to keep the love commandment at the center of Christianity by resisting efforts to institute exclusionist policies.
Long description
John Shelby Spong emerged from a fundamentalist childhood beset with racism, sexism, homophobia, and family dysfunction determined to discover a Christian faith relevant to the modern world. By making a stand for inclusion rather than exclusion, opportunity over discrimination, and intelligent questioning instead of blind faith, he has become a beloved champion to Christians both inside and outside the fold. Using his gift for storytelling, Bishop Spong reveals how he has challenged Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Pat Buchanan, the positions of John Paul II, and the Roman Catholic hierarchy, as well as the leadership of his own church. Here I Stand is the complete story of the pre-eminent champion of liberal Christianity and his lifelong quest to make the Church open to all who seek to follow the way of Jesus.
Review
.. .a rare and compelling exercise in spiritual and intellectual autobiography. -- Peter J. Gomes, author of The Good Book The poignant account of someone who loves the church deeply and has frequently been misunderstood. -- Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu In this superb autobiography, Spong synthesizes his experiences as the leading spokesman in America and abroad for liberal Christianity. -- Library Journal