If you recognize that name, you know what's coming. I recently interviewed Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong, a retired bishop of Newark, NJ, who remains in good standing with the Episcopal Church even though he professes controversial, some say heretical, views and told me he is "witnessing the death of Christianity."
The problem, according to Bishop Spong, is that the New Testament was written by men 40 to 70 years after Jesus' death and that he thinks the writers fictionalized most of the biblical stories to meet the demands and expectations of first century Israeli culture.
For example, the Jews who were looking for a Messiah did not want someone who could be executed by the Romans, so they made up a story about Jesus' physical resurrection.
Jesus' walking on the water was "a Moses story wrapped up in Jesus," the bishop told me.
Overall, Bishop Spong does not believe that Jesus was divine, does not believe he was born of a virgin, does not believe that he performed any miracles, does not believe that Jesus had 12 disciples, and does not believe that Jesus rose from the grave.
These are startling beliefs from a man of the cloth... so you're wondering, what cloth is he cut from?

I found Bishop Spong to be sincere, scholarly and pastoral in the sense that he genuinely wants to help people. He believes most Christians are misled by ancient myths and legends that obscure the "real" Jesus. He believes Jesus was fully human, but that he was so close to God that God was fully manifested in him.
You can read more about his views in his many books, the latest, which I read before my interview with him, is titled "Jesus for the Non-Religious" (Harper San Francisco). My Blade article can be read here.
As a mainstream journalist, I try not to pass judgment on people's beliefs, no matter how controversial or unorthodox. But in this case, in this space, I think it's OK to say that I do not agree with Bishop Spong. I believe the Bible was written by man but was inspired by the Holy Spirit who directed their efforts, and therefore the Bible is divinely inspired and eternally true, not a work of fiction by men trying to cater to their contemporaries.

I remember when I was in high school, at a friend's house, and we were asking questions about the Catholic Church. My friend's mother, whom I had known since childhood, actually kicked me out of her house just for asking questions. It taught me a lesson -- how NOT to be so insecure about your faith that you can't question it.
I think it's good to evaluate contrary opinions. It helps you to determine and to understand why you believe what you believe. You should not be afraid to question the status quo -- it's the healthy thing to do. In that sense, I think Bishop Spong is providing a valuable service. He will force you to defend your beliefs, whether they align with his or not. And for most people, it will be a quick and loud not.
Toledo, Ohio, June 4, 2007