Affirmations of a Dissenter [Paperback]

C. Joseph Sprague (Author), Joseph C. Sprague (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (January 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0687728258
• ISBN-13: 978-0687728251
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #729,366 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Christ for the new millennium, December 2, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Affirmations of a Dissenter (Paperback)

...like many United Methodists, I am already quite familiar with the controversy swirling around Bishop Sprague's recent presentation of the chapter on Christology, which he calls "the second most divisive issue in the (United Methodist) church today." His comments are easily found on the Internet and recently appeared in the United Methodist Reporter. Based on Bishop Sprague's willingness to share this material, I already give the book my highest rating and cannot wait to dig in. Many of us in the Methodist church -- indeed, in many Christian denominations -- who hold opinions that run counter to those of the majority of American Christians have long felt that we stand outside the circle. Condemned. Perhaps the ideas presented by the bishop are common in the so-called "liberal" seminaries. But as a life-long Methodist, I can assure you they are not common in the pews and Sunday school classes where I have sat and held my tongue off and on for 41 years. The time is right. I end with this quote from Bishop Sprague: "My hope is to encourage confused believers or those who yearn to believe, especially those who want to affirm Jesus but find little meaning in the stilted Christological language of the ancient creeds. Previous such efforts on my part have brought written complaints of heresy from a few neo-literalists, persons who fail to understand the symbolic nature of religious language. Neo-literalists do not accept the progressing presupposition that words describing matters of ultimate truth are by necessity primarily metaphorical. I can affirm the orthodox language of the ancient creeds regarding Jesus because I understand, at least in part, the symbolic nature of such religious, theological language...
There are many thoughtful seekers looking to the church for help with a gnawing spiritual hunger in their hearts. We must open windows to help those people to see the essence of the one whose life, death, and resurrection, are the substance of the faith once delivered to the apostles. Anything else is either laziness or cowardice. Thus, for weal or woe here is who Jesus the Christ is for me."

19 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Religous Fundamentalists Will Hate This Book, May 7, 2003

By	T. Kevin Higgs (Center Point, AL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Affirmations of a Dissenter (Paperback)

Well, it's either a ONE STAR book or a FIVE STAR book based upon whether or not you are a Religious Fundamentalist. Fundamentalists hate this book, along with most other books that do not march in lock-step with their conservative assumptions.

Do you believe that the bible is straight from God and must be blindly followed according to a narrow interpretation? You won't like this book.

Do you believe the bible was written by people, from a culture long ago, expressing their relationship with God? Maybe this book has something for you.

I thank Bishop Sprague for challenging the fundamentalist "take- over" of the United Methodist Church.

Just like what happened in the Southern Baptist Convention, the United Methodist Church is being saturated and consumed by religious fundamentalist organizations. The "Good News" movement, the "Confessing" Movement, Renew Women's Network, Lifewatch, Transforming Congregations, the Mission Society of United Methodists, and the Institute on Religion and Democracy are attacking the freedom of thought, expression, inclusiveness, and theology that stands as the backbone of the Methodist experience.

Do you want the UMC to continue to become a fundamentalist church? If not, then read this book.

Rev. Kevin Higgs
United Methodist Pastor
North Alabama Conference

18 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book For All Believers To Read, May 31, 2003

By	Alan Beggerow (Rock Falls, IL USA) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Affirmations of a Dissenter (Paperback)

I am a member of a church in the Northwestern Illinois Conference of United Methodists whose Bishop is Bishop Sprague. I have heard Bishop Sprague on two occasions, and have followed the contoversy that surrounds him and his beliefs.

Whether you agree or disagree with him, this is a book for all to read. For I get the feeling that Bishop Sprague's real objective is to open a dialogue, not just between Christians, but people of all faiths. Perhaps there is a common ground we can all reach that will end much of the trouble in the world. He does assert in the book that this is his own personal way of looking at things. By stating that, I believe he has opened the door for dissent from his beliefs, not only in the United Methodist denomination, but all peoples of faith.

Whether you agree or disagree with him, this is a man that has devoted his life to not only preaching the Gospel, but living it as best he can. For his service to people and to God, he deserves the opportunity to be heard without the charges of heresy and the threats on his life that he has endured. And I would say that any person, no matter what their belief, should have the same right.

Whether a person follows Christ, Buddha, Mohammad, Moses, or Joe Blow from Kokomo makes no difference to me. If your belief causes you to do good towards others, to throw off the rampant self-centeredness that the world is full of, and causes you to be a good person, then your faith is real.

Finding this faith does not consist of blindly following ancient interpretations of even more ancient texts. Look at all the injustice done within the last nearly 2,000 years, and it's obvious it hasn't worked. This is a time for new thoughts about ancient truths.

I am proud of our Bishop in the Northern Illinois Conference. I do not agree with him 100%, nor should I. We were all created with a brain to feel, think, and reason with. I refuse to be a part of any religion or denomination that insists that I accept 2,000 year-old teachings without debate. I refuse to be a part of any religion that requires me to 'check my brain at the door'.

I encourage all to read this book. Agree or disagree with his views, the dialogue will begin. And every Christian, from 'liberal' to 'fundamentalist' will benefit from that.