Let us know on this thread and we can talk about these topics.

I would like to see more theological discussion - not tearing down those we disagree with but exploring and exchanging ideas. 

I would like to discuss the works of Borg, Crossan, Spong, Vosper, Ehrman etc to know what others think of their ideas and how to fit some of the latest scholarly research into a church setting.

As an aside I'm curious to know how many people have read some of these authors and attend Bible study regularly. 

Happy Retiree - I have read some of Borg's and Spong's books and have heard both of them speak in the past 6 months. Crossan is coming to the Epiphany Explorations Conference in Victoria next January, so I plan on reading at least one of his books before then - do you have any recommendations?

I don't attend Bible Study regularly because it is held during the day while I am at work.

I would love to see more discussion of Christian perspectives on modern events (news, pop culture, etc.).

I would like to talk about all of it all the time...the theology, I'm very interested...but then it doesn't leave me much room for doing.

I think I would like to learn more about Judaism and it's history and changes...what ideas Christians share...what ideas we may have warped.

I also like to talk about culture and where we should be moving with the tide, or resisting and turning the tide, and how.

Same here. Maybe I'm just weird...but I think the world is on the cusp of major changes, I could even say prophetic ones...it may not be the first time, as history repeats itself...but something huge is happening...and I think of  it from a Christian perspective. I don't think "anything goes" with respect to pop culture...and we have a responsibility to be discerning about what's going on, where it started, what it leads to.

Keep them coming

I have read books by all that you mention except Ehrman - likewise I have met them in person and attended lectures and seminars by them. 

20 or more years ago Spong's "Rescuing the Bible from the Fundalmentalists' blew my mind, opened my eyes to new insights, and gave me permission to think some of the things I had been questiioning for some time. 

Meeting Borg and hearing him talk about 'Reading the Bible Again for the First Time' had the same effect. 

Borg and N.T.Wright's book 'The Meaning of Jesus' showed me that two theologians could approach scripture from different view points and disagree on some fundamental points, and still treat each other with respect and be polite. 

I find Crossan's books rather difficult to read by myself.  I sloughed through "The Birth of Christianity" before attending a week long seminar where he was the key-note speaker.   He made everything clear in his lectures and question period, as well as during casual conversation in the dining hall. 

A group I belong to will be discussing Crossan's book on parables over several months this fall.  I may try to post something about it. 

Interesting, Seeler, that you should mention the affect Spong's Book had on you.  The first book I read that really changed my thinking and gave me permission to think was Thomas Harpur's For Christ's Sake which came out in 1986.  It really opened my eyes to other possiblities and then I read Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism.  I know that many of the clergy have read these books.  I just wish some of them were braver and willing to teach some new ideas rather than sticking with the same old same old! As you say Spong's book came out twenty years ago but from where I sit in the pew most of the sermons I hear could have been preached in the 50's.Surely in all this time something could have changed.  Is it any wonder attendance is declining?

When I was attending church I found that the ministers were thinkers, and enjoyed talking about more modern takes on theology.  I had read Harpur and Spong, during my abstinance from church, and hoped to find others who were enthused by their books.  However, the congregation seemed to avoid talking about anything theological/spiritual.  No Bible verses shared, no discussions on interesting topics. 

When I stopped attending church I donated my entire collection of 'religion' books to the church library.    

Would anyone like to start a review of Rescuing the Bible from Fundalmentalism -Spong ?

I haven't read it, but I would be interested in discussing particular parts of it if someone wanted to lead the discussion.

I would like... a shrubbery

Good luck on your search for the Holy Grail!

Crazyheart - I would love to, but I will have to pass at this time.  Summer is my busy season for pulpit supply - and I am still working my way through the 'non-lectionary parts of the Bible' with a small following who seem to check in semi-regularly but who seldom post.  I'd rather lead a discussion, but I also like to finish what I've bitten off, so I think I'll try to put on a push to finish my Bible reading before taking on something else.

I hope that someone else takes it up.  I'd love to follow through with them leading.

NI!  (or is it NEE!, or maybe KNEE!)

That was an important one for me, too. Not so much changed my thinking as validated and helped give direction to my spiritual direction of the time (Which was still very much liberal Christian. UU was still a ways off at that point.)

I haven't read Spong's Rescuing... (indeed, haven't read much Spong, period). My formative book on thinking about the Bible and scripture has been Borg's Reading the Bible Again for the First Time. If CH gets a reading group/discussion going on Spong's book, though, I may join in if I can source a copy.

Back to the OP, I'm perpetually flirting with "coming back into the fold" and exploring Christianity to see what's there and what resonates with me. Theological discussions and more specifically discussions around Christology are what tend to engage me and help me navigate this search. I know where I'm at spiritually (more or less). I kind of have a notion of what "God" might mean to me. However, I'm still exploring where Christ, both as a person and an idea, fits in. Not so much Jesus as a person, either, (I accept that he likely existed as a teacher/prophet) but the spiritual notion of "Christ" and what Jesus as The Christ means to/for me.

Mendalla

More words of Jesus and less religion.

How about we use more dictionary and fewer used car sales slogans?

I am waiting for Rescuing,,,,,,,, Spong from library. will have it soon. I will consider leading a book review. Something I have never done but with your help.............

Crazyheart - I'm looking forward to your study.  This week I am drawing heavily on my autographed copy of 'Rescuing ..." for my messag. 

Had a hard time tracking one down but then went to my library on the corner and they have all of Spong;s books in the system.