Hundreds of years ago, Martin Luther launched a reformation of faith with his 95 theses. Controversial Episcopalian Bishop John Shelby Spong, in his final book Unbelievable: Why Neither Ancient Creeds Nor the Reformation Can Produce a Living Faith Today, made his own attempt at formulating a new reformation of Christian belief and thought in 12 theses. He writes that modern people can no longer genuinely believe many of the affirmations of Christian faith because of our knowledge of science and the evolution of culture and ethics. Can we believe in a supernatural, Santa Claus-like deity? Can we believe in the virgin birth, or other miracles? Can we believe in prayer when it seems to work for some, but not for others? Do we still believe in original sin and blood atonement? How do we make ethical decisions in a complex world? Spong's answers to these questions will be refreshing for some readers and shocking for others, but in either case, they will make us think about what we truly believe, why, and how those beliefs translate into how we live our lives as Christians. Get a copy and join me this fall as we discuss (and likely argue with) Spong's 12 theses! We'll meet at 5:00 on Sunday evenings beginning September 8th, and we'll schedule around Messy Church so that no one will miss out on the fun!