An Episcopal priest that I know criticizes Spong for taking the mystery out of the practice of faith. It is frightening because in giving up the comforting image of a loving, external deity we are thrown upon our own resources. Somehow, we still feel we might get punished. According to Spong, because we can encounter the divine within ourselves, we are the only ones who can ask the questions. In Judaism this notion of a conversation between human and divine is more common.
Christians tend to remain piously quiet, albeit inwardly fuming.
Droops on the little hands little gold head. Christopher Robin is saying his prayers. My mother read it to me, and I have read it to two sons and two daughters. God bless Daddy. . . . God bless Nanny and make her good. . .