Spring 2007 - Milton Academy

Suzanne DeBuhrtive to the Milton community, and free to fully embrace theaspects of my character, which in Dallas had been used todismiss my observations of that community.Bishop Spong’s presentation also catapulted me into thedynamic, open exchange of ideas that is inherent to theMilton community. Controversy tends to follow Jack Spong,and Milton was no exception. In the conversations that followedBishop Spong’s talk, I was able to assess the currentperception of religion within the Milton community. Manystudents were intrigued by the bishop’s talk, agreeing withhis insights that the Bible must continue to be reinterpretedto have legitimacy in our modern world. In a sense,Bishop Spong’s speech was an invitation for some to rejointhe debate over Christianity in American society from botha modern and critical perspective. On the other hand, asignificant group of students felt offended by the bishop’sanalysis of fundamentalist Christianity. They questionedhis faith and wondered if characterizing the Bible, as wellas some of Christianity’s doctrinal statements, as merelysymbolic, compromised his position as a representative ofmainline Christianity.Whether one agreed with the bishop or not, what becamevery clear is that he got everyone talking and thinking andreflecting on our own individual faith perspectives. Whatalso became clear to me, in my official position as chaplain,was the need for a theological foundation in the conversationsthat followed the bishop’s visit. Jack Spong’s theologyand his understanding of the Bible, although new conceptsto our students, were inspired by post-Enlightenmentscholars, such as Rudolf Bultmann, who developed theconcept of demythologizing biblical stories, and FriedrichSchleiermacher, who constructed a Christology in whichJesus’ divinity corresponded to the fulfillment of humanpotential. Overall, Jack Spong demonstrated for this communitythe meaning of engaged education—of venturinginto uncharted waters, broadening our vision, and allowingdiscoveries to unfold with each new piece of knowledge.Being at Milton for the past few months has revitalized myfaith in the educational process. I admire this community’scourage and willingness to invite and listen to diverse voices,among them Jack Spong’s, not because they promotethe correct agenda or the right way of thinking, but becausethey challenge us to discover our own truths and becomeactive participants in our own education. I am grateful to bein a place where I am welcomed into the fold and encouragedto express my most genuine self. I believe that trueeducation takes place only by engaging critically and creativelywith the questions that affect our deepest sense ofself and perception of reality. Education is about the transformationof the world—one individual at a time.Suzanne Y. DeBuhr, Interfaith Chaplain39 Milton Magazine