As well-intentioned as Michael Ingham's Mansions of the Spirit is, the author has completely missed the point of Christianity. This book is all about semantics. And to me, there is a vast difference between compassion and compromise.

The book starts out interestingly enough.

For those of us who know the history of Christianity and other world faiths, Mansions of the Spirit offers nothing new. But for those of us who know little about religious history or the ecumenical movement, it is fairly informative.

The hitch is the negative slant that is put on Christianity. By the time we get to the end of the 3rd chapter, we have the sneaking suspicion that that tiny section of letters at the end of the Bible, which we call the New Testament, is simply the narrow-minded view of a small group of intolerant people from long ago.

For the benefit of the average lay person, who may not have had the opportunity to study church history or theology, it would have been good to have seen included in the bibliography of the book, reference to books such as Pheme Perkin's Reading the New Testament, An Introduction, or perhaps, Reading the Old Testament, An Introduction by Lawrence Boadt, so that we too could understand where Bishop Ingham is coming from.

Having said all this, the author, nevertheless, lost me on page 32, by doing what many over the centuries have done, to relegate others to where they feel they should be. In this case, Christianity is being put in its place.

On page 32, the author refers to John 17:23, focusing in on the word, "unity", and implying it to mean fellowship and communion.

And there it was for me - Scripture taken out of context.

In this paper, I would like to address the context in which various Scripture verses have been used in Mansions of the Spirit, in order to clarify the context in which I feel they were actually meant to be read.

Abridged Version

Page 32
"I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." John 17:23

Context used in Mansions of the Spirit:

Bishop Ingham has focused in on the word "unity" in the Scripture verse, and taken it to mean "fellowship" or "community" among all believers.

Actual Bible Context:

As we read through John Chapters 14 through 17, we get a clearer sense of what Jesus was saying to his disciples, and what he is saying to us today.

- Jesus explains to the disciples that he is in the Father, and that the Father is in him. Jn 14:10
- He goes on to promise that he will ask the Father to send them the Holy Spirit to be with them. v16
- He promises that he will not leave them as orphans, but that he will come to them. v18
- Speaking of his resurrection, he tells them that the world will not see him anymore, but that they will see him. v19
- On that day, they will realize that he is in the Father, they are in him, and he is in them. v20
- In Chapter 15, he tells them to remain in him, and he tells them that he will remain in them. Jn 15:4
- In Chapter 17, he prays for the disciples, that they may be one, as he is one with the Father. Jn 17:11b
- He then prays for us, believers today, that we may be one, just as the Father is in him, and he is in the Father. v21
- He prays that we believers may also be in Jesus and in the Father, he in us, and the Father in him, and that we may be brought to complete unity in him and in the Father, through the Holy Spirit. vv21-23

Conclusion: the Scripture verse in actual fact therefore, refers, NOT to fellowship or communion among Christian believers, but rather, to that oneness, for each believer, in the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit, as he, Jesus, is one with the Father through the Holy Spirit.

Pages 63-64
Context used in Mansions of the Spirit:

The author states that it is clear from the following Scripture verses that God does not show any partiality or favouritism to any particular religious group.

Actual Bible Context:

"And all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God." Isaiah 52:10
Isaiah Chapters 48 through 52 speak of Israel's stubbornness, sin, and disobedience, the suffering and obedient servant of the Lord, and the salvation of the Lord.
Isaiah 52:10 speaks of God Himself who will lay bare his holy arm and the nations will see, in other words, witness, what He has done.
Conclusion: In no way is "impartiality" or "favouritism" towards religious groups implied by this Scripture verse, but rather, that the nations will witness, see, what God has done.

"Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth." Psalm 67:4
In this particular Psalm, the psalmist is praying for God's blessing so that He may be known to all nations. Then the nations will see God's blessing and praise Him, and the land will yeild its harvest. And all the ends of the earth will fear Him.
Conclusion: Again, neither the concept of "impartiality" or "favouritism" towards religious groups is implied by the Psalmist, but rather, that evidence of God's blessing in answer to the prayer of the psalmist will lead the nations to praise God for what He has done.

"In past generation he allowed all the nations to follow their own ways; yet he has not left himself without witnesses in doing good - giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with joy." Acts 14:16-17
In this Scripture verse, Paul, in Lystra, has just healed a man who was lame from birth. Seeing this, the crowds begin to praise Paul and Barnabas as gods come down in human form, calling them Zeus and Hermes. Paul and Barnabas are dismayed, and appeal to them to turn away from their false gods.
In this verse, Paul explains to the people that it is God Who has provided them with rain, food, and joy.
Conclusion: In this Scripture verse, Paul is dealing with the issue of praising false gods, and not the issue of "impartiality" or "favouritism" towards religious groups that Bishop Ingham is trying to address.

"This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1Timothy 2:4
Paul is giving instruction to Timothy concerning false doctrines that are plaguing the church in Ephesus. He encourages Timothy to hold on to his faith, urging him to pray for everyone. For, Paul says, God wants everyone to come to the knowledge of the truth. The next verse says what this truth is: "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men - the testimony given in its proper time."
Conclusion: In this Scripture verse, Paul is addressing the false teaching that is plaguing the church, and confirming the truth and the foundation of his faith to Timothy by saying, "one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus". This has nothing to do with "favouritism" or "impartiality" towards religious groups.

Scripture verse as written in Mansions of the Spirit:
For he will repay according to each one's deeds: to those who by patiently doing good seek for glory and honour and immortality, he will give eternal life; there will be glory and honour and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God has no favourites." Romans 2:6,7,10,11

Scripture verses taken from New International Version, including verses excluded in Mansions of the Spirit:
God "will give to each person according to what he has done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism. Romans 2:6-11

In these Scripture verses, Paul is teaching about the dire consequence of sin, whether for the Jew under the law, or for the Gentile apart from the law.
Conclusion: In this verse, Paul has used the word "favouritism" in direct reference to the consequence of sin for all - whether Jew under the law, or Gentile apart from the law - and not in reference to the impartiality of God for inclusiveness of all religious groups, as implied by Bishop Ingham in his book.

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. John 10:16
The words in the verse, "this fold", refer to those who believed in Jesus as he walked on the earth. The "other sheep that do not belong to this fold" refers to those who would believe in him following his death and resurrection, up to and including believers today.
In chapter 9, Jesus has just healed a man who was born blind, and has given a very simple teaching on spiritual blindness to the Pharisees. He is speaking to unbelieving Jews in John 10:16, when he says, I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. Jesus is referring here to future believers
At another time, Jesus is again speaking to unbelieving Jews, who ask him, "If you are the Christ, tell us plainly". Jesus responds, "I did tell you, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:24-30 Jesus is speaking here of those who believed in him when he walked on the earth.
Conclusion: Jesus is explaining that only those who believe in him are his sheep, one fold being those who believed in him as he walked on the earth, the other fold being future believers. He is explaining who his sheep are.
This has nothing to do with "favouritism" or "impartiality" towards all religious groups.

Page 79
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Context used in Mansions of the Spirit:

The verse is seen as an outpouring of praise, an expression of adoration by those who had experienced new life in him, a declaration arising from the community at that time, rather than from Jesus himself.

Bible context:

Jesus speaks at length to his disciples in John Chapters 14 through 17.
He explains that he is in the Father and that the Father is in him, that he is one with the Father, the Father being in him, and he being in the Father; Jesus is the way.
He promises the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, and he tells them that the Spirit will take what is his and make it known to them; Jesus is the truth.
Jesus prays to the Father, saying, "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."; Jesus is the life.
This is not an outpouring of praise, but rather, an indepth teaching that encompasses several chapters.

Page 110
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Matthew 10:39

Context used in Mansions of the Spirit:

The author is speaking of the mystical path, and spiritual methods and meditations of self-denial, cleansing and purifying the intellect, self-emptying, and self-annihilating absorption into the divine, for a more elevated communion with God.
Bishop Ingham is speaking about a nirvana-like communion with God.

Bible context:

Jesus is preparing his disciples for very practical and hands-on ministry to the lost sheep of Israel: preaching, healing, raising the dead, cleansing lepers, driving out demons. He tells them that they will be persecuted, as he was, but that they should not be afraid. He encourages them to take up their cross and follow him. If they do this for his sake, they will find new life.
Jesus is speaking about persecution in the world for his sake.

Page 110
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." 1Corinthians 13:1

Context used in Mansions of the Spirit:

This section of the book deals with the universality of mysticism in all religious traditions.
Bishop Ingham is speaking of ascetic blocks to religious experience.

Bible Context:

Tongues, not a gift that is easily understood or accepted by all Christians, is not an outward manifestation of a ritual, but rather the manifestation of the Spirit given for the common good. 1Cor 12:7
In 1Corinthians chapters 12, 13, and 14, Paul is instructing believers concerning all of the spiritual gifts. Tongues is the gift that is addressed in this particular Scripture verse.
The sound of tongues without love is like the sound of a clanging cymbal, says Paul.
Paul explains that all the gifts are given for the common good, but that love is needed. The gifts will pass away, he teaches, but love never fails.
Paul is speaking to a church that is divided among itself, focusing on the gifts of the Spirit rather than on each other.

Page 125
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."
Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."
He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."
The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.
He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."
"Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."
Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Matthew 15:21-28

Context used in Mansions of the Spirit:

This section is about being open to other faiths. The Scripture is used support the notion that Jesus was open other faiths.

Bible Context:

The Scripture tells of a Canaanite woman, who comes to Jesus for help. She acknowledges him as Lord, and as the Son of David.
Note that, in verse 23, we read that "Jesus did not answer a word."
Nevertheless,the woman persists, knowing that he can help her, and with her words, shows that she understands that he came for all people.
This story is about having faith in Jesus, and about answered prayer.
It was the woman who was open to Jesus - in contrast to what is implied by Bishop Ingham in his book - that Jesus was open to her.
Jesus saw her faith in him, and he healed her daughter.

Page 125
"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." 1John 4:1

Context used in Mansions of the Spirit:

The author writes that the Scripture verse should be used in a self-searching way, and that within what we believe as Christians, there may be things and confessional statements we may come to deny. He writes of a Faith that requires charitableness of heart and mind.
The author is urging us to question what we believe.

Bible Context:

John is warning the believers against false teachings. His wording shows us that not all spirits are good, and that the believers need to test the spirits.
He speaks to them about the viewpoint of the world, and listening to God: the spirit of falsehood, and the Spirit of truth. v5-6
This Scripture assures believers that they have been given an anointing, and that that anointing is real, not counterfeit, the Holy Spirit. 1John 2:26-27

Page 131
'Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath"' Mark 2:27

'As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his paents, that he was born blind?"
"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?" Some claimed that he was.
Others said, "No, he only looks like him."
But he himself insisted, "I am the man"' John 9:1-9

There is no longer Jew nor Greek, male nor female, slave nor free, but all are one in Christ Jesus" Galations 3:28

Context in Mansions of the Spirit:

Concerning Mark 2:27: Jesus counters strict views of the Sabbath.

Concerning John 9:1-9: Jesus counters the idea that people suffer because of sin.

Concerning Galations 3:28: All people are now chosen people. There is a new Israel, a new global community through faith in Jesus Christ. This is replacement theology.

Conclusion: Since things changed way back then, and were no longer relevant for the people of that time, could not the same be said for today? Christianity, according to Bishop Ingham, has not evolved past the New Testament writings. The church has limited herself and her adherents from being open to other traditions, by limiting herself canonically to Scripture belonging to the first century.

Biblical context:

Concerning Mark 2:27: In the healing of the man with leprosy, Mark 1:40-45, Jesus instructs the man to go and show himself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for his cleansing as a testimony to them.
In Matthew 5:17, as a precurser to his teachings concerning various laws, Jesus says, that he has not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them.
As we read through these early chapters in Mark, we see that Jesus has authority to heal and to forgive sins. Now we learn something more about the authority of Jesus.
Conclusion: This Scripture verse is less about what the Sabbath is, and more about who Jesus is: as it is written in verse 27, Jesus is Lord even of the Sabbath.

Biblical context:

Concerning John 9:1-9: The man was blind from birth, but when he met Jesus, he could see. The Pharisees, who could see physically, could not see Jesus for who he was.
Conclusion: This is a teaching about spiritual blindness and legalism.

Biblical context:

concerning Galations 3:28: Paul is addressing the issue of law and circumcision, which the Galations are erroneously being instructed to adhere to.
Paul explains to the Galatians that they have been baptized into Christ and have therefore clothed themselves with Christ. If they belong to Christ, then they are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Conclusion: It is in the sense that they have all believed and been baptized into Christ, that they - Jew, Greek, slave, free, male, female - are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:26-27

Page 137
That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. "Teacher," they said, "Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and have children for him. Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. Finally, the woman died. Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?"
Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead - have you not read what God said to you, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living."
When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.
Matthew 22:23-33

Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
"What is it you want?" he asked.
She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."
"You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?"
"We can," they answered.
Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.
Matthew 20:20-23:

Context in Mansions of the Spirit:

The author interprets this Scripture to mean that we do not have the right to decide who will be saved; only God can decide.

Biblical context:

Concerning Matthew 22:23-33:
In this section of God's Word, following Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Chapters 21 through 23, the Sadducees and the Pharisees are questioning the authority of Jesus and trying to trick him.
The Sadducees do not believe in the resurrection.
Jesus' answer to them is that God is not God of the dead, but God of the living.
Conlusion: This Scripture is not about judging who will be saved, but rather, Jesus is affirming to the Sadducees, and to us, that there will be a resurrection.

Concerning Matthew 20:20-23:
In chapters 19 and 20, Jesus is speaking to the disciples about servanthood and heavenly blessings.
Conclusion: This Scripture is not about judging who will be saved, but rather, that those who will be seated at Jesus' side in the Kingdom will have servant hearts. Mt 19:28-30, Mt 20:16, Mt 20:26-28

Page 139
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:13

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went.
He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?'
"Because no one has hired us," they answered.
He said to them, "You also go and work in my vineyard.
When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.'
The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. "These men who were hired last worked only one hour," they said, "and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.
But he answered one of them, "Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?
"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
Matthew 20:1-16

Context in Mansions of the Spirit:

In this secion on evangelism, the author uses these scripture verses to state that we should not let a narrow view of Jesus cause us to "proselytise" those of other faiths.
As all received the same pay in the parable, so all will share in kingdom inheritance.

Biblical context:

Concerning Matthew 7:13:
In Chapters 5 through 7, Jesus has been dealing with legalism of the Word of the Law and the Prophets, i.e. murder, adultery, divorce. Legalism is the wide gate that leads to destruction. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law.
Conclusion:Jesus is urging his listeners not to leave themselves open to sin by being legalistic. It is in this sense that Jesus is encouraging his listeners to enter by the narrow gate. And, as he is the "fulfillment of the law", he is the gate.

Concerning Matthew 20:1-16:
Those with servant hearts will want to usher others ahead of them into the kingdom, not mindful of any reward, but ready to cast their crowns before Him.
Conclusion: This Scripture is not about who will enter the Kingdom, but about true servanthood.

Last of all, the title of the book:
Concerning John 14:2a:
In my Father's house are many rooms.    New International Version
In My Father's house are many dwelling places.    New American Standard
There are many rooms in my Father's house.    Good News Bible
In my Father's house are many mansions.    King James Version

Context of title, Mansions of the Spirit:

The author has focused in on the word "mansions" that appears in the King James Version, suggesting it to mean the diversity of other faith traditions.

Biblical context:

Jesus is comforting his disciples, telling them that he is going ahead of them to prepare a place for them, and that if he goes and prepares a place for them, he will come back for them. He assures them that they know the way to the Father because they know him; he is in the Father and the Father is in him. He promises the Holy Spirit, who lives with them, and will be in them.

According to Strong's Concordance, both the words mansions, verse 2, and abode, verse 23, are translated from the Greek word mone mon-ay; a staying, i.e residence (the act or the place): -- abode, mansion. The noun that the King James Version translated "mansions", comes from the same root as the verb abide, remain, dwell.

This does not mean diversity, as in other faith traditions, as implied by Bishop Ingham in the title of his book.
Rather, Jesus is speaking here, of something very intimate and personal, the indwelling of God the Holy Spirit in those who believe in him. John 14:6-23

In conclusion, I would like to say that each person is entitled to his, or her, opinion. However, when Scripture verse is used to support that opinion, it is then time for the Christian to sit up and take notice.

It is a sad fact today, that we Christians in main-line churches, read only select verses of Scripture on Sunday mornings. And so, we are not in the habit of examining much larger sections of Scripture, in order to deepen our understanding of God's Word. Because of this, we fall prey to the many teachings that are dividing our church today.

When Scripture verse is quoted in the Bible, whether it be in the Hebrew Scriptures or in the Christian Testament, it is always within the context in which it was originally written. A close examination of Scripture verse will confirm this. Old Testament and New Testament writers have never taken Scripture verse out of context. And neither must we. God's Word has been given to us for our good, not for our pleasure or licence.

Contemplation and theological debate aside, this world of hurting and debased humanity is more in need of a personal Saviour than the theory of an unseen God.

Let us not confuse the humanistic and sentimental "love" of this world with the Agape Word of "Love" given to us by God in "Love" your neighbour as yourself.

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Let us not confuse compassion with compromise.

Let us give them Jesus.

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