Editing David Jenkins (bishop) (section)

==Bishop of Durham==

His selection as Bishop of Durham was controversial due to allegations that he held [[heterodoxy|heterodox]] beliefs, particularly regarding the virgin birth and the bodily resurrection.<ref name=Telegraph_obit /><ref name=Guardian_obit /><ref name=BBC_obit /> Between his selection and consecration, he said in an interview: "I wouldn't put it past God to arrange a virgin birth if he wanted. But I don't think he did."<ref name=Guardian_obit /> His widely quoted comment about the resurrection of Christ being "just a conjuring trick with bones" is a misrepresentation;<ref name=Guardian_obit /><ref name=Davie_2006>{{cite journal |jstor=23999084 |title=Religion in Europe in the 21st Century: The Factors to Take into Account  |author=Grace Davie |journal=European Journal of Sociology |volume=47 |page=279 |year=2006   }}</ref> his actual words as recorded on television say the reverse: the resurrection is ''not'' a conjuring trick with bones. The original line appears to have been "[the Resurrection] is real. That's the point. All I said was 'literally physical'. I was very careful in the use of language. After all, a conjuring trick with bones proves only that somebody's very clever at a conjuring trick with bones."<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/profile-the-one-true-bishop-of-durham-dr-david-jenkins-retiring-scourge-of-sacred-cows-1392030.html "Profile: The one true Bishop of Durham: Dr David Jenkins, retiring scourge of sacred cows"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828145405/http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/profile-the-one-true-bishop-of-durham-dr-david-jenkins-retiring-scourge-of-sacred-cows-1392030.html |date=28 August 2012 }}, ''[[The Independent]]'', 5 February 1994</ref> According to his BBC obituary, he considered "the resurrection was not a single event, but a series of experiences that gradually convinced people that Jesus's life, power, purpose and personality were actually continuing."<ref name=BBC_obit />

Nonetheless, Jenkins' public pronouncements caused great disquiet, particularly within his own diocese. As a result of doubts concerning his elevation to bishop, a petition signed by more than 12,000 people was submitted to the Archbishop of York.<ref name=BBC_obit/>

Three days after his consecration as bishop on 6 July 1984, [[York Minster]] was struck by lightning, resulting in a disastrous [[York Minster fire|fire]] which some interpreted as a sign of divine wrath at Jenkins's appointment.<ref name=Telegraph_obit /><ref name=Davie_2006 /><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xf89AAAAIBAJ&sjid=fUkMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4856%2C1619430 Dr Runcie discounts 'wrath of God' theory], ''[[The Glasgow Herald]]'', 10 July 1984</ref>

As a bishop, Jenkins was known for his willingness to speak his mind.<ref name=BBC_obit>{{cite news|title=Bishop David Jenkins obituary: A controversial cleric|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37093551|access-date=4 September 2016|publisher=BBC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160904182054/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37093551|archive-date=4 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1989 he made an extended appearance on the television discussion programme ''[[After Dark (TV series)|After Dark]]'', alongside among others [[Steven Rose]], [[Frank Cioffi]], [[Dorothy Rowe]] and [[Michael Bentine]].

After leaving office in 1994 he continued to voice his opinions, such as in a BBC interview in 2003.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast_with_frost/2718597.stm |title=BBC Breakfast with Frost Interview, 2 February 2003 |date=2 February 2003 |access-date=15 December 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070903090007/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast_with_frost/2718597.stm |archive-date=3 September 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref>