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Progressive Christian

2026-10-03T19:06:48-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Lead a Church Study of “Jesus and Lao Tzu: The Way of Love”

Last updated on: October 3, 2026 at 7:06 pm By Gregory T. Smith

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Guest writer Jack Thomas (The Irreverent Reverend) reflects on leading his church through a study of Jesus and Lao Tzu: The Way of Love. Recently, I had the opportunity to lead our Christian church through a study of my friend Gregory T. Smith’s Jesus and Lao Tzu: The Way of Love. Greg and I have been friends for nearly twenty years, so reading the book was personal for me before I ever considered teaching it. I know the person behind... Read more

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2026-10-04T14:57:00-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

“Can You Follow Jesus and Still Practice Smudging?”

Last updated on: October 4, 2026 at 2:57 pm By Gregory T. Smith

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A chaplain’s question about Indigenous Christians opens a conversation about grace, spiritual authority, and who gets to name our faith. Recently, a dear friend who serves as a prison chaplain asked me about Indigenous* people he knows who identify as Christian and also practice traditions such as smudging. He wanted to know if I believed they were still Christians. I believe he asked sincerely. He was trying to discern how to offer spiritual counsel with integrity. My answer was... Read more

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2026-09-12T20:18:59-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Jesus and Lao Tzu: Seven Striking Parallels

Last updated on: September 12, 2026 at 8:18 pm By Gregory T. Smith

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What’s the most astonishing thing about Lao Tzu? Sometimes, he sounds uncannily like Jesus—centuries before Jesus was born! Four decades ago, when I first learned about Tao Te Ching, I noticed this strange resonance between the Chinese philosopher and the carpenter from Nazareth. No—I’m not suggesting that Jesus was part of a secret Taoist school. Neither am I in the camp that believes he traveled to the Far East in the silent years between ages twelve and thirty. And I’m... Read more

General Christian

History and Religion

Taoism and Christianity

2026-09-23T19:09:10-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

“You Got Your Lao Tzu on My Jesus!”

Last updated on: September 23, 2026 at 7:09 pm By Gregory T. Smith

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What do Jesus, Lao Tzu, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have in common? More than I expected—and enough to become a book. A little over two years ago, I began this series by asking, “How Are Jesus & Lao Tzu Like Peanut Butter Cups?” I told the story of how my ninth-grade World History teacher introduced me to the Tao Te Ching through Benjamin Hoff’s unassuming book, The Tao of Pooh. When this Christian boy read Lao Tzu, his words... Read more

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2026-09-12T19:44:57-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Mo Thomas: Book Review from a Black Hole

Last updated on: September 12, 2026 at 7:44 pm By Gregory T. Smith

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I’ve learned that some book endorsements are a favor. Mo Thomas’s review of my book felt more like one traveler recognizing another. I’ve never met Mo Thomas face to face. We met the way most writers encounter one another these days—through publisher’s channels. This is what I’ve learned about the industry as I’ve been working with Quoir to put my new book into the world. I wasn’t just signing with a publishing house. I was joining a community. Quoir... Read more

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2026-08-23T15:26:36-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

If Birds Talked, They Couldn’t Fly

Last updated on: August 23, 2026 at 3:26 pm By Gregory T. Smith

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Words can teach, comfort, and heal—but they can also weigh down the soul. What might we hear if we stopped talking and welcomed the silence? I love the philosophical comedy-drama Northern Exposure, which ran from 1990 to 1995. The quirky characters and their deep, meaningful nonsense provoked both laughter and thought. One of my favorite characters was the Flying Man. The viewer never actually sees him fly, but he shows up in the strangest places, with no other explanation besides... Read more

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2026-08-23T14:01:22-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Pinocchio and the Power of the Uncarved Block

Last updated on: August 23, 2026 at 2:01 pm By Gregory T. Smith

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Pinocchio may seem an unlikely guide to Lao Tzu and Jesus. Yet the puppet’s story offers a surprisingly clear window into both. As he learns to become real wooden boy teaches us the Taoist principles of pu—the uncarved block—and wu wei, the way of acting without forcing. Again and again, Pinocchio allows applause, pleasure, and fear to carve him into something he is not. This is a sure depiction of our own deception and over-involvement in the world’s distractions.... Read more

General Christian

History and Religion

Religious Art

2026-08-29T16:00:03-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I Met Papa Before I Read The Shack

Last updated on: August 29, 2026 at 4:00 pm By Gregory T. Smith

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Before William Paul Young published The Shack, I had my own encounter with God as Papa. Now, decades later, I get to tell Young about it. It was around 1997. I was between pastoral positions and working a sales job to keep the roof over our heads. My third child was on the way, and money was scarce. Sales had been slim, and I was scared. One day I returned to the depot to return the work vehicle, and... Read more

General Christian

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2026-08-16T13:23:07-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Guest Who Stayed at an Unfriendly Table

Last updated on: August 16, 2026 at 1:23 pm By Gregory T. Smith

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Feeling like an unwelcome guest? Jesus models how to be a gracious guest, even at tables where you are invited, but not really wanted. I’ve often found myself a misfit among my clergy peers. When I attended a moderate seminary because of geography rather than theological perspectives, I was still clinging to the conservative views of my upbringing. I could sense my classmates and even some professors tolerating my traditionalism while struggling to mask their impatience through gracious smiles. The... Read more

General Christian

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Challenging the Church

2026-08-08T11:09:01-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

When Being a Good Guest Is Better than Hospitality

Last updated on: August 8, 2026 at 11:09 am By Gregory T. Smith

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Hospitality is a Christian virtue. We should be good hosts—but what if it’s more important to learn to be good guests? My wife, Christina, and I love having people over. About once a month, our dining room fills with family or friends. Our guest room is always ready, should someone want to spend the night. We plan the menu, clean the house, set the table, and think about how we can make everyone feel welcome. Being hosts gives us so... Read more

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