Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Progressive Christian

2024-03-24T10:56:05-08:00

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.

How are Jesus & Lao Tzu Like Peanut Butter Cups?

Last updated on: March 24, 2024 at 10:56 am By Gregory T. Smith

0 Comments

How are Jesus and Lao Tzu like Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups? They are the two great faiths that faith great together! Do you remember the old TV commercials where two cowboys sit by the fire? As they accidentally bump into each other snacks collide. Each one looks to the other with furrowed brows. “You got your chocolate in my peanut butter,” the first one drawls. The second, just as offended, says, “You got your peanut butter on my chocolate!” The... Read more

General Christian

Education and Religion

Taoism

Chi

Christianity and Taoism

Jesus and Lao Tzu

Taoism

Wu Wei

2024-03-02T18:39:20-08:00

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.

Preaching Jesus on Other Planets (And Earth, Too)

Last updated on: March 2, 2024 at 6:39 pm By Gregory T. Smith

0 Comments

What would Christianity look like on a different planet? How can we determine which truths are earthbound, and which are universal? Imagine you’re a Christian missionary on a planet closer to its sun, where a thin atmosphere does not block harmful solar radiation. People have adapted to the harsh environment by burrowing into the planet’s crust, where it is cool and dark. Like bats, they have developed keen ears and dull eyesight. Inhabitants take trips to the surface at night when... Read more

General Christian

Technology and Religion

Challenging the Church

Theology

Adapting your message

Christianity on other planets

Missionaries to other planets

preaching

Preaching to aliens

Universal truth

2024-04-21T11:46:04-08:00

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.

Christian & Pagan Holidays: Easter Bunnies Come from Ostara

Last updated on: April 21, 2024 at 11:46 am By Gregory T. Smith

0 Comments

Religious killjoys, terrified of anything non-Christian, warn of Easter’s Pagan origins. Yet, we can reconcile and honor both traditions. Most Jesus followers know someone afraid of anything impure that might creep in from outside Christendom. These are the hyper-religious types who insist you can get a demon from playing Dungeons & Dragons. They’re certain that their kids will become witches if they read a Harry Potter book. And they love to debunk fun Christian holidays by telling you about their... Read more

New Visions

Religious Events

History and Religion

Holidays and special days

Easter

Heathen Christianity

Ostara

Pagan origins of Easter

Where did Easter eggs come from?

Where did the Easter Bunny come from?

2024-04-21T07:35:17-08:00

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 at the Well of Living Water

Last updated on: April 21, 2024 at 7:35 am By Gregory T. Smith

0 Comments

What did Jesus mean by “living water?” A 2,500-year-old Chinese text may give a clue. Let’s compare the words of Jesus and Lao Tzu. In honor of World Water Day, March 22 this year, I want to look at the spiritual meaning of water from two great traditions—Christianity and Taoism. The following is adapted from a book I am writing. The book’s working title is The Tao of Love: The Way of Jesus. In this article, I will discuss the mystical... Read more

General Christian

Education and Religion

Holidays and special days

Taoism and Christianity

Water

World water day

2024-02-25T18:07:13-08:00

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.

Inner Healing: Prescriptions for Medication and Meditation

Last updated on: February 25, 2024 at 6:07 pm By Gregory T. Smith

0 Comments

Every day I work with people who experience physical and emotional pain. While I can’t prescribe their medication, I do prescribe meditation. Bertha’s story: A few years ago, I paid a pastoral visit to Bertha (not her real name) in the hospital. She impressed me by the way she bore up under the pain of her medical treatments. Bertha told me, “I heard the Lord say in my mind, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So, I began... Read more

General Christian

Health, Fitness and Religion

Mental Health

Spirituality

Prescriptions for medication

Prescriptions for meditation

Should Christians take medication?

2024-02-25T08:54:05-08:00

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.

Is God the Source of Good and Evil?

Last updated on: February 25, 2024 at 8:54 am By Gregory T. Smith

0 Comments

Are God and Satan equal and opposite? Does God get credit for good, while we blame the devil for evil? Is God the source of good and evil? Recently, a friend asked me the following question: “I’m still kinda on my spiritual journey in trying to be a better Christian but I still got questions in my head that hold me back sometimes. I was wondering if you could help me out with if you had time…I’ve seen and read... Read more

General Christian

Religious Art

History and Religion

Deconstruction

Theology

Does Satan Do God's Dirty Work?

Is God the Source of Good and Evil?

2024-03-01T21:53:33-08:00

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.

Emergency Brakes at Highway Speeds (& Other Cries for Help)

Last updated on: March 1, 2024 at 9:53 pm By Gregory T. Smith

0 Comments

What happens when you pull the emergency brake on the freeway? A client decided to try it at 60mph. It was his way of crying for help. Sometimes a person’s bad behavior can speak louder than their words. Recently, I met a client upon his release from jail. I didn’t have all the details about his weekend incarceration. So, I asked questions to learn why he’d been arrested. As I drove him to an appointment, we turned onto the freeway,... Read more

General Christian

Relationships and Religion

Careers, Workplace and Religion

Social Justice

Uncategorized

2024-02-19T08:08:53-08:00

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.

An Open Letter to Pastors: Child Sacrifice on Church Altars

Last updated on: February 19, 2024 at 8:08 am By Gregory T. Smith

0 Comments

Pastors with children of their own may be sacrificing them to a false god, without even knowing it. Read on to see what I mean… One Good Molech Sermon Every pastor has at least one good Molech sermon, vividly describing Canaanite child sacrifice by laying the infant on the red-hot arms of the fiery metal idol. It’s good for that cringe effect from your congregation that rivets them to their pews and lets you know they’re listening. It might get... Read more

General Christian

Family, Parenting and Religion

Careers, Workplace and Religion

Challenging the Church

Pastoral responsibilities

2024-02-19T08:09:35-08:00

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’m Calling You Out! – Gunfighter Etiquette for Christians

Last updated on: February 19, 2024 at 8:09 am By Gregory T. Smith

0 Comments

“Sheriff, I’m calling you out!” shouts the black-hatted cowboy, striding through the saloon door. Sounds like social media these days. We’ve all seen the Westerns, our hero marching out to meet the villain at high noon, spurs jangling. Tumbleweeds roll in the background. Harmonica whines as the man in the white hat pulls back his duster, revealing twin pearl-handled iPhones. Fingers twitch inches from his holster. He draws and posts a merciless message. Blowing the smoke away from his screen,... Read more

General Christian

Relationships and Religion

History and Religion

Challenging the Church

Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court

2024-02-18T08:40:59-08:00

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.

Mostly Dead: The Princess Bride & Religious Deconstruction

Last updated on: February 18, 2024 at 8:40 am By Gregory T. Smith

0 Comments

Is religion like the Pit of Despair, sucking life from you? The good news is you’re only mostly dead. And mostly dead is slightly alive. The Princess Bride is one of my favorite movies. In the film, the rogue Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) asks Miracle Max (Billy Crystal) for a resurrection-cure for his slain friend, Westley (Cary Elwes), Aka Dread Pirate Roberts. Miracle Max : He probably owes you money huh? I’ll ask him. Inigo Montoya : He’s dead. He can’t talk.... Read more

General Christian

Religious Music and Entertainment

Religious Art

Mostly dead is slightly alive

Religious deconstruction

The Princess Bride

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "Lord, increase our faith!"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Paul John Peter The disciples

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Challenging the Church Deconstruction For Pastors Heathen Christianity Holidays and special days Mental Health Social Justice Spirituality Taoism Theology Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022

TRENDING AT PATHEOS Progressive Christian