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Progressive Christian

2023-08-06T14:26:26-08:00

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 It Ok to Be Friends with People of Other Faiths?

Last updated on: August 6, 2023 at 2:26 pm By Gregory T. Smith

Many Christians want to know, is it okay to be friends with people of other faiths? The answer is YES! For International Friendship Day (July 30), let’s see why interfaith friendships can be so important. The Importance of Interfaith Friendships My parents taught me the importance of interfaith friendships when I was young. I remember visiting with our friends from Sri Lanka, and marveling at the Buddha statues in their home. When a Jewish friend who was a struggling... Read more

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2023-07-22T09:09:50-08:00

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.

Will Christians Receive Crowns in Heaven?

Last updated on: July 22, 2023 at 9:09 am By Gregory T. Smith

Will Christians receive crowns in heaven? What does the Bible say about spiritual rewards? The answer may be different than you think. Will There Be Any Stars? Growing up in a Baptist church, I heard lots of talk about receiving a crown in heaven. We even sang “Will There Be Any Stars?” by E.E. Hewitt. I imagined a literal crown full of stars as I sang the lyrics: 1 I am thinking today of that beautiful land I shall reach... Read more

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2023-07-15T10:16:25-08:00

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 Should the Church Include Intersex People?

Last updated on: July 15, 2023 at 10:16 am By Gregory T. Smith

Without meaning to, the Church often excludes intersex people. Here’s what one hurting commenter said the Church should do to include them. Inclusion of LGBTQIA+ FOLKS In my article, “How to Decide When Jesus’ Teachings are Silent,” I discussed how following the Holy Spirit’s still small voice can help Christians decide things that Jesus never explicitly mentioned. One paragraph in this article addresses marginalized communities that Jesus didn’t specifically affirm. I wrote: Even red-letter Christians would like to think... Read more

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2023-07-16T06:27:17-08:00

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.

If People Struggle Anyway, Why Pray?

Last updated on: July 16, 2023 at 6:27 am By Gregory T. Smith

Countless scriptures adjure believers to pray for one another. But if painful and pleasant come to all, you may ask, “Why Pray?” If People Struggle Anyway, Why Pray? In my last article, “When Prayers of Protection and Healing Fail,” I addressed the crisis of faith that many feel when they pray for others, and disaster happens anyway. These experiences lead many to believe that there is no purpose in prayer. If people struggle anyway, why pray? Author C.S. Lewis... Read more

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2023-07-25T20:36:53-08:00

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.

When Prayers of Protection and Healing Fail

Last updated on: July 25, 2023 at 8:36 pm By Gregory T. Smith

If people still have accidents, sickness, and other tragedies even when we pray for them, why pray? Recently, a friend asked me about prayers for divine healing and protection. In their own health journey, and in light of a recent neighborhood tragedy, they found themselves wrestling with how to pray. Here’s my response: Those of us who grew up in church learned from an early age to pray for protection and healing for those we love. We took for... Read more

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2023-07-11T19:13:19-08:00

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.

Facing the Forgotten Martyrs (The Ones We Killed)

Last updated on: July 11, 2023 at 7:13 pm By Gregory T. Smith

Have you heard about the forgotten martyrs in the Bible? Our Bible heroes murdered these men, women, and children because of their faith. A History of Violence Religious history recounts stories of violence and persecution against Jewish and Christian people. While these stories are well known, we must reflect on the narratives of those whom we ourselves have martyred. The Bible itself presents instances where individuals were killed for their faith, often perpetuated by religious leaders. When we get honest... Read more

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2023-07-08T06:36:27-08:00

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.

Which is Better—A Paper Bible or Digital?

Last updated on: July 8, 2023 at 6:36 am By Gregory T. Smith

Is the debate between a paper or digital Bible merely a preference? Is there a proper way to honor a paper Bible? Does the format matter? People of the Book To honor their Christian brothers and sisters, Muslims call followers of Jesus “people of the book.” This is a respectful title for those who follow God as interpreted through the Scriptures. But many Christians turn the Bible into an idol. I have known Christians to so honor the physical book... Read more

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2023-07-04T09:52:08-08:00

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.

Finding Peace Through One-Word Prayer

Last updated on: July 4, 2023 at 9:52 am By Gregory T. Smith

Christian mantras can help you can find peace through one-word prayer. Here are three short prayers, in the languages of Jesus. Finding Peace Through One-Word Prayer In my previous articles on one-word prayer, I invited readers to discover Christian mantras. These are short prayers to slowly repeat with each breath. The author of 1 Thessalonians suggests that believers “pray without ceasing.” Through one-word prayer, you can do just that. It’s hard to constantly think of new things to say to... Read more

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2023-06-27T19:31:38-08:00

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.

A Letter to the SBC, Regarding Female Pastors

Last updated on: June 27, 2023 at 7:31 pm By Gregory T. Smith

A former Southern Baptist Pastor congratulates the SBC for its decision against female pastors. (Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge.) Dear Southern Baptist Convention, I want to congratulate you on your recent decision to ban all women from being called pastors. This goes a long way toward ensuring that your people will not go through that menacing deconstruction process where many people evaluate their own faith and decide for themselves what they believe. I know firsthand what a bother that... Read more

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2023-06-25T19:32:06-08:00

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.

Open Your Soul with One-Word Prayer

Last updated on: June 25, 2023 at 7:32 pm By Gregory T. Smith

My previous articles about one-word prayer suggest Christian mantras to open your soul to God. Here are a few more in the languages of Jesus: Open Your Soul with One-Word Prayer One-word prayers can open your soul to God like no other kind of prayer. In the first article of this series, “How to Pray a One-Word Prayer,” I wrote, “I’m convinced that we tend to talk too much when we pray. Prayer is better when we let our words... Read more

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