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Progressive Christian

2022-12-07T07:05:52-08:00

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.

Should I Attend See You at the Pole?

Last updated on: December 7, 2022 at 7:05 am By Gregory T. Smith

Is See You at the Pole an annual event of spiritual dedication, or a perfect example of Christian nationalism? If you’re thinking of attending this before-school rally, please read on. As a pastor, I used to get annual emails and flyers in the church mailbox promoting See You at the Pole (SYATP). This annual event at the end of September ostensibly is designed for Christians to pray for their schools and school systems at the beginning of each school year.... Read more

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Christian persecution complex

2022-09-18T19:05:29-08:00

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 Speaking in Tongues a Lesser Gift?

Last updated on: September 18, 2022 at 7:05 pm By Gregory T. Smith

You may have heard it said that the gift of tongues is a lesser gift. That’s because it can be a blessing or a distraction in church. In private prayer life, it can be a benefit or an obsession. My experience of the gift of tongues has been a mixed bag. On the one hand, I’ve witnessed first-hand cases of Christians showboating in church. Tongues-speaking in worship services calls attention to the individual and removes the focus from Jesus himself.... Read more

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tongues in small group

2022-09-18T19:04:26-08:00

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 the Gift of Tongues a Second Blessing?

Last updated on: September 18, 2022 at 7:04 pm By Gregory T. Smith

“Receive the Holy Spirit,” whispered my Pentecostal friend. One hand was on my chest and the other on my forehead as he prayed that I might receive the Holy Spirit as evidenced by the gift of tongues. Others in the group babbled their incoherent prayers around me, having already received the gift. These Pentecostals believed in what they called the Second Blessing. They believe that salvation is the first blessing to come to people who receive Jesus as their Savior.... Read more

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2022-12-07T07:05:16-08:00

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.

Do Christians Have a Monopoly on the Holy Spirit?

Last updated on: December 7, 2022 at 7:05 am By Gregory T. Smith

Is the Holy Spirit only for Christians? While Jesus’ followers disagree with each other on when the Holy Spirit comes into the life of a believer, most agree that the Holy Spirit is a special blessing only for Christians. But is this true? Do Christians have a monopoly on the Holy Spirit? As I deconstructed my religious beliefs, I came to realize that non-Christians experience all the same things we say the Holy Spirit does for Christians. All people... Read more

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Home and Religion

2022-09-18T19:01:21-08:00

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.

Righteousnesslessness (Not a typo)

Last updated on: September 18, 2022 at 7:01 pm By Gregory T. Smith

In my last articles, I must have come across as if I believe that Jesus wasn’t sinless. In my first article, “A Flawless Hero,” I was bold enough to suggest that a hero without imperfections is boring—and Jesus is no boring hero. Next, in “Holy Outlaw,” I said that Jesus certainly wasn’t sinless, if we define sin as a violation of biblical law. Then, in “One of Us,” I subverted the idea of original sin, and the need for virgin... Read more

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Was Jesus sinless

2022-09-18T19:00:02-08:00

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.

Sinless Jesus: One of Us

Last updated on: September 18, 2022 at 7:00 pm By Gregory T. Smith

When the church claims that Jesus was sinless, what does that mean? In this series’ first article, “A Flawless Hero,” I discuss the two possibilities that might arise by that question. The second article in this series, “Holy Outlaw” asks whether Jesus ever broke biblical law. Today, I’ll discuss the doctrine of original sin, and how some Christians believe Jesus escaped from it. Please read my first article for a recap of that doctrine. Original sin Those who support... Read more

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On of Us Joan Osbourne

original sin

2022-09-18T18:59:27-08:00

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.

Sinless Jesus; Holy Outlaw

Last updated on: September 18, 2022 at 6:59 pm By Gregory T. Smith

Was Jesus sinless? Christian teaching claims that he was—but what does that mean? In my last article, I discussed the opposing viewpoints that sin is either a quality inherited from our sinful ancestors or an individual decision. In this article, I will ask whether Jesus was sinless if we understand sin as a decision to break divine law. In my next article, I will ask if Jesus bore the stain of original sin. And my final article in this series... Read more

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wilderness temptation

2022-09-18T18:57:29-08:00

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.

Sinless Jesus; Flawless Hero

Last updated on: September 18, 2022 at 6:57 pm By Gregory T. Smith

When we read great literature, we expect the best heroes to have flaws. Whenever you read a story or watch a movie with a protagonist who seems to have no defects, it leaves you unsatisfied. You want your heroes to be human, so you can identify with them. Even superheroes that are too “good” can get kind of boring. So, what’s with this doctrine of the sinless Christ? If Jesus was sinless, can we completely identify with him, and he... Read more

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2022-08-25T19:12:06-08:00

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.

Does Cussing Make You a Sinner, a Hypocrite, or Just More Real?

Last updated on: August 25, 2022 at 7:12 pm By Gregory T. Smith

I love the song “Cuss a Little,” by Kylie Morgan. It’s about sin, hypocrisy, and authenticity. She says: I’m just human, buried in denial. I judge people, and I read the Bible. I’ve got tattoos but my body is a temple I love Jesus but I cuss just a little Each line of the song describes a standard of behavior upheld by conservative Christians. Next, the singer flips it on its head by saying she does something seemingly contradictory... Read more

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Women in Religion

2022-08-20T11:35:00-08:00

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.

“Here I Am to Worship—But Why?”

Last updated on: August 20, 2022 at 11:35 am By Gregory T. Smith

Why do we worship God? Does God need to be worshipped? Throughout the Bible, people performed sacrifices and other acts of ritual worship. Today, Christians gather each Sunday for worship services. Here are four wrong reasons why some Christians think they ought to worship God (though most would never admit it): Mistaken Reasons to Worship Groveling Before God. Is our worship based on fear? Too often we model our worship after the way peasants might do obeisance to a king,... Read more

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