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Progressive Christian

2022-10-08T19:01:02-08:00

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.

The Idol of Americianity

Last updated on: October 8, 2022 at 7:01 pm By Gregory T. Smith

In church, “I pledge allegiance” sounds an awful lot like “Hail Caesar!” The American church has forgotten its anti-nationalist roots and exchanged the cross for the flag. In nearly every congregation I served over 26 years of ministry, I’ve fought the false gospel of Americianity, and lost the war every time. They say you’ve got to pick your battles–but this IS a hill to die on. Americianity has become a cult, and its followers don’t even know they’re in it.... Read more

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Challenging the Church

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Americianity

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Pledge of Allegiance in church

2022-10-08T18:48:33-08:00

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.

When Your Story Sucks–Write a Better Ending

Last updated on: October 8, 2022 at 6:48 pm By Gregory T. Smith

The Easter story gets better every time you tell it. I love my pastor friend Jim—He is so full of funny stories! I used to see him every Wednesday morning at clergy breakfasts. Not a week went by where he wouldn’t lift our spirits with a funny story of some unusual thing that happened to him. If you listen to Jim’s stories long enough, you might think that he has more weird experiences than anyone in the world. But I... Read more

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2022-10-08T18:46:38-08:00

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.

Pastors: If Your Deconstruction Gets You Crucified, There’s Hope of Resurrection

Last updated on: October 8, 2022 at 6:46 pm By Gregory T. Smith

For pastors deconstructing your faith, the events of Holy Week become a showcase for how your faith shift can get you crucified. In my last article, I talked about the first half of Holy Week. Palm Sunday was all about Jesus confronting empire. Like Jesus separating himself from the theology of his day, your changing theology can also alter your politics. This can give your parishioners reason to turn against you. Monday marked the day that Jesus cleared the temple.... Read more

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Challenging the Church

2022-10-08T18:46:10-08:00

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.

Pastors: Deconstructing Your Faith Can Get You Crucified

Last updated on: October 8, 2022 at 6:46 pm By Gregory T. Smith

Pastors just want to be like Jesus. And just like him, deconstructing your faith can get you crucified. During Holy Week, you might be thinking about your own religious deconstruction. Doctrines and practices you once accepted as inspired no longer bear the fingerprint of God. You’ve been rethinking and praying through what you really believe, and how different that might be from what your congregants expect you to teach. You’re not alone. Without his own deconstruction experience, Jesus would... Read more

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Challenging the Church

2022-04-08T15:41:49-08:00

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 Rocks Cry Out: Jesus and Panentheism”

Last updated on: April 8, 2022 at 3:41 pm By Gregory T. Smith

My personal journey of faith deconstruction began with the events of Palm Sunday. My Deconstruction Began on Palm Sunday Palm Sunday sermons focus on Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Believers in penal substitutionary atonement often say that on this same day, lambs were selected for sacrifice, and Jesus was selected by the crowd that hailed him. Progressives like me often discuss how Jesus refused participate in societal power structures, as evidenced by his riding a donkey rather than a stallion.... Read more

Challenging the Church

2022-04-03T14:26:30-08:00

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.

Grace comes before repentance, not after.

Last updated on: April 3, 2022 at 2:26 pm By Gregory T. Smith

Grace comes before repentance, not after. When you finally get this truth, it changes everything. But be warned–it’s a dangerous truth. Uncomdemning Savior In John 8, Jesus’ detractors try to back him into a corner by entrapping a woman they have caught in adultery. “Should we stone her, as Moses’ law commands?” they ask. Jesus replies that the one who has never sinned should throw the first stone. In verse 11 (NIV) Jesus says, “Neither do I condemn... Read more

Challenging the Church

2022-04-03T12:32:15-08:00

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 Your Church Have Hoarding Disorder?

Last updated on: April 3, 2022 at 12:32 pm By Gregory T. Smith

If your church has been around a while, it probably has hoarding disorder. We all know that individuals can have this diagnosable condition–but did you know that churches can be hoarders, too? The Horror of Hoarding The DSM-5 defines hoarding disorder as, “Persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value.” It continues, “This difficulty is due to a perceived need to save the items and to the distress associated with... Read more

Challenging the Church

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2022-04-03T11:58:19-08:00

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.

Pastors, Should You Hang Up Your Robes?

Last updated on: April 3, 2022 at 11:58 am By Gregory T. Smith

Now more than ever, pastors are asking themselves whether to continue in ministry, retire early, or change professions altogether. If you’re a pastor, what are you going to do? PASTORS LEAVING THE CHURCH These days, many pastors are leaving the church, hanging up their robes and collars, taking their certificates off the wall and stuffing them in drawers. Ministers are finding it difficult to navigate the polarization in our society. From COVID guidelines to issues of racial and social justice... Read more

Deconstruction

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2022-03-29T20:11:05-08:00

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.

Praying Like My Cat

Last updated on: March 29, 2022 at 8:11 pm By Gregory T. Smith

Prayer isn’t about God listening to us—but about attendant believers getting to know God. Praying Like My Cat My cat amazes me. He has an incredible ability to concentrate on just one thing, blocking out all distractions. I’ve spotted him sitting on the window ledge, staring into the house, waiting for someone to walk by the window. Then he’ll submit his request with a meow, and we’ll let him in. Whenever he does this, he lingers in this concentration... Read more

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2022-08-06T07:53:43-08:00

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 My Brother is Wrong: 8 Steps to Peace

Last updated on: August 6, 2022 at 7:53 am By Gregory T. Smith

Is there any hope of peace when the other person is just so wrong? Frienemies My older brother and I grew up as best friends and worst enemies at the same time. With not even two years between us, I always felt like I was riding his coattails. He must have been aggravated by his little brother trailing after him. He made me feel like everything I did was wrong unless I did it like him. So, when mutual... Read more

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