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Progressive Christian

2024-01-25T19:43:53+00:00

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 Book of Job, Part 2 – Job Doesn’t Know God

Last updated on: January 25, 2024 at 7:43 pm By Duncan Edward Pile

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The common Evangelical interpretation of Job is that God is responsible for our sufferings, consciously allowing Satan to persecute us. That same common interpretation, taught in churches all over the world, states that Job was a righteous man who refused to blame God for his loss, and was commended by the Lord for his piety. In the introductory post on the book of Job, I argued that this is the absolute opposite of what the text shows us, and... Read more

Progressive Christian

De/reconstruction

Interpreting Scripture

Re-thinking Christian Concepts

The Fear of the Lord

The importance of theology

freedom from Evangelical dogma

God is light

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god is not the author of suffering

The book of Job

2024-01-14T18:01:31+00:00

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 Book of Job – A Rod to Beat Ourselves Up With

Last updated on: January 14, 2024 at 6:01 pm By Duncan Edward Pile

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The purpose of this article is to expose the devastating harm in the common, Evangelical interpretation of Job, and to free those ensnared by it. It can be a daunting thing to reassess foundational beliefs established in childhood, for fear that the whole structure might come crashing down, and yet that is exactly what is required to have a mature and authentic adult faith. Some of the beliefs that were loaded on my shoulders in the church of my... Read more

Progressive Christian

De/reconstruction

Interpreting Scripture

Re-thinking Christian Concepts

The importance of theology

Understanding God

Understanding Self-Worth

it is well with my soul

Job was a self-righteous man

The book of Job

what is the soul

2024-01-09T16:05:42+00:00

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.

Penal Substitution – Was Jesus Crucified in Your Place?

Last updated on: January 9, 2024 at 4:05 pm By Duncan Edward Pile

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In the church of my youth, I was told that Jesus was crucified in my place – that I should have hung there instead, and then still gone to Hell afterwards. It’s taken many years to examine and finally reject the doctrine of ‘penal substitution’, but the result of doing so is that the cross of Christ (and what happened there) has become even more central to my faith. I cling to it more tightly, am even more grateful for... Read more

Progressive Christian

Re-thinking Christian Concepts

the sins of the world

what happened at the cross

2024-01-07T02:59:15+00:00

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.

God’s Favourite Track on His Favourite Album

Last updated on: January 7, 2024 at 2:59 am By Duncan Edward Pile

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I don’t usually write about personal times of prayer but want to share an experience that encouraged me deeply, in the hope it will do the same for others. Yesterday, when communing with the Lord, he showed me ‘a picture’ – not a full, 3D, surround-sound-enhanced affair, but a clear impression left on the heart, replete with accompanying meaning and divine emotion. I saw a sea of radiant, joyful faces – the full, beaming joy of people who are... Read more

General Christian

Divine Healing

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2023-12-31T17:05:24+00:00

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.

Be Glorified in 2024!

Last updated on: December 31, 2023 at 5:05 pm By Duncan Edward Pile

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It is strange to think of ‘giving glory’ to God, when all glory is his in the first place. The glory of God is divine light, issuing from the Father rather than from us, so why does the Bible talk about God being ‘glorified’ in the church? For me, the meaning is clear – God is glorified when all the stuff blocking that divine light is moved out the way and He is seen for who he is. Heb... Read more

General Christian

Glorifying God

Re-thinking Christian Concepts

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The spirit-filled life

2023-12-26T17:41:53+00:00

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.

Father forgive them, they know not what they do – Part 2

Last updated on: December 26, 2023 at 5:41 pm By Duncan Edward Pile

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In the first part of this series, we explored Jesus’ perfect unity with the Father – when he prayed on the cross, forgiving the entire crowd, he reflected the Father’s heart. We looked at the ways in which Jesus reframed Old Covenant teachings with his words and deeds, empowering us to do the same. Most of all, we looked at the consistent, singular, and eternally merciful nature of God. In this second instalment, I want to consider the implications... Read more

Progressive Christian

Old and New Covenants

Re-thinking Christian Concepts

The dangers of Calvinism

the dangers of reformed theology

universal salvation

2023-12-17T23:28:57+00:00

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.

Why Honour Marriage?

Last updated on: December 17, 2023 at 11:28 pm By Duncan Edward Pile

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More than any other aspect of life, the Church’s teaching on marriage is delivered and enforced like Hebrew Law – you are either righteous or unrighteous, depending on whether your life fits the broadly accepted pattern. Even long-standing, committed, cohabiting couples are judged as ‘living in sin’ and refused leadership or ministry roles in many congregations, and a divorcee might be sacked as an elder, even if their ex-partner was the one who pushed for divorce. I find the lack... Read more

Progressive Christian

Family, Parenting and Religion

the blessing of marriage

the foundation of family

2023-12-13T17:03:02+00:00

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.

Father Forgive Them – They Know Not What They Do

Last updated on: December 13, 2023 at 5:03 pm By Duncan Edward Pile

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What do you understand of Jesus’ plea to the Father, during his crucifixion? Was it a serious request for compassion or perhaps just a passing emotion? Was it a plea to an angry Father to suspend his wrath? Was Jehovah about to launch spears of lightning from the Heavens, piercing the villains who dared to crucify his son? The faith of my upbringing emphasised a clear distinction between the Father and Son, the former being the ultimate judge, while Jesus... Read more

Progressive Christian

End-Times

Interpreting Scripture

Old and New Covenants

Re-thinking Christian Concepts

Salvation

Understanding God

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Jesus and the Father are one

Old and New Covenants

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theology

your image of God

2023-12-09T17:51:46+00:00

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.

Cell Phones – The Peril of Continual Distraction

Last updated on: December 9, 2023 at 5:51 pm By Duncan Edward Pile

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I had the tremendous privilege of growing up without a cell phone. In 1970s and 80s Britain, there were only 3 – 5 channels on the television, and as a child, I played out in the streets with the other neighbourhood kids, making up games, exploring, and riding our bikes. My brothers and I attended a vibrant youth group at our local church, and digital distraction was barely a footnote in our lives. As an adult, I embraced digital... Read more

General Christian

Family, Parenting and Religion

Christian Parenting

Seeking God

addiction to digital devices

Cell-phone addiction

the danger of distraction

the importance of focus

2023-11-13T17:21:25+00:00

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.

Authentic Christians and Honest Heretics

Last updated on: November 13, 2023 at 5:21 pm By Duncan Edward Pile

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Before the age of social media, accusations of heresy were far less common among believers. Don’t get me wrong, some were eager to point accusing fingers at their brothers and sisters but doing so came at a cost, because those brothers and sisters were probably part of the same local church or group of churches. Social media has afforded billions of people the opportunity to make lazy, consequence-free assertions about people of their own faith, and boy does it... Read more

Progressive Christian

The importance of theology

Christian heresy

heresy

what is heresy

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