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Progressive Christian

2026-10-13T11:30:36-04:00

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 Time-Traveler’s Apprentice (A Short Story)

Last updated on: October 13, 2026 at 11:30 am By James F. McGrath

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“What’s the point of having a time machine if you can’t prevent the Trump presidency?” Steve’s question would mark the turning point in what was already a really unexpected conversation. But I should start at the beginning—or at least a bit earlier. My friend Steve had asked if he could talk to me confidentially. I said of course, and asked if we should grab a beer. He said it needed to be private, and so I said I’d come to... Read more

Politics and Religion

2026-09-26T07:50:36-04:00

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.

Cinematic Bible Time

Last updated on: September 26, 2026 at 7:50 am By James F. McGrath

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My main involvement at this year’s Theology Beer Camp is in a session that has been labeled “Cinematic Bible Time.” What is Cinematic Bible Time? I’m glad you asked! With so many great speakers and topics scheduled at the same time, I thought I had better share what we’ll be doing, and hopefully convince people that this is one of those sessions you won’t want to miss. Jennifer Bashaw and I have been organizing the session, and we’ll be joined... Read more

Religious Music and Entertainment

2026-09-19T19:45:14-04:00

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 Fourth Synoptic Gospel

Last updated on: September 19, 2026 at 7:45 pm By James F. McGrath

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As I reached the point in this semester’s class on the historical Jesus that addresses the interrelationship and date of the Gospels, I knew that I wanted and needed to finally turn my attention to Mark Goodacre’s recent book, The Fourth Synoptic Gospel: John’s Knowledge of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. I am grateful to Eerdmans (now part of SPCK!) for sending me a review copy. For context, I consider the author of the book a friend as well as a... Read more

General Christian

History and Religion

2026-09-14T11:53:26-04:00

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.

Agentic AI Apocalypse?

Last updated on: September 14, 2026 at 11:53 am By James F. McGrath

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This Is Not Skynet: AI Agents, Apocalypse, and the Humans Holding the Keys If you have spent any time online this week, you have probably seen the headlines suggesting that an AI apocalypse might be drawing near. A researcher resigned from Anthropic and posted a thread declaring that the people building AI genuinely believe it could kill us all by the end of the decade. A colleague who still works there, and who leads the company’s alignment science team, chimed... Read more

Technology and Religion

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2026-09-11T21:21:58-04:00

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.

9/11 25 Years Later

Last updated on: September 11, 2026 at 9:21 pm By James F. McGrath

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I know I have shared at least a little about my experiences on September 11th 2001, but seeing as it is exactly 25 years later, it seems an appropriate time to revisit the moment. In 2001, I moved back to the United States with my family, having been teaching in Romania for the past three years. I came ahead of them to look for work, staying at my home in Brooklyn, New York while I did so. I contacted every... Read more

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2026-09-10T15:10:49-04:00

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.

Rogue AI Isn’t the Threat You Think It Is

Last updated on: September 10, 2026 at 3:10 pm By James F. McGrath

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Religion and Rogue AI Is there any connection between religion and rogue AI, the sort of rogue AI that has been in the news lately? Absolutely. As a scholar who works at the intersection of artificial intelligence and the humanities, I am here to tell you that what a lot of people think has been happening is completely wrong…and yet the potential for disaster is no less great as a result. Let me explain. First, something could be reassuring and... Read more

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2026-08-29T10:54:44-04:00

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 Cost of Welcome

Last updated on: August 29, 2026 at 10:54 am By James F. McGrath

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The last time my Sunday school class met, we had the opportunity to talk about the cost of welcome. We read the story of Jesus’ mother and brothers coming to see him, and Jesus saying that everyone who does the will of God is his mother and his sibling. The Background Before we get to that, let’s back up to the way most translations render Mark 3:20-21 since that sets the stage. Then he went home, and the crowd... Read more

General Christian

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Progressive Christianity

2026-08-14T21:20:50-04:00

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.

AI Syllabus Statements You Can Steal for Your Course

Last updated on: August 14, 2026 at 9:20 pm By James F. McGrath

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Generative AI Statements I am working on generative AI statements for this semester’s syllabi. I am a professor of religious studies, so my courses cover topics in my field. This semester I’m teaching “The Bible and Misinformation” and “The Historical Jesus.” I still expect the generative AI statements I share here will work (obviously with some tweaking for your specific courses) and will be useful to many educators. I think that the process of developing these will also be of... Read more

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2026-08-13T20:31:08-04:00

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 Obsolete Paradigm of a Purely Mythical Jesus

Last updated on: August 13, 2026 at 8:31 pm By James F. McGrath

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If one were permitted to give one’s short reviews in the Journal for the Study of the New Testament titles different from those of the volumes being reviewed, I would probably have chosen the title I am giving this blog post, “The Obsolete Paradigm of a Purely Mythical Jesus.” It’s a review of Richard Carrier’s book The Obsolete Paradigm of a Historical Jesus (Durham, NC: Pitchstone, 2025). Here is my review, which I presume the editors will not mind me... Read more

History and Religion

2026-08-10T12:57:33-04:00

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 Rachel Held Evans Still Reads Like a Prophet

Last updated on: August 10, 2026 at 12:57 pm By James F. McGrath

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Braving the Truth If you’re someone who read everything that Rachel Held Evans ever wrote, you may imagine that you don’t need to get hold of Braving the Truth. This latest posthumous publication is a collection of her writings on her blog, interspersed with several tributes from those who knew her. This book makes me remember how privileged I consider myself to have had the opportunity to interact with Rachel as an author, and how much I am filled with sorrow... Read more

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