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Progressive Christian

2015-06-18T12:22:02-05:00

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 Truth Is: God IS Interested in Our Obedience! Wait, what!?

Last updated on: June 18, 2015 at 12:22 pm By Susan Cottrell

If you read yesterday’s post, you’re wondering if my head is spinning, because there I basically said the opposite—that God is NOT interested in our obedience. However, if you know anything about the Bible, you know it is full of contradictions that are resolved only in the deep understanding of the heart of God and the truth and teachings of Jesus. (“Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you.”) If you know anything about me, you know I... Read more

2015-06-19T21:35:48-05:00

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 Truth Is: God Is Not Interested in Our Obedience

Last updated on: June 19, 2015 at 9:35 pm By Susan Cottrell

One of the biggest lies perpetrated throughout Christendom is that God is primarily interested in our obedience. Not true. Patently false. To say our first responsibility to God is to obey is a big fat lie and distortion of the relationship God wants with us. God’s paramount interest in us is a relationship. Didn’t Jesus say repeatedly, “Follow me!”? Let’s say that a couple is about to have their first child, and you say to them conversationally, “What is most... Read more

2015-06-27T23:18:34-05:00

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.

All I Asked You To Do Was To Love

Last updated on: June 27, 2015 at 11:18 pm By Robert Cottrell

Sometimes I think that Jesus has become just a “mascot” for much of the behavior-focused church. Their beliefs, actions and teachings have nearly nothing to do with the truth of Jesus. Many of the religious leaders of his day were face-to-face with Jesus and they missed it! Unfortunately, the same is true today. My hope is to help disentangle Jesus from Christianity to reveal powerful truth. So sometimes, usually on a Saturday, sometimes on a Sunday, I post a “Jesus Blog”... Read more

2015-06-12T12:27:10-05:00

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 You See The World at the End of Your Pointing Fingers?

Last updated on: June 12, 2015 at 12:27 pm By Susan Cottrell

I wrote a post about a pastor at the pearly gates, being called out for rejecting LGBTQ people. It was very popular and got a lot of comments – positive and negative. This comment revealed a fascinating perspective on how Christians view their role in the world. I write Dear Susan posts most every Friday. Sometimes they are poignant, sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes tender, sometimes funny… but hopefully always worth the read. Dear Susan, The conversation at the pearly gates could... Read more

2017-05-12T16:07:52-05:00

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.

15 Warning Signs That Your Christian Friend Is Becoming PRO-Gay!

Last updated on: May 12, 2017 at 4:07 pm By Susan Cottrell

The non-affirming, behavior-focused, religious gatekeepers are scratching their heads at the departure of an increasing number of Christians to the clutches of the growing Jesus-following, gay-affirming church! What are we to do?!? WARNING!! Your Christian friends may be becoming PRO-gay! Are your friends safe from the menace of genuine, unconditional, Jesus-like love and acceptance? How can you tell? Well, here are 15 clear warning signs that your Christian friend is becoming affirming… 1. They start saying “our LGBTQ brothers and... Read more

2015-06-08T09:12:14-05:00

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 Harder… to Love or to Hate?

Last updated on: June 8, 2015 at 9:12 am By Susan Cottrell

“I heard her say to my daughter, “Remember, honey, transgender is beautiful.”” How hard is it to love, really? I think that once you clear away the lies and the cobwebs and the “do’s and don’t,” to love is the easiest thing in the world. It’s easiest because we were designed for it. What’s hard is to hate. Because then you have to pile up lies about those you hate, lies about their inferiority to you, lies about how your... Read more

2015-06-08T11:43:10-05:00

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.

Man Learns Amazing Lesson in Irony After Mocking Caitlyn Jenner’s Bravery

Last updated on: June 8, 2015 at 11:43 am By Susan Cottrell

An Oregon man got an unexpected lesson in irony after posting a viral photo on Facebook criticizing the media coverage of Caitlyn Jenner’s gender transition. When I first read this story, I knew I had to share it with you. It appeared on RawStory and is an incredible article by Travis Gettys. Enjoy. – Susan Terry Coffey, of Salem, posted a black-and-white photo Monday night that appears to show a World War II soldier trudging through mud carrying on his... Read more

2020-02-27T18:33:21-05:00

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.

Come on Christians, It’s Time To Let Go of Your Aversion to Gays

Last updated on: February 27, 2020 at 6:33 pm By Susan Cottrell

Forgive me, but sometimes I just have to laugh. I mean, really. This story came to mind again as Texans and politics are back in the headlines. And other past stories too, about people like Josh Duggar – you remember Josh – proudly displaying a “Godly” life while having dark secrets. Maybe we all have secrets. But there are many people committed to transparency and authenticity and humility. Not the Duggars. And certainly not Tony! To watch Susan’s viral TED... Read more

2015-05-30T20:37:31-05:00

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.

What Rachel Held Evans calls “Unstoppable Grace”

Last updated on: May 30, 2015 at 8:37 pm By Susan Cottrell

“I had little to teach these brothers and sisters and everything to learn from them… I’m convinced LGBT Christians have a special role to play in teaching the Church what it means to be Christian.” – Rachel Held Evans There we stood, all denominations – gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, straight – parents, family members, allies, advocates. There we stood, brothers and sisters in Jesus singing together. As Rachel said, “It was church if I’ve ever experienced it.” I first heard... Read more

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rachel held evans

2015-05-27T09:27:07-05:00

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 Dangers of Life in a Male-Dominated System

Last updated on: May 27, 2015 at 9:27 am By Susan Cottrell

Sweet Readers, I write today to talk not just about the Duggars specifically but about something much bigger: the worldview that encompasses the Duggars. This worldview has built and is now the structural support of their thinking. No true healing will come to the Duggar home unless and until they begin to dismantle the structure. Here is the structure: a male-dominated, hierarchal, patriarchal system, and which is set up to practically insure abuse. This system breeds abuse for several reasons:... Read more

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