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Progressive Christian

2022-10-03T09:56:22-06:00

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 Gospel of Rights-Scolding

Last updated on: October 3, 2022 at 9:56 am By C. Don Jones

Anthropologist and essayist David Graeber coined the term “rights-scolding” to name the phenomenon of lecturing people on where they are wrong and what they should be doing instead. Rights-scolding is really a new term for an old practice. We used to call it “preaching.” Gospel Scolding The definition for preaching I am using here is the baser form that is commonly used as “preachy.” People respond to such scolding about being poor because they are lazy, to check their privilege,... Read more

2022-09-29T10:46:04-06:00

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 Dying Church?

Last updated on: September 29, 2022 at 10:46 am By C. Don Jones

The church is dying! My life in professional ministry began in 1990. People said, “the best days of the church are over.” I was ordained in The United Methodist Church in 2005. Again, everyone was saying, “The church needs revival.” And now people are anxious the church is dying. In every decade, people claim to know why this tragedy is occurring. Ideas for programs are proposed. And year after year, church people wring their hands over “things not being like... Read more

The Kingdom of God

The United Methodist Church

Theology

2022-09-26T12:59:38-06:00

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 Wrong Jesus

Last updated on: September 26, 2022 at 12:59 pm By C. Don Jones

Could I be following the wrong Jesus? “So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, ‘Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called Messiah?'” (Matthew 27:17) We know how this story turns out. Barabbas is released. We know very little about the man. Matthew describes him as “a notorious prisoner.” John claims he was a “bandit.” Both Luke and Mark say Barabbas was guilty of insurrection and murder. Only Matthew says... Read more

Biblical Interpretation

False Claims

Fear

Redemptive Violence Myth

2022-09-22T09:48:58-06:00

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.

Liberation, Solidarity, And Ecology in the Capitalocene

Last updated on: September 22, 2022 at 9:48 am By C. Don Jones

Progressive Christians know there is not one liberation theology. United Methodist theologian Joerg Rieger has provided another approach that promotes intersectionality of liberation and identity in his new book, Theology in the Capitalocene. In the interest of full disclosure, Professor Rieger asked me to read the manuscript prior to publication for any insights into the experience and identity of the American working class. I offered some suggestions. Climatologists often refer to the present geological era as the Anthropocene due to the... Read more

Anxiety

Biblical Interpretation

Environmentalism

Exploitation of the Poor

Labor

Liberation Theology

Progressive Christianity

Theology

2022-09-20T13:56:11-06:00

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 Does NOT Have A Plan For Your Life

Last updated on: September 20, 2022 at 1:56 pm By C. Don Jones

One of the Calvinist cornerstones of Prosperity Theology is the idea that God has a plan for each person living. This idea is comfort to some and a torment to others. Many people have told me of the anguish they felt begging God night after night to reveal the plan to them. Where do I go in life? What should I do? How can I know I am doing the right thing in my life? Other people can revel in... Read more

Biblical Interpretation

2022-09-15T09:31:31-06:00

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.

Putting The Gardens To Bed

Last updated on: September 15, 2022 at 9:31 am By C. Don Jones

September is when we begin putting our gardens to bed where I live. In the fields early corn gave way to beans which is giving way to cover crop. Smaller kitchen gardens are producing fall squashes including pumpkins. Perhaps, some diligent people are sowing greens for the late autumn and early winter. But the winding down time is almost here. The days are getting shorter but are still very warm. It is almost outdoor fire time. Being a pastor it... Read more

2022-09-12T14:54:53-06:00

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.

Live And Let Die: Thoughts About The Non-Religious Right

Last updated on: September 12, 2022 at 2:54 pm By C. Don Jones

Churches are declining in numbers. A non-religious conservatism is on the rise. More people are self-describing as “nones” when it comes to religious affiliation. It is a common assumption that the political Left is more secular while the political Right is more religious. But is this true? Maybe. But, if it is, it is not as true as it once was. In an essay written for the New York Times, Nate Hochman appears to both bewail the diminishing religious right... Read more

Anxiety

Bigotry

Exploitation of the Poor

Identity

Truth

Working Class

2022-09-02T10:20:30-06:00

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.

Freedom of Speech And Thought

Last updated on: September 2, 2022 at 10:20 am By C. Don Jones

John Climacus in the Diapsalmata observed people demand freedom speech and neglect their freedom of thought. While Kierkegaard wrote ideas he did not agree with under pseudonyms, something tells me he agreed with this one. Maybe it is just me. In the cultural and historical context in which I live, I see this people loudly saying things they really have not thought much about. They either fool themselves into thinking they understand the problem. Or they are afraid to give it... Read more

2022-08-29T12:33:19-06:00

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.

A Place For Christian Worship

Last updated on: August 29, 2022 at 12:33 pm By C. Don Jones

A definition for a church building is “a place for Christian worship.” I have pondered this idea throughout my ministry. We tend to think we know what Christian worship is even when we have different ideas about it. But what is place? Protestants often say, “We can worship God anywhere.” I agree. But only up to a point. I disagree with the implication of claiming “I can worship God anywhere.” This assertion is only true in certain circumstances. Personal devotions... Read more

2022-08-25T09:28:33-06:00

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.

Student Loans And The Exploding Myth of Meritocracy

Last updated on: August 25, 2022 at 9:28 am By C. Don Jones

Student Loans are an important part of receiving a university education. Usually, for undergraduates, they are a big part of the Financial Aid package. For universities, they are an important source of income. The small “Christian university” I attended in Oklahoma would not survive without them. In fact, I wonder how many of the small religiously affiliated liberal arts colleges would close their doors if the student loans were not available. So, Christians opposing any forgiveness of student loans is... Read more

Biblical Interpretation

Forgiveness

Grace

Hope

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