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Progressive Christian

2022-06-09T14:07:15-06:00

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.

Keeping Cool While On Fire

Last updated on: June 9, 2022 at 2:07 pm By C. Don Jones

Cool and warm are not often used the same way. Yet, a person may be a cool character with a warm heart. Experience is a great teacher in how to keep our cool while on fire for justice. All one must do is watch another person lose it publicly in pursuit of a goal. What respect do you have for that person? It may depend on how much one agrees with that person. Those of us who desire to see... Read more

Progressive Christianity

Resentment

Spirituality

2022-06-06T18:47:07-06:00

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 Structural Racism Problem

Last updated on: June 6, 2022 at 6:47 pm By C. Don Jones

Racism is not mentioned in the Bible. Yet, we call it sin. What makes it sinful? Dr. King is quoted about a day when his children will be judged by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin. It is quoted as both an unrealized ideal and a criticism of any affirmative action attempts. Is there a double-bind when discussing racism? Not if you actually know what we are discussing. What Is Racism? The MLK quote... Read more

2022-06-02T08:36:15-06:00

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.

Pentecost And Discipleship

Last updated on: June 2, 2022 at 8:36 am By C. Don Jones

Easter season ends with Pentecost. Often it is lost in the shuffle in church worship and program planning. This year I will leave church to rush off to the beginning of Annual Conference. Hopefully, our worship that night will link the birthday of the Church with the business of the Church. But I want to see how these matters relate to discipleship. Pentecost and Shavuot A rabbi described the High Holy Day of Shavuot to my confirmation class. I said, “We call... Read more

Biblical Interpretation

Progressive Christianity

Spirituality

The Kingdom of God

The United Methodist Church

Theology

2022-05-31T12:43:26-06:00

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.

Praying for Enemies

Last updated on: May 31, 2022 at 12:43 pm By C. Don Jones

Am I required to pray for my enemies? Can I pray they get judged, condemned, or zapped? Or must I pray for their welfare? Accepting the doctrines contained and implied in the creeds is easier than praying for enemies. To quote some early skeptics, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Prayers for those who wrong us (or we believe wronged us) are difficult. And what about Psalm 137? I suppose the first action to take is look... Read more

2022-05-25T10:07:49-06:00

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.

I Was In School; And You Let Me Die – Jesus

Last updated on: May 25, 2022 at 10:07 am By C. Don Jones

Another mass school shooting has happened. The reported numbers are 19 children and 2 adults dead at this writing. The fact that this week we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension makes the feeling of divine absence more poignant. “How long, O Lord!” Well, I am fed up with it! I am no longer asking God to keep our children safe at school or to keep innocent people safe. I am done asking for that. Today, I turn my eyes... Read more

Gun Violence

Redemptive Violence Myth

Theology

Truth

2022-05-24T13:59:15-06:00

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.

I Never Knew That Until Now

Last updated on: May 24, 2022 at 1:59 pm By C. Don Jones

Few things are more gratifying to a pastor or teacher as a person saying, “I never knew that before today?” It happens from time to time. Sometimes I am amazed that something I think of as basic knowledge is now heard by someone for the first time. Listeners usually draw satisfaction from these times as well. But there are times the response is one of consternation on the listener’s part. I always wonder if I was unclear; or if I... Read more

Biblical Interpretation

2022-05-19T12:07:19-06:00

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.

Good Guys With Guns

Last updated on: May 19, 2022 at 12:07 pm By C. Don Jones

The root of all true heresies is to assume “we” are right, true, and good while everyone else has none of these virtues. It is the assumption of all of Jesus’ enemies in the gospels. When the apostles assume it for themselves, Jesus rebukes them for the spirit they exhibit. The last two decades demonstrates the destructiveness of this belief. Today, it is summed up in the Good Guys with Guns myth. Believing in one’s own virtue to the extent... Read more

False Claims

Gun Violence

Lies

Progressive Christianity

Racism

Redemptive Violence Myth

Resentment

Truth

2022-05-17T09:40:28-06:00

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.

4 Reasons I Am Staying UMC

Last updated on: May 17, 2022 at 9:40 am By C. Don Jones

I am staying with The United Methodist Church. There are good reasons to remain. The church welcomed me from my fundamentalist background. It has provided places for me to minister from to communities of which I never would have gone. The United Methodist Church gets some things wrong. What we get right. We get right. Yes, I too wish we did some things differently. But we are taking positions and actions others within the denomination believe should be taken. I... Read more

Baptism

Holy Communion

The United Methodist Church

Theology

Wesleyan

2022-05-12T13:14:17-06:00

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.

Repenting Tax Collectors?

Last updated on: May 12, 2022 at 1:14 pm By C. Don Jones

Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners. Everyone acknowledges this part of the story. He ate with Pharisees too. It is popular with too many Christians to say Jesus shared meals with sinners in order to call them to repentance and to lead lives of holiness. Recently, some claim that Jesus was not being inclusive or accepting. I do not understand that reasoning. Unless it is to avoid the implications of the action. The Tax Collectors “Then Levi gave a... Read more

Biblical Interpretation

2022-05-10T10:08:53-06:00

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.

Forward United

Last updated on: May 10, 2022 at 10:08 am By C. Don Jones

Forward United is a gathering of traditionalist, centrist, and progressive United Methodists in my Annual Conference. This gathering is an alternative to the conference Wesley Covenant Association (WCA). Together we celebrated the common ministries and community provided by our United Methodist connection. The spirit of mutuality was evident. The new Global Methodist Church (GMC) was discussed but not derided. But comparisons in thought, theology, and approach to issues were taken into account by the leaders. 250 clergy and lay members... Read more

The Kingdom of God

The United Methodist Church

Theology

Wesleyan

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