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Progressive Christian

2022-03-31T12:06:53-06:00

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.

Alcoholic Grace

Last updated on: March 31, 2022 at 12:06 pm By C. Don Jones

Psychiatry no longer says I am an alcoholic. The modern term is “alcohol abuse disorder.” People in Alcoholics Anonymous continue to use the term “alcoholism.” The condition is a disease. The word disorder just does not sound right. My psychiatrist uses both terms. “Relapse is part of the disease,” she says. AA says, “Relapse is not a requirement of the disease.” The discussion makes me think about how grace is involved in healing the addicted person. If an addict relapses,... Read more

2022-03-28T14:13:39-06:00

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 Slap Heard Around The World

Last updated on: March 28, 2022 at 2:13 pm By C. Don Jones

Will Smith’s slap of Chris Rock is the event of the present media cycle. It was a doozy too. The people are divided. Mine friends who have done stand up comedy look down on Smith. Other friends believe it was a gallant defense of the honor of his wife. Are you Team Rock or Team Smith? The Slap Case Mr. Smith’s action has the appearance of an heroic move. His wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, is insulted by Mr. Rock. Mr.... Read more

Love as action

Redemptive Violence Myth

Violence

2022-03-24T13:58:47-06:00

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.

Running For School Board: A Pastoral Perspective

Last updated on: March 24, 2022 at 1:58 pm By C. Don Jones

I once claimed the only thing you would see me running for is the state line. I do not know where I heard. But I adopted it for my own selfish purposes. Now I am running for the city School Board. So what on earth would I want to do that for? Running For I now serve a church in my hometown. And I love it. It is weird to consider that my generation has become the leaders. Kurt Vonnegut... Read more

Community

2022-03-21T10:24:26-06:00

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.

Denying Grace In Lent

Last updated on: March 21, 2022 at 10:24 am By C. Don Jones

Denying ourselves some simple pleasures for forty day is not easy. Pleasures are important to happiness. Having them and making use of them are part of our lives. They are also part of our routine. Many of us approach Lent with some concerns. Am I say my prayers correctly. I did not read my Devotional today. Did I fail Lent? It is a surprising thought for many of us to consider. Am I denying grace during Lent? Denying Self Obviously,... Read more

2022-03-17T14:29:16-06:00

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.

Covenant Hope

Last updated on: March 17, 2022 at 2:29 pm By C. Don Jones

I hope I am not violating any copyright or trademark protections with my title. I suppose I could have called it “real covenant hope.” Or I could have said “Covenant Promise.” But I believe I describe God Almighty’s covenant with Abraham correctly as being one of hope. The story from Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 is very important to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It is a pivotal event. Everything we know of God’s faithfulness turns from here. St. Paul and James both... Read more

Biblical Interpretation

Progressive Christianity

Spirituality

The Kingdom of God

Truth

2022-03-14T18:21:26-06:00

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.

War For Your Entertainment

Last updated on: March 14, 2022 at 6:21 pm By C. Don Jones

“Of course, war is entertaining” – Screwtape Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is not entertainment for the people experiencing it. Ukrainian civilians and soldiers are being injured and killed. Russian soldiers are dying too. Politicians from the West are reassuring and arming NATO allies at an alarming rate. The truth takes a beating. The infotainment of 24 hour news and social media is reminds me of a Medieval feast. People engorge themselves with Misinformation, disinformation, and lies. They spew it all... Read more

Divine Judgment

Exploitation of the Poor

2022-03-10T15:09:17-06:00

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.

The Revolution Begins May 1st

Last updated on: March 10, 2022 at 3:09 pm By C. Don Jones

Forgive me for approaching what many take as serious business lightly. What some people believe is a revolution is really nothing of the sort. It is not even a reformation. It is a tantrum. May 1st is International Labor Day. I remember the pictures of the annual parades displaying the Soviet arsenal. Unfortunately, Americans do not know the holiday comes from our own labor history. The Haymarket bombing and the show trial that followed are the stuff of tragic comedies.... Read more

Exploitation of the Poor

The United Methodist Church

Theology

Truth

2022-03-07T10:06:43-06:00

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.

Beginning A Forty Day Journey

Last updated on: March 7, 2022 at 10:06 am By C. Don Jones

The story is about the end of Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness. We are beginning the forty days of Lent. It can hardly seem like a time of fasting when family spring vacations are being planned. And when all sorts of goodies are on the shelves in the stores. If you like celebrating St. Patrick’s Day…well that’s always in Lent. We must make certain exceptions given how the employment and school times work together and against each other. A... Read more

Biblical Interpretation

2022-03-03T16:55:34-06:00

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 “What Ifs” Church Leaders Fear

Last updated on: March 3, 2022 at 4:55 pm By C. Don Jones

It is easy to criticize. I know that all too well. Being a pastor makes me open to that sort of thing. Fear of criticism, though, paralyzes any positive actions that might be taken. But then we may fear criticism if those efforts fail. I promised four but sneaked in a fifth one here in the introductory paragraph. You’re welcome. What If They Do Not Need Us? Would the community notice if your church closed? Is that a fear? Most... Read more

2022-02-28T15:36:21-06:00

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.

Hell Is A Gated Community

Last updated on: February 28, 2022 at 3:36 pm By C. Don Jones

“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18 NRSV) A colleague recently said our churches are tempted to become gated communities. I thought about that for a few days afterwards and realized that is the description Jesus gives of Hell. Biblical Hell The text quoted above describes “the gates of Hell.” Hell (Hades in Greek or Sheol in Hebrew) is... Read more

Biblical Interpretation

Community

Exploitation of the Poor

Progressive Christianity

The Kingdom of God

The United Methodist Church

Theology

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