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Progressive Christian

2020-12-08T10:00:37-06:00

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 Manifesto

Last updated on: December 8, 2020 at 10:00 am By C. Don Jones

What is the gospel except a manifesto of sorts? The word manifesto is overused. But it gives us an image of something that intends to subvert. In this case, to subvert what is the apparent natural order of things and to bring about something new. This point is illustrated over and over in the gospels. John intends to use the stories of Jesus to say something revolutionary about God. Matthew uses the stories of Jesus to reinterpret the torah of Moses. Mark gives us an... Read more

Biblical Interpretation

Love as action

The Kingdom of God

Theology

2020-12-03T10:39:26-06:00

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.

More Gratitude

Last updated on: December 3, 2020 at 10:39 am By C. Don Jones

Thanksgiving meals often begin with declarations of gratitude. The meal preparation is complete. But before eating it starts a prayer or some other thanksgiving is offered. It is a good time most of the time. This year was one of the best for me. I found I had more to be thankful for after the meal than before it. It took a few days to put my finger on what worked. I discovered it was not what I did as... Read more

2020-12-01T08:57:16-06:00

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.

My Hillbilly Eulogy

Last updated on: December 1, 2020 at 8:57 am By C. Don Jones

A “hillbilly eulogy” for Appalachia is long overdue. I barely recognize my own culture in Ron Howard’s Hillbilly Elegy that is now showing on Netflix. The film is based on the book of the same name from author J. D. Vance. It is subtitled as “A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis.” He means the culture in which I was raised and have worked most of my adult life. We are a culture that has crises and has overcome crises... Read more

Community

Hillbilly Elegy

Identity

2020-11-23T10:35:37-06:00

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.

Thanksgiving Day

Last updated on: November 23, 2020 at 10:35 am By C. Don Jones

Thanksgiving Day is controversial. No one should be surprised by it. I have often thought that the day points we the people to some sort of ideal community. Of course, even an ideal community is controversial. It should be. The question is, “ideal for whom?” But, the question is too vague. Some ideal views are not worth consideration. “Political Correctness” A common meme says that political correctness is a way of saying, “Don’t be a jerk.” Others claim that political... Read more

2020-11-19T09:50:10-06:00

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.

Ugliness Goes To The Bone

Last updated on: November 19, 2020 at 9:50 am By C. Don Jones

Four years ago, about this time, I stood up in a cluster charge conference and said, “I am going to take a stand against the ugliness that is coming. A church member told me about her Muslim friend who had a glass bottle thrown at her and hitting her in the face. She had just come from a wedding and was wearing a traditional head covering. I am going to oppose this whenever it happens.” Another clergy member told me... Read more

2020-11-16T13:31:56-06:00

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.

Disagreeing With Jesus

Last updated on: November 16, 2020 at 1:31 pm By C. Don Jones

Disagreeing with Jesus does not seem to be an option. Jesus never agrees to disagree. Encounters with the Son of God in the New Testament, end in a variety of ways. A person will respond in positive ways, negative ways, or in no way. The rich young ruler walks away. The tax collectors respond by giving up some of their wealth. Oddly enough, Jesus loves them all. The response does not matter. But one disagreement prompted a response from Jesus... Read more

Biblical Interpretation

Devotional

Preaching

The Kingdom of God

2020-11-12T13:28:19-06:00

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.

The Young People

Last updated on: November 12, 2020 at 1:28 pm By C. Don Jones

“We need more young people. We need more young clergy.” No doubt you have heard this from time to time. I have to say I am pretty disgusted by it. Being an early Gen-Xer, I know what it feels like to be told “wait your turn” until you are about 35. Then all you hear is “you can’t because we need more young people.” The other day I heard once again that churches need to bring in more “young adults.”... Read more

Community

2020-11-09T08:23:54-06:00

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.

Acedia Is Cured By A Good Rest

Last updated on: November 9, 2020 at 8:23 am By C. Don Jones

Acedia is a spiritual malady that requires a physical cure. “Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13) Acedia is a word from the Christian tradition. It is derived from a word meaning “under the afternoon sun.” In other words, it is the spiritual equivalent of feeling sleepy after eating a big lunch. The condition comes and goes. It is cured by a spiritual and physical means. Acedia Is Temporary Time is an... Read more

Spiritual Self Care

2020-11-05T09:50:36-06:00

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.

Election Blues

Last updated on: November 5, 2020 at 9:50 am By C. Don Jones

I am not surprised. No. Not in the least. Since the Bush/Gore election of 2000, the presidential elections in the United States have been contentious. The election in 2020 has been no different. I am not surprised. My spouse cautions me to “don’t harsh my mellow.” What does surprise me? The fact that I am pretty mellow about it. Election Anxiety Where does this feeling come from? I can’t say for certain. I have a lot of friends on the... Read more

2020-11-02T11:32:02-06:00

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.

Vote Like Wesley

Last updated on: November 2, 2020 at 11:32 am By C. Don Jones

United Methodists vote in ways pollsters hate. We are not so much bound by a central doctrinal formula as we are by a sense of Christian practice of grace and good deeds. It is the reason we vote differently on many issues. Recently, a non-Methodist Christian friend asked me about the “United Methodist position” on capital punishment. I responded with a direct quote from The United Methodist Book of Discipline 2016. I began musing on this and other positions. We don’t... Read more

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