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Progressive Christian

2019-01-07T02:39:29-06:00

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 Glory Of The Open Table

Last updated on: January 7, 2019 at 2:39 am By C. Don Jones

“This is the Lord’s Table. It’s not a United Methodist table, nor is it Green Meadow’s table. You need not be a member of this church, nor any church for that matter, to celebrate Holy Communion with this community of faith” These words from the bulletin of Green Meadow United Methodist Church in Alcoa, Tennessee are found just underneath the heading of “Invitation to the Table of Holy Communion” and above the Prayer of Confession. The placing of these words... Read more

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2018-12-05T14:47:33-06:00

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.

THE NIGHT SANTA BECAME REAL

Last updated on: December 5, 2018 at 2:47 pm By C. Don Jones

Saint Nicholas is one of my favorites. Yes. I know St. Nick and Santa Claus are different figures. If it could ever be proven that Saint Nicholas of Myra was merely a church legend, I would still cherish the story. He is the patron Saint of children and pawnbrokers. He is the one who like Moses gave into violence to defend the faith by punching the heretic Arius in the mouth only to become subject to the discipline of the... Read more

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2018-10-30T06:50:57-06:00

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 PERFECT CIRCLE

Last updated on: October 30, 2018 at 6:50 am By C. Don Jones

A recent inquiry was made to me from a friend as to why I disagreed with a certain political philosophy. The discussion became a heated argument which we both later regretted. Apologies were made on both sides. Yet, the question remains. I will rephrase it here in my own terminology. Why do I remain a traditional protestant and a democratic socialist? The answer is simple. I do not believe in perfect circles of any type. Let see if I can... Read more

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2018-09-20T20:43:56-06:00

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.

Why I Remain a Believer

Last updated on: September 20, 2018 at 8:43 pm By C. Don Jones

I have gone through a lot lately. In fact, very little has been resolved. I am in a new phase of my recovery program. I have wrestled with myself. I have fought to keep the dark thoughts of surrender and suicide at bay. And I have tried to envision a new path for ministry. To say the least, it has not been easy. While I went to treatment for depression, chronic pain, and a substance abuse disorder, I decided that... Read more

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2018-07-08T12:29:21-06:00

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.

Why the Change?

Last updated on: July 8, 2018 at 12:29 pm By C. Don Jones

Recently, I announced that I was switching from theology to philosophy. I understand it caused some consternation and confusion. I hope this corrects that. Theology is not the same as Religious Studies or Biblical Studies. Theology is speculative discussion on what ultimately exists in the supernatural realm. What is God? Who is God? What other beings exist beyond our perception and how do they act? The reasons we care about such things is how should life in our world be... Read more

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2018-02-07T15:25:29-06:00

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.

Distracted Christianity

Last updated on: February 7, 2018 at 3:25 pm By C. Don Jones

Before Christians became gladiators, they were the victims of gladiatorial contests. Mostly, this was done in “the arena” to begin the days’ events. Send a few traitors and criminals in to be torn up by wild animals to get the crowds really going. My own county hosts a “Christian boxing club.” And most churches, including my own, use Super Bowl Sunday to raise money for a local food bank. We say, “the Lord moves in mysterious ways>” I also understand... Read more

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2018-01-25T15:06:47-06:00

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.

Angry at Who?

Last updated on: January 25, 2018 at 3:06 pm By C. Don Jones

Bill O’Reilly recently stated that he was angry at God because all of the attention given to Mr. O’Reilly’s alleged bad behavior. I have heard other people express their displeasure against the divine for a number of reasons. Lee Strobel, the evangelical author, once claimed that during a period of atheism in his life he was angry at God for not existing. As paradoxical as that sounds, I suspect he was not the first person to ever be in that... Read more

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2017-08-14T12:56:04-06:00

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.

Standing Up to Evil

Last updated on: August 14, 2017 at 12:56 pm By C. Don Jones

I reminded my Bishop last June how during a service celebrating racial reconciliation that she had served my family Holy Communion (she was not a bishop then). I told her I was in favor of full inclusion in our Church and that she was stuck with me. She said it was fine with her. I take her at her word. But, it has not always been that way in our churches. We have congregations that will take issue with a... Read more

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2017-05-18T13:02:30-06:00

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.

A Plea for New Christian Leadership

Last updated on: May 18, 2017 at 1:02 pm By C. Don Jones

Fundamentalism and evangelicalism have become synonymous terms. Popular usage demonstrates that the words mean the same thing. Liberty University is considered evangelical while a generation ago its founder Jerry Falwell described himself as “fundamentalist.” We no longer need academic hair-splitting to define the terms. They each share the most important characteristics. They are intellectually and morally bankrupt. Jesus accused the Jewish leaders of his day with “straining out gnats but swallowing camels” (Matthew 23:24b). And so in March 2003 fundamentalists... Read more

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2016-11-03T14:24:27-06:00

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 Beauty of Life (part 3)

Last updated on: November 3, 2016 at 2:24 pm By C. Don Jones

Christian people wish to experience love, grace, and beauty. St. Paul urged the Philippians to allow their minds to dwell on those things as well as other admirable attributes. Conversely, we do not wish to experience exploitation, destruction, and death. The world as it is seeks “justice” as the primary virtue of an established order. And so a system of laws are put into place to enforce or impose order on society at large. The understanding demonstrated here is that... Read more

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