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Progressive Christian

2013-06-04T14:31:36-06:00

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.

What I Do and How I Do It.

Last updated on: June 4, 2013 at 2:31 pm By C. Don Jones

No one in his or her right mind wants my job. That is why only the called ones should do it. We clergy types are the true rebels. We are counter-cultural. If the culture wants to ignore the needs of those who are truly in need, we step in to help. If the culture preachers that salvation is found in social approval, we preach salvation is by the grace of God. If the culture claims God is only alive when... Read more

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2013-03-11T14:52:22-06:00

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.

Original Sin: Another Look

Last updated on: March 11, 2013 at 2:52 pm By C. Don Jones

I have often been critical of the doctrine of original sin. The chief problem with this doctrine is that it makes the whole concept of sin and redemption a closed loop or a rigged game. The second real problem with the doctrine is that while St. Paul is often quoted to support it the doctrine does not get its’ full expression until the time of St. Augustine of Hippo. My second look today has to do with taking the doctrine... Read more

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religion

theology

2013-03-04T15:13:53-06:00

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.

A Few Thoughts on the Papal Abdication

Last updated on: March 4, 2013 at 3:13 pm By C. Don Jones

While many of you who know me personally know that most of the times when I speak about Pope Benedict the 16th, I usually speak criticism of some kind. I often try to be diplomatic about it. Some times I make jokes. Other times I am very critical. As a mainline protestant pastor, Josef Ratzinger was never my favorite theologian. And so the often benign quips, “joey the rat,” “papa ratzi,” and “the red baron” were used to describe him... Read more

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2013-02-21T18:59:09-06:00

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.

On Honor Killing

Last updated on: February 21, 2013 at 6:59 pm By C. Don Jones

Most Christians in the United States have heard of so-called “honor killings” in the muslim world. If you haven’t, let me give you the basic idea. A young unmarried woman either has sex with a man or is raped by a man. In either case she is considered immoral and socially damaged. The stigma is also cast onto her family. Her father (or possibly a brother) decides to restore the family honor by killing the young woman. This death penalty can... Read more

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2012-12-07T14:38:51-06:00

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.

Shepherds and CEOs

Last updated on: December 7, 2012 at 2:38 pm By C. Don Jones

The other day a colleague asked me what was my favorite activity of the Advent and Christmas seasons. Quickly I replied, “The Christmas Eve Candle lighting and Holy Communion.” The other Pastor said she liked that too. But neither of us said why we liked it. So I thought about it. And here is why. There are people who come to the Christmas Eve worship that I only see at that time. Yep. That’s right. I like the people who show up... Read more

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2012-08-14T17:14:48-06:00

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.

Losing Our Illusions

Last updated on: August 14, 2012 at 5:14 pm By C. Don Jones

Locally, there has been some argument over whether or not the Hamilton County Commission may begin meetings with a Christian prayer. Since I have been in the ministry for quite a while now, I am not surprised that the issue has been raised. What I find most interesting is the difference of the respective ages of the people involved. Most of those who demonstrate in favor of the policy of prayer before Commission meetings sport middle-age waistlines and graying hair.... Read more

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2012-07-18T21:18:24-06:00

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 Few Miles in Someone Else’s Shoes

Last updated on: July 18, 2012 at 9:18 pm By C. Don Jones

Some events occur in an individual life that may have important implications only later in his or her life. I believe the times has come in my life as a Christian and a pastor to tell the story of a specific persecution I suffered with two friends who are homosexual. First, I will relate the event. I was in a car with my then girlfriend and one of her best friends, a gay man. The car was being driven by the... Read more

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2012-05-29T15:53:56-06:00

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.

Christian and a corrupt Faith

Last updated on: May 29, 2012 at 3:53 pm By C. Don Jones

A dear friend of mine told me the other day that in his mind I was a man of faith not a Christian. Why not? Because faith motivated most of my actions. Why not rather say my Christian faith motivates my actions? Because to him Christian is a negative term. Christian as a negative term. I am reminded by the author Anne Rice who following a spiritual awakening that led her back to her Roman Catholic roots decided later not... Read more

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2012-02-13T19:33:44-06:00

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 Elder Brother Speaks

Last updated on: February 13, 2012 at 7:33 pm By C. Don Jones

How many of us are tired of hearing the redemption testimony? You know the one I am talking about. The allegedly former reprobate stands up in church and delivers a long drawn out speech about how much fun they had until God took a hand in affairs and made them see the light. It gets tiresome when you watch people dry their eyes and shout amen and praises to the almighty during these times. One gets the impression that such... Read more

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2011-12-07T16:24:31-06:00

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.

Christmas

Last updated on: December 7, 2011 at 4:24 pm By C. Don Jones

The whole getting ready for Christmas stuff begins in October for me. That is my excuse for not posting more. A real question has crossed my mind. “Why are people’s identities caught up in belief systems?” I will be working on this some more. Stand by. Read more

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