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Progressive Christian

2013-08-15T18:34:33-04:00

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.

Transforming Giants: A Response to “Five Stones”

Last updated on: August 15, 2013 at 6:34 pm By Bruce Epperly

There’s always a giant blocking our future; but, we have the resources to respond with creativity and persistence to overcome what stands in our way. These obstacles can be Goliath-like in nature, but God has given us five stones and the example of the young shepherd David to respond to any crisis that stands in our way. Certain practices will give us the focus, persistence, and power to defeat these giants just as David defeated Goliath with five small stones. ... Read more

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2013-08-14T12:15:18-04:00

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 Adventurous Lectionary for August 18, 2013: Divine Withdrawal and Human Suffering

Last updated on: August 14, 2013 at 12:15 pm By Bruce Epperly

Lectionary Reflections for August 18, 2013 Isaiah 5:1-7 Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 Hebrews 11:19-12:2 Luke 12:49-56 What is God’s role in natural disasters that devastate whole cities and nations? It seems that every time there is a human-made or natural disaster, certain televangelists and conservative spiritual leaders have a field day. They directly inform us why innocent lives were destroyed and the source is usually God. Remember 9/11? A number of public preachers identified the terrorist attack with God’s withholding of... Read more

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2013-08-07T13:01:27-04:00

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 Adventurous Lectionary for August 11: The Gift of an Uneasy Conscience

Last updated on: August 7, 2013 at 1:01 pm By Bruce Epperly

Today’s readings describe impossible possibilities. Isaiah challenges the people to go from apathy to awareness and transform their worship from ritual to justice-seeking. Hebrews tells the story of Abraham and Sarah following God’s promises that, although they are childless, they will become the parents of a nation. Jesus asks his followers to stay awake in every season of life, and sell their possessions to have resources to give to the poor. As a pastor, professor, and householder, I don’t know which of these... Read more

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2013-08-05T12:16:53-04:00

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.

Divine Violence and the Quest for a Non-violent Faith

Last updated on: August 5, 2013 at 12:16 pm By Bruce Epperly

I applaud Preston Sprinkle’s Fight: A Christian Case for Nonviolence. He presents a timely word to Christians who wrap the Bible in the American flag and support the USA’s military adventurism, when led by Republican presidents, whole-heartedly, claiming divine sanction for our militaristic policies. His words invite us to take a second look at violence as a way of solving diplomatic disagreements. He also reminds us that Jesus’ radical hospitality embraced foe as well as friend. At the very least, national war-making must be... Read more

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2013-07-31T19:20:50-04:00

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.

Simplicity and Abundance: A Response to Mark Scandrette’s “Free”

Last updated on: July 31, 2013 at 7:20 pm By Bruce Epperly

Mark Scandrette’s Free: Spending Your Time and Money on What Matters Most is a testimony to simple living. It is also, to the surprise of some readers, I suspect, a hymn to abundant life. The heart of the text can be found in Scandrette’s Prayer of Abundance (23), in which the affirmation that we are cared for by an abundant provider inspires us to bless the world by our actions and way of life. According to John’s Gospel, Jesus’ mission statement... Read more

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2013-07-31T17:42:16-04:00

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 God of Personality and Possibility: A Dialogue with Darren Wilson’s “Finding God in the Bible”

Last updated on: July 31, 2013 at 5:42 pm By Bruce Epperly

Darren Wilson’s book explores what it means to have a personal relationship to God and, more importantly, what it means for God to have a personal relationship to us. This is the best of evangelical popular theology taken to its theological and experiential conclusions. Read more

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2013-07-29T12:43:40-04:00

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 Adventurous Lectionary: Personality and Transpersonality — August 4, 2013

Last updated on: July 29, 2013 at 12:43 pm By Bruce Epperly

Thank God that we can “know” God; but thank God also that God is shrouded in unfathomable mystery. In the liveliness of faith, we need both intimacy and prophetic distance. Read more

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2013-07-23T17:05:40-04:00

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.

Adventurous Lectionary: Divine Parenting and Human Well-Being – July 28, 2013

Last updated on: July 23, 2013 at 5:05 pm By Bruce Epperly

Lectionary Reflections for Pentecost 10 — July 28, 2013 Texts: Hosea 1:2-10; Psalm 85; Colossians 2:6-15; Luke 11:1-13 Today’s readings are profoundly theocentric in their proclamation of a universal God for whom the affairs of humans and nations are of significance. The readings also present the many faces of God – as challenger, restorer, enemy, parent, and transformer. The God of Hosea is morally ambiguous, destroying and demeaning as a prelude to new creation. The Psalmist images God as the source of national restoration. ... Read more

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2013-07-19T17:52:30-04:00

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.

Power, Love, and the Absence of God: A Dialogue with Sheridan Voysey’s “Resurrection Year”

Last updated on: July 19, 2013 at 5:52 pm By Bruce Epperly

[This post is part of a roundtable conversation on the new book, Resurrection Year by Sheridan Voysey, now featured at the Patheos Book Club.] Sheridan Voysey’s Resurrection Year is a testament to faith and honesty. It opens the door for faithful Christians to take theology seriously and go beyond the rote recitation of “orthodox” doctrines, especially when time after time our prayers remain unanswered. Author Madeleine L’Engle describes a question she once received following a lecture at a Christian college. ... Read more

2013-07-19T12:10:38-04:00

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 Adventurous Lectionary: Pentecost 9, July 21, 2013

Last updated on: July 19, 2013 at 12:10 pm By Bruce Epperly

The Adventurous Lectionary – Pentecost 9 – July 21, 2013 Texts: Amos 8:1-12; Psalm 52; Colossians 1:15-28; Luke 10:38-42 Today’s readings abound in possibilities, including the possibility that we will suffer serious consequences if we deviate from God’s vision of Shalom. According to the readings from Psalms and Amos, there is both a promise and threat in our relationship with God. Openness to God’s vision opens us to lively and transformative energies and contributes to the healing the world. Closing... Read more

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