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Progressive Christian

2012-02-10T12:36:33-05:00

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.

Valentines of the Spirit

Last updated on: February 10, 2012 at 12:36 pm By Bruce Epperly

When I was a small child, Valentine’s Day was a big deal. Though I hadn’t yet discovered the joys of romance, I recall my excitement at going to the store with my Mom, buying two packs of valentines for fifty cents, and then writing notes to all my classmates and my teacher, who got a special one, especially if I had a crush on her. The cards’ messages were pithy and to the point: “Be my Valentine” or “Be Mine”... Read more

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2011-12-20T18:34:55-05:00

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 Tragic Beauty of Christmas: The Massacre of the Innocents

Last updated on: December 20, 2011 at 6:34 pm By Bruce Epperly

Just a few days after the celebration of Christmas, the light of Bethlehem is eclipsed and the dark shadows of life return to the stories of young Jesus. Tucked between Christmas Day and the Feast of Epiphany (January 6), the Massacre of Infants or Slaughter of Innocents is remembered. In the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Episcopalian traditions, this moment in the biblical story is recalled on December 28; the Orthodox tradition sets aside December 29 as a day of mourning... Read more

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2011-05-13T12:15:16-04:00

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.

Spirit-centered Process #1 Does Theology Matter?

Last updated on: May 13, 2011 at 12:15 pm By Bruce Epperly

All theological reflection should be willing to face the question, “So what?” Are our ideas merely abstractions with no value below the neck, or to they help us navigate the rough and tumble world of living and dying, loving and fighting, healing and curing? Do they give us guidance for our political and economic as well as personal lives and relationships? I believe everyone deep down is a theologian. A theologian is simply a person who asks questions about meaning,... Read more

2011-05-11T11:56:19-04:00

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.

Adventures in Healing and Wholeness #20 – An Intimate Question

Last updated on: May 11, 2011 at 11:56 am By Bruce Epperly

In my final reflection on Mark’s healing stories, I want to focus on Jesus’ question to Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” The fact that Jesus healed his blindness, responding both to his physical condition and the reality of his social location as an outcast, most likely blamed for his disease, is important, but perhaps more important is Jesus’ willingness to let us dictate the terms of our healing. Jesus’ question isn’t accidental. He is asking... Read more

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2011-05-07T11:19:53-04:00

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.

Adventures in Healing and Wholeness #19 – Blessing the Children

Last updated on: May 7, 2011 at 11:19 am By Bruce Epperly

In another curious passage, the disciples discourage people from bringing their children to Jesus. (Mark 10:13-16) We don’t know their motivation, perhaps they see the children as a nuisance to their Teacher, or they believe that they will only get in the way of Jesus’ more important business. Once again, Jesus rebukes them. “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them.” I imagine Jesus having great fun playing with children; perhaps he told them stories for the... Read more

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2011-05-04T10:32:46-04:00

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.

Adventures in Healing and Wholeness: Global Healing

Last updated on: May 4, 2011 at 10:32 am By Bruce Epperly

In a curious story, Jesus’ disciples return to their teacher, rather proud of themselves. (Mark 9:38-41) They report: “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he wasn’t one of us.” They expect to be congratulated for maintaining the purity of Jesus’ teaching. Instead, Jesus tells them not to stop him, for despite his being a stranger to them, he is doing God’s healing work. There are many pathways to healing... Read more

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reiki

2011-04-29T11:08:27-04:00

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.

Adventures in Healing and Wholeness #17 – A Gradual Healing

Last updated on: April 29, 2011 at 11:08 am By Bruce Epperly

Most healing is gradual and imperceptible. The healing of a sight impaired man is interesting simply because it is recorded in Mark’s Gospel (Mark 8:22-26). When Jesus first lays hands on the man, all he can see is a blurred vision of the world. Jesus has to touch him a second time for him to see clearly. There are no fireworks here, no falling down in spiritual ecstasy, no dramatic “get up and walk” narrative. Healing takes time and most... Read more

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2011-04-27T09:58:41-04:00

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.

Adventures in Healing and Wholeness – Many Paths to Healing

Last updated on: April 27, 2011 at 9:58 am By Bruce Epperly

In the healing of a speech and hearing impaired man, Jesus employs spittle along with healing touch. Spittle was vested with curative power in the ancient world. While today, we might consider spittle a folk remedy, it was seen as medicinal in Jesus’ time. From our 21st century perspective, we would say that Jesus was joining prayer and contemporary technical medicine to cure this man. There is nothing oppositional between technological medicine and healing prayer or laying on of hands.... Read more

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2011-04-23T10:46:26-04:00

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.

Adventures in Healing and Wholeness: An Empty Tomb and an Open Future

Last updated on: April 23, 2011 at 10:46 am By Bruce Epperly

Most scholars agree that the original version of Mark’s gospel ends at Mark 16:8. There is no image of a physically resurrected Christ, just the promise that Christ is going ahead of us. Now, I happen to believe the resurrection reflects the real experience of transformed lives. But, its truth is in the rolled away stone and the empty tomb, not some life-like replica of human embodiment. “Who will roll away the stone for us?” is not just the women’s... Read more

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2011-04-22T20:42:41-04:00

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.

Adventures in Healing and Wholeness: Good Friday Means You Don’t Need to Suffer Anymore

Last updated on: April 22, 2011 at 8:42 pm By Bruce Epperly

Good Friday means you don’t have to suffer anymore. While following your dream – God’s vision for you – may entail sacrifice, it is not demanded, nor does God desire that you suffer to find healing and wholeness. Jesus came that we might have life in its abundance. While we may choose to sacrifice (and choice is key) for the well-being of others, for example, we go to the pharmacy at 3:00 a.m. for our child or partner or spend... Read more

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