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Progressive Christian

2022-04-16T10:41:04-04:00

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.

Embracing Resurrection without Supernaturalism

Last updated on: April 16, 2022 at 10:41 am By Bruce Epperly

Embracing Resurrection without Supernaturalism There is no getting around Easter if you belong to the Jesus movement. Jesus’ first followers were transformed by their encounters with the Risen Christ. Once fearful, they became courageous; once uncertain, they became confident in that Jesus was unique, the savior of humankind, victorious over sickness, sin, and death. Something happened – something amazing – that changed everything, that raised their dead spirits and energized their lives. The power of the resurrection to transform lives... Read more

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Easter

naturalistic resurrection

process theology

Resurrection

2022-04-15T19:09:38-04:00

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 Agnostic Spirit of Holy Saturday

Last updated on: April 15, 2022 at 7:09 pm By Bruce Epperly

During Holy Week, most of us focus on the palms, the passion, and the resurrection, leaping over the wilderness of Holy Saturday. The movement from celebration to desolation and surprising celebration again characterizes not only Holy Week but the realities of a meaningful life. We can’t escape suffering but our suffering is often transformed into joy by surprising events or unexpected insights and experiences. In the shadow of loss, the light of new birth often emerges. For many Protestants –... Read more

2022-04-13T11:48:59-04:00

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.

Good Friday – Salvation without Divine Violence

Last updated on: April 13, 2022 at 11:48 am By Bruce Epperly

GOOD FRIDAY: SALVATION WITHOUT DIVINE VIOLENCE What do you do with Good Friday and the Cross when you’ve abandoned the centrality of the doctrines of substitutionary atonement and the divine necessity of Jesus’ death? Like many progressive Christians, I grew up hearing the mantras “Jesus died for our sins,” “Jesus died so that we might have eternal life and escape God’s wrath,” “Jesus paid the price for our salvation,” and “Sin deserves death and Jesus stood in our place.” Recently,... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary

substitutionary atonement

the suffering of God

2022-04-09T05:34:36-04:00

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 – Easter Sunday – April 17, 2022

Last updated on: April 9, 2022 at 5:34 am By Bruce Epperly

The Adventurous Lectionary – Easter Sunday – April 17, 2022 Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 I Corinthians 15:19-26 John 20:1-18 and Mark 16:1-12 Despite the celebrations that attend the resurrection of Jesus, Easter is a challenge for most preachers. Perhaps more so this year, as we return to in-person worship in most parts of North America. We want to celebrate. We want to give thanks for new possibilities. We want an extra special sermon. We want to say something new... Read more

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Easter. resurrection

lectionary commentary

miracles

new life

2022-04-01T14:42:14-04:00

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 – Palm/Passion Sunday – April 10, 2022

Last updated on: April 1, 2022 at 2:42 pm By Bruce Epperly

Palm-Passion Sunday – April 10, 2022 Bruce G. Epperly The Triumphant Entry Luke 19:28-40 Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 The Passion of Jesus Isaiah 53:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 Luke 23:1-49 At the ascending edge of Holy Week, the preacher must ponder whether to lean toward the violence and abandonment of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday or focus on the celebrative spirit of Palm Sunday or attempt a creative synthesis of both. Eventually we must deal with both to embrace the personal... Read more

providence and choice

suffering

2022-04-01T14:38:58-04:00

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 – Palm and Passion Sunday – April 10, 2022

Last updated on: April 1, 2022 at 2:38 pm By Bruce Epperly

providence and freedom

suffering

suffering servant

2022-03-27T11:35:57-04:00

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 – Fifth Sunday in Lent – April 3, 2022

Last updated on: March 27, 2022 at 11:35 am By Bruce Epperly

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Fifth Sunday in Lent – April 3, 2022 Isaiah 43:16-21 Psalm 126 Philippians 3:4b-14 John 12:1-8 The Fifth Sunday in Lent is an invitation to gratitude and adventure. The readings invite us to embrace God’s future while honoring the past. God is our help in ages past, and also our hope in years to come. God is constantly doing a new thing, and God’s new thing builds on God’s past faithfulness. God makes a way... Read more

2022-03-18T08:52:40-04:00

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 – Fourth Sunday in Lent – March 27, 2022

Last updated on: March 18, 2022 at 8:52 am By Bruce Epperly

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Fourth Sunday in Lent – March 31, 2019 Joshua 5:9-12 Psalm 32 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Lent is about simplification, confession, and transformation. It is personal but also communal and global. That we can embark on simplicity and confession – and turn around toward new paths – is grounded in the unconditional love of God and the challenges of accepting the “unworthy” – those whom we find unworthy (the Putins, Trumps, and white... Read more

2022-03-14T17:12:30-04:00

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.

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Third Sunday in Lent – March 20, 2022

Last updated on: March 14, 2022 at 5:12 pm By Bruce Epperly

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Third Sunday in Lent – March 20, 2022 Isaiah 55:1-9 Psalm 63:1-8 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Luke 13:1-9 Today’s readings join grace, challenge, and hope. Three readings mention thirst or water. God is graceful providing us with physical and spiritual nurture. Living waters and the bread of life are available from God without our efforts. What we need is already around and within us in this Holy Here and Now. Yet, we often – like the... Read more

2022-03-04T06:08:05-05:00

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 Adventurous Lectionary – The Second Sunday in Lent – March 13, 2022

Last updated on: March 4, 2022 at 6:08 am By Bruce Epperly

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Second Sunday in Lent – March 13, 2022 Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 Psalm 27 Philippians 3:17-4:1 Luke 13:31-35 Today’s readings join hope, fear, and faith. Most of us have been unsettled by the “breaking news” of the Ukraine invasion and Russian aggression, not to mention political incivility, the news from the January 6 commission, and the assaults on democracy and human rights in the USA. We also are anxious about our modest response – and in... Read more

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