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Progressive Christian

2008-11-08T13:10:00-05:00

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.

Political Discourse

Last updated on: November 8, 2008 at 1:10 pm By Christy Thomas

We are a bruised nation. We’re bruised economically, we’re bruised internationally, but mostly we’re bruised internally. We’re bruised because the uncivil discourse that characterizes most political campaigns bruises and soils our individual and national souls. While it may not be articulated in exactly this way, the sentiment seems to be growing: if people of local, state and national prominence can speak of one another so distastefully, get away with it and even win elections doing it, then we can get away... Read more

religion

corruption of civility

political discourse

2008-11-07T12:39:00-05:00

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.

Your Headlights are Off

Last updated on: November 7, 2008 at 12:39 pm By Christy Thomas

“Did you know that your headlights weren’t on?” That’s the first question that popped out of my mouth after a frustrating 30 minutes trying to find a friend of mine who was supposed to meet me at a restaurant. Her reply, “At least I was driving on the right side of the road. Give me some credit!” She’s been living in England for three years, and had flown in for a short vacation. All her plans were made at the... Read more

Christianity

religion

2008-11-04T11:57:00-05:00

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.

Continuing Thoughts on “The Stories I Hear”

Last updated on: November 4, 2008 at 11:57 am By Christy Thomas

I find myself still shocked by some of the events and conversations of last week, and others that are continuing this week. Every pastor, when coming to a different church, no matter what the circumstances, gets to enjoy a honeymoon period. Everyone is on good behavior, and we’re all hoping the best will happen. We look at one another with generosity and often hide some parts of ourselves and our thoughts for fear of being unloved if exposed. So, while... Read more

2008-11-01T11:40:00-05:00

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.

Oh, the stories . . . The Congregational Fights

Last updated on: November 1, 2008 at 11:40 am By Christy Thomas

“Oh, The People You’ll Meet And The Places You’ll Go”. . . that’s the title to a Dr. Seuss book often given to people who are changing something in their lives—a graduation from high school, or perhaps a new job, or the first time to travel to someplace very different. It’s a celebration of possibilities and future. “Oh the stories you’ll hear and the heartbreak you’ll know”. . . .That’s my current paraphrase of the book title as I consider... Read more

Bible

Christianity

religion

2008-10-31T14:22:00-05:00

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.

Much is Given, Much is Required: Real Humility

Last updated on: October 31, 2008 at 2:22 pm By Christy Thomas

A few days ago, I saw someone with whom I had developed a friendship several years ago. I remember being so intimidated when I first met her as she walked into the room where we had a joint meeting. This educated, articulate, poised, elegantly dressed, tall, beautiful, wearing pointy-toed high heeled shoes women entered and I thought, “We’ll never have anything in common!” Later, I discovered that she had been raised by doting well-to-do adoptive parents who had given her... Read more

Christianity

humility

religion

To whom much is given

2008-10-22T13:00:00-05:00

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.

Zero Tolerance and the Kingdom of Heaven

Last updated on: October 22, 2008 at 1:00 pm By Christy Thomas

I recently became involved in a situation in the schools here where a student rightfully deserved disciplinary action for an inappropriate behavior. Everyone, parents, teachers, administrators, even the student, agreed the behavior was wrong. Everyone agreed that there needed to be connection between action and reaction. But there the agreement ended. The parent and I both felt the context had not been fully taken into account, that the context itself provided significant mitigating factors and that the disciplinary action levied,... Read more

grace

real righteousness

zero tolerance

2008-08-30T16:54:00-05:00

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.

“A Better Life?” or “A Coddled Life?”

Last updated on: August 30, 2008 at 4:54 pm By Christy Thomas

“We want a better life for our children.” I wonder how many times this phrase has been spoken by the various political candidates as the presidential race goes into hyper-speed. Each time, I also wonder what that means. I know I have said the same thing—I too want a better life for my children. Or at least I say I do. But what is it that I want to be better? If it means a safer, more physically comfortable one,... Read more

2008-08-26T13:30:00-05:00

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.

Lies or Truths: Hagiography and the Prosperity Gospel

Last updated on: August 26, 2008 at 1:30 pm By Christy Thomas

There is a form of literature called “hagiography.” Somewhat like a biography, it is the telling of the story of a person’s life that deliberately accentuates his or her sainthood, or special gift of goodness and closeness to God. That kind of writing idealizes a person. No one can tell the full story of someone in a biography, but the hagiography intentionally picks and usually exaggerates the supernatural connection and decisions and accomplishments that seem beyond those that most normal... Read more

2022-12-26T18:16:58-05:00

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.

Homework and Grace: The “Do-Over”

Last updated on: December 26, 2022 at 6:16 pm By Christy Thomas

Instead of being punitive, let’s embrace the “do over.” Let’s offer the second chance that everyone has needed from time to time and see if this will help keep young people in school until they have mastered the basics of education. School has started, and we’ve all seen much buzz about the Dallas Independent School District’s new grading policy. My first reaction, like so many others, was simply one of horror. It looked like school administrators were removing any incentive... Read more

Education and Religion

2008-08-07T13:17:00-05:00

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.

Church At It’s Best: Transition Moments and True Grace

Last updated on: August 7, 2008 at 1:17 pm By Christy Thomas

Why bother with church? Why take the time to get involved in something that seems to have little practical value, takes up time, requests your contributions, and asks you to offer worship and praise and adoration to a Supreme Being whom you cannot see or touch and who often seems confusing and invisible? Well, I can think of dozens of reasons for all people to engage in the discipline of good faith development, but there is one that has particularly... Read more

Christianity

church

religion

Church at transition moments

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