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Progressive Christian

2018-04-06T09:18:19-05:00

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.

Matt Chandler’s Apology: A Lot of Money Rides on This

Last updated on: April 6, 2018 at 9:18 am By Christy Thomas

[Note: since this article was written, Matt Chandler has met with Karen Hinkley face-to-face. His apology was offered and received by her. She offered forgiveness in return and now considers the matter closed. However, this still does not deal with the underlying theology that gives women no voice and no place at the table and thus opens the door to further abuse.] I attended the media-battered Northway Campus of The Village Church this morning (Sunday, May 31, 2015). After the usual... Read more

2015-05-29T16:44:24-05:00

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 Village Church "Apology"

Last updated on: May 29, 2015 at 4:44 pm By Christy Thomas

Quick recap: The Village Church, led by the evangelical superstar Matt Chandler, put the wife of an admitted pedophile under church discipline when she arranged for the annulment of her unquestionably invalid marriage without first getting permission from the church elders. By the virtue of the membership covenant, members of that church do indeed give the church elders, all male, full authority to make decisions about intimate husband/wife decisions including whether they may or may not divorce and under what... Read more

2015-05-27T10:58:11-05:00

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.

Five Signs that a "Membership Covenant" = "Cult"

Last updated on: May 27, 2015 at 10:58 am By Christy Thomas

The blasting open of the news that members of the immensely popular and rapidly growing The Village Church cannot freely leave the church without approval from the all male, all self-selected elders has stunned a lot of people. I’ve written some about it here. A thorough time-line can be found here. Blogger Amy Smith is especially to be commended here for bringing all this to light with the accompanying documentation. So now the question is being raised in the minds of many:... Read more

2015-05-26T14:55:33-05:00

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.

Women in The Village Church Beware: "You Got No Right to Leave"

Last updated on: May 26, 2015 at 2:55 pm By Christy Thomas

I’m in a state of shock. I cannot believe that in this day and time a church can get away with this. But the male ego and the need for authority over others has no bounds, particularly in a church where no female voices may be heard at decision making levels. A quick summary: The Village Church is a large, multi-site church pastored by the increasingly famous Matt Chandler. Matt, along with equally infamous Mark Driscoll, founded the Acts 29... Read more

church abuse of females

2015-05-23T10:17:59-05:00

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.

Duggar Family: Sexual Abuse Counseling Nightmare

Last updated on: May 23, 2015 at 10:17 am By Christy Thomas

About a year ago, I wrote of the resignation of the cult leader, Bill Gothard, whose theology and practices have greatly influenced the now-destroyed Duggar family. According to news reports, the many girls violated by young Josh Duggar’s sexual experimentation were given “counseling.” Well, it is important to understand the kind of “counseling” they were given. Bill Gothard had created a theology that opens the door for men to systematically abuse women and children and then blame those very women and... Read more

2015-05-22T16:58:31-05:00

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.

Sexuality and The Duggar Scandal

Last updated on: May 22, 2015 at 4:58 pm By Christy Thomas

Is there anyone who has not heard the sad and scandalous news about Josh Duggar of 19 Children and Counting fame? This 27 year old spokesman for the Family Research Council has now resigned from his post. The reality TV show which so enriched his parents and siblings has now been cancelled. Far more, that family have just had their carefully constructed and controlled lives deconstruct and spin out of control. What happened? It was revealed that as a teen,... Read more

Bible

Christianity

religion

2015-05-21T12:44:44-05:00

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.

Appeal to Scripture as the Ultimate Authority Leads to Schism

Last updated on: May 21, 2015 at 12:44 pm By Christy Thomas

I sat in a giant, rich Baptist church on Sunday, and heard the pastor say, “Just trust me on this one,” as he pronounced with authority the demise of the US and the rise of the Antichrist over the issue of same-sex marriages. Baptist churches are all independent–none has to answer to another. They can and do teach anything they want and all make their appeal to the Bible as their ultimate authority. I spent about 25 years in the independent... Read more

2016-12-21T13:32:15-05:00

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.

Mystery Worship: Fear and Tribulation Bring in Money and People at Prestonwood Baptist

Last updated on: December 21, 2016 at 1:32 pm By Christy Thomas

“Wow–Joel Osteen and The Summit in Houston have nothing on this place!” So my companion commented as we walked into the cavernous worship center of the main campus of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano. Tier after tier of green-cushioned pews, football stadium sized jumbotrons, multiple TV cameras prepared for filming and a giant stage with a 300 seat choir loft greeted us. We sat on the second level behind the sound booth. One of the many dark-suited, conservative-neck-tied ushers had... Read more

Prestonwood Baptist Church

Rapture

UMC

UMR

2015-05-13T12:29:21-05:00

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 Pew Report: The Nature of Truth or Cut the Baby in Half

Last updated on: May 13, 2015 at 12:29 pm By Christy Thomas

We all disagree with each other over almost everything. And this is also true with the various interpretations of the decline of Christianity as documented by the latest Pew Report. Many are sure that the reason for the decline stems from decisions those who disagree theologically have made. In other words, those on one side of the fence are sure it is because the “liberals” have watered down the Gospel and have become corrupted by current, secular, and immoral ethical/sexual standards. Thus they... Read more

Decline of Christianity

King Solomon

Pew Report

UMC

2015-05-05T12:06:22-05:00

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.

Interfaith Day of Prayer

Last updated on: May 5, 2015 at 12:06 pm By Christy Thomas

I’ve been invited to offer a prayer at a Denton-based Interfaith Day of Prayer celebration this Thursday, May 7. The organizers asked that the prayer be scripted ahead of time. I was in the midst of helping to care for the family of one of my sons with the birth of their fourth child so didn’t have time to write until I sat in the airport heading home. This prayer then began to flow: As I wrote these words to you, O... Read more

Interfaith Day of Prayer

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