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Progressive Christian

2014-04-17T09:03:59-05:00

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.

I Would Have Cut and Run As Well

Last updated on: April 17, 2014 at 9:03 am By Christy Thomas

I would have cut and run as well. I would have run into that darkness to save my body, not caring that I was leaving behind my soul. You see, before anyone saw the light and bright of Easter Sunday, darkness prevailed. Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem probably led many to hope, “Now, someone will get rid of these Roman oppressors!” They saw Jesus as “messiah,” the sent one who would set them free. Messiahs live in a world of... Read more

2014-04-14T10:24:31-05:00

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.

Seven Tips for Offering Gluten-Free Communion

Last updated on: April 14, 2014 at 10:24 am By Christy Thomas

In my retired life, I wander from church to church on Sunday mornings. When I was serving a church, I celebrated Holy Communion weekly, knowing I needed the sacrament for the sake of my soul. The liturgy anchored my week. But now, as one who must eat gluten-free, I find this practice highly problematic. At a recent church visit, I breathed with relief after reading the bulletin and seeing that gluten-free wafers were available for communion. Without them, I would have... Read more

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The United Methodist Church

UMC

2019-02-26T10:37:37-05:00

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 Inquisition Cometh #UMC

Last updated on: February 26, 2019 at 10:37 am By Christy Thomas

That the inquisition cometh will be necessary in order for conservatives to maintain their doctrinal purity. That’s what the drive to doctrinal purity always does. It splits and splits and splits but those few are so deeply sure of their holiness that the collateral damage seems also to have been a holy move. I just read the heartbreaking report that some 60 (unnamed at this point) conservative pastors and theologians in the United Methodist Church have held a phone conversation... Read more

united methodist church

2014-04-08T09:39:07-05:00

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.

I Really Should NOT Own A Car But . . .

Last updated on: April 8, 2014 at 9:39 am By Christy Thomas

I really should not own a car. Hold that thought for a moment while I offer the story. I had walked to a nearby church on Sunday morning for an early service. A couple of minutes after I returned to my apartment, someone knocked on the door. I opened it to find the neighbor who lives directly below me. “Come here” he said, beckoning to the balcony. “There’s something you need to see.” I walked over and he pointed down... Read more

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Briscoe Tire and Alignment

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Spencers Auto Repair

2014-04-01T11:05:16-05:00

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.

Why I Left Evangelicalism: "The Next Thing to Hate"

Last updated on: April 1, 2014 at 11:05 am By Christy Thomas

“After the first night of legal Gay marriage ceremonies in England and Wales, Christians are today desperately leafing through the Bible to identify another basic human right to rail against.” This quote came from a spoof site, but the spoof says too much about the long-held tendency of people who call themselves part of the kingdom of heaven to find something to hate. A number of years ago, I began, but never finished, a book I tentatively called, The Making and Unmaking... Read more

2014-03-20T03:14:50-05:00

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 Celebrity Pastor Issue

Last updated on: March 20, 2014 at 3:14 am By Christy Thomas

Two “celebrity” pastors hit the religion news in the last week. One is internationally known for hate speech and representing an angry God and leads a small church of about 100 people, primarily family. The other is also internationally known for hate speech–the angry prophet representing the angry God–and leads a multi-site church with at least 15,000 people in worship each week. Both are famous, or infamous, for the things that come out of their mouths. The first, Fred Phelps,... Read more

2014-03-17T09:47:36-05:00

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.

Mark Driscoll and the Art of Unrepentant Repentance

Last updated on: March 17, 2014 at 9:47 am By Christy Thomas

I’ve had a real problem with mega-celebrity, bad-boy, foul-mouthed, plagiarist-publicity-seeking, sex-obsessed, females-better-submit-or-else, God-is-going-to-send-pretty-well-everyone-to-hell* pastor Mark Driscoll for a long, long time. Yes, his church(s) in Seattle have seen significant growth, and if “growth-in-numbers” equals “God-must-like-him-better” theology, then anything I have to say would have to be interpreted as sour grapes. OK, lots of hyphenated words here–I tend to do that when I get passionate. But he has now published a letter of repentance–which says it is only for the Mars... Read more

2014-03-12T15:28:26-05:00

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.

United Methodists: It is Time to Stop and Pray.

Last updated on: March 12, 2014 at 3:28 pm By Christy Thomas

The battle over sexuality rages with new energy. The Just Resolution decision instead of a trial for Rev. Olgetree (this 80 year old retired clergy presided at the same-sex wedding for his son, and fellow clergy filed charges against him) has ignited a firestorm of separatist talk, exposing more fully the deep divisions among us. IT IS TIME TO STOP. It is time to stop and pray the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples when they asked him, “teach us... Read more

The United Methodist Church

2014-03-11T13:59:06-05:00

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.

Bill Gothard Resignation: This Gets Personal

Last updated on: March 11, 2014 at 1:59 pm By Christy Thomas

“It sounds like the Taliban.” That was my oldest son’s response when I told him about the latest scandal in the Christian world: the resignation of Bill Gothard. Gothard was the founder and president of IBLP (Institute for Basic Life Principles) and ATI (Advanced Training Institute). ATI, an educational institution, supports a fair amount of the home schooling and quiverful (have as many children as possible) movements. The Duggar Family, of TLC 19 Kids and Counting fame, are adherents and followers... Read more

Bill Gothard Resignation

2014-03-04T07:27:34-05:00

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.

"Sincerely Held Religious Belief" Legislation Proposed for Texas

Last updated on: March 4, 2014 at 7:27 am By Christy Thomas

Please note: The Concerned Women for America are seeking to float a resolution to enact a bill that would do the same thing as the proposed one in Arizona (just vetoed by Arizona Governor, Jan Brewer) would have done. It reads in part: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the right to act or refuse to act in a manner motivated by a sincerely held religious belief may not be burdened unless the government proves there is a compelling governmental interest... Read more

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