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Progressive Christian

2013-10-01T09:13:17-05:00

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.

An Ethical Core and The Essence of Hypocrisy: the US House of Representatives

Last updated on: October 1, 2013 at 9:13 am By Christy Thomas

Every major religion and ethical system I know of centers on what we often call the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” Or, in more contemporary language, “Do you like to be treated well and with respect? Then treat others well and with respect.” Or, “Consider how you want others to treat you, and then you begin the cycle and treat others that way.” Or, “Don’t do to others what... Read more

US House of Representatives

2013-09-28T15:37:14-05:00

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.

Three Months, Two Days

Last updated on: September 28, 2013 at 3:37 pm By Christy Thomas

Time zips by as retirement approaches. My mind swirls around important church needs and an unusually high intrusion of personal needs into my thinking space. And then there is email. I have friends and colleagues with hundreds and thousands of unread emails in their inbox. I can’t do that. Having massive numbers of unread emails/texts/apps to update just messes with my brain. They become a nagging “to-do” lists for me, so I routinely keep those things as cleaned up as... Read more

The United Methodist Church

worship planning

2013-09-26T09:10:17-05:00

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, Take Notice: This May Be Our Future

Last updated on: September 26, 2013 at 9:10 am By Christy Thomas

United Methodists, take notice: an extremely prominent Presbyterian Church, Highland Park Presbyterian, is suing the PCUSA , (Presbyterian Church USA) its mother denomination, as a preemptive strike to keep its 30 million dollar property. HPPC has voted to align with a far more conservative denomination, the ECO (A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians.) HPPC is leaving the PCUSA over theological reasons, a “lack of freedom to choose future pastors” and the denomination’s vote to “allow openly gay people in same-sex... Read more

denominations

doctrine

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Highland Park Presbyterian Church

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PCUSA

Pope Francis

The United Methodist Church

2013-09-24T12:11:28-05:00

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.

On Translation: No Easy Answer

Last updated on: September 24, 2013 at 12:11 pm By Christy Thomas

Twice last week, I was asked about the “best Bible translation” in order to read to understand as closely as possible what was in the original texts. My answer is not particularly satisfactory but it is the best I have. Simply, if you want to read something closest to the original text, then the best thing is to learn Greek and Hebrew. Even then, you are reading copies of copies of copies. As far as anyone knows, none of the... Read more

Bible

cultural context

Bible translations

The King James Version

2013-09-22T14:15:24-05:00

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.

We Did Dance Today in Worship

Last updated on: September 22, 2013 at 2:15 pm By Christy Thomas

By the time I arrived home from worship, there were eight posts on Facebook about what had happened in worship today. It was one of those days when the gifts and graces of so many came together in a spirit of play, dance, adoration, music, worship and tears of joy. The message was the last but one of a two month series on Learning the Language of Faith. I decided to do this after Kenda Creasy Dean’s presentation at Annual... Read more

The Ark of the Covenant

The Color Purple

2013-09-21T10:26:44-05:00

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.

The Texas Roll Call of Shame

Last updated on: September 21, 2013 at 10:26 am By Christy Thomas

The following Texas members of the US House of Representatives voted FOR the bill that rips even bigger holes in a fragile safety net of the most vulnerable people in the US. The full list of all Representatives who voted for it is here. Please note that each of these members of the US House of Representatives earn $175,000/year along with enjoying multiple perks and benefits that provide much economic comfort. Many have other substantial income sources as well. It... Read more

poverty

Texas US House Members

US House of Representatives

2013-09-20T09:10:37-05:00

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.

US House of Representatives: Just Try Living on the Poverty Line

Last updated on: September 20, 2013 at 9:10 am By Christy Thomas

This editorial calls what the House Representatives have done by cutting food stamps as “act of supreme indifference.” The comments on the article are breaking my heart. Over and over, the commentators equate Christianity with utter cruelty to the poor, mainly because so many who voted for this bill have labeled themselves the best of Christians. Earlier this week, I was well into a beautifully-researched, cogently-argued, exquisitely-written article about how difficult it is to survive on the minimum wage. I... Read more

US House of Representatives

2013-09-19T11:25:27-05:00

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 Freshness and Fragrance of the Gospel: Pope Francis and the UMC

Last updated on: September 19, 2013 at 11:25 am By Christy Thomas

In an interview published today, Pope Francis said the church should be a “home for all” and not a “small chapel” focused on doctrine, orthodoxy and a limited agenda of moral teachings. Yes, he sounds very much like Jesus. I wonder how long he’ll last as Pope. I’d like to think a long time. But I doubt it. And it would be nice if the leaders of The United Methodist Church could also figure this out. Another quote from the interview:... Read more

change

Pope Francis

united methodist church

2019-01-31T10:59:43-05:00

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.

Three Months, Seventeen Days, “What is Enough?”

Last updated on: January 31, 2019 at 10:59 am By Christy Thomas

The big question of “What is Enough?” kept arising in the midst of this decision to retire early and respond more fully to God’s call to devote my working hours to my writing world. What is “enough” when it comes to retirement finances? Some major financial publications have said things like “Have in savings/investments at least 11 times current annual income.” Some say we’ll need much more than that because this generation of retirees have far higher expectations for our... Read more

The United Methodist Church

the voice of God

2013-09-07T10:40:36-05:00

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.

The Mind of Autism and Our Individual Truths

Last updated on: September 7, 2013 at 10:40 am By Christy Thomas

I just read the book review of The Reason I Jump, by Naoki Higashida. The reviewer, who has a son with autism, offers a privileged peek into the mind that perceives the world like this: Colors and patterns swim and clamor for your attention. The fabric softener in your sweater smells as strong as air freshener fired up your nostrils. Your comfy jeans are now as scratchy as steel wool. Your vestibular and proprioceptive senses are also out of kilter, so... Read more

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