The story, known as the Yakṣa Prashna, is often read as a lesson in duty and moral order. Yet a closer reading unsettles that simplicity: a figure from the margins—a crane, not a king—holds power accountable. The crane reverses the expected order of power and knowledge, showing that wisdom does not belong solely to those at the center but often emerges from those who are rendered peripheral.

Like it or not, the artificial intelligence revolution is here. As with the other three great transformations in history, the agricultural, industrial, and digital revolutions, artificial intelligence will fundamentally change modern life. The role of the church in the AI revolution will be to create a vision that demands the AI revolution be used for the good of the human community, for bringing in the kingdom of God.

This is a day that we set aside every year to honor the many people— primarily trans women of color— who are murdered because of transphobia. This is a day that is hard to grapple with, and from the perspective of the planning of religious services, this is a very tough one to plan and to manage.

Today’s “Ask a Progressive Christian” with ProgressiveChristianity.org Co-Executive Director Rev. Dr. Caleb J. Lines: How Do Progressive Christians Pray?

Many ready-to-retire American workers are under the impression that all the money that they have paid into the Social Security Fund all their working lives is sitting in an account somewhere, collecting interest, and just waiting to be drawn upon. Not so.

Do you deflect fears of death by raising complex theological or philosophical questions? (As the Sadducees did with Jesus.) Do you want to believe the worst and run to the hills to hide as the apocalypse unfolds?