Progressive Christianity is an open, intelligent and collaborative approach to the Christian tradition and the life and teachings of Jesus that creates a pathway into an authentic and relevant religious experience.
We are a 501c3 non-profit organization that offers thoughtful and practical resources for individuals, families, and communities to explore and affect progressive Christianity, spirituality, community life, social and environmental justice.
On What Was Devine in Jesus (and in us)
by Bret Myers
The language of faith is mytho-poetic, not literal. It describes the meaning of reality, not the facts. Thus the contemporary question of whether Jesus was factually born of a virgin or was the biological son of God confuses the very intention of the ancient authors.
For a person of that time and culture to claim Jesus was born of a virgin and the spirit of God ‘means’ that there was something about him that was sacred: e.g., his love, justice, peace, and compassion, which are the primary character traits of God. In other words, he had truth living in him — truth not as factual, but truth as meaningful, purposeful, and life-giving.
And to claim he was the “son of God” was a common euphemism in ancient Hebrew culture, attributed to other prophets and leaders as well, that meant that one was designated with a sacred purpose and possessed the same virtues and values (e.g., love, peace, compassion, justice, etc.) as God. Hence, it was his “way” of life that was sacred, not his very being.
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ProgressiveChristianity.org : On What Was Devine in Jesus (and in us)I Pray Anyway: Devotions for the Ambivalent
by Joyce Wilson-Sanford
I Pray Anyway: Devotions for the Ambivalent by Joyce Wilson-Sanford is comprised of 365 daily reflections and 12 monthly personal stories. It tells of the author’s return to a prayer/devotions practice as she shares her own very naked, very funny, very touching prayers and reflections.
progressivechristianity.org/resources/i-pray-anyway-devotions-for-the-ambivalent/
Also see: PLAYbook for I Pray Anyway: Devotions for the Ambivalent. It is a creative, thought provoking guide/curriculum based on the book.
progressivechristianity.org/resources/i-pray-anyway-playbook/
Sermon: Whitman on Orthopraxy with Rev. Dr. Roger L. Ray, Community Christian Church
In the horrible crucible of the Civil War and the Indian Wars, Walt Whitman, in the Leaves of Grass, attempted to describe American greatness, not in our legislatures or executives, but in the inherent goodness of individual Americans. Many of us have lately been humiliated by the juvenile tweets of our chief executive and the morally bankrupt race in several southern states to take away women’s rights, but, as Frankel said, no one can take away from us our ability to decide how we will react to what they do. We get to choose who we are and to reject being defined by the racism, sexism, misogyny, classism, and xenophobia of our current political environment.
These progressive sermons are available as podcasts at iTunes.
Dr. Roger L. Ray
pastor, The Emerging Church
spfccc.org
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ProgressiveChristianity.org : Whitman on OrthopraxyGathering Pecans by Wimberley Watts is a family saga that spans three generations of Bagbys, an ultra wealthy family from the south, who, each in their own way, leave a mark on the world. It begins at the end of WWII and ends two days before 9/11. It’s a tale of where we have been and where we hope to never return, as well as a story that reminds us that we belong to each other whether we realize it or not.
Elizabeth’s love affair with God enables her to open her heart and mind to all faiths and cultures. She is constantly reminded that Jesus is a universal figure who belongs to the world, not just a select few. Gathering Pecans is an endearing story that will leave you pondering long after you’ve turned the last page.
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