Transformation ought to be an essential part of Christianity, but all too often, it isn't.  ProgressiveChristianity.org Co-Executive Director Rev. Dr. Caleb Lines discusses how we must embrace change to experience true transformation.

Today marks the end of the first 100 days of Trump 2.0. Simply put, it has been horrible. We’ve seen early capitulation and collusion from major American institutions. A full-on attack on valued programs that support civic life. The purposeful undermining of the Constitution, especially when it comes to civil rights and freedom of speech.

Anyone who is threatened by evil will struggle with the admonition to appease bullies, even when they are violent and seek to take away everything. Was Jesus really telling us to give in to bullying and violence? Is that the essence of pacifism?

Transformation ought to be an essential part of Christianity, but all too often, it isn't.  ProgressiveChristianity.org Co-Executive Director Rev. Dr. Caleb Lines discusses how we must embrace change to experience true transformation.

In order to begin to grasp the levels of evil and the unending darkness of Trump 2.0, it's important to understand some of the background that explains his behavior.

Anyone studying the psychology of the public knows full well that if you want that public to approve and accept something, like tax policy that helps the rich, make it sound like an irresistible brownie and ice cream. How about a tax break, ya’ll? 

Transformation ought to be an essential part of Christianity, but all too often, it isn't.  ProgressiveChristianity.org Co-Executive Director Rev. Dr. Caleb Lines discusses how we must embrace change to experience true transformation.

Transformation ought to be an essential part of Christianity, but all too often, it isn't.  ProgressiveChristianity.org Co-Executive Director Rev. Dr. Caleb Lines discusses how we must embrace change to experience true transformation.

Transformation ought to be an essential part of Christianity, but all too often, it isn't.  ProgressiveChristianity.org Co-Executive Director Rev. Dr. Caleb Lines discusses how we must embrace change to experience true transformation.

Transformation ought to be an essential part of Christianity, but all too often, it isn't.  ProgressiveChristianity.org Co-Executive Director Rev. Dr. Caleb Lines discusses how we must embrace change to experience true transformation.

I am sick of white supremacy. I am sick of white people thinking they are smarter, better, sharper, more gifted, more entitled, more beautiful, more holy, more pure, more saved, and more predestined for goodness, love, fortune, blessedness, and thriving than people who are BIPOC.

Transformation ought to be an essential part of Christianity, but all too often, it isn't.  ProgressiveChristianity.org Co-Executive Director Rev. Dr. Caleb Lines discusses how we must embrace change to experience true transformation.

I began to write this reflection on a historic Monday in January, when Donald Trump was sworn into office as our president on the same day our nation observed the annual commemoration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Transformation ought to be an essential part of Christianity, but all too often, it isn't.  ProgressiveChristianity.org Co-Executive Director Rev. Dr. Caleb Lines discusses how we must embrace change to experience true transformation.

In one of the most astonishing political transformations in the history of democracy, Hitler set about destroying a constitutional republic through constitutional means.

As Christians, if we are going to make informed choices that align with our values, we need to be aware of falsehoods being perpetrated in Jesus’ name. Here’s a quick take on some of those myths.

As Christians, if we are going to make informed choices that align with our values, we need to be aware of falsehoods being perpetrated in Jesus’ name. Here’s a quick take on some of those myths.

As Christians, if we are going to make informed choices that align with our values, we need to be aware of falsehoods being perpetrated in Jesus’ name. Here’s a quick take on some of those myths.

As Christians, if we are going to make informed choices that align with our values, we need to be aware of falsehoods being perpetrated in Jesus’ name. Here’s a quick take on some of those myths.

Transformation ought to be an essential part of Christianity, but all too often, it isn't.  ProgressiveChristianity.org Co-Executive Director Rev. Dr. Caleb Lines discusses how we must embrace change to experience true transformation.

Christianity, at its core, is about love of neighbor. But really, what does that mean? In our increasingly divisive country, that can feel challenging, if not downright impossible.

Nowadays, the most obvious current flashpoints are the Israeli/Palestinian and Russia/Ukrainian conflicts. Turf wars by either dreams of empire, or religiously inspired claims of a so-called “promised land,” are nothing new. Just peruse the history books or biblical scriptures.

This year it is most important to learn from the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. The crisis the country is facing is summed up well in the title of his last book, “Where do we go from here:  chaos or community?” I suggest that communities of faith and goodwill plan two types of events for that day, one educational and the other worshipful.

Transformation ought to be an essential part of Christianity, but all too often, it isn't.  ProgressiveChristianity.org Co-Executive Director Rev. Dr. Caleb Lines discusses how we must embrace change to experience true transformation.

For years, the celebration of Black History Month, especially among white conservatives, has always brought up their ire around "identity politics" and "special rights. 

Transformation ought to be an essential part of Christianity, but all too often, it isn't.  ProgressiveChristianity.org Co-Executive Director Rev. Dr. Caleb Lines discusses how we must embrace change to experience true transformation.

Inclusivity has always been a core value in progressive Christianity.  We're reminded, for example, of Jesus' practice of open table commensality.  Radically inclusive, this was a core practice of Jesus' ministry.  At his table, everyone was welcome.  As Christians, therefore, we are encouraged to do the same.  It is in this way, as we lift up the common good, that the new covenant in Jesus is served.  

This Valentine’s Day my focus is on black love.  African American life in the U.S. is primarily depicted as a struggle devoid of romantic love rather than a radical act of living, liberation, and loving families. Under the tyranny of colonization, slavery, Jim Crow, and simple everyday life, how do we have time for love? 

There is nothing we can do to stop the expansion of the universe or escape the fate of black holes. But there is much we can do to end the rampant evil that rears its ugly head at this moment in our history, and that includes fighting back against the illegal and the immoral.

Transformation ought to be an essential part of Christianity, but all too often, it isn't.  ProgressiveChristianity.org Co-Executive Director Rev. Dr. Caleb Lines discusses how we must embrace change to experience true transformation.