People often think that the Bible is obscure, hard to understand, and irrelevant. But today’s reading from Ephesians seems as fresh and accessible as when it was first written some 2,000 years ago. The passage is straightforward. It is a list of don’ts and do’s, a kind of inventory of spiritual virtues.

I’m bone tired of being told why I should fear the other guy. Not because I’m not afraid—Lord help me, I’m terrified—but because fear will never move hearts and minds like an appeal to who could become.

Donald Trump promised, “In four more years, you won’t have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians.” His words are starkly anti-democratic and—from a candidate who incited a mob to attempt a deadly coup—deeply disturbing.

Once you understand the agenda of Christian nationalism, ask yourself: What Christian nationalist ideals and beliefs do I put up with on a daily basis? These ideals and beliefs are everywhere in our culture. All we have to do is pay attention. Every day in a thousand little ways, you and I participate in and give power to a Christian nationalist belief system – no matter how covertly or unconsciously we may do it.

There is the rather staid term used to describe a form of worship in the Christian faith tradition, known as ‘liturgy.’ It comes from two Greek words, translated as the “work” of the “people.” For decades, I used to remind a flock of worshippers that an hour spent on a Sunday morning was only a rehearsal for what they were called to practice and live out the rest of the week. 

Embark on a transformative journey through 13 powerful themes like diversity, eco-spirituality, mental health, LGBTQ+ inclusion, science, questioning beliefs, and more. Each devotional includes scripture, a reflection on the theme from a progressive Christian perspective, questions for personal reflection or group discussion, and a spiritual practice. 

A national Zoom call from the D.C.-based Black women's organization "#WinWithBlackWomen"  had over 40,000 sistahs in attendance. In three hours, these women raised over $1 million to support Harris, which T.V. personality Star Jones, the campaign chair, spearheaded.  "#WinWithBlackWomen" is a national intergenerational and intersectional sisterhood of black diasporic women who leverage talent, influence, and networks to support Black women.

From a theological perspective, politics is the argument about the nature of community, who counts in community, and our moral responsibility for community. It is an old argument. It existed long before Jesus, long before Rome. It runs through the Hebrew scriptures. It shaped ancient societies. These are questions are the heart of human existence, these theological-political questions.

When I watched—repeatedly—the news report of the assassination attempt against Donald Trump, my heart time-travelled. To Robert Kennedy shot dead. To Martin King and Malcolm X, shot dead. To John Kennedy, shot dead. To Gabby Gifford, Ronald Reagan and George Wallace. To the people acting very surprised at this violent act, I say, “Why are you surprised? This is a shoot-em-up nation.

In honor of Independence Day 2024, we should celebrate the dedication of the deep bench of public employees who serve everyone competently and without partisanship, representing in person the values of human equality and compassion. Without specific religious motivation, these public servants exemplify key principles of the Beloved Community.

And I’m puzzled about how we got to a place in this nation’s story in which an 81- year-old president and a 78-year-old former president—a convicted felon—are on that debate stage together and we somehow did not expect what happened.

As panic settled in across the country, we found ourselves mired in a fog of confusion bordering on despair.  Indeed, the shock of Biden's debate stumble ignited an over-reaction on multiple fronts.

This July Fourth, for the 248th time, America celebrates independence from British rule. But after President Joe Biden signed into law Juneteenth as a federal holiday, Americans are also forced to take a closer look at what this July Fourth represents.

Juneteenth is a celebration of the end of slavery, a day to honor the survival and resilience of Black people throughout 400 years of sheer inhumanity: from the profound sadism of slavery, through the Jim Crow laws, lynchings, and segregation, to the racism of today. 

Thomas Jay Oord has been handed charges and faces a trial for being fully LGBTQ+ affirming. This book offers the documents of his defense for that trial. It also features other documents, including his hearing defense.

Pope Francis sent global shock waves when the news broke that he used the highly offensive f -word "frociaggine," meaning "faggotness ” in Italian.

Paul Levy is one of our greatest evolutionary mystics and someone whom I believe understands deeply and precisely our current extreme situation.

Thomas Jay Oord advocates for full acceptance of queer people. Consequently, Oord has been charged with teaching doctrines contrary to the Church of the Nazarene.

When I was young, had anyone suggested that I spend most of my life being “a minister,” I’d have smirked, thought about it, and then laughed right out loud.

Looking back at advances since 2004, such as hate crime laws, the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and  DOMA, the legalization of marriage equality, same-sex adoption, and anti-homophobic bullying becoming a national concern, among a few, the LGBTQ+ community has come a long way since the first Pride marches. 

Meister Eckhart asks, "How can anyone be compassionate toward her neighbor who is not compassionate toward herself?" This is why Jesus says: ‘Be compassionate!'

Congratulations to Board of Directors and Advisors of ProgressiveChristianity.or for for capturing six of the top ten on Feedspot's List of the Top 60 Progressive Christian Influencers in 2024!

The RBC’s meeting wasn’t, apparently, about the conversations that could be had at the TCC. To avoid any unexpected conversations, in fact, the bank blocked access to the meeting to any but shareholders, a practice that, I’ve been told, is relatively new.

In A Journey Called Hope, author Rick Rouse shares the stories of immigrants from around the world to America — their successes, hopes, challenges, and dreams. He explores how we can share our planet with the understanding that it is a matter of human dignity for all people to have a safe place to call home. In sharing these inspiring stories and hope-filled futures, Rouse assures us the United States is still a nation of promise made richer by its diversity.

Abundant Lives: A Progressive Christian Ethic of Flourishing invites sociologically informed engagement in human well-being based on Jesus’ command to love God, our neighbors, ourselves, and our enemies.

Watch Episode  20 of The Awakened Collective with Rick Gregory as he interviews Special Guest Rev. Dr. Caleb J. Lines, author of The Great Digital Commission.

So, how did Christianity become so mean? Although many factors contribute to mean Christianity, the primary culprit is that large numbers of American Christians, both Republicans and Democrats, care more about partisan politics and culture wars than they care about following the example and teachings of Jesus.

The Superbowl Commercial "He Gets Us" misses the mark by presenting a narrow view of Christianity where narcissism is disguised as altruism.

Native American racism, then goes even deeper to the historic Christian documents that have infected not only Christian teachings but also have been fundamental principles embedded in laws, policies, decisions, and cultures ever since to the present. His research and documentation are extensive, unnerving, and compelling reading.

Herman says every survivor she interviewed or worked with has wished above all for the following: Acknowledgment and vindication, apology and amends. Those 4 things are what justice looks like for the people directly affected.