Living and learning in harmony with creation and with one another. Sophia is a community of inclusion, of freedom, of safety, of belonging.

Living the teachings of Jesus is an important focus of all progressive Christians. The teachings of Jesus are beautiful... The problem is there is no practical advice in the New Testament on how to attain them. The teachings of Jesus come with no how-to suggestions.

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? 

The Theology of Jesus—Not Constantine’s Nor The Theologians Who Created Dogma and Doctrine Throughout Christian History

In English, the word ‘love’ is a much-abused term. For example, someone might say, “I love apple pies,” or “They made love in the bedroom last night.” Therefore, it is important to have some idea of what Jesus meant when he used the term. From what we know of Jesus from the gospels, when he said to love your neighbour, the noun ‘love’ means a self-giving concern for others.

Satire is one of the most potent forms of non-violent protest. Its unique strength lies in its ability to enable those with limited power to voice dissent and spotlight problematic issues in an engaging, humorous, and effective manner, all while remaining relatively non-threatening to those in power.

After twenty-four years in the Evangelical movement, Phil Davis decided to leave his “first faith.” It was not a decision he took lightly. In Leaving God for God, Davis takes us on his journey to de-program himself and open himself to the God beyond any one religion.

“I don’t love God.” Little did Gen-Z seminarian Katie Westcott know that when she made that confession to English professor Martin Bonham one fine summer day it would throw the quiet campus of Cupperton University into an uproar. Nothing would be the same again. Together, this unlikely pair of oddballs poses this question: What if students could major in “loving God”—not religion or theology, but in the daily challenge of loving the Creator with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength? Well, now they can … in the new and innovative Department of Theophily—the department of loving God. Yet, strangely enough, not everyone is happy about the new department, and they will stop at nothing to see it shut down. … Part sitcom, part inspiration, this thoughtful theological comedy is like a Venn diagram in which C. S. Lewis and P. G. Wodehouse intersect.

Can you feel your faith slipping away? Are you or a loved one questioning what you’ve always believed? If you’re wondering whether there’s life on the other side of deconversion, or if you’re trying desperately to understand a loved one who is losing their faith—this book is for you.

Apparently, we all have what is called a “default mode setting” in our brains.  “That is where all the self-representational processes take place: I’m thinking about myself, my time, my goals, my strivings, my checklist.” The first discovery was that all this self-centered activity quiets down when we experience awe.

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.

The authentic Paul is the Paul of his "authentic" letters, the letters he actually wrote. While Paul has always been viewed--after Jesus--as the major personality in the shaping of the early Christian Church, at the same time, he has been widely criticized--mostly for what people assume to be his views on women, slavery, and hierarchy in the church-- based on letters Paul did not write. Paul's detractors have also accused him of distorting the message of Jesus with their lofty teachings in the Sermon on the Mount and with Jesus' personal commitment to social justice. One of the theses of this book is that, in fact, Paul and Jesus have much in common. Indeed, more than distorting the message of Jesus, Paul's teachings appear to complement Jesus' message. Having said this, it is the author's thesis that Paul has been largely misunderstood and is deserving of a fresh hearing. Simply put, he deserves to be understood and evaluated based on the letters he actually wrote and distinctly not on letters attributed to him but which he did not write.

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.

Every story must have a beginning and an end. The better stories also have a cohering middle, theme, or context that holds their beginning and end together. The same holds true for a life story

In John 11:3, Lazarus is referred to as the one Jesus loves. In Greek, the word used here for ‘loves’ is phileis, but the word for ‘loved’ in verse 5, ‘Jesus loved Martha and her sister Mary and Lazarus,’ is egapa. Therefore, Jesus has a different kind of love for Lazarus on his own.

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.

It started with Jesus. After his death, his inner circle of followers called the disciples, along with other followers, continued his extensive call to care for and love others. They were called to a ministry of service.

Attempting to cope with an ever-increasing flow and flood of information, knowledge, and data, we skim and scan, instead of deep reading and absorption. David Robson weaves numerous thoughtful and stimulating viewpoints from other noted experts combined with his timely insights into how our world was affected by the shift to a post-modernism society. This substantial work was written after years of research, study, and contemplation with the goal of stimulating each reader on their own path of spiritual awareness and personal growth.

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.

My heart sank when I heard that John B. Cobb, Jr. died on December 26, 2024. I’m told that he died peacefully, surrounded by family. John was one of the greatest theologians of our time, and his influence upon me is immeasurable.

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.

“The lack of everlasting peace in the Holy Land is a deeply complex issue, rooted in a combination of historical, religious, cultural, political, and social factors.”

Strengthen your connection to God—a year of powerful devotions for men. Even in the busiest week, there’s always a moment to connect with God.

This season of the return of Light (Solstice) and the miracle of Light (Hanukkah) and the announcement of angels of doxa or glory and the birth of Christ incarnated (Christmas) and birthing community based on principles that are light-filled (Kwanzaa) promises a certain enlightenment to humanity for sure. 

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.

As Christmas comes, tradition reminds us of the cycles of seasons and history and the timeless nature of some stories. Advent is the perfect time to reflect on our 2020 podcast discussion with John Dominic Crossan about his book with the late Marcus Borg, “The First Christmas.” 

The story of Christmas has yet to end, and continues in the goodness and goodwill of our everyday lives. It may be that there are others such as he in different times and places, in distant galaxies or on the other side of earth, but for us, right here and right now, we are given a light, and a hope-certainty that loving-kindness is our truth and our destiny.

Each litany begins by telling the truth about a world that is all too barren of hope, peace, joy, and love. And then, after the candle has been lit, we cry out with all people of faith — past, present, and future — that God is, even now, coming into the world!

Braided Way has featured many essays and poems by John over the years. He is the author of a dozen books combining psychology, social change, and soul work. He joins us to talk about his newest book.

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.