The other day, Patheos approved my request to reactivate this blog on the Progressive Christian Channel. After they did so, I decided to take a look at the site, since it had been a while (over a year and a half, to be exact). One of the first articles I stumbled across was called “You Can’t Be a Christian and Support the Democratic Party,” which came out of the Evangelical Channel. Shocker, I know! I thought to myself, “You can’t?... Read more
Hey everyone!!! After being off here for a couple years, I’m back. Why? Because I miss blogging, that’s why. I miss sharing my thoughts with anyone who will listen. What can you expect from me, going forward? A lot, actually! A lot of snark. A lot of humor. Perhaps even some wisdom (read: wise-ass). Hopefully within the next few days, I’ll have some actual content, but for now, it’s just nice to be back. If you haven’t yet subscribed, please... Read more
To the well-meaning Christians, please stop. If a loving relationship between two adults is filled with mutual care, generosity, compassion, and respect, but those two adults are of the same gender, you call it sin. Meanwhile, as long as they are of opposite gender, you call a marriage where two people might treat each other with contempt, act abusively, or attempt to use and control one another, a holy union blessed by God. When you call loving and life-giving committed... Read more
On May 4, 2019, our friend and wildly popular author Rachel Held Evans passed away. At the time, I had no idea what to say. So, I said nothing. Instead, I partnered with my friends Meg Calvin, Jordan Butler, and Victoria Lybarger (under the name “The Unwonted”), and wrote a tribute song, which can be found at https://soundcloud.com/theunwonted/for-rachel. It is also embedded just below: The lyrics are below: For Rachel Quandaries of doctrine Shook her foundation Pressed pause on Sunday... Read more
I’m really excited to announce that I have a new podcast launching on May 20, 2019 with my best friend and fellow author Michael Machuga. But as of right now, the introductory episode is available at thebonfiresessions.podbean.com. If you follow the link, you can give this 15-minute episode a listen to see if this is a show you want on your regular rotation. In the episode, we introduce ourselves, the show, and why you should be listening. In case you... Read more
There are many stories throughout the Scriptures that teach us what happens when families fight. In fact, it could be argued that that is what a good majority of the book of Genesis is all about. From Cain and Abel to Jacob and Esau, all the way to Joseph and his older brothers, this book is chock full of family drama, vengeance, and out-and-out violence. These stories are not included without reason, however. It’s not just drama for the sake... Read more
Tomorrow is Good Friday, which means that you’ll likely hear all about how the death of Jesus spares us from the wrath of God. You’ll hear about how Jesus was a substitutionary sacrifice, one who died in our place, so that God wouldn’t have to violently punish us for our sins (the ones who believe, anyway). Because . . . justice. Or wrath. Or honor. Or something like that. Then, you’ll likely be pointed to many passages throughout the Bible,... Read more
Universalism is the belief that all will be saved and reconciled to God in the end, and while there are many varieties floating around out there, from those that have little to do with Christian theology all the way to Patristic Universalism (the sort of Universalism that was present within the early Christian church), sadly, when many Christians first hear about it, they make a litany of assumptions that are, for most Universalists, simply untrue. That is to say, much... Read more
Labels, in and of themselves, are neither good nor bad. They are pointers, and, when properly used, can help us navigate the world and communicate with one another. When we use them to name cities and streets, they help us get from one place to another. When we use them to name menu items, they help us order the correct meal. However, labels can be used—and often are—in such a way so as to limit what something or someone is... Read more
Growing up in the Evangelical church, I was often told that I needed to “win souls for the Lord.” I needed to get out there and be bold for my faith and my God. If the world and the people in it were like those trapped in a blazing high-rise building, I was the first responder. And if I refused to lead the charge up the stairs, then what kind of rescuer would I be? A pretty horrible one, as... Read more
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