Aiming High

Last updated on: April 23, 2013 at 11:03 pm By Jim Burklo

Last week I attended a conference at Esalen Institute near Big Sur. It’s hosted by Esalen’s Center for Theory and Research. It’s focused on peacemaking among the Abrahamic faiths. After the first day of the meeting, I got into a rich conversation with Esalen’s co-founder, Michael Murphy, two rabbis, and a medical doctor with Talmudic training. For hours we talked about resurrection, reincarnation, and the far reaches of human spiritual and physical capacities. Then I went alone for a walk,... Read more

A Bible Study for Heretics: A Q&A with Christian Piatt

Last updated on: April 18, 2013 at 7:10 pm By Deborah Arca

2 Comments

This spring, Patheos launched its first “premium content” blog – a weekly bible study from popular progressive Christian author Christian Piatt. The new subscription blog, A Heretic’s Guide to the Bible, offers a weekly guided tour through the Bible following the Church’s lectionary schedule, and is aimed at bible “pros” (preachers, teachers) as well as bible/faith newbies (seekers). There’s something for everyone in this thoughtful, fresh, informed — and definitely irreverent — new resource. And with Christian as a guide,... Read more

Boston, Bombs, and the Scandal of God’s Criminal Justice

Last updated on: April 17, 2013 at 5:37 pm By Guest Contributor

As many wonder where God was in the midst of such tragedy, and while others question why God did not (or could not) prevent such terror from taking place, I am personally tormented with my belief of where God's love will be placed in its aftermath. Read more

Of Gun Control, Presidents and the Reality on the Ground

Last updated on: April 5, 2013 at 3:40 pm By Guest Contributor

3 Comments

The government is enacting law to contain societal violence; the church is grounding itself in incarnate Love to release the common good. It will take both ends of the spectrum, and all places in between, to achieve the ends. Read more

Catch and Release

Last updated on: April 3, 2013 at 10:16 pm By Jim Burklo

Every Wednesday at noon here at the University of Southern California, I lead a mindfulness meditation session in our University Religious Center. We have a group of “regulars” who are a mix of students, staff, and faculty, and we always have “newbies” who come to learn meditation practice. I open the session with a short introduction to mindfulness practice and then we keep silence for about 30 minutes. There is great diversity in this group, from age to ethnicity to religion to... Read more

A Master’s Degree for our Times: CLU Launches Online Degree in Ethical Leadership

Last updated on: April 2, 2013 at 8:32 pm By Deborah Arca

153 Comments

The trailblazers at Claremont Lincoln University (CLU) in southern California are at it again. After the Methodist-affiliated Claremont School of Theology co-founded the multi-religious university CLU in 2011, the school is now launching an online Master’s Degree in Ethical Leadership. “It’s a Master’s Degree for our times,” says Philip Clayton, Executive Vice President and Provost of Claremont Lincoln University. “We believe that today’s leaders will need a more holistic, integrated, and grounded approach than has ever been offered before.” Classes... Read more

Why I Am a Progressive Christian

Last updated on: April 1, 2013 at 3:59 pm By Guest Contributor

114 Comments

This month, Patheos has invited its many, faith-diverse writers to contribute to a new series called “Why I Am A… in 200 words or less.” Here, columnist John Holbert shares why he’s a progressive Christian. (Read more responses to the question here.) Actually, I was no kind of Christian at all growing up. My family did not go to church; Sunday mornings in Arizona were reserved for TV sports. My parents were Goldwater Republicans; no progressivism there. I attended a non-Christian college... Read more

Imperfect, First Seder Springs Hope

Last updated on: March 28, 2013 at 9:34 pm By Guest Contributor

140 Comments

“We’re Reform Jews, so this is going to be quick,” the father of my hosting family says as I sit down for my first Seder. I’ve read stories about the Passover feasting tradition lasting throughout the night and into the next morning, and he confirms this with an aside. “I once sat through an Orthodox Seder, and we still had not eaten dinner by three in the morning.” Read more

A Progressive Christian View of Marriage Equality

Last updated on: March 27, 2013 at 5:32 pm By Eric Smith

185 Comments

What is the Christian view of marriage? Of human sexuality generally? Today on the news, I heard one Christian (a Presbyterian minister) declare that God’s plan was for marriage to be between a man and a woman, and I heard another self-described Christian declare that “fags are lawless.” These were, literally, the only voices I heard in opposition to marriage equality today, and they were both Christians, and while one was respectful, neither really represents my understanding of Christianity, the... Read more

Why I Am a Christian

Last updated on: March 26, 2013 at 5:31 pm By Greg Garrett

150 Comments

This month, Patheos has invited its many, faith-diverse writers to contribute to a new series called “Why I Am A… in 200 words or less.” Here, progressive Christian blogger Greg Garrett shares why he’s a Christian. (Read more responses to the question here.) I was raised in one branch of the Christian tradition that proved to be toxic for me. So after I fled that, I tried to be a Buddhist, a Jew, a nature worshipper, an agnostic, and none of those things... Read more

Which Psalm opens with "Blessed is the man"?