The Jew Named Jesus – a review

Last updated on: December 2, 2013 at 2:28 pm By Roger Wolsey

(image: http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/01/08/j460.jpg) Have you seen Jesus through Jewish eyes? I must say that I haven’t – at least not as fully as I have after reading a new book called The Jew Named Jesus. I know a lot about Christianity. A budding voice in progressive Christianity, some consider me an expert. But my knowledge of my faith is colored by my color. I’m a white male Protestant Christian and though I consider myself relatively well read and familiar with most... Read more

12 Ways to Take Back Christmas, Save Money, & Stay Sane

Last updated on: December 12, 2017 at 2:32 pm By Roger Wolsey

I’ve made my peace with seeing Christmas decorations in stores well before Thanksgiving. I’m down with the pagan influences on the holiday. I’m cool with hanging greens, decorating with holly and ivy, lighting yule logs, and setting up Christmas trees. I’m hip to honoring the winter solstice. I mean it’s not like Christians aren’t affected by the mood affecting darkening of days, and the primal, collective joy that comes with the return of increased daylight after Dec. 21st. I look... Read more

10 Ways to Gauge your Christian Development

Last updated on: March 6, 2014 at 10:48 pm By Roger Wolsey

I. Write down the following 9 words as a list: love, joy, peace, patience/forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) Put a number from 1-10 next to each that most closely indicates your current level of that trait and quality. Don’t over-think it. Go with your gut. Guts are honest. Add up the numbers, divide that sum by 9. This is your averaged “Christian Fruits of the Spirit Quotient.” II. Write down the following as a list: Fed... Read more

A Check to Progressive Christian Rage

Last updated on: March 6, 2014 at 10:50 pm By Roger Wolsey

During the past week, I’ve seen more hateful, vulgar, and frankly, unchristian remarks posted by progressive Christians as comments to posts and articles on social media. Now it could be that not all of those folks who posted are in fact Christians — but are instead perhaps among the growing number of Spiritual But Not Religious-identified folk who often visit progressive Christian websites and social media pages. However, to the extent that some of those hateful comments were posted by... Read more

“Pressure Pots”: a poetic repsonse to Boston & West, Texas tragedies

Last updated on: April 21, 2014 at 8:08 pm By Roger Wolsey

“doo doo doo do-do do. do. doo doo doo do-do do. do.” david and freddie knew. they knew about the pressure that comes down on me and you and through their song, we were blessed with a pop witness to the terror of knowing what this world’s all about. it honored the good friends who scream “let me out!” that witness is oh so needed. in an age when thousands follow the vapid, overly positive tweets and twitters of radiant... Read more

What’s Eating Michelle Shocked? A Pastoral Letter to a Sister in Christ

Last updated on: March 21, 2013 at 8:29 pm By Roger Wolsey

Dear Sister Michelle, I’m a Christian pastor who is a long time fan of your music and have seen you perform live twice. The first time was in Washington, D.C. when you were touring with Billy Bragg in 1988 and the most recent time was at the Wild Goose Festival in North Carolina two years ago. I don’t think you identified as a Christian in 1988 but many of your early songs suggested to me that I should view you... Read more

Spiritual But Not Giving a Damn

Last updated on: February 4, 2016 at 8:42 am By Roger Wolsey

I write now in particular to those who lean Christian in their Spiritual But Not Religiousness. There’s no such thing as solo Christianity. You can’t follow Jesus by yourself. Read more

Jesus — An Unwanted Christmas Present?

Last updated on: December 17, 2015 at 12:51 pm By Roger Wolsey

A Devotion for Christmas Day and beyond. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me… If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in... Read more

“fast hog to breadhouse”

Last updated on: December 17, 2015 at 12:50 pm By Roger Wolsey

every trailer park has its own rules… some let you dry your laundry out on a line, others don’t; some allow pets off leash, some don’t even let you have pets at all; some let you paint your siding any color you want, some want all of the rigs to look exactly alike; some let you build carports, some only let you have one car on your lot – and it can’t be on blocks. but on top of the... Read more

Santa in a Brothel

Last updated on: December 2, 2013 at 10:44 am By Roger Wolsey

I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink …. I was imprisoned in a brothel and you rescued me. So begins Daniel Walker’s book God in a Brothel. It’s a bold and blunt beginning and the rest of the book is nothing but boldness and bluntness. The book is a primer on the ugly reality of human slavery – particularly sex trafficking. It’s a tell-all account of one man’s... Read more