Rick Perry Is Making Me Cynical

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:57 pm By Tony Jones

Okay, I was already cynical. But Texas Governor Rick Perry’s prayer rally, “The Response: A Call to Prayer for a Nation in Crisis,” which takes place today in Houston, is making me more cynical. The Dallas Morning News reports, Gov. Rick Perry’s prayer rally is expected to draw thousands of protesters Saturday, including Muslims, Jews and even some Christians who say the evangelical event is exclusionary and inappropriate and Perry is overstepping the bounds of his office by hosting it.... Read more

The Book Is about to Drop!

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:57 pm By Tony Jones

Here’s the cover of my next book, coming next week. Thanks to Courtney for the image and the cover design. The book will be available on several e-book outlets, including Amazon and BN.com. Watch this space for more info. Book cover below the fold: (more…) Read more

Speaking at The Nines

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:57 pm By Tony Jones

Should a guy like me use my blog to pimp myself to speak at The Nines, a fairly conservative, evangelical event, already stacked with White Guys, many of whom have Facial Hair? Probably not. Instead, I think we should all go on there and vote for Rachel Held Evans, Eliacin Rosario-Cruz, and others who break the mold. Well, that’s what I’ve done, but I won’t hold it against you if your clicker clicks my button, too. 🙂 Read more

Hear Me Talk Some Youth Ministry

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:57 pm By Tony Jones

Robbie MacKenzie interviewed me this week for his video podcast. Here it is: Read more

Picking a Label to Replace “Progressive”

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:57 pm By Tony Jones

So, yesterday’s post has generated lots of great suggestions for a label to replace “Progressive” Christian. Below is a survey in which you can vote for your favorite. But before we get there: Yes, we need a label. Words shape us; words do things; words have power. It’s no mistake that conservatives have captured the term “evangelical.” They did that because they know that words matter. Calling yourself a “Christian” or a “follower of Christ” is fine, but when your... Read more

“Progressive” Is the Wrong Word

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:57 pm By Tony Jones

Not long ago, I participated in a symposium here at Patheos which asked, “Progressive Christianity: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?” I’ve been thinking about it since, and I’ve had some thoughts coalesce for me. I don’t think that “progressive” is the right term for our version of Christianity. I happen to agree with critics who claim that “progressive” is the currently acceptable word because the word “liberal” has been tarnished and is not salvageable. (For more on... Read more

It’s National Night Out!

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:57 pm By Tony Jones

Tonight is National Night Out, known around here as Night to Unite (some controversy about where the money was going from a few years back). Courtney, the kids, and I are hosting a block party. We’ll have some grills going, a Frisbee throwing contest, and an outdoor movie. My questions for you are: What activities do you have planned for NNO? What movie do you think we should show? I planned on showing The Music Man, since it would appeal... Read more

A Question about Henri Nouwen

Last updated on: August 1, 2011 at 6:05 pm By Tony Jones

Do you suppose that no one ever argues with Henri Nouwen’s writings because he never really says anything? Read more

The Emergent Church: Everyone’s Favorite Whipping Boy

Last updated on: August 1, 2011 at 11:27 am By Tony Jones

I mosied over to the fellow Patheos blogger, Roger Olson’s blog, and there found a guest post by Brandon Morgan of the Void Collective (which, I must say, I like very much — the Void Collective, that is). Morgan claims to be sympathetic with the emerging church movement (ECM), though he consistently uses the third person plural (“they”) as opposed to the first person plural (“we”) when describing the movement. Morgan’s experience at the Wild Goose Festival gives rise to... Read more

Bridging the Optimism Gap

Last updated on: August 1, 2011 at 11:29 am By Tony Jones

This post is part of the Patheos Book Club conversation about Upside: Surprising Good News about the State of Our World. This is a sponsored post. Bradley Wright’s new book, Upside: Surprising Good News about the State of Our World was a welcome read this weekend, amid sky-is-falling debt ceiling negotiations. We seem to have staved of financial Armageddon, but to read the pundits this morning and see the grim-faced photos of the president and congressional leaders in the paper... Read more