Queen Elizabeth (courtesy of Pixaby) Two stories dominated America’s headlines today. On one side of the Atlantic, Queen Elizabeth died at age 96. She managed to serve her nation, the British Commonwealth and the Church of England with dignity and grace for 70 years. Most of her subjects genuinely mourn her death, and it saddens me as well. On my side of the Atlantic, the American side, Donald Trump’s treachery continues to unfold in the aftermath... Read more
Christ is an inclusive Savior. During his earthly ministry, he sought out prostitutes, tax collectors, thieves and other people despised by first century religious leaders and ordinary people. He even uses the example of a Samaritan when someone asks, “Who is my neighbor?” In Luke 10:25-37, he tells the story of a traveler who is beaten and left for dead on a road. The traveler is presumably Jewish, given the fact that Christ’s audience was Jewish. A priest and a... Read more
Several years ago, Harvard University posted an article on its website called “Can Science, Religion Coexist in Peace?” In a fast-paced scientific and technological world, the article remains relevant despite having been written 15 years ago. It’s available to read on Harvard’s website at https://news.harvard.edu as of Labor Day 2022. The post captured my attention at a time when the new James Webb Telescope is sending data that scientists are using to produce extraordinary images of the universe. The telescope... Read more
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR DIFFERENCES OF OPINION? Religious leaders, scholars, congregations and individual Christians have debated the role of women in the church for many years. It should be no surprise that the debate has been quite heated at times. There are various views on the subject, but this short blog post will focus on the major division, which is female pastors. Gretchen E. Ziegenhals writes about the division in a paper entitled, “Women in the Ministry: Beyond the Impasse,”... Read more
Christ chose 12 ordinary Jewish men to leave their old lives behind and follow him during his three-year ministry on earth. They were mostly simple, uneducated men and included several fishermen, a tax collector and a thief who eventually betrayed Jesus to the authorities. They remained the primary disciples even when Christ attracted other followers, including women, as he went about teaching and preaching in Galilee and Judea. WHO WERE THE 12 DISCIPLES? Christ chose these men: 1. Simon Peter... Read more
JESUS WEPT Jesus wept. (Courtesy Pixaby/Timeship) The 11th chapter of John tells the story of a man named Lazarus. Lazarus was seriously ill, and his sisters sent word to Jesus that they needed him. Jesus was some distance away, but he didn’t hurry to their home as you... Read more
Image by James Chan for Pixaby The Center for Progressive Christianity, a non-denominational network of affiliated congregations, informal groups and individuals, says that Progressive Christians generally: 1. Believe that following the path of the teacher Jesus can lead to healing and wholeness, a mystical connection to “God,” as well as an awareness and experience of not only the Sacred, but the Oneness and Unity of all life; 2. Affirm that the teachings of Jesus provide but one of many... Read more
Dealing with Death, Widowhood & Grief My daughter still goes to the cemetery nearly every day. She sits on the ground by a newly dug grave and talks to her husband. She invariably tells him how much she loves and misses him. She knows he’s happier where he is, and she will see him again one day. Her Christian faith sustains her. Time with Her Husband Sometimes, I tell him I need him how much I need him, she says.... Read more
Conservative Christians are celebrating the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade. From my standpoint as a Progressive Christian woman, there is nothing to celebrate. Millions of women across the country will suffer, as will many of the children they already have and the children they surrender for adoption. No, there is no reason to celebrate. In the interest of full disclosure, I must tell you that I have never had or considered having an abortion. My children... Read more
Image by tommyvideo from Pixabay Welcome to Woman to Woman, my new blog for and about Progressive Christian women. I’m Ginny, and I would like to tell you a little about myself and my plans for this space. Let me confess that I’m not a Christian scholar, nor am I an experienced blogger. What I am is a cradle Christian who has spent a lifetime learning about and loving the Lord. It’s quite daunting to find myself in the company... Read more
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