Category: Uncategorized
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On Modern Worship Music: Part 1: My Spiritual Musical Autobiography
I grew up with ’90s and ’10s Christian Contemporary Music (CCM). At one point I truly believed WOW Hits 2005 was the pinnacle of Christian music. (I don’t listen to that album much anymore, though). I have music by 4Him, Avalon, Amy Grant, Bebo Norman, Big Daddy Weave, Chris Rice (meep), Chris Tomlin, David Crowder*Band,…
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Walking Backwards on the Sawdust Trail
I grew up in a tradition that deeply valued coming forward to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. This tradition has some of its roots in camp meetings and tent meeting “revivals,” and you used to “walk the sawdust trail” down the aisle to go forward and repent and pray to receive…
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On Deconstruction and “Reconstruction”
I’ve spent a long time in deconstruction circles. I was deconstructing before it was cool. I was deconstructing before deconstruction was even a thing. In some ways, I still am. I won’t belabor points I’ve already made elsewhere about faith deconstruction not being about Jacques Derida and how it’s hard to guide somebody else through…
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Reclaiming the Rainbow
Last month (yesterday) was Pride month. Rainbow flags sprouted up everywhere, as did Christians who bemoaned the selection of the rainbow as a symbol. Many complain, “They stole the rainbow from God!” and try to “reclaim” the rainbow to make it symbolize what the Bible says. That becomes more difficult on a closer reading of…
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A Few Less-Cynical Thoughts about the #AsburyRevival from a Progressive Christian Pastor
In my experience, God is incredibly, even frustratingly generous when people are looking to experience God’s presence. People who have absolutely no business experiencing the love of God experience the love of God.
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Lest They Do to Us What We Did to Them
Belated thoughts about the Ark of the Covenant and the 2016 election.
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What if Judas…
Content warning: Suicide, betrayal. It’s about Judas, after all. Was a thief because he was desperate? Maybe he had a sister, a mother, a little brother,a former or current lover,held in slaveryto someone with power. Maybe he was trying to buy their freedomA little at a time. Or maybe he needed a miraclethat Jesus, somehow,…
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The Last Battle
“If you really trust God, one day he’ll [sic] show you that my problematic theology is right.”
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Running Errands for the Devil
When I was 21, I got swept away by the love and goodness of God. I felt that God loved me and I was undone and swept into a kind of alive faith that was all about the love of God and that was super reckless because I was ready to do whatever God wanted.…
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The Maps Are Wrong:
Five Things You Need to Know to Guide Someone Else’s Deconstruction Journey. Step 1: Don’t.