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Articles by Roger Wolsey
Why Must I Chase The Cat? A Progressive Sermon On Sin. Why Must I Chase The Cat? A Progressive Sermon On Sin.
It may seem like progressive Christianity doesn’t adequately address the reality of sin – or even that it rejects the notion all together. That isn’t accurate. Progressive Christians do tend to understand sin differently than our conservative Christian friends, but that doesn’t mean we reject or deny sin. I wrote about this matter once before on this blog, posting most of the Chapter on Sin in my book Kissing Fish: Christianity for People Who Don’t Like Christianity.
The Zombie Apocalypse & Christian Nationalism.
A prominent theme of U.S. American pop culture over the past decade has been fascination with a “zombie apocalypse.” A movie by that title came out in 2011, and the concept has become a staple of social media memes. Let’s define terms.
A Progressive Perspective On A Personal God. A Progressive Perspective On A Personal God.
A Progressive Perspective on a Personal God. A question asked of me and how I responded: Q: Like many, I gave up the grandfatherly-spirit-in-the-sky notion of God along with childhood. The works of Spong, Borg, McLaren, Rohr, Rolheiser, and others have influenced the evolution of my understanding of God to involve less of a theistic “being” and more of a panentheistic [perspective]. I find myself at a loss for the “personal connection.” Jesus called God “Abba” in highly personal terms.
The Prophecies - Are False. The Prophecies - Are False.
It isn’t 2024; Jesus wasn’t born in 1 A.D.; and the world won’t end in 2024.- or any time soon. A.D. comes from the Latin “Anno Domini” means “the year of our Lord” so when we say 2024 whether we know it or not, we’re employing the Christian calendar and we’re saying “the Year of Our Lord 2028 or 2030 A.D. (CE).” B.C. comes from the English “Before Christ.” Wait a minute Roger, did you say that “Jesus wasn’t born in the year 1 A.D.”?
Grace, Gays, and Aircraft Carriers.
The Vatican is now allowing priests to conduct blessings for same-sex couples. I posted about this yesterday on the Kissing Fish Book fan-page on Facebook, sharing an article from CNN and simply including my go-to remark – “Atta Pope!”- whenever the current pontiff offers words or policy change in positive directions. As a Protestant pastor and proponent of progressive Christianity I feel it is my role to be a cheerleader for progressive change wherever it takes place.
Mother’s Day on a Stick?
…words I originally wrote in an article back in 2010 – “Mother’s Day is for Peace.” In that article, I shared how the original intent of the various founders of Mother’s Day was for it to be a day for the mothers of the nation – and even the world – to unite in protest against injustice – and especially against war. Those founding mothers were traumatized by witnessing armies drafting their boys and senselessly sending them into the slaughterhouse of warfare.
Loving the Earth is Essential.
Our planet is not well. That’s an understatement. The Earth is in a state of crisis. Human aggravated global warming/climate change is a real and present danger. The frequency and severity of storms, flooding, and wildfires around the world is increasing.We Are to Blame.
Discovering Fire - a Fiery Forward For Fungi Fueled Faith.
The new book that I’ve written is a paradox. The topics it covers, and what I have to say about them, are subjective. How this book lands on people depends very much upon which context and subculture they’re part of.
Sensing the Sacred - Lectio Divina - a Spiritual Experience of Scripture.
…Another contemplative spiritual practice that works well in tandem with centering prayer is LECTIO DIVINA – Latin for “Divine Reading.” What I’m about to say may be new to many – including many Christians: one can do Lectio Divina, a divine reading, of any sort of text – not just the Bible.
Fasting 101.
A time-honored spiritual practice within the Abrahamic family of religions is FASTING. There are certain special times of the year where fasting is particularly encouraged – the holy days of Yom Kippur, Lent, and Ramadan. In my experience, a higher percentage of Jews and Muslims take those established fasting days seriously. Many Christians only fast one day a year, if at all. That said, there are quite a few Christians who do fast during Lent, or at least who fast to some extent.
Omniamo - God's All-Loving Nature.
“Good orthodoxy leads to good orthopraxy” is a common aphorism wielded among conservative evangelical and fundamentalist Christians. It’s frequently worded in a more aggressive manner: “without proper orthodoxy, there can be no proper Christian discipleship.” These claims intend to convey that unless people believe certain doctrines and dogmas – and in a literal way – they are incapable of engaging in doing good in the world.
A Slice of Centering Prayer.
One feature of contemplative Christianity is an embracing of Mystery – the notion that God is somehow bigger than words can convey; and a way of quiet, reverent, stillness in the presence of the Divine fosters encounter with this Divine mystery. The most common form of this is known as CENTERING PRAYER.
Gaslighting & Saving Face.
“Hi. My name is Roger, and I’m a progressive Christian.” Apparently, those are fightin’ words that necessarily lead to estrangement, inquisition, and scapegoating when heard by evangelical Christians. Evangelicalism became the mainstream form of Christianity in the U.S. starting in the 1980s and they’ve rather enjoyed their time in the Sun – and aren’t at all happy to be losing their transient and fleeting clout and status.
Groovin’ With God - beatnik process theology.
Our Creator God does indeed create. Mercy and how! But She is not the only one who makes the decisions about what will be created. If that were the case, blind obedience… would be our only mission we would merely be puppets who could only do things when God ….pulls our strings. Dig this. As children of God who’ve been called to groove, let’s groove on the metaphor of “Jazz Music.” In jazz there is an imperative for listening to, and respecting the composer and director.
A Pickle for Progressives & Paul?
Sometimes we see posts on social media that begin with someone soliciting “Unpopular Views You Hold that Many Others Don’t” as conversation starters.
Santa in a Brothel. Santa in a Brothel.
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.
A Tribute to Bishop Spong - theological Giant.
A Tribute to Bishop Spong – theological Giant. September 17, 2021 Roger Wolsey “We stand on the shoulders of giants” – Jack Spong was one of my giants. The late Bishop Spong was a tremendous influence on my life as a pastor and theologian. I first learned of him upon reading his book “Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism” while I attended the Iliff School of Theology in the early 1990s.
Ever Given, Evergreen, & Evermore.
Have you ever messed up? Have you ever screwed things up real bad? ..Yeah, we all have. It’s part of the human condition. We’re always fouling things up. We’re ever screwing up. It’s a given. It’s an ever-given. We screw up relationships. We sabotage careers. We get caught up in all sorts of dysfunctional addictions and behaviors. We estrange ourselves from friends and loved ones. We’re screw ups.
America’s Needed 1-2 Punch!
I’m hurting today. I’m a Christian living in the United States. There are many Americans who think of that as being a natural fit and that this should be the expected default – they wish that all Americans were Christians. As a progressive Christian, I don’t think that everyone needs to be or should be a Christian, and I think that those who claim to be Christians should in fact be Christians.
Jesus’ Mom was a Punk.
A punk rock band should do a song based on Mary’s “Magnificat” (the song she sung according to Luke 1:46-55). In the New Testament Mary’s real name is Miriam which literally means “their rebellion.” She and her people had a lot to rebel against. The Roman Empire oppressed it’s subject nations and was particularly hard on a nation on its far eastern Palestinian fringes.
Why America isn’t a Christian Nation.
Newsweek recently published an article reporting that “52 Percent of Americans Say Jesus Isn’t God but Was a Great Teacher.” The article was based upon an article in The Christian Post which had the title “A Majority Of Americans Think Jesus Is A Great Teacher Yet Reject His Claims To Be God.” I have several responses. First of all, Jesus never claimed to be God. No where in the scriptures does Jesus claim to be God – nor did he even claim to be the Son of God.
It’s Time for White Agitators to Stand Down.
These words are written in the aftermath of the shootings that took place at the protest in Kenosha, WI on August 25, 2020. It’s a bit more of a rant in tone than is my custom – but I feel this approach is appropriate for such a time. 1.
Where is God in the Pandemic? ..and other musings.
Where is God in the Pandemic? ..and other musings. March 28, 2020 Roger Wolsey A collage of musings that I posted on my Facebook page over the past 2 weeks. These particular ones belong together: For those who are wondering “Where is God in this pandemic?” God is in the physicians and healthcare workers who are pouring out everything they’ve got to save as many of us as possible.
You’re Gonna Die. Pro-tips for Death & Dying.
You’re Gonna Die. Pro-tips for Death & Dying. March 27, 2020 Roger Wolsey “Children! You’re gonna die! That’s right.
Being a Non-Anxious Presence in an Anxious Time.
“Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.” The words are from Kurt Vonnegut, the art is that of a tagger on a hidden wall in Boulder, the city I used to live in. It aptly conveys the end of an idyllic (though illusory) season in the lives of the white elite – including mine. This photo I took of it fits what I’m about to say. We in the West are facing something unlike most any of us under 100 years of age have faced in our lives. A global pandemic – in the midst of economic upheaval.
This Isthmus of Isness - a poem about God.
No longer can I fake it No longer can I pretend No longer can I fool myself and others that when I say “God!”, I mean what they think I think I’m supposed to mean.
Authentically Christian. Getting real to help our Culture.
Authentically Christian. Getting real to help our Culture. January 30, 2020 Roger Wolsey I recently had the honor to be a guest interviewed on the BiCurean Podcast. I had only learned of this greatly needed podcast in the past year. It is hosted by two people on a mission – a mission to help heal our broken culture and to inspire us toward a less polarized way of being and relating to one another in society. In their words: What is BiCurean?
Do you Gollumize? Making idols of our suffering.
Do you Gollumize? Making Idols of our Suffering. November 18, 2019 Roger Wolsey I’ve done it. There have been times when I’ve allowed my identity to become wrapped up in some trauma that happened to me or grief that I’ve experienced. I’ve allowed myself to view myself primarily as a victim. I’ve poo-pooed other people’s journeys of healing because I hadn’t experienced “sufficient” healing in my own life.
Ending the Civil War. Ways to Engage.
Ending the Civil War. Ways to Engage. January 25, 2020 Roger Wolsey They’re so wrong.” “They’re impossible.” “They’re never going to change their minds.” That’s a lot of they-ing and overstatement. And yet, I think that’s what we do – we write others off as beyond hope. All too frequently, I think we dismiss people who think differently than we do – patently, wholesale, and out of hand.
Preemptive Warfare is UnChristian.
At the start of this new year, this last year of our current decade, President Trump ordered an airstrike to assassinate a high ranking military official of Iran, General Qassem Soleimani – the person largely responsible for the (near) end of Isis. The assassination took place on Jan. 2, 2002. This action was the equivalent of a head of foreign nation ordering the killing of the Secretary of Defense of the USA.
Donald Trump is The Highlander?
Donald Trump has a name. So do you. I’ve been participating in the “Photo-a-Day Challenge” where people are invited to post photos they’ve taken to social media that relate to the theme assigned for each day. Today is the 19th day of Advent and the word assigned is “Name.” We all have names and many of our names have meanings.
The Holy Kiss - Roger Wolsey
December 19, 2019 Donald Trump is The Highlander? December 19, 2019 By Roger Wolsey 0 Comments Donald Trump has a name. So do you. I’ve been participating in the “Photo-a-Day Challenge” where people are invited to post photos they’ve taken to social media that relate to the theme assigned for each day. Today is the 19th day of Advent and the word assigned is “Name.” We all have names and many of our names have meanings.
Cancelling Cancel Culture.
“They’re so wrong.” “They’re impossible.” “They’re never going to change their minds.” That’s a lot of they-ing and overstatement. And yet, I think that’s what we do – we write others off as beyond hope. All too frequently, I think we dismiss people who think differently than we do – patently, wholesale, and out of hand. We de-friend people on social media and reduce or avoid contact with co-workers, friends from our past, people at the gym, and even members of our own families. We cancel them.
Do you Gollomize? Making Idols of our Suffering.
Do you Gollomize? Making Idols of our Suffering. November 18, 2019 Roger Wolsey I’ve done it. There have been times when I’ve allowed my identity to become wrapped up in some trauma that happened to me or grief that I’ve experienced. I’ve allowed myself to view myself primarily as “a victim.” I’ve poo-pooed other people’s journey’s of healing because I hadn’t experienced “sufficient” healing in my own life.
Dark Creature - a poem.
Dark Creature. i don’t know why i fell for you, perhaps one of those opposites attract sorts of things.
Oh My-g-od!
Oh My G-g-od! ? Someone recently asked me: “Can you please address the difference between God with a capital G and god with a lowercase g – and what the differences are and might mean?” As part of my major in Philosophy in college, I took a course in Aesthetics – the philosophy of art. I recall writing a paper in that class about how people experience pieces of art differently depending if the artwork has been given a title or not.
Feather - a poem.
Like a feather hovering, suspended in the small pocket of breath above the angel-kissed cleft of your upper lip, a soft insight floats across the screen of your dream mind as you awake: You don’t need to do anything. You don’t need to prove anything. You don’t need to try to impress anyone. You don’t need to try to win anyone’s approval or validation. You don’t need to even to try to validate yourself. You don’t need to try. You don’t need anything. You’re enough. Just. As. You. Are.
Tough guys need Help & the Power of Presence.
Tough guys need help. They need the help of other guys. Dudes, this is guy-talk, man to men.
Funny Fundamentalism. Laugh at bad Bad Theology.
Funny Fundamentalism. Laugh at bad Bad Theology. September 27, 2019 Roger Wolsey Bad theology should be called out and rejected. Laughter can be a helpful part of this. If nothing else, as catharsis from the hurt and harm caused by wretched notions about God and their effect on God’s people.
Lions, and Tigers, and Progressives - Oh My.
I recently experienced some things that are the stuff of many people’s worst nightmares – an unexpected, surprise speaking engagement without notice, and being charged with heresy.
Be the Poetry of Resurrection.
“Friends, there is a message of hope for us today! Even though it’s middle of winter, it’s an Easter message! It’s the message that nothing, nothing can separate us from the love of God!” … words I said at a recent funeral service I led… But sometimes, sometimes I wonder. I wonder if sometimes things really do in fact separate us from this love. I gotta be honest, sometimes I have my doubts about faith in things that sound too good to be true. Sometimes I doubt the truth of the resurrection.
10 Ways Churches Could Bring Us to God.
The Church is dying. Specifically, Christianity in Western countries is rapidly diminishing. 7-8,000 churches close their doors every year in the U.S. – about 150-200 every week. In 1966, there were 600 Catholic seminaries in America. 189 remain. 1000 Southern Baptist congregations close every year with half of them predicted to close by 2030. More and more churches are seeing fewer people participating in worship services and the ones who do are attending less frequently.
Why Retreat? Guest Writer Kimberly Braun.
Why go on a retreat? Why take the time and why devote the money? When your life is so full and so busy why step away when relaxation could be obtained by flying to a sunny beach, or exhilaration might be accomplished by booking a weekend of skiing? Why step into an environment wholly devoted to your inner life? Because the very choice itself is a response to God’s call in deepening your relationship.
Jesus is/isn’t the only way. - “They can’t all be true” - except when they are.
Jesus is/isn’t the only way. – “They can’t all be true” – except when they are. April 15, 2015 Roger Wolsey As a progressive Christian pastor and author I frequently receive critical pushback from conservative and fundamentalist Christians who adamantly declare that the only way to experience salvation is by giving intellectual assent to certain specific truth claims about the life of Jesus.
Mysticism, Carmel, and the Holy Land.
Guest Writer: Rev. Kimberly Braun. Mysticism sure has become a buzzword these days, whether it is a desire to recognize yourself as a mystic, discover how to surrender into mystical experience, learn from people we consider mystics or even stand skeptically apart from the notion, the word-mysticism- evokes response. When I see this kind of relationship to a notion it gets me curious “Why?’ Why now?
The Bathwater AND the Baby?
Christmas is upon us. What is Christmas? How are progressive Christians to understand it? Can we even celebrate it at all? Most progressive Christians embrace the scholarship that points to how the stories of Jesus’ birth were tacked onto the faith well after the original gospel of Mark was written down – without any mention of his birth.
Good Grief. What men need.
Good Grief. What men need. December 20, 2018 Roger Wolsey I recently participated in a two hour experiential gathering that was advertised in the town I live in aimed at helping people deal with some important parts of life.
Why My Fish are Kissing - and Believe in Evolution.
I’m a person who notices bumper-stickers when I’m out and about and I enjoy making mention of the more interesting ones in my sermons. It seems that there are some of you who enjoy this kind of thing as well – in fact a few of you have approach me to ask me about the things that are stuck on the back of my car; i.e., two of those silvery “fish” emblems.
Was Luther Wrong? We’re saved by the faith OF Christ.
Buckle up fellow Bible Geeks. A small word that packs a whallop. A Call to Prayer, Action, and a New Understanding of Faith. “Managing the Waves” Transcript of a Message shared on 6/24/18 at Father Dyer UMC Breckenridge, CO & a modified version at Nederland Community Presbyterian Church on 8/26/18. On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.”And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him.
We are Sodom.
The following article is one of my favorites that I’ve ever come across. I found it 14 years ago in The Wittenberg Door Magazine. It was written by a former Republican lawmaker who was repenting of his sins of sodomy. (That website is no longer administered). – Roger Wolsey —————————————————- Confessions of a former Sodomite Angelic beings are rarely politically correct. The angels visiting Lot didn’t wait around to file a sexual harassment lawsuit when the men of Sodom tried to pinch their booty.
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