Spirituality & Faith
Christianity is changing. Click to reveal how we can truly reflect Jesus through "Open and Relational Theology."
Christianity is changing. Over the years, I've watched my own spiritual thinking evolve to become inclusive, open to other religions, and deeply "relational"[1]—a stance that I believe truly reflects Jesus. While I have always held these views, mainstream religion often erects boundaries that must be deconstructed. In times when change is rapid, people look for stability. I build on deeply rooted anchors, rather than rigid tradition, to provide that stability in a changing world.
My emphasis in these articles is partly "practical spirituality"—the idea that spiritual ideals are best expressed in our everyday activities. Everything we do is a reflection of our spirit. I believe this is what Jesus meant by loving others.
However, for those who want depth and sound scholarship based on Jesus' teachings and Biblical principles, I go much deeper.
This page is a collection of new and revised articles exploring spirituality, religion, and finding meaning and purpose in the 21st century.
I am a former pastor in a mainline denomination and have ministered online for decades. My work shares the spiritual perspective of new generations and focuses heavily on social psychology. It is built on a pledge to be helpful and never misinform. Jesus created a path forward for all based on love, but that path is often filled with "boulders" that get in the way. Here you will find articles that are well-researched and, above all, intensely practical to help you navigate that path.
These articles may be new or originally published on my Patheos.com column, New Generations Explore Faith, on OneSpiritResources, or linked to relevant articles on my Nations Agenda project.
*1 Open and Relational: "Open and Relational Theology" (ORT) is a broad framework emphasizing God's deep, reciprocal relationship with a free creation. It views God as giving and receiving, and co-creating an undetermined future with humanity. In this view, love and freedom are central, rather than God holding absolute control. As I often say, "Our answer is God. God's answer is us. Together we make the world better."
Many of these articles are collected into study guides.
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Latest Articles
Original Sin Versus Workshop for Growth Which interpretation is correct, and what are the impacts?
The Theology of Catastrophe. A dissertation style paper on the great mystery of why catastrophes happen.
Ekklesia: a new format for a Jesus Gathering. Shift our vocabulary and our architecture from a passive service to an active gathering.
Systematic Theology for the 21st. Century Understanding through experience the length and breadth of love.
Why Church Change is So Difficult Effectively dealing with change as pastors and individuals.
A Seder-Style Communion: A Lived Experience Exploring what communion could be by revisiting its Passover roots.
The Unseen Injury of Homelessness Coming Soon: The psychological trauma that begins long before a person is on the street. On this site Nations Agenda
Recent Series
Find completed series below. Click a button to show the contents for that series.
Popular Series
Finding Yourself: Stripping Away the Meaningless A series on finding your inherent worth and spiritual center.
Radical Forgiveness Series Understanding how to forgive yourself and others to enable growth.
Books on Spirituality
Appease the Volcano
Are we all going to die soon? What does God require of people? Investigates the nature of God.
New Generations Walk with Jesus
A guide for ministering to new generations and understanding their spiritual needs in a changing world.
The Prophetic Pattern: Ancient and Modern Prophecy
Weren't we all going to die in 2012? Are there signposts to the world's end? The answers may surprise you.
Christian Plays – Volume 1
Seven plays, children's sermons, and Dramatic Readings about aspects of the Christian experience.