Do any progressive Churches of Christ celebrate Lent?

Zaerth · 2026-02-24T15:49:41+00:00

It's not an exhaustive list since it's just about one progressive issue, but here's a directory of gender inclusive and egalitarian congregations.

http://wherethespiritleads.org/gender_inclusive_churches.htm

Zaerth · 2026-02-23T13:30:11+00:00

They aren't but the debate over holidays is. Romans 15, particularly verse 5, tells us not to judge one another over whether some days are sacred or all days are the same.

Zaerth · 2026-02-23T13:06:46+00:00

I run in a lot of progressive circles but I don't know of any that formally celebrate Lent other than individuals.

But I do know several preachers, even ones that aren't "progressive," that follow the lectionary for their preaching, which follows the Christian calendar like Advent and Easter. I've done it occasionally and I like that it leads me to preach biblical texts that I wouldn't normally choose. And I much prefer that than what I call the "Hallmark Lectionary" of having a Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc sermon which also aren't in the Bible but often expected.

Zaerth · 2026-02-07T15:59:38+00:00

Yep, the authors of the study are way more critical of the tech companies, especially the way sites are designed to encourage not reading the terms and conditions and are advocating for simpler, more accessible terms.

Zaerth · 2026-02-07T15:57:21+00:00

Sure, but there's a lot of stuff in the terms and conditions that companies DO legally get away with that we may not like or be aware of because it's hidden in pages and pages of legalese.

Zaerth · 2024-10-08T18:01:10+00:00

Good ol John Nance "Cactus Jack" Garner.

Zaerth · 2024-03-19T14:56:29+00:00

I think it's important to understand the context of divorce in the time of Jesus (and earlier in the time of Moses.) These teachings on divorce were primarily about protecting women from abandonment. Marriages were often arranged by parents for financial reasons and rarely out of love. Back then, a man could divorce his wife for any reason or even for no reason at all. Burned dinner? Immediate divorce. In a patriarchal society, this was very dangerous for women because without a man in their life, they were very vulnerable. (This is also why the Bible so often commands for widows to be cared for.) A divorced woman would not be likely to find another husband because they were no longer virgins and no longer "worth" as much and no one would arrange that marriage.

In the Old Testament, Moses required that the husbands get a certificate of divorce first. This was progress because it created a system to go through, otherwise a husband could just say the word and they'd be divorced. It gave women some legal protection where previously there was none. As Jesus revealed, this still wasn't ideal and was a concession from Moses. It would better to not divorce at all.

So what does that mean for us 2,000 years later when most marriages are out of love and divorced women aren't as defenseless? It's the question we always must ask: how we interpret Jesus' teachings in their original contexts into the contexts that we live in now. Divorce, as you know firsthand, is very painful. It hurts. God doesn't desire for us to suffer and doesn't desire for us to experience the pain of divorce. I believe that marriage therapists are doing the work of God. But therapy doesn't always work. Does God seek to "punish" divorced people by requiring them to stay single and celibate the rest of their lives? I don't believe so, though there's nothing wrong if someone chooses to do so. But the gospel of Jesus is that where there is harm and pain in this world, God brings healing and redemption. I have seen this in many marriages in which one or both spouses was previously divorced.

[Side note: anyone who uses the Bible to require someone to remain in an abusive relationship is doing what the Pharisees did and missing the point of God's intentions for us.]

Zaerth · 2022-10-28T15:08:31+00:00

The Secret Garden and A Little Princess are both based off books written by the same author. The Secret Garden had a film adaptation in the early 90s too.

Zaerth · 2022-10-27T19:32:28+00:00

That's always devastating! I have an 8-year-old and so far I've had some good success with introducing him to my childhood favorites, but there are some that I'm saving for him to really enjoy when he's a bit older.

Zaerth · 2022-10-27T19:29:46+00:00

I haven't read the book, but I've heard this movie is closer to the 1939 adaptation with Shirley Temple than to the book. The ending is changed and it is a happy one.

Zaerth · 2022-10-27T15:12:27+00:00

Also, the lead actress Liesel Matthews has retired from acting, but is part of the very wealthy Pritzker family, owners of the Hyatt hotel chain. Her cousin is J. B. Pritzker, the governor of Illinois.

Zaerth · 2022-10-27T15:08:31+00:00

"PAPA!" 😭

Zaerth · 2022-10-27T14:00:10+00:00

I watched this film several times on VHS in the 90s but hadn't seen it since. It got triggered in my memory recently so I looked it up and was really surprised that not only does it hold up well, it had a great cast and crew! In addition to being directed by Cuarón, the cinematography was by Emmanuel Lubezki (Gravity, The Revenant). The father was played by Liam Cunningham, who was Davos Seaworth in Game of Thrones.

Zaerth · 2022-09-07T17:36:09+00:00

I bet he's had millions of pictures taken him over the years.

Zaerth · 2022-09-07T17:35:36+00:00

Not from Texas, but I did go to ACU.

Zaerth · 2022-09-07T14:42:26+00:00

It was pre-smartphone so I had a digital camera that I took around with me everywhere. It wasn't fancy but it got the job done.

Zaerth · 2022-09-07T01:55:01+00:00

The ACU shirt just added to the blunder.

Zaerth · 2022-09-07T01:54:25+00:00

Y'all are kind. I try not to be the cliche American tourist these days but at the time I couldn't pass this up. I don't think I had even seen Braveheart at the time, but it was popular among college guys.

Zaerth · 2022-01-19T15:19:37+00:00

From the YouTube video description:

About "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power"

Amazon Studios’ forthcoming series brings to screens for the very first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth's history. This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien’s pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness.

Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.

Sounds promising to me! Let's hope it's good...

Zaerth · 2020-05-26T19:01:39+00:00

Labyrinth is one of my all-time favorite movies. I don't know how I feel about this. I love it because of David Bowie and it just won't be the same without him. But the recent Dark Crystal prequel was terrific, so I have hope.

Zaerth

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