“The central trouble in the religious thinking of many people lies here:
the new knowledge of the universe has made their childish thoughts of God inadequate,
and instead of getting a worthier and larger idea of God to meet the new need,
they give up all vital thought about God whatsoever."

Harry Emerson Fosdick, 1915, The Meaning of Prayer, published by the YMCA

Contemporary guru? Alternative press?

No, a famed Baptist preacher and social activist published by the Young Men’s Christian Association a century ago!

Progressive Christianity is about “getting a worthier and larger idea of God.” Science is not a foe. Culture is not an enemy. Other religions are not adversaries. Progress is not a problem, but an opportunity. The body as well as the earth reveal the holy.

Many Christians are welcoming new ways of conceptualizing God, reality, and themselves, while remaining faithful to their tradition. What keeps a church or culture from being progressive and inclusive may simply be a lack of theological imagination!

Many Christians are discovering that it’s less important what they believe about Jesus than that they try to follow his spiritual path.

Words and concepts will never “capture” God any more than the wild goose of Celtic spirituality, a metaphor for the Holy Spirit. But words may give rise to “vital thoughts about God” during moments of reflection.

Chris Glaser’s twelve books and weekly blog, “Progressive Christian Reflections,” encourage what he calls “the thoughtful pause,” helping readers think of spirituality in fresh ways.

Consider attending or creating events with Chris as a presenter.

And if you pet Calvin the dog, he will share a few of his own philosophical treats!

“There lives more faith in honest doubt,
Believe me, than in half the creeds.”
Alfred, Lord Tennyson

UPCOMING PUBLIC EVENTS LED OR CO-LED BY REV. GLASER

Chris Glaser had a unique opportunity to briefly summarize his life's past and present work at Berry College in northwest Georgia on Jan. 29, 2013. (18-minute video)

Podcasts now available of Chris Glaser's sermon on the parable of the prodigal at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Cleveland, OH, and his interview by The Very Reverend Tracey Lind on "Progressive Christianity" during the Dean's Forum, Mar. 9-10, 2013.

April 27, 2013
Leading "Body Boundaries and the Question of Consent: A Workshop on Just Love," on the spiritual dimensions of physical encounters, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., St. Francis Episcopal Church, Macon, GA. No charge, and free lunch follows.

Oct. 3-6, 2013
"For All the Saints," a retreat for gay and bisexual men co-led with Roman Catholic activist and filmmaker Brendan Fay. Kirkridge Retreat Center near Allentown, PA.

Click here for RECENT EVENTS

IN THE NEWS

Selected posts from Chris Glaser’s blog are also available on ProgressiveChristianity.org.

May 13, 2013 – Letter in The New York Times about a health benefit provided by Glaser's dog, Hobbes.

May 2013 – Presbyterian Promise invited Chris to write a letter encouraging his 17-year-old self as a young gay Christian. Click here and scroll down to two such articles.

March 2013 – Chris Glaser's post two years ago on 99 Brattle, the blog of Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, MA, is the most read post in the blog's archive. Three recent posts have reflected on his original post, Do Progressive Christians Pray?

Feb. 22, 2013 – Highlighted in Brian McNaught's article on Religious LGBT Folk Are Unsung Heroes.

Jan. 2, 2013 – At Huffington Post, God Is Not a Control Freak by Rev. Chris Glaser.

Dec. 7, 2012 – Addressing the Senate rejection of the U.N. treaty on fair treatment of people with disabilities, as well as the fiscal cliff debate, Pushing Tiny Tim Over Fiscal Cliff, by Chris at Huffington Post.

Oct. 11, 2012 – Check out Flag Pins & Crosses: "Mine Is Bigger than Yours!" by Chris posted at Huffington Post.

Sept. 11, 2012 – Read Chris' Huffington Post column That's My Kind of Church! about the Democratic National Convention and more broadly, inclusive institutions.

Aug. 27, 2012 – Individualism may be consistent with atheism, but not with Christianity. Huffington Post, Rev. Chris Glaser: Ayn Rand Was Consistent.

Jul. 7, 2012 – Check out Chris' Huffington Post column, Anderson Cooper, Welcome to the Club!

Jul. 3, 2012 – Read Glaser's Huffington Post column, Modern Marriage Is Not Biblical.

Jun. 5, 2012 – The Los Angeles Times quoted Chris in their article, West Hollywood parish leaves Presbyterian Church over gay rights.

Jun. 1, 2012 – The Bilerico Project published Chris' column, Is Marriage Sacred?

Click here for more IN THE NEWS

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