Progressing Spirit is a leading outlet for an intelligent, inclusive, and pioneering exploration of today’s theological, spiritual, and social advancements. Progressing Spirit is brought to you by ProgressiveChristianity.org.

This Week's Essay ↓

When Bad Things Happen, Is God Accountable? Rethinking Providence for a Healthier Faith

Essay by Rev. Dr. Mark Sandlin

There’s an old saying that gets thrown around when tragedy strikes: “God has a plan.” I don’t know about you, but when I look at the history of the world and even the current political situation in the U.S., I don’t buy it. Maybe it’s well-meaning, maybe it’s just a knee-jerk response to pain, but let’s be honest—it’s a theological train wreck.

This Week's Question

What sustains your faith during times such as these, with so much negativity and lack of compassion exhibited by so many?

Answered by Rev. Brandan Robertson
Our Contributors ↓

Contributors

Best selling authors, social leaders, and cutting edge innovators – our contributors bring diverse perspectives to the growing conversation around the idea of Progressive Christianity. Inspiring, insightful, and sometimes even challenging, these unique voices come from the pulpits, academies, and front lines around the world.

    • Rev. Jim Burklo

    • Rev. Jim Burklo is the Senior Associate Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life at the University of Southern California.

    • Christena Cleveland

    • Social psychologist, public theologian, author, and speaker on race, reconciliation and conflict.

    • Kaitlin Curtice

    • Native American Christian author and speaker on faith and justice for Indigenous peoples.

    • Rev. Aurelia Dávila Pratt

    • Aurelia is the Lead Pastor and founder of Peace of Christ Church and is a licensed Master of Social Work.

    • Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer

    • General Minister and President of United Church of Christ

    • Rev. Michael Dowd

    • Evolutionary myth-maker, eco-theologian, and pro-future evangelist. Book: Thank God for Evolution

    • Cassandra Farrin

    • Poet, writer and editor of nonfiction books on the history of religion. US-UK Fulbright scholar.

    • Rev. David M. Felten

    • Edgy and humorous pastor, author, speaker, co-creator of Living the Questions, and co-founder of Catalyst Arizona

    • Rev. Dr. Matthew Fox

    • Radical theologian, best selling author of 35 books, influential exponent of Creation Spirituality. See free dailymeditationswithmatthewfox.org

    • Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Frantz

    • Retired minister and author of The Bible You Didn’t Know You Could Believe In, The God You Didn’t Know You Could Believe In, and The Jesus You Didn’t Know You Could Believe In

    • Rev. Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft

    • Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft is the Executive Minister for Justice, Operations & Movement Building at Middle Collegiate Church.

    • Dr. Carl Krieg

    • As professor, pastor and author, Dr. Krieg has taught innumerable classes and led many discussion groups

    • Rev. Jaqueline J. Lewis, Ph.D.

    • Jacqui is a womanist whose preaching, teaching, speaking, writing, and activism are aimed at racial equality, gun control, economic justice, and equal rights for all sexual orientations and genders.

    • Rev. Dr. Caleb J. Lines

    • Minister, Author of The Great Digital Commission: Embracing Social Media for Church Growth, and a passion for social justice

    • Rev. Dr. Velda Love

    • Rev. Dr. Love works to advance racial equality and to dismantle the systems of racism.

    • Brian McLaren

    • Author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. Book: The Great Spiritual Migration.

    • Rev. Dr. Robin Meyers

    • Robin R. Meyers is an American Christian minister, peace activist, philosophy professor and author.

    • Rev. Irene Monroe

    • NPR radio host, NEC News commentator, international religion columnist on LGBTQ, race, theology and politics

    • EbonyJanice Moore

    • Womanist, Scholar, Activist, Teacher, Author, Student, Artist, Preacher, Transformational Speaker, Content Creator, Healer

    • Fred Plumer

    • Radical theologian, retired UCC pastor, ProgressiveChristianity.org President. Authored: Drink from the Well.

    • Rev. Fran Pratt

    • Author, Pastor, Liturgist, and Christian mystic. Spiritual practice, Divine Feminine, Liturgy, Re-imagining "worship"

    • Toni Reynolds

    • Author, Facilitator, Speaker, Practitioner of African Spiritual Tradition(s)

    • Rev. Brandan Robertson

    • Noted author, LGBTQ activist, speaker and pastor. Recent book: True Inclusion: Creating Communities of Radical Embrace

    • Rev. Dr. Mark Sandlin

    • Christian Left Co-Founder, highly published author and pastor.

    • Rev. Jess Shine

    • Rev. Shine has a passion for people and a skill for communicating in transformative ways.

    • Rev. Deshna Charron Shine

    • Author, Speaker, Ritualist, Interfaith Minister and Chaplain

    • Jennifer Berit and Skylar Wilson

    • Order of the Sacred Earth, Wild Awakenings, speakers, authors, visionary leaders, wilderness lovers.

    • Joran Slane Oppelt

    • International speaker, author, interfaith minister, singer/songwriter. Founder of Integral Church.

    • Bishop John Shelby Spong

    • Best Selling author, world-renowned speaker and leader, inspiration and co-founder of Progressing Spirit

    • Rev. Matthew Syrdal

    • Pastor, Author, Wilderness guide. Lead guide of WilderSoul and Church of Lost Walls. Co-founder of Seminary of the Wild.

    • Kevin G. Thew Forrester, Ph.D.

    • Soulbody Spirituality. Interfaith Explorer. Author. Teacher. Enneagram. Episcopal Priest.

    • Rev. Lauren Van Ham

    • Eco-Chaplain, Interfaith Minister, Spiritual Director, Climate Action Coordinator at URI

    • Rev. Gretta Vosper

    • Atheist Pastor, best selling author, poet, radical theologian

    • Cindy Wang Brandt

    • Cindy Wang Brandt is an author and champion of cultivating values of hospitality, creativity, equality, social justice, and deep spirituality in the next generation.

    • Skylar Wilson

    • Founder of Wild Awakenings, rites of passage journey leaders, author, visionary, leader.

    • Jennifer Wilson

    • Order of the Sacred Earth, Wild Awakenings, speaker, leader, writer, wilderness lover

    • Rev. Roger Wolsey

    • Author of Discovering Fire, & Kissing Fish, Pastor, social justice activist
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