Christmas Now and Then (Originally Posted Dec. 22, 2019)

Christmas Now and Then (Originally Posted Dec. 22, 2019)

Author: Dr. Roger Ray December 25, 2022 Duration: 19:08
Progressive Faith Sermons - Dr. Roger Ray
ReligionReligion & SpiritualityCulturePhilosophySocietySociety & CultureSpirituality

Once you accept that the Christmas story as recorded by Matthew and Luke in the New Testament is not a reporting of history then we are left to wonder what the point of these mythical stories is. Clearly, far from the sweet manger scenes we have heard way too much about, this is an account of the government and religious leaders conspiring to murder the god-child by killing all of the babies in a region around Bethlehem. This is a story of a new hope born to the poor who lived in an occupied nation in which the state church is in an alliance with the state, either by active cooperation or through indifference. So, these are not history lessons. If we pay attention, the Christmas story is a mirror held up for us to see that we live in a country where the government locks thousands of migrant children into dog cages, sexually abusing some, torturing others, and allowing many to die while the church is largely compliant and silent. And we seriously wonder if this government might actually win election approval from poor church goers in a few months. Merry Christmas?


Each week, Progressive Faith Sermons-Dr. Roger Ray offers a thoughtful exploration of modern spirituality and ethics, rooted in the inclusive community of the Community Christian Church in Springfield, Missouri. Hosted by Dr. Roger Ray, this podcast presents recorded sermons that bridge traditional Christian faith with urgent contemporary questions. The discussions move beyond doctrine to engage deeply with philosophy, culture, and the practical work of social justice, reflecting a commitment to accepting all people without judgment. Listeners will hear a unique blend of theological insight, cultural commentary, and ethical challenge, all aimed at fostering a more compassionate and equitable society. This isn't about simple answers; it's about wrestling with complex ideas on how to live a meaningful, faithful life in a complicated world. Tune in for a perspective that is both intellectually rigorous and grounded in a tangible desire for community and change. You can find this podcast wherever you listen, inviting you into a ongoing conversation about what it means to believe, belong, and act justly today.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Official website RSS
youtubeapple_music
Progressive Faith Sermons - Dr. Roger Ray
Podcast Episodes
The Positive Value of Philanthropy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:50
The most popular forms of philanthropy, in giving sandwiches and sleeping bags to the unhoused or sending goats to poor farmers in Central America are symbolic gestures. Handing out free meals is not a solution to povert…
When Philanthropy Goes Bad [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:58
This part 1 of a two-part series on philanthropy. Today we consider the ways that charitable foundations can be twisted into being tax loopholes for the super-rich while still allowing the wealthy to use 95% of the found…
On Accidentally Getting Old [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:22
We get lots of cultural signals that our personal worth goes down with each birthday. Many feel pressured to choose extreme measures to deny the reality of the passing of time, but rather than grieving over what age take…
As You Suspected, It Really is about Race [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:28
Our deeply divided nation will not become unified by learning to either deny or accept the racism and prejudice that is inherent in American culture. We should be kind and patient but we must not fail to be honest and fa…
In Honor of ​Childless Mothers​ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:04
t is Mother's Day but rather than deliver a solipsistic sermon in praise of mothers, I am going to talk about influential female mentors who never gave birth. This is a personal message, naming the wise women who guided…
Quicker to Cut than to Care: The Urgency of Climate Justice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:22
With the release of the final section of the IPCC's sixth report last month, humans are without excuse. There is no time left to value short-term profits over long term health. It took billions of years for all this eart…
Compassion is the Foundation of Faith and Civilization [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:05
Without absolutes, without a God given set of rules in holy writ or a supernatural theistic judge in the clouds, how do we determine right from wrong or even sensibly talk about what it means to be good? Are these arbitr…

«1...45678910»