The Progressive Christians Podcast

In this episode, we are joined by Claire McKeever-Burgett, author of In the Beginning Were the Women, to explore some of the well-known and lesser-known women in the Bible. From the mystics to the brave to the misunderstood and overlooked, these women played essential roles in their communities and our faith tradition. Throughout our conversation, you will gain a deeper understanding of how these stories are relevant to our lives today. Show Notes: Young Republicans group chat article - https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/14/private-chat-among-young-gop-club-members-00592146 https://chalicepress.com/products/in-the-beginning-were-the-women?srsltid=AfmBOorso8YVfRoE0GBsK3Uq2cioci5SHk0Ghmn9OArVJYZ1UWWZK4ma  https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/news/new-study-finds-single-women-are-happier-single-men https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/marriage-and-mens-health https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/5-types-of-people-who-can-ruin-your-life/202403/is-marriage-good-or-bad-for-women   The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on YouTube and all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at progressivechristians@theloftla.org.

"A Progressive Christian is an oxymoron" is probably the most popular (simple-minded and incorrect) critique that we receive from people trolling our YouTube comments and Apple Music reviews. Given the frequency of the comments, we figured that our amazing listeners probably hear the same comments from people in their own community. So, in this episode, we address five common myths about progressive Christianity. From the bible, to sin and salvation, we wanted to bring some clarity to the conversation. We have discussed a lot of these topics already, and we have listed each myth and the corresponding episode title where we discussed it below. Please click here to find links to our previous episodes. Myth 1 - Progressive Christians don't believe in the bible.  Episode 28 - Do Progressive Christians Believe In The Bible? Myth 3 - Progressive Christians don't believe in sin. Episode 29 - What Is Sin? Episode 36 - The Problem of Evil with Dr. Becky Copeland. Myth 4 - Progressive Christians don't believe in "real" salvation. Episode 34 - What Do Progressive Christians Believe About Salvation? Episode 56 - Beyond the "Thin Blue Line": Exposing The Religious Roots of Mass Incarceration. Myth 5 - Progressive theology was created to normalize sinful behavior. Episode 27 - Sex, Gender, and Christian Theology   The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at progressivechristians@theloftla.org.

Join us as we delve into a nuanced discussion on purity, shame, and "biblical" marriage—topics often surrounded by controversy and misinformation, especially within traditional religious circles. Using the perspectives of liberation, feminist, and womanist theologies, we analyze how religion, economics, and politics have always intertwined, shaping our views on purity, marriage, and divorce. As progressive Christians, we aim to approach this conversation with empathy and understanding, acknowledging the damage that shame and judgment can cause to individuals, particularly women and members of the LGBTQ community. Whether you're seeking to unlearn purity culture, engage in conversations with conservative friends, or are simply curious about progressive Christian perspectives on intimacy, this episode is for you. The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at progressivechristians@theloftla.org. Show Notes Clobbering Biblical Gay Bashing https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thegodarticle/2011/10/clobbering-biblical-gay-bashing/ Just Love- Margaret Farley  https://www.google.com/books/edition/Just_Love/L6p9ZVblRNwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover  The Purity Myth- Jessica Valenti https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Purity_Myth/rQ10AIsHNa4C?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover Clobbering Biblical Gay Bashing by Mark Sandlin https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thegodarticle/2011/10/clobbering-biblical-gay-bashing/  Biblical Perspectives on Homosexuality by Walter Wink https://reconcilingworks.org/images/stories/downloads/resources/003_Homosexuality_and_the_Bible-Wink.pdf  The Great Sex Rescue- by Sheila Wray Gregoire https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Great_Sex_Rescue/x2caEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover   

In this episode, we explore the complex factors that lead individuals to depart from their faith communities and the experiences and desires that ultimately bring them back. We explain why progressive Churches are well-equipped to meet the needs of people who are searching for an authentic faith community that engages the social and political realities of our time. We close out the show by answering questions from listeners on gender roles and progressive views of the afterlife. The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at progressivechristians@theloftla.org.

In a society saturated with violence, how do we, as Christians, process ongoing trauma? In this important yet heavy episode, we explore the concept of moral injury with insights from a combat veteran. We confront the dangerous "myth of redemptive violence," examining how it normalizes harm in our culture and even in our faith. This discussion offers an honest look at the widespread trauma we all carry, from personal experiences to the psychological violence caused by living in a culture of misinformation, disinformation, and outright lies The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at progressivechristians@theloftla.org. Show Notes https://benqohelet.substack.com/about https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/ethics-and-international-affairs/article/moral-injury-and-the-lived-experience-of-political-violence/DB2C6314078D608514FD78F046F6B1A8

Listener Survey! Please take 5 minutes to complete our listener survey, and help us to keep creating the content that you want.  https://forms.gle/ADiZmaFHAffvkArS7 In this episode, we examine the connection between faith, justice, and the American carceral system with Dr. Andrew Krinks, author of "White Property, Black Trespass." Dr. Kinks discusses the religious, social, and political roots of mass incarceration and how Christian ideas of sin, salvation, and hell have contributed to mass criminalization in the U.S. We finish our conversation by exploring the spiritual and biblical foundations of abolition, the role of religion in justice, practical ways to challenge the carceral system, and how Christians can imagine a world beyond prisons.   The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at progressivechristians@theloftla.org. 

Listener Survey! Please take 5 minutes to complete our listener survey, and help us to keep creating the content that you want.  https://forms.gle/ADiZmaFHAffvkArS7 Dr. James Dobson's death triggered an onslaught of social, digital, and print media reflections. While some mourned his death, most of the reflections were about the traumatic impact of their parents following his advice, which encouraged practices such as corporal punishment and queer "conversion therapy." In this episode we explore the legacy of James Dobson, Focus On The Family, and how a generation of children raised under Dobson-like rules are finding healing and parenting differently. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at progressivechristians@theloftla.org. Show Notes https://atoday.org/bitter-fruit-reflecting-on-the-legacy-of-james-dobson/ https://sojo.net/articles/opinion/5-times-we-disagreed-james-dobson https://dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories/focusing-on-the-family-james-dobson-propel-evangelicals-into-politics/ https://www.splcenter.org/resources/extremist-files/alliance-defending-freedom/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCAuHH5EYnE  

Have you ever wondered what motivates someone to become a Christian Nationalist and what it takes to recognize you're not truly practicing the teachings of Jesus and to leave high-control religion? Then this episode is just for you! We were joined by April Ajoy, author of Star Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding a True Faith, for a compelling discussion about her book, her role in the Amazon documentary Shiny, Happy People, and how we can help guide people who are questioning out of Christian Nationalism. Click on the link below to learn more about April's work, her podcast "The Tim & April Show," and to purchase her book! https://linktr.ee/aprilajoy The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at progressivechristians@theloftla.org.

The Progressive Christians Podcast - New Episodes Available Every Friday - On All Platforms We're the love your neighbor kind of Christians, not the storm the capitol kind. So, if you're curious about what a socially and politically progressive Christianity looks like, this podcast is for you! In each episode, we discuss politics, pop culture, and anything else we find interesting from the perspective of progressive Christianity. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church.

Cynthia Erivo's portrayal of Jesus in "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the Hollywood Bowl has been widely praised as powerful, transcendent, and unsurprisingly criticized by religious conservatives. How could a woman, and especially a Black queer woman, play the role of Jesus? Julia, Rev. Blair, and Everest were in attendance on opening night. In this episode, we discuss Erivo's performance, the role of art in unsettling assumptions and critiquing power, and what it means to see the spark of the Divine in all of us. We end the episode by celebrating the one-year anniversary of our podcast. Thank you to everyone who has helped make this first year a success! We are excited about our future as we aim to create the best progressive theological podcast that you can find. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at progressivechristians@theloftla.org. Show Notes https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2025/02/22/cynthia-erivos-jesus-christ-superstar-controversy-explained/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Christ_Superstar https://variety.com/2025/music/concert-reviews/jesus-christ-superstar-cynthia-erivo-adam-lambert-hollywood-bowl-review-1236477734/  

Are you struggling to reconcile your faith with the headlines about the human-made famine that is causing the deaths of innocent civilians in Gaza? You're not alone. All people of good conscience should feel unease. When Jesus wept, it was for the suffering of all humanity. What if we applied that same deep empathy to the heartbreaking crisis unfolding right now? In this episode, we are joined by Rev. Dr. Timothy Murphy, the senior pastor at Plymouth Congregational Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to discuss the war in Gaza, his hunger strike to raise awareness about the famine, and what progressive Christians can do to motivate our elected officials to use their power to get humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.  The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at progressivechristians@theloftla.org.      Show Notes Rev. Dr. Timothy Murphy Bio/Church Website- https://www.plymouthfw.org/staff  Rev. Dr. Murphy's Hunger Strike- https://www.journalgazette.net/local/plymouth-pastors-stage-hunger-strike-to-prompt-israel-to-allow-food-other-aid-into-gaza/article_7f53926e-b15e-479d-9cfc-9c9de6eca0f6.html#:~:text=Plymouth's%20senior%20pastor%20was%20on,last%20two%20weeks%20or%20more.  Orientalism- Edward Said https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/159783/orientalism-by-edward-w-said/  The Hundred Years' War on Palestine- Rashid I. Khalidi https://guardianbookshop.com/the-hundred-years-war-on-palestine-9781781259344/?utm_source=editoriallink&utm_medium=merch&utm_campaign=article  Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn- Daniel Gordis https://www.harpercollins.com/products/israel-daniel-gordis?variant=32122925121570  My Name is Rachel Corrie- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Name_Is_Rachel_Corrie  Marjorie Spiegle- The Dreaded Comparison https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Dreaded_Comparison.html?id=8u_tAAAAMAAJ  Caste- Isabel Wilkerson https://www.nationalbook.org/books/caste-the-origins-of-our-discontents/  The Mathematics of Starvation: How Israel Caused a Famine in Gaza https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/31/the-mathematics-of-starvation-how-israel-caused-a-famine-in-gaza  Zeteo report on starvation (Behind a Paywall): https://zeteo.com/p/61-of-everyone-whos-starved-to-death?utm_source=unread-posts-digest-email&inbox=true&utm_medium=email&triedRedirect=true  https://www.btselem.org/publications/202507_our_genocide The Israel Lobby and American Foreign Policy- John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M. Walt https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374531508/theisraellobbyandusforeignpolicy/  Jewish Voice for Peace- On Antisemitism, Anti-Zionism, and Dangerous Conflation https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/2023/11/09/antisemitism-dangerous/ What Antisemitism? - David Klion on Zeteo (Paywall) https://zeteo.com/p/what-antisemitism-adl-prostrated-musk-trump?utm_source=publication-search  Majority of Israelis Do NOT Support Netenyahu's Actions in Gaza- https://www.timesofisrael.com/72-5-of-israelis-believe-netanyahu-should-take-responsibility-for-oct-7-and-resign/  This American Life Episode with reports from American Doctors in Gaza: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/859/transcript  Institute for Middle East Understanding Explainer on ADL https://imeu.org/article/explainer-the-anti-defamation-league-adl  

What is biblical or traditional marriage, and how have Christian understandings of marriage been shaped by economics, politics, and faith? In this week's episode, we explore the rise of the Trad-Wife phenomenon and shed light on the propaganda that pushes this image of family life as normative. We conclude by re-examining our sacred texts to craft a vision of partnership that honors the sacred worth of human beings and the progressive values of relationality and freedom, without abandoning our faith. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at progressivechristians@theloftla.org. Chapters 0:00 - Intro 1:24 - Responding to Listener Comments 3:29 - The Evolution of "Biblical" Marriage 17:05 - Traditional Values Are Actually Just European Values 29:28 - Trad Wives, White Femininity & "Free" Labor 37:31 - Can Our Relationship With God Be A Model For Marriage 42:27 - A Progressive Vision Of Marriage & Gender Roles 1:00:57 - Closing    Show Notes Just Love by Margaret Farley https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/just-love-9780826429247/  Betty Bowers Explains Traditional Marriage (Warning: Explicit Language) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFkeKKszXTw  Ballerina Farms Interview- https://www.thetimes.com/magazines/the-sunday-times-magazine/article/meet-the-queen-of-the-trad-wives-and-her-eight-children-plfr50cgk Young Women's Leadership Summit- https://www.splcenter.org/resources/hatewatch/turning-point-usa-young-women-leadership-summit-agenda/ Young Conservative Women - https://archive.ph/GvyIK

Has Christianity lost its positive public perception? The season premiere of South Park revealed a lot about our current political and religious climate. Their portrayal of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount exposes the hypocrisy that an increasing number of non-religious people see within our tradition. In this week's episode, we discuss the declining public image of Christianity, the role evangelical, conservative, and mainline churches have played in speeding up that decline, and what Christians can do to start changing that perception one relationship at a time. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at progressivechristians@theloftla.org. Show Notes: https://readingreligion.org/9781501122293/the-end-of-white-christian-america/  https://southpark.cc.com/sites/hetrumpedus/index.html  https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/02/26/religious-landscape-study-religions-role-in-public-life/   Chapters 0:00 - Intro 3:29 - Listener Review, Deconstruction 11:27 - Polling on Public Perception of Christianity 18:48 - South Park's Portrayal of Trump & Jesus 31:50 - Data On Why People Left The Church 35:50 - The Black Church Losing Trust Of The Black Community 39:00 - Progressive Visions For Improving The Image of Christianity 48:00 - Listener Question From Former MAGA Christian on LGBTQ 1:07:47 - Closing 

What if the person you elected president to save the country from a global cabal of child sex-traffickers actually was a part of the cabal? At first glance, this question sounds strange. However, when you consider that a 2022 poll by PRRI revealed that 1 in 5 people and 1 in 4 Republicans believe the QAnon conspiracy theory that the government, media, and financial sector are controlled by a group of Satan-worshipping pedophiles who run a global child sex-trafficking operation, then things begin to make a bit more sense. In this episode, we explore why the Epstein files matter to conservative Christians, how they connect with evangelical purity culture, and how the rapture-like theology of QAnon laid the groundwork for the outrage that we are witnessing.  Please note that we recorded this episode on Wednesday, July 23rd, before it was confirmed that Trump is named in the files in multiple places. We assumed as much, though, to be honest. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at progressivechristians@theloftla.org. Show Notes: Understanding MAGA's response to the Epstein Files: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8ge16d2y3o  Emily Joy Allison on Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@emilyjoyallison/video/7529523875621784845  Assault Allegations Toward Trump: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/assault-allegations-donald-trump-recapped  Southern Baptist Sexual Offenders List: https://www.npr.org/2022/05/27/1101734793/southern-baptist-sexual-abuse-list-released  Colbert Vs. Trump https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/jul/22/stephen-colbert-trump-cbs-bribe  Colbert on Catholic Podcast: The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p9Hx43P5yE  How the QAnon movement entered mainstream politics – and why the silence on Epstein files matters https://theconversation.com/how-the-qanon-movement-entered-mainstream-politics-and-why-the-silence-on-epstein-files-matters-261316

If you thought the world was ending, how would you spend the last days of your life? While this may be a theoretical question that many of us can use to help discern what we believe are the most essential things in our lives, it is also a very pragmatic question for others. In this episode, we discuss how the eschatological belief in the Rapture has informed our governments' response to the Guadalupe River flood and how they are recruiting people to join ICE. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at progressivechristians@theloftla.org.  Show Notes Summary of Rapture Theologies: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapture  https://sojo.net/articles/opinion/ice-quotes-bible-new-propaganda-video https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/greg-abbott-bizarre-postflood-football-analogy/ https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/texas-fema-calls-kristi-noem-fake-news-1235384583/ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Q8QI2v51p4A