The Death of Providence
In a world full of unrelenting and massive suffering, it is extremely difficult to defend belief in an interventionist, miracle-working, providential God.
Entries by Martin Thielen
“Ain’t You Tired?”
Mean-spirited Christianity is exhausting, both for those who practice it and for those who witness it.
Faith Lost and Faith Kept
An interview with Martin Thielen about his new (free) book: My Long Farewell to Traditional Religion and What Remains
A Pickup Communion Service at a 1990’s AIDS Clinic
“This is the table of Jesus and all are welcome.”
TV Interview of Doubter’s Parish Author, Martin Thielen
Martin Thielen, retired parish pastor, joins this edition of Issues of Faith to explore the concept of doubt, and why it’s a normal phenomenon in modern religion.
The Antidote to Mean Christianity
Twenty-first century America desperately needs a kinder Christianity.
My Last Visit to a Southern Baptist Church
My last visit to a Southern Baptist church included tears of grief and gratitude.
How the Religious Right Gets It Wrong and What to Do About It
Religious right Christianity is doing great damage to the Christian faith, the American church, and the common good of humanity.
Can Christianity Be Deinstitutionalized?
A lot of twenty-first century believers are seeking a post-institutionalized (or at least a less institutionalized) version of Christianity.
A Christmas Truce
Way back in the year 1914, during the brutal days of World War I, a profound event occurred on the Western Front on Christmas Day.