Writing "Awakened: A 52-Week Progressive Christian Devotional"

In this Q&A, Caleb Lines, author of Awakened: A 52-Week Progressive Christian Devotional, shares the story of how he realized he needed to write the book, shares a story of how faith-saving it may be, and lets you in on the unusual place much of it was written. 

Do you have a moment when you realized “this needs to be a book?” Through my work at ProgressiveChristianity.org I have frequently been asked about recommendations for a Progressive Christian devotional.  To be honest, there simply aren’t many from which to choose!  There are certainly a lot of weekly devotionals, but most of them approach faith from a fundamentalist perspective and require a lot of theological nose plugging to get through.  I wanted a book that would introduce people to Progressive Christian theology while also integrating social justice, deepening spiritual practice, and providing a weekly rhythm to sustain one’s faith. 

It occurred to me as my own church shifted to a small group model, that a book intentionally written to help small groups would be immensely helpful in my own context.  I wrote Awakened with individuals and small groups in mind, so that it would be flexible enough for different contexts. It has also been a great tool to introduce visitors to the values of our congregation and denomination!

What are you most passionate about right now? Given the state of our country and world, I am passionate about encouraging people to embrace Jesus’ vision for the Reign of God in which peace through the presence of justice reigns.  In Awakened, I dedicated a section to the concept of the Reign of God, and it has been incredible to have readers contact me and tell me that the section has changed their view on the fundamental principles of Jesus’ message.  Rather than an otherworldly focus on the sweet by and by somewhere in the sky, they have come to see the Reign of God as something we can create in this world: a heaven on earth.  This earthly heaven includes a just economy, healthcare for all, and an end to systemic inequality.  My hope is that this book continues to help people embrace Jesus’ radical vision for the future.

What do you hope readers will take away from your book? My goal with Awakened was to write a spiritually-grounded book that would encourage experimentation with new spiritual practices, provide an introduction to Progressive Christianity, and aid in understanding of the historical critical method of biblical interpretation.  I hope that readers feel enriched by this book and gain a more expansive faith.

What makes this book relevant today and different from other books on the subject? Other devotionals tend to embrace an individualistic theology focused primarily on an afterlife.  Awakened is about communally transforming ourselves and our world in the here and now.  It recognizes that while transformation often begins internally, it must necessarily have an external element.  Awakened is centered around 13 different progressive Christian themes and serves as both an introduction and a deep dive into those themes.  Additionally, I provide mid-week video content in which I walk people through the spiritual practice described in the weekly reflection.  My hope is that by having two touchpoints during the week, people will feel more comfortable engaging in new practices to deepen their faith.

What was the most inspiring feedback you’ve received? I was giving a book talk to a group of college students recently.  I had selected readings on eco-spirituality and LGBTQ+ inclusion.  As the group discussed these topics, one of the young students spoke up and said, “If I’d had this book sooner, it would have saved my faith and I’d still be in the Church.”  People aren’t leaving the Church because they’ve become disinterested in spirituality; they’ve simply found the church to be a poor mediator of God’s divine presence.  That’s why most Americans still identify as “Christian” or “Spiritual” even if they have no affiliation with a faith community.  The Christian message has been hijacked by fundamentalists and it has turned people away from Christianity.  There’s no use scratching our heads wondering why people are leaving the Church in droves.  Research shows us that the two most common reasons given for the mass exodus are 1) the perceived stance that Christians don’t care about climate change and 2) that Christians are unwelcoming to LGBTQ+ folx.  If churches really care about growth and transformation, they ought to be actively embracing eco-spirituality and welcoming all people—especially typically excluded people like the LGBTQ+ community—with open arms.  Knowing that this book has made a difference to people is incredibly inspiring.

What behind-the-scenes story about this book may surprise readers? I wrote large sections of this book while traveling through Afghanistan and Pakistan.  I was engaged in conversations about religious oppression and found a renewed enthusiasm for confronting the hatred and oppression that can arise from a misuse of religion.  It’s no secret that Christian nationalism is on the rise in the United States.  Christian nationalism is neither Christian nor patriotic, but it is incredibly dangerous.  It’s time for Christians to reclaim authentic Christianity that is focused on placing the compassionate values of Christ at the center of our lives while ending the oppression of others.