Holly Pettit
@hollypettit.bsky.social
Harvard M.Div. in world religions / contemplative practice. Talks Buddhism, Christian mysticism, history, progressive theology, Paganism & politics. Former Army linguist & intelligence analyst. Writer for nonprofits.
Happy Friday and Day 6 of Advent. Anyone out there feeling a bit worn & gritty right now? I am, so ditched the cheery post I had prepared for this one, which is more on brand for this moment in history.
Love, peace, and hope to all of you out there. We need it.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Love, peace, and hope to all of you out there. We need it.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Origen: God Remakes Us From Our Broken Pieces
Daily Centering for December 5 — Sixth Day of Advent (Week of Hope)
open.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Happy Friday and Day 6 of Advent. Anyone out there feeling a bit worn & gritty right now? I am, so ditched the cheery post I had prepared for this one, which is more on brand for this moment in history.
Love, peace, and hope to all of you out there. We need it.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Love, peace, and hope to all of you out there. We need it.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
America has always practiced a quiet form of democratic socialism — long before the word became a political weapon.
We had barn raisings, free breakfast programs, Shaker equality, labor movements, Martin Luther King’s Poor People’s Campaign, and mutual aid societies.
medium.com/minds-withou...
We had barn raisings, free breakfast programs, Shaker equality, labor movements, Martin Luther King’s Poor People’s Campaign, and mutual aid societies.
medium.com/minds-withou...
Barn Raisings, Breakfast Programs, and the Spirit of American Democratic Socialism
From frontier towns to the Poor People’s Campaign, a quiet tradition of collective care runs through American life.
medium.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:22 PM
America has always practiced a quiet form of democratic socialism — long before the word became a political weapon.
We had barn raisings, free breakfast programs, Shaker equality, labor movements, Martin Luther King’s Poor People’s Campaign, and mutual aid societies.
medium.com/minds-withou...
We had barn raisings, free breakfast programs, Shaker equality, labor movements, Martin Luther King’s Poor People’s Campaign, and mutual aid societies.
medium.com/minds-withou...
The supermoon is too bright for this to truly be a dark night—with the snow on the ground reflecting all that light, you could probably read a book in my front yard right now. If you do, make it Dark Night of the Soul by John of the Cross for the 5th day of Advent.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
The Work God Does in the Dark
Daily Centering for December 4 — Fifth Day of Advent -- John of the Cross, Dark Night of the Soul, II.16
open.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:51 AM
The supermoon is too bright for this to truly be a dark night—with the snow on the ground reflecting all that light, you could probably read a book in my front yard right now. If you do, make it Dark Night of the Soul by John of the Cross for the 5th day of Advent.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Reposted by Holly Pettit
Those philosophical feuds of the Roman Empire were pretty serious in 248 CE.
#philosophysky
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
#philosophysky
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Why Celsus Couldn’t Stand the Early Christians — and Why Origen Couldn’t Let It Go
A witty, historically grounded, longform romp through the ancient world’s most entertaining intellectual cage match.
open.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Those philosophical feuds of the Roman Empire were pretty serious in 248 CE.
#philosophysky
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
#philosophysky
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Those philosophical feuds of the Roman Empire were pretty serious in 248 CE.
#philosophysky
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
#philosophysky
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Why Celsus Couldn’t Stand the Early Christians — and Why Origen Couldn’t Let It Go
A witty, historically grounded, longform romp through the ancient world’s most entertaining intellectual cage match.
open.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Those philosophical feuds of the Roman Empire were pretty serious in 248 CE.
#philosophysky
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
#philosophysky
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Jean Vanier's gone, but his words remain to show us how to face despair and live life head-on.
His life is a blueprint for finding and maintaining #hope.
#Advent
hollypettit.substack.com/p/the-respon...
His life is a blueprint for finding and maintaining #hope.
#Advent
hollypettit.substack.com/p/the-respon...
Jean Vanier & the Response to Despair
Daily Centering for December 3 -- Fourth Day of Advent
hollypettit.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Jean Vanier's gone, but his words remain to show us how to face despair and live life head-on.
His life is a blueprint for finding and maintaining #hope.
#Advent
hollypettit.substack.com/p/the-respon...
His life is a blueprint for finding and maintaining #hope.
#Advent
hollypettit.substack.com/p/the-respon...
The young me didn’t want some old-school, buttoned-down #theologian casting dirt on my wild, beautiful, hard-won path to God.
Decades later, I’m still wrestling with his ghost.
medium.com/backyard-the...
Decades later, I’m still wrestling with his ghost.
medium.com/backyard-the...
The Sermon That Ended My Preaching Career
For years, I carried a grudge against my stuffy, conservative professor. Now I wonder what I missed.
medium.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:07 AM
The young me didn’t want some old-school, buttoned-down #theologian casting dirt on my wild, beautiful, hard-won path to God.
Decades later, I’m still wrestling with his ghost.
medium.com/backyard-the...
Decades later, I’m still wrestling with his ghost.
medium.com/backyard-the...
The Secret Candle
Daily Centering for December 2 — Third Day of Advent in the week of Hope.
open.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Real #leadership points beyond itself, to something larger—to principle, to history, to helping the smallest rise up and join their fellows at the harvest table.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
The Quiet Shape of Real Power
Cincinnatus, Washington, Woolman, and Pope Leo XIV all point to the same truth: real leadership begins with humility.
open.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Real #leadership points beyond itself, to something larger—to principle, to history, to helping the smallest rise up and join their fellows at the harvest table.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
1970’s version of The Game of Life — the one that allows gambling. I just lost a bet after giving everyone a long lecture on the mathematics involved in betting.
November 28, 2025 at 2:24 AM
1970’s version of The Game of Life — the one that allows gambling. I just lost a bet after giving everyone a long lecture on the mathematics involved in betting.
I wrote a short piece about why true power is soft — not weak, but the kind of strength that listens, makes room, and doesn’t need to dominate.
Its true name is stewardship.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Its true name is stewardship.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
The Quiet Shape of Real Power
Cincinnatus, Washington, Woolman, and Pope Leo XIV all point to the same truth: real leadership begins with humility.
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:46 PM
I wrote a short piece about why true power is soft — not weak, but the kind of strength that listens, makes room, and doesn’t need to dominate.
Its true name is stewardship.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Its true name is stewardship.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
I preached one sermon in divinity school — one — and my professor shut me down, hard.
I carried that resentment for decades, but now I think I finally understand what was happening in that room.
medium.com/backyard-the...
I carried that resentment for decades, but now I think I finally understand what was happening in that room.
medium.com/backyard-the...
The Sermon That Ended My Preaching Career
For years, I carried a grudge against my stuffy, conservative professor. Now I wonder what I missed.
medium.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:28 PM
I preached one sermon in divinity school — one — and my professor shut me down, hard.
I carried that resentment for decades, but now I think I finally understand what was happening in that room.
medium.com/backyard-the...
I carried that resentment for decades, but now I think I finally understand what was happening in that room.
medium.com/backyard-the...
My cousin 1,200 miles away, who usually hosts a mammoth celebration at her house, just texted that she’s blowing off the big fat family #Thanksgiving this year.
She’s flying to #LasVegas instead, because why not? Non-traditional Thanksgivings can be the best ever!
medium.com/age-of-empat...
She’s flying to #LasVegas instead, because why not? Non-traditional Thanksgivings can be the best ever!
medium.com/age-of-empat...
Why Non-Traditional Thanksgivings Can Be the Best Thanksgivings
Norman Rockwell did not approve this message
medium.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:43 PM
My cousin 1,200 miles away, who usually hosts a mammoth celebration at her house, just texted that she’s blowing off the big fat family #Thanksgiving this year.
She’s flying to #LasVegas instead, because why not? Non-traditional Thanksgivings can be the best ever!
medium.com/age-of-empat...
She’s flying to #LasVegas instead, because why not? Non-traditional Thanksgivings can be the best ever!
medium.com/age-of-empat...
Spiritual language is now a tool for dehumanizing others.
“Demonizing” political opponents has already led to real-world violence.
The Dignity Index helps disrupt that and return us to shared humanity.
Read here: medium.com/counterarts/...
#ChristianNationalism #Democracy #ReligionAndPolitics
“Demonizing” political opponents has already led to real-world violence.
The Dignity Index helps disrupt that and return us to shared humanity.
Read here: medium.com/counterarts/...
#ChristianNationalism #Democracy #ReligionAndPolitics
When Fear Erases Humanity: Can the Dignity Index Heal Us?
Language shapes reality — and the words we use about our opponents can either protect society or incite its downfall.
medium.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Spiritual language is now a tool for dehumanizing others.
“Demonizing” political opponents has already led to real-world violence.
The Dignity Index helps disrupt that and return us to shared humanity.
Read here: medium.com/counterarts/...
#ChristianNationalism #Democracy #ReligionAndPolitics
“Demonizing” political opponents has already led to real-world violence.
The Dignity Index helps disrupt that and return us to shared humanity.
Read here: medium.com/counterarts/...
#ChristianNationalism #Democracy #ReligionAndPolitics
“Jesus never rebuked anyone for being too inclusive. He never turned people away for loving the wrong kind of person. He spent his life moving toward those who had been pushed aside, not lecturing those who had made room for them.”
#LGBTQ+ #Affirming #ProgressiveChristian
medium.com/backyard-the...
#LGBTQ+ #Affirming #ProgressiveChristian
medium.com/backyard-the...
The Worst of Christianity in a Single Viral Instagram Reel
What a Viral Confrontation Reveals About Power, Purity, and the Real Jesus
medium.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:42 PM
“Jesus never rebuked anyone for being too inclusive. He never turned people away for loving the wrong kind of person. He spent his life moving toward those who had been pushed aside, not lecturing those who had made room for them.”
#LGBTQ+ #Affirming #ProgressiveChristian
medium.com/backyard-the...
#LGBTQ+ #Affirming #ProgressiveChristian
medium.com/backyard-the...
Most Christians assume heaven is something that happens later.
But the #GospelofMary — one of the earliest Christian texts we have — says something very different.
I preached on this Sunday, and the response was overwhelming - applause & hugs!
hollypettit.substack.com/p/heaven-is-...
But the #GospelofMary — one of the earliest Christian texts we have — says something very different.
I preached on this Sunday, and the response was overwhelming - applause & hugs!
hollypettit.substack.com/p/heaven-is-...
Heaven Is Not Later: The Gospel of Mary on the Afterlife
An early Christian teaching that reframes “treasure in heaven,” the nature of the soul, and why eternal life begins now—not after death.
hollypettit.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Most Christians assume heaven is something that happens later.
But the #GospelofMary — one of the earliest Christian texts we have — says something very different.
I preached on this Sunday, and the response was overwhelming - applause & hugs!
hollypettit.substack.com/p/heaven-is-...
But the #GospelofMary — one of the earliest Christian texts we have — says something very different.
I preached on this Sunday, and the response was overwhelming - applause & hugs!
hollypettit.substack.com/p/heaven-is-...
“His mom was lying face-down in bed, as if she had fallen over while getting up. JJ ran over and tried to find any sign she was breathing.
“I need you,” he shouted as he leaned over his mom, pressing down on her chest. ‘I need you!’”
“I need you,” he shouted as he leaned over his mom, pressing down on her chest. ‘I need you!’”
November 19, 2025 at 4:27 PM
“His mom was lying face-down in bed, as if she had fallen over while getting up. JJ ran over and tried to find any sign she was breathing.
“I need you,” he shouted as he leaned over his mom, pressing down on her chest. ‘I need you!’”
“I need you,” he shouted as he leaned over his mom, pressing down on her chest. ‘I need you!’”
Language learners — here’s a great opportunity to get familiar with a fascinating language/ history!
"Mississippi’s only federally recognized Indigenous tribe unveiled a new online language resource in early September. The Choctaw Dictionary Project “is a digital resource designed to support language learners of all levels and encourage more daily use of the Choctaw language."
Mississippi Choctaw Dictionary Project Helps Preserve Language
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians’ Choctaw Dictionary Project is designed to help teach the language and encourage more daily use.
buff.ly
November 19, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Language learners — here’s a great opportunity to get familiar with a fascinating language/ history!
Reposted by Holly Pettit
I'm giving away two signed copies of my (recently republished) book 21st-Century Yokel, with two postcards of this fab otters linocut by my mum, Jo.
Just repost this & pop a comment below to enter.
You might like it if you like:
Walking
Wildlife
Folklore
Bees
Ghosts
The Sea
Social history
Badgers
Just repost this & pop a comment below to enter.
You might like it if you like:
Walking
Wildlife
Folklore
Bees
Ghosts
The Sea
Social history
Badgers
November 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM
I'm giving away two signed copies of my (recently republished) book 21st-Century Yokel, with two postcards of this fab otters linocut by my mum, Jo.
Just repost this & pop a comment below to enter.
You might like it if you like:
Walking
Wildlife
Folklore
Bees
Ghosts
The Sea
Social history
Badgers
Just repost this & pop a comment below to enter.
You might like it if you like:
Walking
Wildlife
Folklore
Bees
Ghosts
The Sea
Social history
Badgers
Ever read the Epistle to the Hebrews? As Prisca may be the anonymous author, our women's group dove in.
It's so WEIRD.
Q: "Why was this included in the canon?"
The book's been given the side-eye for nearly 2,000 years.
A challenge to Paul?
#DivineFeminine
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
It's so WEIRD.
Q: "Why was this included in the canon?"
The book's been given the side-eye for nearly 2,000 years.
A challenge to Paul?
#DivineFeminine
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Prisca: The Forgotten Woman Who Shaped Early Christianity
Prisca—also known as Priscilla—was a key early Christian teacher who shaped Paul, influenced Apollos, and may have helped form early theology.
open.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Ever read the Epistle to the Hebrews? As Prisca may be the anonymous author, our women's group dove in.
It's so WEIRD.
Q: "Why was this included in the canon?"
The book's been given the side-eye for nearly 2,000 years.
A challenge to Paul?
#DivineFeminine
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
It's so WEIRD.
Q: "Why was this included in the canon?"
The book's been given the side-eye for nearly 2,000 years.
A challenge to Paul?
#DivineFeminine
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
I preached for the first time in a couple decades this morning.
The reading was on the Gospel of Mary and the Gospel of Thomas.
Afterward, the congregation clapped & several hugged me.
Instead of pushback, people had been taking notes.
They're hungry for #contemplative #faith
The reading was on the Gospel of Mary and the Gospel of Thomas.
Afterward, the congregation clapped & several hugged me.
Instead of pushback, people had been taking notes.
They're hungry for #contemplative #faith
November 16, 2025 at 10:04 PM
I preached for the first time in a couple decades this morning.
The reading was on the Gospel of Mary and the Gospel of Thomas.
Afterward, the congregation clapped & several hugged me.
Instead of pushback, people had been taking notes.
They're hungry for #contemplative #faith
The reading was on the Gospel of Mary and the Gospel of Thomas.
Afterward, the congregation clapped & several hugged me.
Instead of pushback, people had been taking notes.
They're hungry for #contemplative #faith
Reposted by Holly Pettit
James Talarico, candidate for US Senate from Texas, is a leading example of a what-would-Jesus-do Christian running on a highly progressive platform.
-- James Talarico on why he supports LGBTQ+ Rights, Abortion Rights, and much more...
youtu.be/7mv_8MTLyIg?...
-- James Talarico on why he supports LGBTQ+ Rights, Abortion Rights, and much more...
youtu.be/7mv_8MTLyIg?...
November 15, 2025 at 7:35 PM
James Talarico, candidate for US Senate from Texas, is a leading example of a what-would-Jesus-do Christian running on a highly progressive platform.
-- James Talarico on why he supports LGBTQ+ Rights, Abortion Rights, and much more...
youtu.be/7mv_8MTLyIg?...
-- James Talarico on why he supports LGBTQ+ Rights, Abortion Rights, and much more...
youtu.be/7mv_8MTLyIg?...
Reposted by Holly Pettit
A growing number of white progressive faith leaders are entering Democratic races ahead of 2026, aiming to counter the Christian right.
PRRI finds that Trump took 85% of the white evangelical vote and 57% of the white mainline/non-evangelical Protestant vote in the 2024 presidential election.
PRRI finds that Trump took 85% of the white evangelical vote and 57% of the white mainline/non-evangelical Protestant vote in the 2024 presidential election.
"Shocking" number of white clergy run as Democrats in 2026
"We're tracking about 30 white clergy who are running for office as Democrats around the country."
www.axios.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:43 PM
A growing number of white progressive faith leaders are entering Democratic races ahead of 2026, aiming to counter the Christian right.
PRRI finds that Trump took 85% of the white evangelical vote and 57% of the white mainline/non-evangelical Protestant vote in the 2024 presidential election.
PRRI finds that Trump took 85% of the white evangelical vote and 57% of the white mainline/non-evangelical Protestant vote in the 2024 presidential election.
Ask most American Jews about stoning Sabbath-breakers or banning gay marriage, and they’ll just laugh.
Leviticus’ purity laws are Jewish history, not contemporary Jewish theology — yet some Christians revive them as if nothing has changed.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Leviticus’ purity laws are Jewish history, not contemporary Jewish theology — yet some Christians revive them as if nothing has changed.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Clinging to Leviticus, Forgetting Jesus
The danger of weaponized Scripture—and the spiritual maturity our moment demands.
open.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Ask most American Jews about stoning Sabbath-breakers or banning gay marriage, and they’ll just laugh.
Leviticus’ purity laws are Jewish history, not contemporary Jewish theology — yet some Christians revive them as if nothing has changed.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Leviticus’ purity laws are Jewish history, not contemporary Jewish theology — yet some Christians revive them as if nothing has changed.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
This reminds me of the passage in the #GospelOfMary that says when we die, our material bodies return to the earth, our societal selves become the money & possessions that we pass along to others, and our spiritual selves rejoin God.
November 14, 2025 at 3:46 PM
This reminds me of the passage in the #GospelOfMary that says when we die, our material bodies return to the earth, our societal selves become the money & possessions that we pass along to others, and our spiritual selves rejoin God.