Ken Arthur
@kenarthur.bsky.social
Queer minister in the United Church of Christ. Author of "Out of the Ashes: Constructive Theology for Those Burned Out on Christianity." Dabbler in poetry. More at https://kenarthur.substack.com
We don't need kings. We need each other. Read my latest at #OufOfTheAshes.
No More Kings
Happy Thanksgiving!
kenarthur.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:15 PM
We don't need kings. We need each other. Read my latest at #OufOfTheAshes.
Many of us probably ask our selves on a daily basis: How do we get through this? What comes next? Where is our meaning and hope to be found? Read my latest reflection at #OutOfTheAshes.
Signs of the Times
Growing up, I was taught that the United States is a place of liberty, the epitome of democracy, and a melting pot where anyone could have a chance at a better life.
kenarthur.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Many of us probably ask our selves on a daily basis: How do we get through this? What comes next? Where is our meaning and hope to be found? Read my latest reflection at #OutOfTheAshes.
Experience. Learn. Serve. Back from a pastoral sabbatical and reflecting on the importance of knowing one's self. My latest post is up at #OutOfTheAshes. kenarthur.substack.com/p/lessons-fr...
Lessons from Sabbatical
I’ve finished my time of sabbatical and am happy and grateful to have returned to my role as pastor of a wonderful church community.
kenarthur.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Experience. Learn. Serve. Back from a pastoral sabbatical and reflecting on the importance of knowing one's self. My latest post is up at #OutOfTheAshes. kenarthur.substack.com/p/lessons-fr...
Some Friday afternoon thoughts on politics and church at #OutOfTheAshes...
Should We Talk about Politics in Church?
Almost a year ago I reflected on politics and the church, wondering if a church can be “purple.” I suggested that “the church should never be called purple (or blue or red) because we serve the God of...
kenarthur.substack.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Some Friday afternoon thoughts on politics and church at #OutOfTheAshes...
Telling lies and creating false realities are an important and favorite tactic of those trying to solidify their power in an authoritarian government. How do we survive it all? You can read my latest reflection at #OutOfTheAshes. Subscribe to get future posts delivered directly to your email.
Can We Survive Republican Gaslighting?
Gaslighting is what we call lies told in order to confuse someone so much they can no longer tell falsehoods from truth.
kenarthur.substack.com
October 16, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Telling lies and creating false realities are an important and favorite tactic of those trying to solidify their power in an authoritarian government. How do we survive it all? You can read my latest reflection at #OutOfTheAshes. Subscribe to get future posts delivered directly to your email.
Thinking about the story of Jesus, which is often called the good news. I’m also wondering how many people actually think of Jesus’ story as good news. My latest at #OutOfTheAshes is a little teaser for a project I'm working on...
Searching for Good News
We need to hear some good news once in a while to help us get through the horror of what is happening in our country and world.
kenarthur.substack.com
October 11, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Thinking about the story of Jesus, which is often called the good news. I’m also wondering how many people actually think of Jesus’ story as good news. My latest at #OutOfTheAshes is a little teaser for a project I'm working on...
Thinking about values, meaning, and truth in our nation. Read my latest reflection at #OutOfTheAshes.
Meaning and Truth in Our National Quagmire
I’m writing this week while on a personal retreat at Gilchrist Retreat Center in Three Rivers, Michigan.
kenarthur.substack.com
September 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Thinking about values, meaning, and truth in our nation. Read my latest reflection at #OutOfTheAshes.
Maybe some good music can help get us through this sh*t-storm we live in. In my latest at #OutOfTheAshes I talk about some of my "recent" discoveries. Several of the artists on the list frequently address themes that are socially conscious and important for our times.
New Musical Discoveries
One wonderful thing about social media is that I’ve discovered some really interesting people and other stuff that I probably wouldn’t otherwise know about.
kenarthur.substack.com
September 16, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Maybe some good music can help get us through this sh*t-storm we live in. In my latest at #OutOfTheAshes I talk about some of my "recent" discoveries. Several of the artists on the list frequently address themes that are socially conscious and important for our times.
"There is no excuse for murder. Violence is not the answer to our problems. However, we can reject violence and still oppose what Kirk stood for." Thoughts on the tragic Charlie Kirk assassination now up on #OutOfTheAshes.
A Culture of Violence
An assassination.
kenarthur.substack.com
September 12, 2025 at 2:16 PM
"There is no excuse for murder. Violence is not the answer to our problems. However, we can reject violence and still oppose what Kirk stood for." Thoughts on the tragic Charlie Kirk assassination now up on #OutOfTheAshes.
Be a Jedi. Trust in the Force and persevere. My latest reflection is up. Read and subscribe at #OutofTheAshes. Thanks! kenarthur.substack.com/p/the-republ...
The Republic Has Fallen
In one of the more chilling scenes in the Harry Potter movie “Deathly Hallows, Part 1,” followers of the evil wizard Voldemort have successfully staged a coup and Kingsley Shacklebolt sends a warning ...
kenarthur.substack.com
September 11, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Be a Jedi. Trust in the Force and persevere. My latest reflection is up. Read and subscribe at #OutofTheAshes. Thanks! kenarthur.substack.com/p/the-republ...
What music has helped shape you? In the spirit of my recent spate of favorites lists, I offer my personal list of favorite music as my latest post at #OutOfTheAshes. kenarthur.substack.com/p/all-time-f...
All Time Favorite Music
Music, like all art, is critical to human culture.
kenarthur.substack.com
September 9, 2025 at 11:34 AM
What music has helped shape you? In the spirit of my recent spate of favorites lists, I offer my personal list of favorite music as my latest post at #OutOfTheAshes. kenarthur.substack.com/p/all-time-f...
What is your vision for the future of our country? In my latest reflection at #OutOfTheAshes, I continue to think about what changes we need to make to create a country that is actually for the people instead of for the wealthy elite.
Manifesto for a Great Nation
From the first time I read it, I’ve been inspired by Wendell Berry’s wonderful poem “Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front.” I even wrote my own response. In order to resist an oppressive, money-...
kenarthur.substack.com
September 5, 2025 at 12:17 PM
What is your vision for the future of our country? In my latest reflection at #OutOfTheAshes, I continue to think about what changes we need to make to create a country that is actually for the people instead of for the wealthy elite.
As much as we need gun control, there's also a deep existential crisis fueling many of the problems in our country, including tragic mass shootings. Read and subscribe at #OutOfTheAshes. kenarthur.substack.com/p/yet-anothe...
Yet Another Mass Shooting
A few quick random thoughts about the shooting this week in Minneapolis…
kenarthur.substack.com
August 29, 2025 at 11:33 AM
As much as we need gun control, there's also a deep existential crisis fueling many of the problems in our country, including tragic mass shootings. Read and subscribe at #OutOfTheAshes. kenarthur.substack.com/p/yet-anothe...
Here's the second half of my post on favorite fiction books and authors, covering the science fiction and fantasy genres. Read and subscribe at #OutofTheAshes. There's a link to part 1 in the post.
All Time Favorite Books (Fiction, part 2)
Let’s just jump into it.
kenarthur.substack.com
August 21, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Here's the second half of my post on favorite fiction books and authors, covering the science fiction and fantasy genres. Read and subscribe at #OutofTheAshes. There's a link to part 1 in the post.
Let's face it, the news can be pretty depressing. We need to take a break once in a while. Doing something we enjoy might even be considered resistance as it's a refusal to give into the despair the fascists want us to feel. This week at #OutOfTheAshes, I'm thinking about my favorite fiction books.
All Time Favorite Books (Fiction, part 1)
Previously, I offered lists of my favorite movies and non-fiction books. I continue here with my favorite fiction novels, although for the most part I’m talking as much about authors as about books. W...
kenarthur.substack.com
August 19, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Let's face it, the news can be pretty depressing. We need to take a break once in a while. Doing something we enjoy might even be considered resistance as it's a refusal to give into the despair the fascists want us to feel. This week at #OutOfTheAshes, I'm thinking about my favorite fiction books.
The phrase has become meaningless as a fascist slogan, but what would it really mean to make America great? Read and subscribe to my latest at #OutOfTheAshes...
Making America Great (for real)
Over the last decade, fascists in the United States have rallied their supporters around the slogan “Make America Great Again.” They pine for days when old, white rich men were in charge and people of...
kenarthur.substack.com
August 12, 2025 at 10:57 AM
The phrase has become meaningless as a fascist slogan, but what would it really mean to make America great? Read and subscribe to my latest at #OutOfTheAshes...
For a break from fascist Republican BS, let's talk books and movies. In my latest on #OutOfTheAshes, I offer a list of influential non-fiction books. These are books that have influenced me, not the world in general. If you missed my list of movies from last week, there's a link in the comments.
All time favorite books (non-fiction)
Since I named my all time favorite movies last week, I thought I’d follow up with a few more lists, including the following of my all time favorite non-fiction books.
kenarthur.substack.com
August 7, 2025 at 12:08 PM
For a break from fascist Republican BS, let's talk books and movies. In my latest on #OutOfTheAshes, I offer a list of influential non-fiction books. These are books that have influenced me, not the world in general. If you missed my list of movies from last week, there's a link in the comments.
Some reflections on where we're at right now in this country... here's my latest on #outoftheashes.
Taking Stock of Our Ongoing Nightmare
… and a few resource and book recommendations
kenarthur.substack.com
August 5, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Some reflections on where we're at right now in this country... here's my latest on #outoftheashes.
My latest reflection on #OutOfTheAshes offers a few thoughts on the Parable of the Good Samaritan: Jesus tells this story in part to break down the boundaries that we create between each other, to show us that there is no us vs. them. There is only us.
Who’s my neighbor?
The foundation of Christian teaching is to love God and love your neighbor as you love yourself.
kenarthur.substack.com
July 16, 2025 at 11:43 AM
My latest reflection on #OutOfTheAshes offers a few thoughts on the Parable of the Good Samaritan: Jesus tells this story in part to break down the boundaries that we create between each other, to show us that there is no us vs. them. There is only us.
In a chaotic and cruel world, what would it mean to simplify our faith? My latest reflection can be found at #OutOfTheAshes. Be sure to subscribe to make sure you don't miss future posts! Thank you!
Keep it Simple and Sacred
We’ve probably all heard of the KISS principle, which is usually expressed as Keep It Simple, Stupid.
kenarthur.substack.com
July 9, 2025 at 12:39 PM
In a chaotic and cruel world, what would it mean to simplify our faith? My latest reflection can be found at #OutOfTheAshes. Be sure to subscribe to make sure you don't miss future posts! Thank you!
My final Pride month reflection on faith and developing a more sex positive spirituality. Here's my latest at #OutOfTheAshes. #Pride #LGBTQ+
A Sex Positive Spirituality
By defying cultural norms, LGBTQ+ people challenge us to talk more openly and honestly about our bodies and what it means to be a sensual and sexual being, inviting us into a more sex positive spiritu...
kenarthur.substack.com
July 2, 2025 at 10:58 AM
My final Pride month reflection on faith and developing a more sex positive spirituality. Here's my latest at #OutOfTheAshes. #Pride #LGBTQ+
Some Pride Month thoughts on conformity, breaking down boundaries, and deviance. Here's my latest at #OutOfTheAshes. #Pride #LGBTQ+ kenarthur.substack.com/p/breaking-d...
Breaking Down Boundaries
Jesus’ family thought he had lost his mind.1 He wasn’t acting as others thought he should.
kenarthur.substack.com
June 27, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Some Pride Month thoughts on conformity, breaking down boundaries, and deviance. Here's my latest at #OutOfTheAshes. #Pride #LGBTQ+ kenarthur.substack.com/p/breaking-d...
Looking past our biases and assumptions to see the beautiful diversity in the world. Here's my latest reflection for Pride Month on the queer spiritual gift of expansiveness. #OutOfTheAshes #pride #lgbtq+ #Christianity
Expanding Horizons
I’m sorry I wasn’t able to write anything last week, but I hope to catch up by offering two reflections this week.
kenarthur.substack.com
June 25, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Looking past our biases and assumptions to see the beautiful diversity in the world. Here's my latest reflection for Pride Month on the queer spiritual gift of expansiveness. #OutOfTheAshes #pride #lgbtq+ #Christianity
June is LGBTQ+ Pride month so this month I’ll be reflecting on what I’m calling Queer Spiritual Gifts. The first gift is the gift of questioning. Here's my latest at #outoftheashes. #pride #lgbtq
The Gift of Questioning
June is LGBTQ+ Pride month so this month I’ll be reflecting on what I’m calling Queer Spiritual Gifts.
kenarthur.substack.com
June 4, 2025 at 1:56 PM
June is LGBTQ+ Pride month so this month I’ll be reflecting on what I’m calling Queer Spiritual Gifts. The first gift is the gift of questioning. Here's my latest at #outoftheashes. #pride #lgbtq
What does it mean to live a "whole life"? Can we keep from being overrun by our fear and anxiety? Here are some thoughts on my latest #outoftheashes post.
Finding Wholeness in the Face of Fear
Fear and anxiety are running rampant.
kenarthur.substack.com
May 28, 2025 at 3:25 PM
What does it mean to live a "whole life"? Can we keep from being overrun by our fear and anxiety? Here are some thoughts on my latest #outoftheashes post.