THERE have always been movements in the church attempting to draw Christians away from historic Christianity to a more world-friendly version of the faith.
Last century we had liberal Christianity which endeavoured to make Christianity more palatable to a culture shattered by the inhumanity of wars of destruction and the fetishising of science. Towards the end of the century the ’emergent church’ appeared, trying to create a Christianity in tune with post-modern thinking. Today the emergent church has morphed into progressive Christianity.
In the UK very few would use ‘progressive’ as a self-descriptor although its influence is spread throughout mainstream churches. How can you tell if your denomination, congregation or pastor are leaning towards progressive Christianity, are open to it, or have swallowed it all, hook, line and sinker?
We should be watchful as many evangelicals have been sucked into progressive Christianity. How can you tell if you are becoming a progressive Christian? Here are some symptoms of progressive Christianity you might listen out for.
1. You might be a progressive Christian if you say: ‘The Bible contains the Word of God’.
Christians have historically held that the Bible is the Word of God and as such is our supreme rule for faith and life. A primary divergence between progressive and historic Christianity is that progressives have a lower view of the Bible.
When historic Christians say ‘the Bible contains the Word of God’ they mean that the Bible is the boundary, contained within the Bible is God’s Word and God’s Word cannot be found outside the Bible. When progressive Christians use the same phrase they mean it is possible to find the Word of God in the Bible but it is up to the reader to decide which parts of the Bible actually are the Word of God. For the progressive Christian personal belief is more important than the written revelation.
2. You might be a progressive Christian if you say: ‘I can’t believe Jesus would . . .’
This, like most errors, flows from a lowered view of the Bible. For the progressive Christian feelings are more important than revelation. In progressive churches, personal experiences, emotions and opinions tend to be valued above objective truth.
As the Bible ceases to be viewed as God’s definitive Word, what an individual feels or wants to be true becomes the ultimate authority for faith and practice. ‘I always thought homosexuality was a sin, but then this nice gay couple moved next door and I can’t believe that Jesus would condemn them.’ God is judged by the standards of 21st century liberalism and fails the exam.
3. You might be a progressive Christian if you say: ‘The resurrection of Jesus doesn’t need to be physical to speak truth to us.’
In progressive Christianity all the foundational doctrines of the church are up for grabs. Progressive Christians act like a fifth column, being inside the church but undermining it at the same time. It is possible for the progressive Christian to mouth the creed but inwardly re-interpret it in such a way that it loses its original meaning and becomes myth or symbol representing a ‘higher truth’. Thus the crucifixion can become a symbol of courageous suffering in the face of oppression and be emptied of its meaning as an atoning sacrifice for sin.
4. You might be a progressive Christian if you say: ‘God is love, He wouldn’t punish sinners throughout eternity.’
Words are removed from their biblical context and re-interpreted according to 21st century liberal views. The word ‘love’ becomes a portmanteau word for all that is non-confrontational, pleasant and personally affirming; the progressive Christian sees life in soft focus.
Historic Christianity teaches that just because you love someone it doesn’t mean that you agree with every single thing they do and support them in all their actions. To love someone is to want the best for them, and that does not mean supporting them in their sinful actions.
The idea that confronting personal sin and condemning it in order to resolve an issue is largely rejected, instead we should just show love. This, however, applies only to personal sins; what are seen as social and political sins are roundly condemned.
‘Inspired’ is another word which is re-interpreted. It is possible for progressive Christians to say they believe the Bible to be ‘inspired’. But what they mean is that the Bible writers, Paul, Isaiah, Peter etc., were inspired in the same way that J K Rowling was inspired to write Harry Potter.
5. You might be a progressive Christian if you say: ‘We don’t need to speak about the gospel, we just need to show it in our lives by our care for others.’
The significance of the gospel in progressive Christianity has moved from the redemption of sinners to campaigning for social justice. Many progressive Christians are embarrassed or appalled by the idea of God willing His Son to die on the cross to pay the price for our sins. The idea of the atonement is de-emphasised or denied altogether, we find social justice and good works taking its place. The atonement has even been described as ‘cosmic child abuse’.
The Bible commands us to care for the unfortunate and needy, to uphold and defend those who are oppressed, but important as it is this is not the gospel but a by-product of the gospel. This is something we do because we have been redeemed by Christ.
Conclusion: Progressive Christians are usually thoughtful, caring people who are sincerely trying to make sense of being a Christian in today’s world. Unfortunately it is possible to be sincerely wrong and dangerous. Progressive Christianity can be persuasive and attractive, but behind the niceness lies a direct assault on the foundational beliefs of Christianity.
We were warned by Jesus, ‘Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves’ (Matthew 7:15 NASB).
A Grain of Sand 