Progressive Christianity

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Pride flag banner hung over the entrance to the Church of the Pilgrims in Washington, D.C. with the words "ALL ARE WELCOME" printed underneath
Pride flag banner hung over the entrance to the Church of the Pilgrims in Washington, D.C.

Progressive Christianity represents a range of related perspectives in contemporary Christian theology and practice. It is a

postliberal theological movement that, in the words of Reverend Roger Wolsey, "seeks to reform the faith via the insights of post-modernism and a reclaiming of the truth beyond the verifiable historicity and factuality of the passages in the Bible by affirming the truths within the stories that may not have actually happened."[1]

Progressive Christianity, as described by its adherents, is characterized by a willingness to question tradition, acceptance of human diversity, a strong emphasis on

emerging Church and exvangelical movements, and the evangelical left
.

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History

Origins

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The term "progressive Christianity" was first coined by German-American Lutheran pastor and scholar, Rev. John H. W. Stuckenberg. “I favor a progressive Christianity based on the living teachings of Christ and his Apostles. I am opposed to the stagnation created by religious dogmatism and traditionalism, and wish none of my possessions to be used in the interest of this stagnation.” (last will and testament, June 6, 1898) [3]

A priority of justice and care for the down-trodden are a recurrent theme in the

Progressive Movement and the Social Gospel.[5]

Throughout the 20th century, a strand of progressive or liberal Christian thought outlined the values of a 'good

ecumenical movement, as represented internationally by the World Student Christian Federation and the World Council of Churches internationally, and at the national level through groups such as the National Council of Churches in the US and Australian Student Christian Movement
.

Contemporary movement

The ascendancy of evangelicalism in the US, particularly in its more socially conservative forms, challenged many people in mainline churches.[6] This has enabled many Christians who are uncomfortable with conservative evangelicalism to identify themselves explicitly as "progressive Christians".

Notable initiatives within the movement for progressive Christianity include

Progressive Christianity (Organization) and Faithful America. The Sojourners magazine was founded in 1971 by the Sojourners Community and was the first progressive magazine.[7] In 2007, the Red-Letter Christians movement was founded by Tony Campolo and Shane Claiborne to insist to Jesus' words by promoting biblical values such as peace, the fight against poverty, the defense of peace, building strong families, respecting human rights and welcoming foreigners.[8][9]

In the UK, the Progressive Christianity Britain network has adopted eight

non-credal points which reflect the nature of a Christian life explored from a progressive standpoint.[10] The network holds group meetings in many locations around the country.[11]

According to Archbishop Wynn Wagner of the former North American Old Catholic Church, holding to the ideals of progressive Christianity sets the movement apart from traditional Christianity. Inclusiveness and acceptance is the basic posture of progressive Christianity.[12]

Themes and variations

Progressive Christianity is the post-modern influenced evolution of historic mainline liberal Protestant Christianity and it is an heir to the

progressive politics.[1]

The term was first coined by German-American, Lutheran pastor and scholar, Rev. John H. W. Stuckenberg. “I favor a progressive Christianity based on the living teachings of Christ and his Apostles. I am opposed to the stagnation created by religious dogmatism and traditionalism, and wish none of my possessions to be used in the interest of this stagnation.” (last will and testament, June 6, 1898) [18] The term was later embraced by retired Episcopal priest Rev. Jim Adams who founded The Center for Progressive Christianity in 1996 - which has since become ProgressiveChristianity.Org.[19] That organization has promoted "The 8 Points of Progressive Christianity",[20] and has since established the 5 Core Values of Progressive Christianity [21] other variations include The Phoenix Confessions. [22]

As Wolsey describes, "Over the past decades, there has been a growing movement to reclaim Christianity from those who've distorted it into something that Jesus [progressive Christians contend] and his earliest followers wouldn't easily recognize -- conservative evangelicalism and fundamentalism. The movement has emerged on two fronts, roughly simultaneously. One wing comes from the mainline Protestant and Catholic Churches that, due to the shift from modern era mindsets into postmodern ones, have shifted from liberal theology to "progressive" Christianity. The other wing comes from young people within the Evangelical communities who are questioning and redefining their tradition and is known as "emergent" Christianity. Combined, these movements are a new Reformation. The "ex-"evangelicals from the emerging Christianity have recently come to refer to themselves a progressive Christians so the moniker has become a universal umbrella term."

The following is the working definition used in Roger Wolsey’s book “Kissing Fish”: "Progressive Christianity is a post-liberal approach to the Christian faith that is influenced by postmodernism and: proclaims Jesus of Nazareth as Christ; emphasizes the Way and teachings of Jesus, not merely His person; emphasizes God’s immanence not merely God’s transcendence; leans toward panentheism rather than supernatural theism; emphasizes salvation here and now instead of primarily in heaven later; emphasizes being saved for robust, abundant/eternal life over being saved from hell; emphasizes the social/communal aspects of salvation instead of merely the personal; stresses social justice, environmental protection, and non-violence as integral to Christian discipleship; takes the Bible seriously but not necessarily literally, embracing a more interpretive, metaphorical understanding; emphasizes orthopraxy instead of orthodoxy (right actions over right beliefs); embraces reason as well as paradox and mystery — instead of blind allegiance to rigid doctrines and dogmas; does not consider homosexuality to be sinful; and does not claim that Christianity is the only valid or viable way to connect to God (is non-exclusive)." p.63-64

Seventh-day Adventism

Main article: Progressive Adventism

Within the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the liberal wing describe themselves as "progressive Adventists". They disagree with some of the traditional teachings of the church. While most are still of evangelical persuasion, a minority are liberal Christians.[citation needed]

Environmental ministries

Central to this recovery of awe in the cosmos is the

Edward O. Wilson, Brian Swimme, Eric Chaisson, Ursula Goodenough and others) initiated this story which has been perpetuated with a religion component by some liberal theologians (Gordon D. Kaufman, Jerome A. Stone, Michael Dowd, etc.).[23][24]

Evolutionary evangelist and progressive minister Michael Dowd uses the term Epic of Evolution or Great Story to help construct his viewpoint of evolution theology. His position is that science and religious faith are not mutually exclusive (a form of religious naturalism).[25] He preaches that the epic of cosmic, biological, and human evolution, revealed by science, is a basis for an inspiring and meaningful view of our place in the universe and a new approach to religion. Evolution is viewed as a religious spiritual process that is not meaningless blind chance.[26]

Criticism

Geoff Thompson argues that progressive Christianity, as represented by Gretta Vosper and John Shelby Spong, "often over-reaches its arguments".[27] In particular, he concludes that "[i]t is very difficult to see how what [Vosper] proposes needs any church or even the minimalist, idiosyncratic definition of Christianity which she offers".[27]

Major festivals and conferences

  • Christianity21 conferences
  • The Lion & the Lamb Festival
  • The Embrace Festival

Influential progressive Christians

  • John Shelby Spong
  • Marcus Borg
  • Jim Adams
  • Fred Plummer
  • Diana Butler Bass
  • Brian McLaren
  • John Dominic Crossan
  • Richard Rohr
  • Yvonne Flunder
  • Jim Burklo
  • Mark Sandlin
  • Caleb Lines
  • David Felten
  • Jeff Proctor-Murphy
  • Roger Wolsey
  • Rob Bell
  • Keith Giles
  • Peter Enns
  • Brian Zahnd
  • David Hayward
  • Steven Mattson
  • Benjamin Cremer
  • John Pavlovitz
  • Rachel Held Evans
  • Doug Pagitt
  • Scott McKnight
  • Mark Davenport

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Wolsey, Roger (10 February 2012). "Progressive Christianity Isn't Progressive Politics". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  2. ^ "Soul Play: What Is Progressive Christianity Exactly?". The Flip Side. University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. Retrieved 23 December 2012.[dead link‍]
  3. ^ "Feast of John H. W. Stuckenberg (May 28)". 9 December 2017.
  4. ^ Ess, Charles. "Prophetic, Wisdom, and Apocalyptic Traditions in Judaism and Christianity". Drury University. Archived from the original on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  5. ISBN 0-8028-0640-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  6. ^ "Christianity Today - Theology, Church, Culture". ChristianityToday.com. Archived from the original on 11 December 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  7. ^ Brantley W. Gasaway, Progressive Evangelicals and the Pursuit of Social Justice, University of North Carolina Press, USA, 2014, p. 14
  8. ^ Nick Tabor, Can this preacher's progressive version of evangelical Christianity catch on with a new generation?, washingtonpost.com, USA, January 6, 2020
  9. ^ Rosie Dawson, Red Letter Christians gear up for UK launch, religionnews.com, USA, January 4, 2019
  10. ^ Progressive Christian Network Britain, Homepage, accessed 19 January 2024
  11. ^ PCN Britain, Groups and Churches, accessed 16 January 2024
  12. ISBN 978-1-4499-9279-8
  13. ^ Witness Articles - Progressive Christian Witness Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ISBN 9780664225896
  15. ISBN 9780829816389
  16. ISBN 9780800629663
  17. ^ Hal Taussig (May–June 2006). "Grassroots Progressive Christianity A Quiet Revolution" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 October 2011.
  18. ^ "Feast of John H. W. Stuckenberg (May 28)". 9 December 2017.
  19. ^ "Progressive Christianity (Organization)".
  20. ^ https://progressivechristianity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Past-versions-of-Core-Values.pdf
  21. ^ [1]
  22. ^ "The Phoenix Affirmations Full Version".
  23. ISBN 0-674-01638-6
  24. ISBN 0-7914-7537-9
  25. ^ "Evolution Theology: Religion 2.0 - Thank God For Evolution". thankgodforevolution.com.
  26. ^ "The Book - Thank God For Evolution". thankgodforevolution.com.
  27. ^ a b Geoff Thompson (February 2011). "Progressive Christianity: Testing Its Arguments" (PDF). Uniting Theology and Church (5). Archived from the original on 23 February 2014.
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