Progressive Christianity

I guess if you think that this church can bring you closer to Christ, go for it.
But it looks to me that they have no specific objective doctrines or beliefs. Most of the staff looks to be Episcopalian retreads. Being too liberal for the Episcopalian Church is way too liberal in my estimation. I would consider these folks to be Christian in the most relaxed definition possible. I would think they are non-commital on the Divinity of Christ and His Resurrection. They will probably focus on social action rather then objective teaching the Gospel, since by there own definition they would agree that tehre are other way to Heaven besides Christ.

Hey, just my observations.

the danger is in saying that that Jesus is just one way to heaven,


He is clear that he is the Only way

Very Interesting.

I find it absolutely refreshing; the Christianity of the future (I hope). Unfortunately, I don't think it'll ever really resplace dogmatic forms of Christianity simply because that would require dismantling current power structures within the existing churches and denominations. People just don't give up that stuff very easily.

But it sounds similar to my Unitarian Universalist church, except for the clear bias towards Jesus Christ and biblical reference. I'm all for it. I wish some of these Christians would hang out more in these Forums, as a matter of fact.

Their 2nd point:
2. Recognize the faithfulness of other people who have other names for the way to God's realm, and acknowledge that their ways are true for them, as our ways are true for us;

This is just way off base! It denies the full deity of Christ. As said earlier, He is the only way to salvation.

I think it is easier to deny the legitimacy of other religious experiences, rather than keep one's heart and mind open to the possibility that God, through his/her great abilities, can make they own belief system true while simulataneously doing the same for different faiths as well. Too often I here people say "God can do things beyond our comprehention," yet deny God is able to do this. It presents a position more rooted in personal ego, pride and the need to be right at the expence of all others who differ, than an expression of the a true, just and all powerful God. IMO.

p.s. I realize there is bound to be some reply in opposition to my position which quotes scriptures in support thereof. But before being tempted to do so, keep in mind that other good, informed Christians have already considered those verses and have come to conclusions that side with my contentions. (I.e. Progressive Christianity.) So before going after me, perhaps you might consider reconciling your own house first. Just a thought.

Loki said:

What do you all think of Progressive Christianity?

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Not much.

My mind is not open to men's ideas, but those of the Holy Spirit!

newlamb said:

Not much.

My mind is not open to men's ideas, but those of the Holy Spirit!

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If others Christians essentially say the same thing, but believe differently (such as the Progressive Christians), then we really got a match on our hands.

Can I be the ring referree?


Round One.....DING DING.....

What do I think of Progressive "Christianity"?

I think it's heresy. People don't like the idea of the God of the Bible who is holy and damns people, so they fabricate one of their own. Either Christ is the only way to the Father, or he's not. We can believe what he says, or disbelieve what he says and make our own "Christ" to fit what we think is fair. This "God" and "Jesus" that Progressive Christianity proclaims are not the God and Jesus of the Bible. But if the Bible is a culturally outdated book that the modern man cannot seriously say is still relavent and true in all contained therein, then whatever, right?

newlamb said:

Not much.

My mind is not open to men's ideas, but those of the Holy Spirit!

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And if the Holy Spirit is working through Humans? By closing your mind to the ideas of men you may well be closing your mind to God.

Just a thought.

newlamb said:

Not much.

My mind is not open to men's ideas, but those of the Holy Spirit!

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Too true, Annabell. And also, how do you know what the Holy Spirit thinks on this isue? Have you asked? Or are you just assuming?

Just curious.

indigo tree said:

Too true, Annabell. And also, how do you know what the Holy Spirit thinks on this isue? Have you asked? Or are you just assuming?

Just curious.

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If the Holy Spirit would lead us to believe that Jesus Christ is not necessary for salvation then the spirit is not holy. We are to test everything against the Word and Progressive Christianity does not cut the mustard. Nice try though!

Loki said:

What do you all think of Progressive Christianity? There's a church at my school which subscribes to it, and I must say it's one of the most sincere and interesting churches I've seen. If you're not familiar with it, here's a link to the 8 points of Progressive Christianity, and also a link to their website:

8 Points
Progressive Christianity

Let the flaming commence

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I like the 8 Points. Especially (but not limited to) points 2,5,6,and 7


2. Recognize the faithfulness of other people who have other names for the way to God's realm, and acknowledge that their ways are true for them, as our ways are true for us;

5. Know that the way we behave toward one another and toward other people is the fullest expression of what we believe;

6. Find more grace in the search for understanding than we do in dogmatic certainty - more value in questioning than in absolutes;

7. Form ourselves into communities dedicated to equipping one another for the work we feel called to do: striving for peace and justice among all people, protecting and restoring the integrity of all God's creation, and bringing hope to those Jesus called the least of his sisters and brothers; and

1. Have found an approach to God through the life and teachings of Jesus;
Well, they start out well. Although I didn't know it was lost.


2. Recognize the faithfulness of other people who have other names for the way to God's realm, and acknowledge that their ways are true for them, as our ways are true for us;

Now the problems start - if the approach they have "found" were truly based on Jesus' teachings then there would be a certain realization that this isn't true and is diametrically opposed to their first satement!

4. Invite all people to participate in our community and worship life without insisting that they become like us in order to be acceptable (including but not limited to):

This is also opposed to Jesus' teachings and their first statement. Jesus did invite all to come unto him but not without a change. Even a cursory search of Jesus' teachings will reveal this.

So, it seems to me as if they are very confused about their own foundations. This is a typical occurence among groups that try to redefine scripture to fit with their "feel good" theology.

BTW, if other ways were viable paths to God then why is so much time and why are so many passages in scripture devoted to condemning idolatry and the worship of false gods? This universalist, all-inclusive type stance requires a willful and purposeful misrepresentation and misinterpretation of God's word.

Javajunkie&Him said:

Their 2nd point:
2. Recognize the faithfulness of other people who have other names for the way to God's realm, and acknowledge that their ways are true for them, as our ways are true for us;

This is just way off base! It denies the full deity of Christ. As said earlier, He is the only way to salvation.

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However the point does not say it is the way just that it is true for them, meaning their faith has as much validity TO THEM as ours does to us. Of course all who believe (or least should) think that their way is the way to the realm of God. It does not say you have to recognize thier faith just respect their believe in it, it is called tolerance which is one of Jesus' guiding principles.

Javajunkie&Him said:

Their 2nd point:
2. Recognize the faithfulness of other people who have other names for the way to God's realm, and acknowledge that their ways are true for them, as our ways are true for us;

This is just way off base! It denies the full deity of Christ. As said earlier, He is the only way to salvation.

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It doesn't even refer to the deity of Christ, so it can't be denying the deity of Christ. It also doesn't deny that Jesus is the way to salvation; it merely says that the name you use for the road doesn't matter, as long as you get walking.

Annabel Lee said:

And if the Holy Spirit is working through Humans? By closing your mind to the ideas of men you may well be closing your mind to God.

Just a thought.

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And an excellent thought it is! The telling thing about this thread is the reaction to it. The ease in which so many so called good Christians can judge other people's belief systems is really a reflection on their own belief system, and a poor one at that.
It's the very nature of faith and spiritual belief that tells us that those who do not repect the belief or faith that others feel must not have a very strong faith of their own because it shows that they really don't understand what faith is, and if they don't know what faith is then how in the world can they claim to have spiritual belief? It tells us that these are people who are really just going through the motions. They are reciting dogma but they are not really feeling the spirit of their faith? They find it very easy to tell you what you must think to be a Christian, but find it almost impossible to live the Christian life, to really understand in their hearts what Jesus was teaching.

Javajunkie&Him said:

Their 2nd point:
2. Recognize the faithfulness of other people who have other names for the way to God's realm, and acknowledge that their ways are true for them, as our ways are true for us;

This is just way off base! It denies the full deity of Christ. As said earlier, He is the only way to salvation.

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what if it doesn't deny Christs deity - but instead suggest Christ has been recognised diffrently by different cultures.
As far as I can see (so far) Christ is the human, thus relatable and "personal" aspect of "THE" deity ...that doesn't mean he is only availible in that one form? Couldn't he have diffrent names? If the spirit is the same?

At first, I skimmed through their points and it looked like they were another really cool branch of christianity.. but then, remembering that the human mind is trained to skip certain words without realizing it, I went back and read them again VERY slowly.. and their first point is already wrong..

1. Have found an approach to God through the life and teachings of Jesus

Notice anything strange? Re-read it again taking note of EVERY word. See it now? I'll point it out to ya.. "found AN approach to God through the life and teachings of Jesus". The word AN carries with it the thought that there are OTHER ways to God that don't involve Jesus at all. This goes directly against what Jesus himself taught in John 14:6 when he said "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Since it doesn't match up with what Jesus has said, I'd have to say that this is a 'fake' christianity, and the god they serve is not the same as the God of Jacob and Moses.