Progressive Christianity is a liberal movement within Christianity that focuses on contemporary issues like social justice, inclusivity, climate change, reproductive rights (aka abortion) and LGBTQ+ rights. It places a particularly strong focus on activism. Progressive Christians often interpret the teachings of Jesus in ways that challenge established Christian norms. Progressive Christianity has been shaped by various intellectual and social movements such as feminism, critical theory and postmodernism.
While Progressive Christianity isn’t confined to specific denominations, it is most prevalent in mainline Protestant churches, especially Methodist, Presbyterian, and Anglican denominations.
Some would argue that Progressive Christianity isn’t really Christianity at all: that it’s a different version of the faith altogether. It’s seen as a more palatable version of the faith for modern society. Rather than striving to change society to be more in line with biblical teachings, Progressive Christianity seems to reinterpret Christian teaching to conform with modern society. This sets Progressive Christianity on a collision course with Conservative Christianity.
Progressive Christians hold beliefs that can be controversial, especially when compared to more traditional Christian views. Here are some of the key areas where their beliefs spark heated debate:
LGBTQ+ Inclusion: Many Progressive Christians fully support LGBTQ+ rights, same-sex marriage and even LGBTQ+ clergy, interpreting the Bible’s teachings as promoting love and inclusion. This differs significantly from traditional Christianity which generally opposes same-sex relationships and views marriage as strictly between a man and a woman. Traditional Christianity emphasises the Genesis creation story whereby God created two sexes only – male and female. Conservative Christians oppose LGBTQ+ individuals in church leadership.
Abortion and Reproductive Rights: Progressive Christians often advocate for a woman’s right to choose abortion, whereas Conservative Christians typically see abortion as murder, based on the belief that life begins at conception.
Biblical Interpretation: Many Progressive Christians do not see the Bible as fully authoritative or literal, but rather as a collection of spiritual messages and moral teachings influenced by human authors. Traditional Christians view the Bible as the divine inerrant word of God.
Universalism and Salvation: Popular among Progressive Christians is the belief in universal salvation, the idea that all people (regardless of faith) may ultimately be saved by God’s grace. Most Conservative Christians believe that salvation is only through faith in Jesus Christ and that rejecting Him leads to eternal separation from God.
Pluralism and Other Religions: Many Progressive Christians embrace diverse spiritual perspectives. They acknowledge the validity of other faiths, suggesting that multiple paths lead to God. This pluralism is a rejection of fundamental Christian doctrine.
Miracles: Many Progressive Christians interpret miracles metaphorically rather than as literal events. They even question fundamental Christian events such and the virgin birth and Jesus’ resurrection.
Deconstructing Faith: Many progressive Christians engage in ‘faith deconstruction’, questioning traditional beliefs and reshaping their spiritual foundations. Unfortunately this typically leads people away from biblical truth.
Climate Alarmism: While it’s the responsibility of Christians to be good stewards of the environment and natural resources, many Progressive Christians seem obsessed with climate change activism, they preach ‘climate alarmism’ – the exaggeration of climate matters to provoke fear and anxiety.
Critical Theory: Common among Progressive Christians is critical theory, which is a Marxist-inspired movement which aims to deconstruct social, historical, and ideological structures of society. Progressive Christians view society through this critical lens. Rather than taking a traditional Christian view that ‘we are all one in Christ’, Progressive Christians tend to focus on special interest groups and activism.
So while Progressive Christian beliefs emphasise inclusion and justice, they challenge long-standing Christian traditions, making them controversial in more conservative circles.
This article was originally published by Family First New Zealand.
