They call themselves progressive Christians. Mostly members of “mainline” denominations, they declare they have found new truth. Seminary professors, bishops, members of boards and agencies, pastors and more enlightened laity… they are an impressive group.

What they declare is amazing! For centuries, truth has lain undiscovered and unknown. But now, we can all breathe easier. After over 2000 years of Christendom, THEY have discovered the truth.

"...Man's knowledge and mastery of the world have advanced to such an extent through science and technology that it is no longer possible for anyone seriously to hold the New Testament view of the world."
R Bultmann

"I do not see Jesus as seeing himself in Messianic terms, and I do not think he saw his death as central to a Messianic vocation or as in some sense the purpose of his life."

I don't think the gospels are "completely factual." For me, metaphorical narratives (such as the stories of Jesus' birth, walking on water, multiplying loaves, the wedding at Cana and changing water into wine) can be powerfully true, even though I don't think they are historically factual.
Marcus Borg

"I must dissent from Christocentric exclusives which hold that Jesus is the only way to God’s gift of salvation. Such an arrogant claim stands over and against the inclusive Jesus of the synoptics and limits God in ways that humans cannot and must not."

"I believe in the resurrection of Jesus, but I cannot believe that his resurrection involved the resuscitation of his physical body."
Bishop Joseph Sprague

[There was] a resolution, approved 56% to 38% with 6% abstaining, affirming that homosexuality, heterosexuality and bisexuality are all gifts of God. The resolution says the current statement in the United Methodist Book of Discipline that "homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching" is "not reflective of the historic Wesleyan unwillingness to limit prerogatives which belong solely to God, and is not representative of every biblical/theological perspective." The resolution encourages clergy to proclaim from pulpits that homosexual orientation can be compatible with Christian teaching; encourages lay people to teach it in Sunday school classes; affirms that loving, monogamous, intimate relationships between persons of the same or opposite gender are an expression of God’s love; and affirms that persons of all sexual orientations are equally called to ordained ministry.
Northern Illinois Annual Conference June 2003

What if the early Christians had believed what the progressives teach today?

Peter’s message would have been so different when he stood and preached the Gospel for the first time in Jerusalem. Instead of insisting on faith in Jesus alone as the way to salvation, he would have had a much more tolerant sermon. He could have told them, “Greetings fellow travelers. We are all on the same road. Let’s agree to travel together in peace. I will not attempt to proselytize all of these wonderful committed Jews. That would be so terribly intolerant.”

And when Paul stood on Mars Hill, he could have addressed the crowd, “I perceive you are a religious people. Good. So am I. Let’s form a committee to celebrate our different beliefs.”

Just think of the millions of Christians who could have been spared martyrdom if they had just had the benefit of our superior knowledge. They would have been far less of a threat if they had not been such radical right wing fundamentalist religious bigots! But, alas, they died in their ignorance.

The progressive Christians tell us:

• The early Christians were captive to their culture. It was a culture filled with superstition that allowed for belief in crazy things like miracles, virgin birth, and bodily resurrection. They were too naïve to know those things could never have happened. The fledgling church simply created faith stories to help develop a sense of unity.
• First century believers were also confined by a legalistic code of conduct that would not allow for personal interpretation of right and wrong. They actually declared that some behavior was displeasing to God and should be considered to be sin. They didn’t understand that it’s not our place to judge.
• The repressive patriarchal society of that day would not even allow for a female deity. That’s why Jesus referred to God as “Father.” He knew His audience would not be tolerant of progressive understandings of the goddess.

The truth is, this so-called “progressive” Christianity is really nothing new. These ideas were being fiercely debated as early as the second century. This is the very reason the creeds were written. Think through the Apostles’ Creed with me, one phrase at a time—

• “I believe in God the Father Almighty,
• maker of heaven and earth
• and in Jesus Christ, His only son, our Lord
• who was conceived by the holy spirit
• born of the virgin, Mary,
• suffered under Pontius Pilate,
• was crucified, dead, & buried.
• On the third day, He arose from the dead.
• He ascended into heaven,
• And sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty.
• From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
• I believe in the Holy Spirit
• The holy catholic church,
• The communion of saints,
• The forgiveness of sins,
• The resurrection of the body,
• And the life everlasting. Amen.

Each phrase is a definitive declaration of an essential, non-negotiable element of our Christian faith.

What is being touted as new is nothing but old heresies recycled to our generation. These teachings have held power in the seminaries and hierarchy of the mainline churches for almost a century now. What has been accomplished through their “new” teachings? Every denomination that has embraced these progressive doctrines has seen radical decline. Membership in the United Methodist Church has dropped the equivalent of a church of 250 members every day for the last 30 years. It seems our world isn’t buying what the progressives want to sell.

Scripture tells us we’re supposed to be guardians of the “faith once delivered to the saints.” (Jude 1:3) I believe it’s time for the Church to stand and declare the timeless truth of God’s Word. We must not be intimidated into silence. God’s call to “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel” has never been taken back. The methods of going may change, but the message never will.

The old hymn says it well, “On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.” We must stand on the solid ground of the timeless truth of Scripture and on Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The ever-changing morals of society are no substitute.

Posted by wesleyputnam at September 8, 2003 04:29 PM | Respond