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Progressive Christianity represents a postmodern theological approach, which developed out of the liberal Christianity of the modern era, itself rooted in the Enlightenment's thinking.[1] Progressive Christianity is a postliberal theological movement within Christianity 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 is the post-modern influenced evolution of historic mainline liberal Protestant Christianity and it is an heir to the Social Gospel movement. It draws from process theology, liberation theology, feminist theology, womanist theology, and eco-theology as well. Progressive Christianity focuses on promoting values such as compassion, justice, mercy, and tolerance, often through political activism. Though prominent, the movement is by no means the only significant movement of progressive thought among Christians. It draws influence from multiple theological streams, including evangelicalism, liberal Christianity, neo-orthodoxy, pragmatism, postmodern theology, progressive Christian reconstructionism, and liberation theology.[2] The concerns of feminism are also a major influence on the movement, as expressed in feminist and womanist theologies.[3][4][5] Although progressive Christianity and liberal Christianity are often used synonymously, the two movements are distinct, despite much overlap.[6] While there is some philosophical overlap, progressive Christianity is not synonymous with progressive politics.[1]
Progressive Christianity, as described by its adherents, is characterized by a willingness to question tradition, acceptance of human diversity, a strong emphasis on social justice and care for the poor and the oppressed, and environmental stewardship of the earth. Progressive Christians have a deep belief in the centrality of the instruction to "love one another" (John 15:17) within the teachings of Jesus Christ.[7]
As progressive Christian advocate Rev. Roger Wolsey puts it: “Instead of getting people to agree with certain assertions about various dogmas, doctrines, or “truth claims,” progressive Christianity focuses more upon following a certain, radical way of life; namely, following the counter-cultural, subversive, and life-giving teachings and example of Jesus. The focus is more upon the religion OF Jesus, his actual beliefs, teachings, practices, ways, and lifestyle, than on the religion ABOUT him. In other words, Progressive Christianity focuses more upon orthopraxy (right behavior, actions and relationship) and less upon orthodoxy (right doctrines and beliefs). This is not to say that progressive Christianity is not concerned about orthodoxy. It’s a matter of emphasis. Progressive Christians would rather go to their graves having done their best to live rightly and follow the teachings and example of Jesus, than to have “believed all the right things about Jesus,” but fail to demonstrate or live-out those beliefs.” p. 58, Kissing Fish: Christianity for People Who Don’t Like Christianity
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) https://neatnik2009.wordpress.com/2017/12/09/feast-of-john-h-w-stuckenberg-may-28/ 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 https://en.wikipedia.orgview_html.php?sq=Envato&lang=en&q=Progressive_Christianity_(organization). That organization has promoted "The 8 Points of Progressive Christianity" https://progressivechristianity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Past-versions-of-Core-Values.pdf, and has since established the 5 Core Values of Progressive Christianity https://progressivechristianity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/The-Core-Values-of-Progressive-Christianity-Poster.pdf other variations include The Phoenix Confessions, https://progressivechristianity.org/resource/the-phoenix-affirmations-full-version/
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
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- ^ a b c Wolsey, Roger (10 February 2012). "Progressive Christianity Isn't Progressive Politics". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
- ^ Witness Articles - Progressive Christian Witness Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Cobb, John, Jr., ed. Progressive Christians Speak: A Different Voice on Faith and Politics, Progressive Christians Uniting, Westminster John Knox Press, 2003. p. 72. ISBN 9780664225896
- ^ Flunder, Yvette, Where the Edge Gathers: Building a Community of Radical Inclusion, Pilgrim Press, 2005. ISBN 9780829816389
- ^ Heyward, Carter, Saving Jesus From Those Who Are Right: Rethinking what it means to be Christian, Fortress Press, 1999. ISBN 9780800629663
- ^ Hal Taussig (May–June 2006). "Grassroots Progressive Christianity A Quiet Revolution" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 October 2011.
- ^ "Soul Play: What Is Progressive Christianity Exactly?". The Flip Side. University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. Retrieved 23 December 2012.[dead link]