A reader recently emailed me, “If I had to choose between religious-right Christianity or atheism, I would have to choose atheism.” This reader hasn’t lost faith in Jesus. But he’s deeply troubled that American religion (at least a large segment of…
Trading the Cross for a cause
Many moderate and progressive-minded Christians are trying to live our faith in the most actionable way possible. We want a church that takes suffering seriously, tells the truth about injustice, shows up for neighbors and looks like Jesus in public….
What Do Progressive Christians Believe? A Field Guide for the Curious and the Rebuilding
Many of us didn’t go looking for progressive Christianity. We simply found ourselves standing in the rubble of a faith that stopped making sense.
A Progressive Christian Revolution
Many Christians have lost the radical message of that first-century Palestinian Jewish rabbi who called us to love so radically that we transform our hearts—even toward our enemies.
Progressive faith leaders call for renewed attention to 8 principles of faith and democracy
Two hundred faith leaders, including some luminaries of progressive Christianity, have signed a new statement on Christian faith and democracy calling for renewed attention to eight key principles. “The United States confronts a crisis of democracy, and the American church…
A brief introduction to progressive Christianity
The majority religious worldview in Putnam County, Tenn., is by far conservative evangelicalism, often called “the religious right.” However, other religious perspectives also exist in our community, including “progressive Christianity.” Although it represents a minority view in our area, progressive…
Do Franklin Graham’s accusations against progressive Christianity hold up against truth?
Back on May 1, 2022, Franklin Graham, CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, posted an article in Decision Magazine titled, “The Eternal Peril of Progressive Christianity.” In this article, Graham expressed many poignant statements about the progressive Christian movement…
Do you wonder if you’re the only one who believes the way you do?
“Am I the only one?” Recently, it seems I can’t have a conversation about faith or politics without uncovering another story of someone who is wrestling with this question. Many have become increasingly isolated from their faith communities and families….
Why progressive Christians need to talk more about sin
Reclaiming ways of talking collectively about the great harm our culture demands we do to one another in order to survive – without turning ourselves and other people into the problem (into sinners) – is the whole purpose of atonement: to scapegoat the scapegoat and not one another.
‘Salvation’ is a good and godly word that needs rehabilitating; and progressive Christians can help
Many definitions of salvation today would have us deny our humanity rather than trust it as the source and center of Christian faith. Progressive Christians can offer a deeper, more biblical understanding of what God’s saving grace means.
As a progressive pastor, I take my stands. Boycotting Chick-fil-A isn’t one of them
If Chick-fil-A is going to continue to serve this liberal Baptist pastor from around the corner, I don’t see that drinking their tea and building relationships with their staff is making me unfaithful to my convictions.