There will be two elements in any departure from the objective truth claims of essential Christianity. On the one side of the ledger, there will be a lessening of the vaunted position of Deity. It aims to bring God down a peg or two. The other side of the ledger wants to elevate the importance and influence of Humanity. We become so much more than we really are.
Progressive Christianity gives the divine function of God, in terms of being the creative force, to us. We can create our own reality. It is a non-secular Humanism. It achieves both elements of the departure in one fell swoop.
I liked this piece because it is well written and provides valuable information, but I am troubled by the tone. I try to view politically neo-left Christian factions in the same light as I see politically neo-right Christian factions. I try to approach these movements first with grace guided by teaching of the apostle Paul in Philippians when he said: "But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice" (Philippians 1:18).
I am also compelled by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to withhold support for or acceptance of any Christology that does not profess the virgin birth, divine nature, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Christ to set as king at the right hand of God. Disputes in the church are trials and the Lord always provides the way through them, but we must seek it.
On this side of heaven, theological disagreement is part of life and so it has been since the founding of the church. I believe that we must approach dissenters of the Gospel with prayerful motives that are centered by the teachings of Christ and a demeanor that offers reasoned apologetic discipline according to the guidance found in the New Testament. The spirit of the apostle Paul's debate with King Agrippa in Acts 27 is one example. Priscilla and Aquila's discipline of Apollos in Acts 18 is another.
The Bible that some would try to deny always provides the way God would have us handle contention with a balance of love and discipline. Showing others that truth by example is a powerful persuasion.
There will be two elements in any departure from the objective truth claims of essential Christianity. On the one side of the ledger, there will be a lessening of the vaunted position of Deity. It aims to bring God down a peg or two. The other side of the ledger wants to elevate the importance and influence of Humanity. We become so much more than we really are.
Progressive Christianity gives the divine function of God, in terms of being the creative force, to us. We can create our own reality. It is a non-secular Humanism. It achieves both elements of the departure in one fell swoop.
I liked this piece because it is well written and provides valuable information, but I am troubled by the tone. I try to view politically neo-left Christian factions in the same light as I see politically neo-right Christian factions. I try to approach these movements first with grace guided by teaching of the apostle Paul in Philippians when he said: "But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice" (Philippians 1:18).
I am also compelled by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to withhold support for or acceptance of any Christology that does not profess the virgin birth, divine nature, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Christ to set as king at the right hand of God. Disputes in the church are trials and the Lord always provides the way through them, but we must seek it.
On this side of heaven, theological disagreement is part of life and so it has been since the founding of the church. I believe that we must approach dissenters of the Gospel with prayerful motives that are centered by the teachings of Christ and a demeanor that offers reasoned apologetic discipline according to the guidance found in the New Testament. The spirit of the apostle Paul's debate with King Agrippa in Acts 27 is one example. Priscilla and Aquila's discipline of Apollos in Acts 18 is another.
The Bible that some would try to deny always provides the way God would have us handle contention with a balance of love and discipline. Showing others that truth by example is a powerful persuasion.