For if a person comes and preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or you receive a different spirit, which you had not received, or a different gospel, which you had not accepted, you put up with it splendidly!...For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their destiny will be according to their works." by Rita Lady
Let me begin by saying that my heart is entirely broken after researching this movement. Its relentless pursuit and deception of believers and non-believers is staggering. In today's climate of social unrest, many in search of the true God are falling prey to cults and deceiving spirits. ProgressiveChristianity.org is a non-profit organization founded in 1994 by Rev. Jim Adams of St. Mark's Episcopal on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The organization states that they are about offering "thoughtful and practical resources for individuals, families, and communities to explore and affect progressive Christianity, spirituality, community life, social and environmental justice." What's that? You missed the part about Jesus Christ, you say? Don't be a fundamentalist. You can just insert your own Jesus or whichever path to God you choose. All roads lead to heaven with progressive Christianity. I will not attempt, in this short article, to tackle every aspect of this movement but we will take a look at the eight pillars of their faith as listed on their website (updated for 2020). 1. Believe that following the path of the teacher Jesus can lead to healing and wholeness, a mystical connection to “God,” as well as an awareness and experience of not only the Sacred, but the Oneness and Unity of all life;" Jesus is not just a teacher. He is God. The term mystic is derived from the Greek noun 'mystes', which originally designated an initiate of a secret cult or mystery religion. Beware of those who speak in terms of 'mystical connections' or secret knowledge of God. Since they placed God in quotations, it's safe to say that you can insert any god of your own making, which is idolatry. Additionally, the word 'Oneness' is commonly used in New Ageism and Pantheism to denote a belief that everything in the universe shares a connection or "energy." This is not Christianity. 2. Affirm that the teachings of Jesus provide but one of many ways to experience “God,” the Sacredness, Oneness and Unity of life, and that we can draw from diverse sources of wisdom, including Earth, in our spiritual journey; God is in quotes because according to Progressive Christianity, many roads lead to god. But Jesus says he is the only way to the Father. Capitalization is reserved for proper nouns so why do they capitalize earth? Because it is their notion that the earth is a living being with the capacity to give wisdom. But James 1:5 says that the Lord gives wisdom, not the earth. Besides, the earth is a created thing that does not have five senses. Additionally, the earth in all it's fullness belongs to God, not us. 3. Seek and create community that is inclusive of ALL people, including but not limited to: Conventional Christians and questioning skeptics, Believers and agnostics, Those of all races, cultures, and nationalities Those of all sexual orientations and all gender identities, Those of all classes and abilities, Those historically marginalized, All creatures and plant life; While Christians are to be kind and loving in telling everyone about the redemption found in Christ, 2 Corinthians 6:14 is clear about not having fellowship (bonding) with those who walk in darkness. Also, there are only 2 genders (sexual orientation) according to the Bible (and the dictionary until very recently). If you don't believe that the Bible is the word of God, then you have formulated a view of God after your own heart. 4. Know that the way we behave towards one another and Earth is the fullest expression of what we believe, therefore we vow to walk as Jesus might have walked in this world with radical compassion, inclusion, and bravery to confront and positively change the injustices we experience as well as those we see others experiencing: This is not the Jesus of the bible. How do we know? Because we can see exactly how he lived in the New Testament. No guessing required. He did not come here for social justice, patriotism, inclusion, or peace. In fact, Jesus said in Matthew 10:34-35 that he didn't come to bring peace but a sword (the Bible); dividing those who trust in him alone and those who do not. 5. Find grace in the search for understanding and believe there is more value in questioning with an open mind and open heart, than in absolutes or dogma; There are many things that we do not need to question. I am a woman. God said so when he coded my DNA so I don't have to question it. To deny that there are absolutes is to deny science and of course, God the creator. If everything is subject to change then truth is relative. If truth is relative, then nothing is actual. God is not a God of confusion, instability, and uncertainty. He does not change nor do his statutes. Contrary to the idea that Christians are forbidden from questioning these things and more, 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says that we are to test all things to be sure that they are indeed, of God. Progressive Christianity has been tested and found wanting. 6. Work toward peace and justice among all people and all life on Earth; It is true that Romans 12:17-19 says we are to: "Repay no one evil for evil, but try to do what everyone regards as good. If possible, and to the extent that it depends on you, live in peace with all people." As for justice, Proverbs 2:6-9 has some stipulations: "For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up success for the upright; He is a shield for those who live with integrity so that He may guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His loyal followers. Then you will understand righteousness, justice, and integrity—every good path." To understand justice is from the wisdom of the Lord. Any so called justice outside of the realm of scripture is not from God. 7. Protect and restore the integrity of our Earth and all of Creation; Nope. Nope. Nope. This goes beyond being a good steward of God's creation. Simply put, this is nothing more than the worship of Gaia, mother earth. Despite what sustainability evangelists and evidently, Progressive Christianity tells you, God said: For I will create a new heaven and a new earth; the past events will not be remembered or come to mind." (Isaiah 65:16) 8. Commit to a path of life-long learning, compassion, and selfless love on this journey toward a personally authentic and meaningful faith. Life-long learning? Check Compassion? Check Selfless love? Check...as long as it's biblical love Personally authentic faith? Problematic. Personally authentic means it's a faith based on your own experience, not on Christ. Being a Christian means we have been saved by grace through trusting in Christ (Ephesians 2). Not of our own works or experience. This is unbiblical and heretical. In summary, ProgressiveChristianity.org is clearly a promoter of New Age, Pantheism, Mystic Jesus and a host of other ideologies contrary to God's word. If you are truly seeking to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, the only one who can forgive sins and restore you, check out the Christian Resources page on this site. But please stay far away from ProgressiveChristianity.org (progressive Christianity altogether) because it has nothing to do with the one true God and everything to do with Satan leading people away from the only hope of salvation.
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