What is “Progressive Christianity?” Is it OK to deconstruct our faith and question traditional church beliefs? In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally, lead pastor of Victory Fellowship Church, shares about this trend within the church.
Progressive Christianity is a trending movement among Christians that questions traditional Christian beliefs and often rejects orthodox theology at the expense of current cultural norms.
I believe Progressive Christianity is a type of Sadducee mentality that is an overcorrection to the Pharisee mentality of the conservative, fundamentalist evangelical church.
Galatians 1:6-8
Characteristics of Progressive Christianity:
- A low view of Christ and a high view of mankind.
Romans 3:10
John 14:6
Jesus is not your cosmic helper, He is your Savior! The Bible is not a self-help book, but a self-death book. Jesus is either liar, lunatic or Lord. There are no other choices. - Having low regard for scripture.
2 Tim 3:16-17
Progressive Christians hold scripture loosely when it conflicts with culture and let current trends affect how they see the Bible.
Love doesn’t lie. - Overemphasis on social justice.
1 John 3:18
Real justice for the world around us is not just social justice but spiritual justice.
You can feed someone and they can go to hell with their belly full.
The Salvation equation:
Ephesians 2:8-10
Grace + Faith = Salvation + Works
- Deconstruction.
Three phases of Christian growth: - Construction – what you were taught
- Deconstruction – investigating whether what you believe is true
- Reconstruction – developing a balanced, Biblical belief-system
Acts 17:11-12
What many progressive Christians are doing is deconstructing their faith based on current culture, not God’s word. That’s not deconstruction of faith, that’s destruction of faith.
How do we protect ourselves from this?
- Know the word. Ephesians 4:14
- Heal from hurt. People who have been hurt by church often find healing in progressive theology.
- Embrace questions and conversations.It’s ok to ask questions. Don’t call heresy what is not heresy.
Are you guarding your heart against false gospels?