Sean Major-Campbell | O to be a ‘progressive Christian’!

AS ONE listens to the various commentaries in American politics, one may wonder what exactly is positive about being progressive. Sometimes it is just not politically correct to affirm progressive politics. What, though, is progressive Christianity? And what would Jesus do?

A common feature of progressive thinking is concern for the less fortunate. Jesus’ solidarity with the poor, oppressed, condemned, marginalised, and the outcasts of society is consistent with the prophetic tradition. Jesus even quoted from Isaiah 61:1 in recognition of his mission. “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners.”

It is progressive to look out for foreigners, and orphans, and the poor. The biblical prophets addressed these universal concerns too. Hence Jeremiah 22:3, “Thus says the Lord: Act with justice and righteousness and deliver from the hand of the oppressor anyone who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the alien, the orphan, and the widow.”

It is such a pity that nowadays, the focus is not care for others, but the condemnation of others. Much of the negative American Evangelicalism at work is invested in condemning anyone who does not think the way they do. If I did not know better, I would think that Christianity is about the condemnation of sinners and beating them over their heads with the Bible.

Another dreaded feature of progressive Christianity is the affirmation of inclusive community. Everyone is seen as a member of the family of God. Christ, for example, is for everyone. No one is any more special than the other to the mission of Christ. Paul in his letter to the Colossians (3:11), exhorted them to understand that the family of God breaks down barriers. “Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.” Again, we do not often hear this being promoted. However, the Christian faith has within it, deep teachings and appreciation for the chosen community where all are welcomed, and everyone is equal within the will and purpose of God.

Often, we hear about the apocalyptic images in the Revelation of John. A much less celebrated one is that found in Revelation 7:9-10, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Notice how inclusive this image is.

When one listens to some in the church today, one often hears another presentation that says, “After this I looked and behold, there were just a few from my church who were saved. They were ‘pro-life’ and ‘anti-LGBT’ and only believed the things that my pastor teaches.”

Progressive Christianity also advances a position of peace and justice for all. Again, it draws inspiration from the prophetic tradition where God is understood to be on the side of the oppressed. In Jeremiah 22:3, the prophet declares, “Thus says the LORD: Do justice and righteousness and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.” When one sees much of what obtains in the Middle East today, one may understandably wonder where is the shalom of God? Where is the lived concept of ‘tikkun olam’ – repairer of justice?

Jesus invites his hearers to return to the concept of tsedaqah – righteousness and justice. It is a theme in his teaching. In Matthew 23:23, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” Again, the weightier matters for many today, appear to be self-righteousness and bigotry.

It turns out that the progressive values of inclusiveness, care for the poor and oppressed, and the advancing of justice, are not bad after all.

Then there is the view that science is a useful discipline to be used in advancing a cleaner, healthier, safer society for everyone.

Be careful though. Progressives are also open to new learning, insights and ongoing revelation from the lived reality of people. Just saying, “the Bible says so” is not sufficient. There is a recognition, for example, that the Bible knows nothing about technological advances such as microwave ovens, cell phones, electric organs in church, microphones, laptops, Internet, and a host of stuff too many to mention.

Ethical values may, however, be employed to guide the use of these many advances. It is not anything and everything goes. It is God who gives the wisdom, understanding and capacity for human flourishing.

Have a blessed week.