Progressive Christianity
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{{portal|Christianity}}
'''Progressive Christianity''' is the name given to a movement within contemporary [[Protestant]] [[Christianity]] characterized by willingness to question tradition, acceptance of human diversity (including the affirmation of [[gay]], [[lesbian]], [[bisexual]], and [[transgender]] people), and strong emphasis on [[social justice]]. Progressive Christians have a deep belief in the centrality of the instruction to "[[love]] one another" within the teaching of [[Jesus Christ]]. This leads to a focus on [[compassion]], promoting [[justice]] and [[mercy]], and working towards solving the societal problems of [[poverty]], [[discrimination]], and [[List of environmental issues| environmental issues]].
This movement is by no means the only significant movement of progressive thought among Christians (see the 'See also' links below), but it is currently a focus of such issues in many parts of the world.
In recent years the term '''Progressive Christianity''' has been used interchangeably with the term [[Liberal Christianity]]. Some argue that Progressive Christians are theologically distinct from [[Liberal Christianity|liberal Christian]] thought, in that Progressive Christianity draws on the insights of multiple theological streams including: 19th century [[evangelicalism]], 19th and early 20th century Christian liberalism, 20th century [[neo-orthodoxy]], and late 20th and 21st century [[liberation theology]]. <ref>[http://www.progressivechristianwitness.org/pcw.cfm?id=13&p=3 Witness Articles - Progressive Christian Witness<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. Perhaps the most comprehensive statement of a progressive Christian point of view is "Progressive Christian Beliefs: An Introduction..." found at http://progressivetheology.wordpress.com, by Delwin Brown, apparently a [[reformed]] liberal theologian. While it is often on the liberal side of the spectrum, it should be noted that progressive Christianity is not synonymous with [[political liberalism]].
The characteristics of Progressive Christianity, and its distinction from [[Liberal Christianity]], have been articulated in an article <ref>http://www.sdc.unitingchurch.org.au/WestarProgressiveArticle.pdf</ref> by Hal Taussig. These can be summarized as:
* A spiritual vitality and expressiveness, including participatory, [[art]]s-infused, and lively [[worship]] as well as a variety of spiritual [[ritual]]s and practices such as [[meditation]]
* Intellectual integrity including a willingness to question
* An affirmation of human diversity
* An affirmation of the Christian [[faith]] with a simultaneous sincere respect for other faiths
* Strong ecological and social justice commitments
==Origins==
A priority of justice and care for the down-trodden are a recurrent theme in the [[Hebrew]] [[prophet]]ic tradition inherited by [[Christianity]]. This has been reflected in many later Christian traditions of service and [[ministry]], and more recently in the [[United States of America]] through Christian involvement in political trends such as the [[Progressive Movement]] and the [[Social Gospel]].
Throughout the 20th century, a strand of progressive or liberal Christian thought outlined the values of a 'good [[society]]'. It stresses fairness, justice, responsibility, and compassion, and condemns the forms of governance that wage [[Just war|unjust war]], rely on corruption for continued power, deprive the poor of facilities, or exclude particular racial or sexual groups from fair participation in national liberties. It was influential in the US [[mainline (Protestant)|mainline]] churches, and reflected global trends in [[student activism]]. It contributed to the [[Christian ecumenism|ecumenical movement]], as represented internationally by the [[World Student Christian Federation]] and the [[World Council of Churches]] internationally, and at the national level through groups such as the [[National Council of Churches]] in the USA and [[Australian Student Christian Movement]].
==The contemporary movement==
The ascendancy of [[Evangelicalism]] in the US, particularly in its more socially conservative forms, challenged many people in mainline churches. Recently, a focus for those who wish to challenge this ascendancy has been provided by [[Jim Wallis]] of ''[[Sojourners]]'', who described himself as a progressive evangelical Christian. This has enabled many Christians who are uncomfortable with conservative evangelicalism to identify themselves explicitly as "Progressive Christians." At the onset of this new movement to organize Progressive Christians, the single largest force holding together was a [[webring]], ''The Progressive Christian Bloggers Network'', and supporters frequently find and contact each other through dozens of online chat-rooms.
Notable initiatives within the movement for progressive Christianity include the [[Center for Progressive Christianity]] (TCPC) in Cambridge, MA, the campaigning organization [[CrossLeft]], the technology working group [[Social Redemption]].
[[CrossLeft]] joined with [[Every Voice Network]] and [[Claiming the Blessing]] in October 2005 to stage a major conference, [[Path to Action]], at the [[National Cathedral]] in Washington, DC. Among the speakers were [[E. J. Dionne]], [[Richard Parker]], [[Jim Wallis]], Senator [[John Danforth|Danforth]], and [[David Hollinger]].
Examples of statements of contemporary Progressive Christian beliefs include:
*the Eight Points produced by TCPC: a statement of agreement about Christianity as a basis for tolerance and human rights;
*the [[Phoenix Affirmations]] produced by Crosswalk (Phoenix, AZ) - include twelve points defining Christian love of God, Christian love of neighbor, and Christian love of self.
* the [http://www.sdc.unitingchurch.org.au/WestarProgressiveArticle.pdf article], "Grassroots Progressive Christianity: A Quiet Revolution" by Hal Taussig published in 'The Fourth R,' May-June 2006.
===Seventh-day Adventism===
{{main|Progressive Adventism}}
Within the [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]], the liberal wing describe themselves as "[[Progressive Adventism|progressive Adventists]]". They disagree with some of the traditional teachings of the church. While most are still of evangelical persuasion, a minority are liberal Christians.
==Notable Progressive Christians==
* [[Walter Brueggemann]]
* [[Walt Brown]]
* [[Delwin Brown]] [http://progressivetheology.wordpress.com]
* [[Tony Campolo]] [http://www.tonycampolo.org/]
* [[Jim Wallis]] [http://www.sojo.net/]
* [[Becky Garrison]] [http://www.beckygarrison.com/]
* [[Jim Burklo]] [http://www.sonic.net/~jtburklo/openchristianity.com/burklo.html/]
* [[Jarrod Cochran]] [http://www.jarrodcochran.com/]
* [[Shane Claiborne]] [http://www.thesimpleway.org/]
* [[Jay Bakker]] [http://www.revolutionchurch.com/]
* [[Brian McLaren]] [http://www.brianmclaren.net/]
* [[Brian P. Moore]] - US Presidential candidate for the 2008 Presidential elections
* [[Bart Campolo]] [http://www.bartcampolo.org/]
* [[Scott Paeth]] [http://scottpaeth.typepad.com/main/]
* [[Br. Karekin M. Yarian, BSG]] [http://www.punkmonksf.com/index.php/]
* [[Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou]] [http://www.faithinpubliclife.org/content/speakers/rev_osagyefo_uhuru_sekou.html/]
* [[C.T. Vivian]] [http://www.speakoutnow.org/userdata_display.php?modin=50&uid=152/]
* [[Peter Laarman]] [http://www.progressivechristiansuniting.org/]
* [[Timothy F. Simpson]] [http://www.christianalliance.org/]
* [[Fred Pulmer]] [http://www.tcpc.org/]
* [[Karen Armstrong]] [http://www.westarinstitute.org/Fellows/Armstrong/armstrong.html/]
* [[Marcus Borg]] [http://www.westarinstitute.org/Periodicals/4R_Articles/Borg_bio/borg_bio.html/]
* [[Anne Lamott]] [http://www.barclayagency.com/lamott.html/]
* [[John Shelby Spong]]
* [[Frank P. Zeidler]]
* [[Ian W. Lawton]] [http://www.christ-community.net/]
* [[Daniel Wise (author)|Daniel Wise]] editor of Zion's Herald, which later became The Progressive Christian magazine
==See also==
* [[Christian left]]
* [[Civil Rights Movement]] for racial justice in the American South
* [[CrossLeft]], organizing the Christian Left
* [[Evangelical left]]
* [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]]'s [[New Deal]]
* [[Liberal Christianity]]
* [[Liberation Theology]]
* [[Postmodern Christianity]]
* [[Red-Letter Christian|Red Letter Christians]]
* [[Social justice]]
* [[Social Redemption]], providing technology resources for the left
* [[Sojourners]]
* [[Progressive National Baptist Convention]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.tcpc.org/ The Center for Progressive Christianity]
**[http://www.tcpc.org/about/8points.cfm The 8 points of belief]
*[http://www.progressivechristianity.ca/ The Canadian Centre for Progressive Christianity]
*[http://www.pcnvictoria.org.au/ The Progressive Christian Network of Victoria]
*[http://www.sojo.net Christians for Justice and Peace]
*[http://www.progressivechristianalliance.org/ The Progressive Christian Alliance]
*[http://www.christianprogressives.org/ The Progressive Christian Movement]
*[http://www.christianalliance.org/ The Christian Alliance for Progress]
*[http://www.crossleft.org CrossLeft] organizing the Christian Left
*[http://crosswalkamerica.org CrossWalk America]
**[http://www.jointhewalk.com/pa.htm The Phoenix Affirmations - twelve points defining Christian love of God, Christian love of neighbor, and Christian love of self.]
*[http://www.pcnbritain.org.uk/ Britain - The Progressive Christianity Network for Great Britain]
*[http://www.natcath.com/ National Catholic Reporter - A progressive Catholic newsweekly]
*[http://www.socialredemption.net Social Redemption]
*[http://pewforum.org/events/index.php?EventID=94 Transcript of ''Spirit Wars: American Religion in Progressive Politics'', Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life December 6, 2005]
*[http://www.cpt.org/ Christian Peacemaker Teams]
*[http://www.ecapc.org/ Every Church a Peace Church]
*[http://www.tribalchurch.org/ Tribal Church]
*[http://www.tpcmagazine.org/ The Progressive Christian magazine]
[[Category:Christian philosophy]]
[[Category:Christian movements]]