There
are many examples in the Bible and church tradition of polemical theological
arguments. “Polemical” was one of the first words I learned in college
religious studies classes. It simply means defining your position by attacking
the viewpoints of others. Think of Paul’s polemic against legalistic Christians
in Romans 1 and 2 as one example—all to initiate that epistle’s theme of
salvation by grace alone.
Eight clergy of the Fountain Hills (AZ) Ministerial Association are using polemics—apparently in reaction to the lone progressive church in town, The
Fountains United Methodist Church—to proclaim their religious views superior to
progressive Christianity, casting the latter as opposed to “Biblical
Christianity.” Note I do not say their “traditional” or “conservative” views,
because, in the long history of Christian tradition, some of their religious
positions are relatively recent, having emerged in the 19th and 20th
centuries.
This
past Sunday, each pastor began a sermon series on six questions they believe to
be vital to “real” Christians. All of their questions begin with, “Why does it
matter that…?” And their promotional signs read, “Progressive Christianity:
Fact or Fiction?” Decades ago I warned that when we treat matters of faith as
matter of fact we trivialize our religion. “Knowledge” does not make a
Christian, faith and compassion do.
As
a progressive Christian, I refuse to surrender the adjective “biblical” to those
who believe it is an antonym to “progressive.” Anyone who reads this blog
knows how biblical I am! And I would argue further that progressive
Christianity grew out of the biblical tradition that moved from a concept of a jealous
tribal deity to a gracious and just universal God.
Progressive
spirituality is at the heart of scripture itself, from the Hebrew prophets
calling for justice and peace and care for the poor and marginalized to the earliest
Christians’ compassionate love and service among themselves and within their
communities, an outgrowth of Jesus’ own ministry and teachings.
So
I’ve decided to answer their questions as a progressive biblical Christian!
1. Why does it matter that
God doesn’t change?
Because
a God who doesn’t have the option of changing is not much of a god at all. Take
away that divine prerogative and you have the idols made of wood and stone that
biblical writers deplored, the graven images forbidden in the second commandment
that tried to set in concrete God’s Spirit blowing where she will. Now, it’s to
some Christians’ advantage to have an unchanging God, because they can claim
change is ungodly, demonic, or immoral, but fixing God’s character is to place
human limits on the limitless.
2. Why does it matter that
the Bible is reliable?
I
had to smile at this one by its avoidance of “infallible.” Progressive
Christians could certainly attest to the reliability of the Bible, admonishing
us not to be greedy or unfaithful, while encouraging us to share our privilege
and power and wealth, to be humble and just and merciful, to love our neighbor
and God, to be gracious even as God is gracious—to name a few of hundreds of
insights found in scripture. But no, we don’t rely on the Bible as a scientific
treatise, an accurate historical record, a rulebook, or literally God’s words.
3. Why does it matter that
Jesus is God?
To
me, it matters more that Jesus is a human being, and it seemed to matter to him
too, referring to himself as “the son of man.” If we make Jesus God, then we
have an excuse not to love and serve as he did, which is an “out” that a lot of
Christians take. Better to take the mystic John’s understanding that God’s Word
became flesh so that we might all be children of God. What matters is an
understanding that we participate in the divine life, that in God we live and
move and have our being.
4. Why does it matter that
Jesus was born of a virgin?
Yes,
why does it matter?
5. Why does it matter that
Jesus was resurrected?
Actually,
I believe the intent of this question is really to ask, “Why does it matter
that Jesus was resurrected in a certain
way?” I don’t think progressive Christians argue the point of the stories
of Jesus’ resurrection, which was to affirm that his followers experienced his
presence after he was crucified and buried. Scripture is clear, however, that
he only appeared to believers. And I believe progressive Christians could also
consent to the belief that Jesus lives on in us, the church, and the church
beyond the church.
6. Why does it matter that
Jesus is the only way?
I’m
tempted to give the same answer that I gave to #4, but readers might feel
cheated. In the last answer I mentioned “the church beyond the church,” and
what I meant is that I see Jesus at least as frequently outside the church as I
do inside the church. I see his spirit of compassion and mercy in Buddhists,
Muslims, Jews, Hindus, agnostics, atheists, and a whole assortment of people
who do not identify as Christian. In traditional Christian thought, Jesus came
to save the world, not just Christians.
Obviously,
whole books could be devoted to each of these questions, but this is a blog,
not a library! This is my “two cents” worth, my “widow’s mite.”
I’ll be in New York City
June 5-7 at Fort Washington Collegiate Church leading two Saturday workshops, “Sex
& the Body of Christ,” and “Coming Out as Sacrament,” and preaching on “Your
Will Be Done” from the Lord’s Prayer during the 10:45 Sunday morning worship.
For details, click here.
Copyright © 2015 by Chris R. Glaser.
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