Is My Favorite Author, Speaker, or Pastor a Progressive Christian?

​Have you ever been listening to your favorite Christian podcast, only to be stopped in your tracks by a confusing statement the speaker makes about the Bible? Have you uncomfortably shifted in your pew as your pastor preaches a sermon that seems to cast a negative light on the atoning work of Jesus on the cross? Have you sat down to read the latest Christian book only to have a red flag when your eyes fall on an unfamiliar definition of the gospel? There’s a good chance you might be listening to or reading something published by a progressive Christian. 

 
Progressive Christianity is a movement that is infiltrating and influencing the Evangelical church. Some of the most high-profile Christian leaders are a part of it. This movement seeks to re-interpret the Bible, re-assess historic doctrines, and re-define core tenets of the faith. While claiming the title “Christian,” and boasting a high view of the Bible, it is sweeping up many unsuspecting Christians into a false view of who God is and how he saves people. 
 
But it can be very difficult to spot. It’s not like progressive Christians typically introduce themselves like, “Hi! I am your friendly neighborhood progressive Christian, and I’m here to preach a different gospel!” The slow slide into progressive Christianity is so subtle it is almost imperceptible. Unless you know some basics. 
 
The following lists are not comprehensive, and they aren’t a catch-all for every progressive Christian. However, progressive Christians will typically deny one or more of the doctrines in the first list, and affirm one or more in the second. So if you suspect your favorite Christian thought leader is progressive, check out these lists. 
 

They might be progressive if they deny: 
 

• The atonement

Often, progressive Christians will refer to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross as horrific or unnecessary. The idea that God the Father would require the blood sacrifice of his Son is perceived to be an indictment on God's character, turning him into a divine abuser. This is sometimes referred to as "Cosmic Child Abuse." 

• Biblical authority or inspiration

In the progressive church, the Bible is viewed more like an ancient spiritual travel journal than the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God. The Biblical writers are viewed as well-meaning ancient people who were doing their best to understand God in the times and places in which they lived, but they were not necessarily speaking for God. Scripture is also seen as contradictory, not internally coherent, and not authoritative for Christians. 

• That we have a sin nature 

The doctrine of Original Sin is roundly rejected in progressive Christianity, with the idea of Original Blessing put in its place. Progressive Christians don't typically deny that sin exists or that it is a bad thing. But they often deny the idea that we have some sort of a sin nature that was passed down to us from Adam and Eve. 

• That sin separates us from God 

With no concept of original sin or a sin nature passed down, progressive Christians will often teach that sin isn't what separates us from God, but our own self-imposed shame. In the progressive view, it's often taught that we simply need to realize that we were never separated in the first place...that we are beloved and accepted by God just as we are. 

• The deity of Jesus 

Certainly not all progressive Christians will deny Jesus' deity, but this doctrine tends to be downplayed. The concept of "Cosmic Christ" is sometimes presented as our ultimate goal...that Jesus is a model and exemplar of someone who was christened as both human and divine, and we can follow his example by finding the divine within ourselves. 

• The physical resurrection of Jesus 

Again, not every progressive denies the physical resurrection, but the idea that Jesus was bodily raised back to life is often deemed less important or significant than the meaning we can draw from the idea of resurrection. 

• The virgin birth 

In the progressive church, the virgin birth and other miraculous events can be downplayed,  ignored—or like the resurrection—viewed as less important than the life-lessons we can learn from these stories. 

• The Trinity

A denial of the deity of Jesus would naturally be a denial of the Trinity. But some progressive Christians take it further and affirm the view of pantheism, which states that the universe is God. Others will affirm a slightly less radical view called panentheism, which is the belief that God and the world are inter-related. God is in all and all is in God.  This implies that God is somehow dependent upon creation, which casts serious aspersions on the nature of the Trinity. 

• The sinlessness of Jesus

 
You probably won't find many progressive Christians who outright declare that Jesus was a sinner. However, Jesus' humanity tends to be emphasized. For example, in Matthew 15, Jesus tells the Syrophoenician woman, "It's not good to take children's bread and throw it to the dogs." This is viewed as Jesus' having racial biases that were recognized and corrected during this exchange. 
 

They might be progressive if they openly affirm:
 

• LGBTQ relationships and marriage 

One of the hallmarks of progressive Christianity is the shift on issues of sexuality and gender. There is an almost universal acceptance of same-sex relationships and marriage, a belief in the validity of transgenderism, and a rejection of cisgender norms. 

• Universalism/Universal Reconciliation 

​The primary view of heaven and hell in the progressive church is Universalism, which is the idea that no one will be punished in hell, and everyone will eventually be saved and restored to right relationship with God. Some progressive Christians will still say that Jesus is the only way, but believe he will save everyone. 

• Critical theory (Social justice gospel)

In progressive Christianity, the gospel is not seen primarily as the good news of God saving sinners and reconciling them to Himself. Instead, social justice issues become the heart of the gospel message, with what one does being viewed as more important than what one believes. Often, the secular framework of critical theory is embraced, where the world is viewed through the lens of oppressed vs. oppressor. 

• Pluralism

Religious pluralism is the idea that all roads lead to God, and no one religion holds ultimate truth when it comes to who God is and how he reveals himself to the world. Often, progressive Christians will tout the mantra, "Everyone has a seat at the table," meaning all creeds and religions are true in their own way and the people who embrace them are equally accepted by God.

• Pantheism, Panentheism, or Perennialism

As stated above, many progressive Christians affirm pantheism or panentheism. Another view that is promoted in the progressive church is perennialism, the idea that although different religions look different on the outside,  at their core they share the same truth. In other words, they share the same source and come from the same ultimate or divine reality. This divine reality can be discovered through mysticism and contemplative practices.

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So the next time you are reading a book, listening to a podcast or sermon, or scrolling through social media, put the writer or speaker who claims to be Christian to the test. Do they deny one or more doctrines in the first list? Do they affirm one or more in the second list? That is a good indication that you are indeed following a progressive Christian leader.

To learn more, get my new book about progressive Christianity, Another Gospel? :