The Flaws of Progressive Christianity: A Conservative Critique, By Peter West
Progressive Christianity presents itself as a compassionate, modern take on faith, adapting to the cultural tides of inclusivity and social justice. But beneath its warm rhetoric lies a dangerous departure from biblical truth, a movement that moulds Christianity to fit the world rather than calling the world to follow Christ. From a conservative perspective, progressive Christianity mirrors the flaws of progressive liberalism: it values feelings over truth, sacrifices conviction for cultural approval, and undermines the very foundations of the gospel.
At its core, progressive Christianity rejects the Bible's authority, treating scripture as a flexible guide rather than God's unchanging word. It reinterprets sin through the lens of human experience, downplays Christ's exclusive role in salvation, and elevates "love" and "inclusion" above holiness and repentance. This mirrors progressive liberalism's obsession with relativism, where truth bends to personal desires or societal trends. Just as liberalism redefines morality to align with shifting cultural norms, be it on gender, sexuality, or abortion, progressive Christianity reshapes faith to affirm these same shifts. The result? A gospel that feels affirming but lacks the power to transform.
Progressive Christianity is more dangerous than outright atheism because it deceives from within. Atheists are upfront about their rejection of God; progressive Christians use Jesus' name to peddle a gospel that contradicts His teachings. They speak of love but ignore Christ's call to "deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me" (Luke 9:23). They promise peace but offer a false comfort that leaves people spiritually lost, thinking they're saved while embracing a faith with no redemptive power. This echoes progressive liberalism's tactic of cloaking radical ideas in compassionate language, like framing abortion as "reproductive freedom" or gender transitions as "self-expression." Both movements wear sheep's clothing, but lead followers down a path of destruction (Matthew 7:15).
The danger lies in the subtlety. Progressive Christianity keeps the trappings of faith, prayers, hymns, even scripture, but empties them of meaning. It tells people they can love Jesus, while living in ways the Bible calls sin, whether it's endorsing lifestyles that contradict scripture or diluting the gospel's exclusivity. This mirrors liberalism's push to redefine morality as personal fulfillment, ignoring objective standards. The result is a faith that feels good but fails to save, leaving souls adrift in a sea of cultural affirmation.
Progressive Christianity's alignment with liberal ideology undermines the moral framework that has sustained Western civilisation. The Bible teaches that human dignity, justice, and the sanctity of life stem from being made in God's image. Progressive liberalism, and its Christian counterpart, borrows these concepts but strips them of their divine anchor. Without a transcendent standard, morality becomes a popularity contest, swayed by whichever group shouts loudest. This is why progressive churches often champion causes like abortion rights or gender fluidity, issues scripture condemns, while framing them as acts of love. It's a house built on sand, crumbling under scrutiny (Matthew 7:26).
Consider the hypocrisy: progressive Christians decry judgmentalism but judge those who uphold biblical standards as bigots. They preach tolerance, but shun those who cling to traditional faith. This mirrors liberalism's selective outrage, where free speech is celebrated until it challenges the prevailing narrative. Both movements thrive on double standards, demanding acceptance while silencing dissent.
The spiritual cost of progressive Christianity is staggering. By softening the call to repentance, it risks leading people to a false sense of salvation. Jesus didn't affirm sinners in their sin; He loved them enough to call them to change (John 8:11). Progressive Christianity, like liberal ideology, prioritises affirmation over transformation, leaving people comfortable in behaviours that separate them from God. This isn't compassion, it's a betrayal of the gospel's power to redeem.
Progressive Christianity's flaws stem from its embrace of progressive liberalism's core error: elevating human feelings above divine truth. Both movements chase cultural approval, sacrificing conviction for applause. But true Christianity is countercultural. It demands we stand firm, even when the world calls us backward.
The answer isn't to soften the Gospel, but to proclaim it boldly. God's word doesn't evolve with culture; it challenges culture to align with Him. Churches, universities, and believers must reject the temptation to conform, choosing instead the narrow path of obedience.
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