Progressive Christianity

Its strange but I've always had this feeling that I don't fit with Christians and the organised Church. There have been times I've felt at home but this is pretty rare.

One of the things I wanted to do this year was explore "Liberal Theology". The Evangelical/Pentecostal that where peers and mentors automatically bushed them off. It has been impossible to have an informed conversation.

I once had at Ranges a person try to tell me that Rob Bell was a heretic. When asked if that person had read any of his book they said no. I suspect this is the same as my peers and mentors in regards to "Liberal Theology". An opinion without been informed.

My first book and only book on the list was 'Honest to God', by Robinsion. I found it honest by writen at the peak of Christainity. I believe we are now in a 'Post Christian' society, where the church is not a dominant institution.

Then of all things I came across Marcus Borg, "The heart of Christianity" in the Cowes library. This book certainly clarified a lot of areas of liberal theology. A lot of the ideas are well thought through. One prophetic moment as I see it was in the Cowes medical clinic while reading "The Heart of Christianity". A lady from no where came up and said I was on the 'right track'. MMMmmm I think that God interacts with the work, not intervenes and this was one of those times....

The publishers of 'The Heart of Christianity' where a group belonging to 'Progressive Christianity'. I had never heard of it before. I've come to understand that 'Progressive Christianity' is different to 'Liberal Theology'. Liberal Theology had its roots in the enlightenment, where textual criticism was the result. Much of the supernatural and mystery dissappeared. "Progressive Christianity still has a high regard for textual criticism but there is room for 'mystery'. This is a very simplifed explanation and could be expanded upon for sure.

My friend over in the West Nathan Hobby drew to my attention that the ABC's 'Spirit of things' Two podcasts on 'Progressive Christianity'.
Part 1
Part 2

Both surprised me by the size of the movement in Australia. There is also an Victorian web page
Hope you enjoy....

Honest to God, by John Robinson

 

I've just finnished Honest to God, by John Robinson. It's been on my wish list for a while for a couple of reasons.
-A number have said that 'such and such, lost their faith because they read 'honest to God'. I hate critiquing anything with out reading the material first.
-It was one of the most influential Christian books of the last 50 years
-One of my quests this year is the exploration of liberal theology. 'Honest to God' seems to be a good start.

Some things which I immediate felt a kindred to::

"The only way I can put it is to say that over the years a number of things have unaccountably "Rung a bell"; various unco-ordiated aspects of one's reading and experience have come to 'add up'. The inarticlate conviction forms within one that certain things are true or important. One may not grasped them fully or understand why that if one is to retain one's integrity one must come to terms with them. For if their priority is sensed and they are not attnded to, then sutly other convictions begin to lose their power: one continues to trot these convictions out, one says one believes in them (and one does), but somehow they seem emptier. One is aware that insights that carry their own authentication, however subjective, are not being allowed to modify them. "

Another quote which I had felt and writen about before was about how a liberal theology may help some come to faith or at least stem the tide of those in the Church loosing their faith and communtiy::

"More over, however inadequate the Liberal theology may now appear to us, it undoubtedly helped many to hold on to their faith at a time when otherwise they might have thrown it up completely."

Then goes onto quote Bonhoeffer::

"How can Christ become the Lord even of those with no Religion"

Robinson quotes two well known liberal theologians, Tillich, Bultman and the third Bonhoeffer was a suprise. Yet when I think about it I'm not surprised. Bonhoeffers writing was sketchy outlines of books. Nothing official from Bonhoeffer.  Yet his courage and desperate situation he was always going to be a favorite to quote by anyone.

Ultimately Robinson lays himself honest saying that he does not believe in supernaturalism,  much of the content written in the bible. Ultimately for him the bible has to be looked at as myth. Yet that does not mean to Robinsion that it cannot inform and guide us.

One thing which I thought often through this book was what would Robinson think of today Pentecostal movement. The fastest growing denomination in the world. Compared to the liberal churches which are shrinking at an absolutely alarming rate...