Progressive Christianity and Bono

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I was reading the 'Progressive Christianity' wiki page and noticed under the 'notable progressive Christians' Bono!

I would doubt that Bono would endorse anything which put him in a box. (Probably like myself). Yet if you look at the broad definitions of what progressive is on the wikipedia then you could see that Bono actually fits in with this definition nicely.

• A spiritual vitality and expressiveness, including participatory, arts-infused, and lively worship as well as a variety of spiritual rituals 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 concerns and commitments
• Social justice commitments through collective salvation

I think like many 'Rock 'n' Roller' like Bono part of there allure, is the mystery which makes them tick. Unravelling the riddles that make up their poetry and lyrics. Realising that what they write resonates with us all.

Related articles

• What Progressive Christianity is really about - in their own words! (livingjourney.wordpress.com)

Fred Plummer on ABC Nights with John Cleary

Just finnished listening to Fred Plummer who is one of the leaders of the 'Progressive Christian' movement on Sunday nights live with John Cleary.

Two things that I pondered

::Every on who is interviewed with 'Progressive Christianity', Sure has plenty of experience pastorally, written and read widely. Yet I never hear any youngish perspectives on this.

::Prayer, I got the impression that Fred thought the idea of praying for God to intervene in human affairs as silly idea. This sort of prayer has certain problems, some healed others not.
Yet he was open to prayer as the 'Transferring of energy' as I could understand it "Reiki".
I can see his point yet ultimately I think both ideas are unquantifiable, yet the 'Reiki' idea does remove many of the problems. 

You can hear the interview here from the ABC

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• Conversations with Progressive Christians (dangeroustalk.net)

Progressive Christianity :: Moving Forward

Interesting discusion on 'Jesus Creed' on progressive Christianity.

Progressive Christians believe that sacred truth is not frozen in the ancient past. While respecting the wisdom of the past, progressive Christians are open to the ways truth is moving forward in the present and future for the betterment of the world. Progressive Christianity recognizes that our sacred texts and authoritative traditions must be critically engaged and continually reinterpreted in light of contemporary circumstances to prevent religion from becoming a relic....

I've become increasingly interested in 'progressive Christianity' after reading Marcus Borg. It just makes more sence. I think it can also be shown that God and Christianity have evolved. From the oldest scriptures to the gospels and epistles. Human understanding of God and his nature has evolved. Does this stop? I don't think so.

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....