Progressive Baptist

[Crabtownboy]

Is there such a thing as a “progressive Baptist”? Yes there is. Progressive Baptists are communities of Christians that honor asking questions, serving neighbors, seeking justice, celebrating diversity, and welcoming all of God’s children. Progressive Baptists seek to be places where all people are embraced for their unique gifts and are invited to participate in all areas of ministry. Progressive Baptist honor Baptist traditions, such as the autonomy of the local church, the priesthood of the believer, the separation of Church and State, believer’s Baptist, and congregational leadership.

 

[Aaron]

Is there such a thing as a “progressive Baptist”? Yes there is. Progressive Baptists are communities of Christians that [promote doubts about Christ], [are Socialists], [and celebrate Sodom]. Progressive Baptists seek to be places where [evil is called good, and good called evil]. Progressive Baptist honor Baptist traditions, such as the autonomy of the local church, the priesthood of the believer, the separation of Church and State, believer’s Baptist, and congregational leadership, so that they may discard scripture and depart from the faith and not be held accountable.

Just wading through the SNIP there. Wink

 

[Revmitchell]

Yea that is quite the spin there.

 

[preachinjesus]

You could always call them theological Liberals...which is what they are. That's entirely fine, just call yourselves what you are and not use new slang like "progressive" to hide behind.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Can a Conservative person then be considered progressive in theology?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Just wading through the SNIP there. Wink

Can you condone 'SIN' & still be a Christian of any stripe?

 

[Alcott]

But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one-- I Corinthians 5:11.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed-- Galatians 1:8.

Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son-- I John 4:20.

 

[Crabtownboy]

Can a Conservative person then be considered progressive in theology?

Yes! We have had and have members who would consider may on the BB, who proudly claim to be conservative, liberal in their stances. One fellow in particular is the most theologically conservative person I have known and also he knows the Bible forward and backward. I have never met another person who knows as many references to topics in the Bible as he.

Progressive is not so much a theological stance as an attitude toward others. Progressive theology simply means taking the teachings of how we are to treat others seriously and putting that into practice in their own lives.

 

[Van]

Without defining what is meant, the thread talks around the issue. If "progressive" baptists accept the ordination of women to exercise spiritual authority over men, they would be considered outside the mainstream of Baptist faith and practice. If "progressive" baptists do not define marriage as between one man and one women, again it would be outside mainstream doctrine. Perhaps someone in the know might list the "progressive" distinctives?

 

[TCassidy]

Can a Conservative person then be considered progressive in theology?

I guess that would depend on your definition of "progressive."

The origin of the term (or at least its current popularity) has its roots in Karl Marx's "Communist Manifesto" wherein he claimed to have discovered a “progressive” pattern controlling human evolution, which would lead humanity to the advent of a communist society of classless individuals. Marx defined the state and all its laws as mere instruments of class oppression, which would have to disappear when the final stage of human evolution was finally accomplished.

So, "Progressive" means "moving toward the Communist utopia by means of Darwinian evolution."

In that sense I do not think it is possible to be both Conservative and Progressive. In fact, in view of the above definition, I do not think it is possible to be both Christian and Progressive.

However, others may use a different definition which would not preclude either dichotomy.

 

[preachinjesus]

Can a Conservative person then be considered progressive in theology?

Depends on the parameters you are setting around the term "progressive." I am very progressive in my worship and outreach methodologies but conservative in my theology.