Ponderings on a Faith Journey: Why Progressive Theology Is Important? (Bruce Epp...

repost from: Ponderings on a Faith Journey: Why Progressive Theology Is Important? (Bruce Epp...: "For the past couple of months, Bruce Epperly has been introducing readers to aspects of Progressive Theology. Although in some ways I may b..."

Here is an excerpt from Bruce Epperly that describes progressive Christianity:

I believe progressive Christianity preaches, teaches, and transforms. Where there is no one progressive theology, there are a number of progressive theological distinctives that speak to the needs of a diverse, interconnected, dynamic, and uncertain world. These are not creeds to be accepted without question or doctrines that require assent in order to escape divine punishment, but pathways to deepening our encounter with God and one another.

• God is lively, active, relational, and loving.
• God seeks wholeness and healing for all creation.
• God welcomes diversity in its many forms, including ethnic, spiritual, sexual, and theological diversity.
•  Other faiths reveal God’s presence; and can illuminate our experience as Christians.
• The gospel of Jesus transforms our lives by revealing new possibilities for faithfulness and giving us the energy to change the world.
• Our calling is follow the pathway of Jesus in its focus on healing and wholeness, justice, personal transformation, and Shalom.
• Wherever truth and healing are present, God is its source, regardless of its origins; medicine, science, and other religious traditions reveal divine insight.
• God calls us to freedom and creativity in the context of an open-ended universe.
•  The future is open and we have a role in shaping it.
• We are God’s partners in healing the world.
• God’s salvation embraces all creation; everlasting life is God’s gift to all humanity.

I believe that progressive Christianity provides alternative visions of salvation, evangelism, religious diversity, and human liberation that speak to seekers and pilgrims in our time.