Progressive Christianity is a heretical group which deny many basic tenets of Christian orthodoxy. The name "progressive Christianity" is what they call themselves and so we only use the phrase to identify which group to avoid. No legitimacy implied when using the term "Christianity.
Rather than seeing it as a necessary fruit of the gospel, Progressive Christians believe Rather than having a set of confessional beliefs about God or the person of Jesus, and what He has accomplished for us, Progressive Christianity is inherently transformation-centric, focusing on how one's spiritual practice transforms our life, and the life of all aspects of community. They claim to be opposed to dogmas, but, ironically, seem comfortable having many dogmas of their own. The Progressive Christian Alliance puts it this way: “Faith is not about concrete answers, religious absolutes, creeds, or dogma.” intractable Thus the progressive idea is premised on the false notion that human beings have a changeable nature and thus is able to achieve redemption through human efforts during his time on earth.
They often make the false dichotomy that they are "trading dogma for love" even though the bible never separates the two: Paul said, "I urged you ... so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine ... The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." (1 Tim 1:3,5)
encourages the exploration of the implications of critical biblical scholarship and the emerging proposals of contemporary liberal theologians and scholars. It explores alternatives to traditional religious beliefs and practices and new ways to understand religious faith. This has led to Progressive Christians acceptance within the church, of many non-biblical practices, such as homosexual relationships:
Observation: So-called progressive Christianity is largely moralistic, downplaying regeneration and the work of Christ in salvation from sin. In many ways it is just a political lobby. Politics and the values of contemporary culture drives most of their theology. To many Progressive Christians, politics is all-important and so, they think, human beings can be redeemed through implementing social justice. Apart from politics, their movement would likely fall apart in a week.Progressive Christians rightly view Christian nationalism as a heresy, but, ironically, seem blind to the obvious fact that they are really the left-winged equivalent of Christian Nationalism - cut from the same cloth -- but instead of being right-winged nationalists, they are leftist/globalists. As Paul warned the Galatians,
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!”
In contrast to the practice of so-called progressive Christians, the bible, theology and the rich heritage of Christians through the ages, informs the passion, devotion and thinking of those in Christ in all areas of life. Politics is merely one small part of what that theology informs. The life of the movement is ultimately not dependent on who is in power or what political policies are in place. Theological conservatives believe that God has ordained government and will vote with a biblically informed conscience (if they live in a democracy) and may feel very strongly about what are just policies, but the kingdom of God advances regardless of the policies in place or outcome of elections. Historic Christianity has traditionally made a point to serve the poor and love neighbors. We need not abandon the faith once delivered to the saints to continue doing so.
Progressive Christians believe we can fix ourselves if we just follow the MORAL EXAMPLE of Jesus. Their gospel is more about what we do that what Christ has done. In a word: moralism.
The Bible teaches, rather, that we are way beyond saving or fixing ourselves, because humanity is hopelessly captive to sin's tyranny (Matt 5:3, 1 Cor 2:14). So we affirm that Jesus came not to teach us how to become a better you, but as the SAVIOR to liberate the captives. We don't need to simply repair the old house, but need Jesus to tear it down and build a new one (John 3:3, 5) . He came to grant His people new life and set them free to walk as He walked to honor God and for the good of our neighbor.
These are two radically different views of the condition of humanity.
PC denies the doctrine of eternal punishment and the substitutionary atonement of Christ. The following discussion regarding hell on Rachel Held Evan's twitter feed is a solid example of how far and wide so-called progressive Christians have left reality, truth and love behind
They seem to have forgotten that God is holy, just and loving. He cannot be unholy or unjust, even a little, or He would no longer be God. Approaching Him in our sin would be like trying to approach within a few miles of 1000 supernovas without getting scorched. These theological liberals think God need only wave his hand to forgive sin without justice being paid. But someone has to pay. That is why God Himself came in the flesh, to absorb the full brunt of God's own justice in the stead of sinners. That is love, a willingness to die for your sworn enemy. If no one pays for sin and God simply forgives that would call into question His justice.
Progressive Christians only think of God in human terms that satisfy human wisdom and question how he can torture someone for eternity. This line of thinking profoundly misapprehends the very nature of God and makes him into in idol.