5 Signs Your Church is Going Progressive

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preston39

Senior Member
Dec 18, 2017
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#81
Preachers without a backbone or spine in their body.

When I think of shepherds, I can envision a shepherd with his staff smacking preds in the head after his sheep...but today's preachers, either have no spine/backbone or just flat out feel in the spiritual sense as the enemy to God's people.
I fear it is money motivated....so, " tickle my ears and tell me what I want to hear" bible warning is involved.
Part of the reason that new age bible interpretations and new, changed, bible editions has been very prevalent since the 1960's. To the point of miss-leading folks...I might add.
 
Feb 28, 2016
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#82
don't worry about your choice of 'church', just take care of/about His Church!!!
 

preston39

Senior Member
Dec 18, 2017
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#83
don't worry about your choice of 'church', just take care of/about His Church!!!
I very much refuse to participate in any semblance of a ....new age religion..... belief, teaching or church evironment and all Christians....should.
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
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#84
Am reading about Martin Luther king Jr and how the civil rights movement only came to fruition through christians and what was called the social gospel because it applied not only to heaven but to how conduct our lives on earth. And Jesus does tell us his will be done in heaven as it is on earth...cos hes bringing heaven to earth!

So I dont necessarily agree with some that say the gospel is spiritual only and can never make a difference to life here and now, to govts, to legislation, in politics, and to society as a whole. I also dont agree that nature or creation is separate from the spiritual as well because we have a mandate to steward and look after Gods creation, so there is actually no justification for the toxic defilement and pollution of Gods green earth.
And because if we want to work together and be bound ie. married, that yoke must be EQUAL not unequal so am all for equality amongst men and women esp those who are married so that the husband doesnt treat his wife like a slave and rule her with an iron rod.

If thats progressive Christianity then yep..I'm progressive. One can be progressive if one truly reads the Bible and puts away the old wineskin and pours oneself into a new one.

Social Gospel

In the Bible, there is no such thing as a "social gospel", there is only "the gospel."
And "the gospel" is a spiritual message, a message that Christ died on the cross to pay for our sins... that's it.
That is the gospel.
There is no social adjective, prefix, or component.
The gospel is a PERSONAL, SPIRITUAL message, regarding ATONEMENT for SIN.
That is what the Bible CLEARLY says.

There is only ONE gospel, and it is a PERSONAL and SPIRITUAL message, dealing with a SAVIOR, and his ATONEMENT for our SIN.

The "social gospel" is NOT in the Bible.
It is a human construct, usually to AVOID the message of the REAL GOSPEL.
It is much easier to go around promoting some good earthly cause, some kind of "social gospel", than to accept the real gospel.
It is much easier to do some "good works", something which everyone can see, and something you can brag about... than to actually accept the genuine gospel and submit yourself to the will of God.
The "social gospel" is generally just a philosophy of good works, something which we can brag about, which feeds our pride and self righteousness.
For many people, this "social gospel", this philosophy of good works, has replaced the genuine gospel... God's genuine message that we are NOT good, but are sinful, and fallen, and require a savior.


However, when a person DOES accept the gospel, HE WILL CHANGE...
and this WILL EFFECT HIS SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS.

That is how the real gospel works.
The gospel is a personal spiritual message, that there is a personal savior for your sin, a savior you desperately need.
The gospel, according to the bible, is this message only, and nothing else.
But, if you ACCEPT the genuine gospel, God WILL CHANGE YOU, and these changes will affect everything in your life, including social relationships.

Conclusion:
Biblically, good works do not REPLACE the actual gospel, and good works do not SUPERSEDE the actual gospel, and good works are not CO-EQUAL to the actual gospel, and good works are not some COMPONENT of the actual gospel... but good works are a natural byproduct of receiving the actual gospel.

..
...
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
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#85
Sometimes I find it very difficult having a conversation with you. Conjur up the power? I plainly said the Holy Spirit gives power. If I have any ability to please the Lord, it has come from Him.
Good morning.
In my morning read I was giving the following to read.

Act 14:3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

The way you put it, you "have power," and this is just not so. We are given the privilege of doing works, never the power. I know from experience that when miraculous works have been given me to steward, it is alway sof the Holy Spirit, never a power given to me to determine what is to be done. The Holy Spirit comes over a person and that peron acts. It is after the miracle when the servant is fully aware he has been used. During the working the servant may speak but it is not he but the Holy Spirit for the servant merely opens his mouth and speaks..
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
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#86
In the Bible, there is no such thing as a "social gospel", there is only "the gospel."
The Social Gospel was invented by theological liberals. It has little in common with the Gospel of Christ. MLK was essentially a theological liberal.

"The Social Gospel was more popular among clergy than laity. Its leaders were predominantly associated with the liberal wing of the progressive movement, and most were theologically liberal, although a few were also conservative when it came to their views on social issues." Wikipedia

While there's nothing wrong with addressing issues of social justice (within reason), both theological and political liberalism create more problems the solutions. The Welfare State has now become the Nanny State, and those who got trapped into the system never seemed to find a way out.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
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#87
....whole or portion....You may wish to analyze this point further.
Dispensation also includes the dispensing of judgement actions....justice.
My reference is to the definition of the word itself, not to the doctrine men have derived from the use of the word.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
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#88
....whole or portion....You may wish to analyze this point further.
Dispensation also includes the dispensing of judgement actions....justice.
It has always been very beneficial for me to wait for understanding from the Lord.

That word, analyze, smacks of approaching the Father other than a child, like some kind of equal or intellectual or scholar or scienttist. I like our Father child relationship and hope it remains so eternally.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
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#89
Abraham knew when God told him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac..he knew about what was going to be needed. He knew God would send a lamb.

Maybe YOU think abrahm didn't know but he wouldnt have prepared the sacrifice if it wasnt the case.
God gave no words to the prophets in error. When Abraham said to Isaac, "God will provide, Himself, a Lamb for the offering," he knew when he espied the "rame" caught in a thi9cket that it was not the Lamb of God.. He was going to provide Himself as the offering for sin.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
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#90
I think when the gospel changes the hearts of people, their good works will be displayed for everyone to see, the light shining forth in what they do is the 'social' part of it, it isnt hid under a bushel.

Thats just my view on it anyway, whether thats labelled progressive or liberal I dont know, but sometimes the staus quo or being conservative isnt always right either. For example, the Pharisees upheld the staus quo and were conservatives in their day. They didnt care about the poor, only themselves. Then comes Jesus who champions the poor in spirit, he notices the widows mite, he challenges the young rich ruler to sell all his possessions and give to the poor, he tells people to give to caesar what is caesars and to God what is Gods. Jesus tells the story of Lazarus who was treated like a dog by the rich man and when they both die the rich man ends up in hell and Lazarus is in .abrahams bosom. The rich have their reward now but what does it profit them if they gain the world but lose their soul?
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
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#91
He also tells people that its harder for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter heaven. This is Jesus speaking here!

And this was when youd think if you just gave your tithes religiously that would just guarantee you a place. Well it doesnt work like that. The holy spirit cannot be bought or sold. You cant offer indulgences and bribe your way in either. No bakshish with God! He dont care if you earn 100k.
 

NayborBear

Banned Serpent Seed Heresy
#92
Dispensation is a word meaning to portion out or dole out. As for a doctrine of any assembly, keep in mind our Father is always the same, and His truth is eternal.. Dispensation? naw.
In these 'ol eyes? "Dispensationalism", is just some "tradition of man" doctrine/s, that "Misses the Forrest, for the Trees!"
 

preston39

Senior Member
Dec 18, 2017
1,675
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#93
In these 'ol eyes? "Dispensationalism", is just some "tradition of man" doctrine/s, that "Misses the Forrest, for the Trees!"
The word is used to capture G-d's intent of His plan...man's word, however.
Much like the word rapture...not in the Bible .....but adopted by man to reflect the meaning of.......
 
Dec 12, 2013
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#94
They are basically becoming social clubs......not living houses of worship....!!!
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
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#95
Our minds ae not so that we are capable of compartmentalizing the Word and Will of our Father. If He has dispensed anything it is only the action of the Word and HIs Will, it is not a system of giving here and giving there. From the beginning of the Word we, without the veil, see Jesus Christ, Yeshua. He is to be hared with all, and wemust wait on what we truly do not yet know, just as Mary did.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,706
3,650
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#96
1. There is a lowered view of the Bible
2. Feelings are emphasized over facts
3. Essential Christian doctrines are open for re-interpretation
4. Historic terms are re-defined
5. The heart of the gospel message shifts from sin and redemption to social justice

(for further explanation... https://www.alisachilders.com/blog/...ht-be-heading-toward-progressive-christianity )
I think this list can be summed up in two words... Theological liberalism.
It's the same wolf wearing different sheep suits.

CA05872D-FBC1-49D3-A00A-B2666C36DCD4.jpeg
 

TLC209

Active member
Mar 20, 2019
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Merced, CA
#99
Sounds like something Lenard Ravenhill would say. I'm not even sure the church knows how to do outreach these days. One young pastor we had bought bottles of water and had the church pass them out in the Wal-Mart parking lot. They had the church name on them. I guess the idea was they'd be thankful for the water and come to church? His next idea was to buy a bike and raffle it off to neighborhood kids,maybe then they'd come. I don't know how much money they spent on things like that. Never brought in one person that I know of,other than to get goodies and run. smh
Lol what a joke.. I cant believe why churches are so dead but if we take this thread then it is clear why. False doctrine corrupting Gods word and carnal hearts. People need to know who God is and the love will follow. His Spirit can then just flow and people be touched by the light you have to offer in a dark world. No free flashlights with a logo needed! Boycot these false churches is my answer for all this.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
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Lol what a joke.. I cant believe why churches are so dead but if we take this thread then it is clear why. False doctrine corrupting Gods word and carnal hearts. People need to know who God is and the love will follow. His Spirit can then just flow and people be touched by the light you have to offer in a dark world. No free flashlights with a logo needed! Boycot these false churches is my answer for all this.
Yes, and you see these Church groups on YouTube, with cameras in tow, at a supermarket or on skid row, showing the whole world what great philanthropists they are as it shows them handing out free groceries or jackets.
Don't get me wrong, helping others is a good thing, but somewhere our motives got confused...

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
(Mat 6:1-4)