Many of you know my mentor in seminary was Dr. J.I. Packer, author of the classic “Knowing God” and a man of great devotion and intellect.
In one of his lesser known books, A Passion for Faithfulness, Packer exposes the danger of liberal theology when he writes that “the taproot of modernist liberalism is the idea, issuing from the so-called Enlightenment, that the world has the wisdom, so that the Christian way must always be to absorb and adjust to what the world happens to be saying at the moment about human life.” That’s “progressive theology” in a nutshell, isn’t it? The teachers and writers of this persuasion build great affinity for themselves by going along with popular groupthink, but correspondingly generate very little fear of God among their followers.
Packer continues: “It is no wonder, then, that liberalism typically produces, not martyrs, nor challengers of the secular status quo, but…people who are always finding reasons for going along with the cultural consensus of the moment, whether on abortion, sexual permissiveness, the basic identity of all religions, the impropriety of evangelism and missionary work, or anything else.”
You know where progressive thinkers are usually going to end up: exactly where those who don’t fear God end up. The only difference is that they try to make the case that God Today is also against God Yesterday, that he was muddled in his revelation and so, surprise, surprise, if we will all agree with those who have opposed God all along, we’ll actually be serving and representing Jesus rather than opposing Him.
I don’t attack individuals and I don’t publish attack book reviews so I’m not calling out any one individual; like Packer, I’m addressing a movement. If you think the “progressive” label applies to you (I’m not, not not talking about politics), please ask yourself how it feels to so frequently side with those who admit they don’t believe in God, are hostile to God, and/or believe that faith in God is the problem with the world, not the answer. Shouldn’t that fact alone at least give us pause about what’s shaping our beliefs and convictions? Am I missing something?
For my part, as a writer and speaker, this challenges me to evaluate my work on this basis: if my writing and speaking leads others to think more highly of me but not to grow in their fear of God (speaking of fear as reverence, submission and surrender), then my ministry has utterly and truly failed.
God’s Word tells us that the Devil appears as an angel of light and that we are not to be ignorant of his devices. He is a liar and the father of lies. His purposes are still the same. He seeks to deceive and destroy. He wants glory and praise for himself instead of it rightly given to God alone He is a mastermind at what he does. The lost are already blinded by his tactics and the believers are falling prey. But he is a defeated foe. His pride brought him low and keeps him there. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We are not to make Gid man-sized or jean on our own understanding. Stay in the Word guided by the Spirit of God who guides us into all truth and empowers us as we yield rightly to God’s will and God’s way in God’s timing.
Amen! Amen! Amen, Gary!!! Christ in culture not culture in Christ. The watered down “culturally relevant or palletable” version of the Gospel brings death not life. Beautifully said! Thank you!
I totally agree with you.
DDF: It’s not about what ONE person is teaching or preaching. It’s about how today’s perverse culture wants to make God fit into whatever they want to do, or feel the tug to do, based on the “norms” of society. I was a co- leader in a women’s bible study with a good friend/ woman whom
I believed to be a strong CHRISTIAN. When her son “came out” as gay, she started celebrating the fact that he found a life partner and got married. She tried to twist the Bible to conform to what she wanted to believe. That is was ok. That’s when I had to leave. Some Christians in today’s society want to believe that a person should be able to marry who ever they “love” because God is love. They want to believe that life does not begin at conception and that a baby can be terminated if it’s arrival is not “convenient”. These are just two extremely relevant philosophies that are being promoted today ( by Christians!) when God’s Word does NOT change and says the opposite. This is how I interpreted Gary’s piece to be addressing. In my opinion we base our beliefs, our lives on God’s Word which is unchanging.
so – the opposite or antonym of PROGRESSIVE – would be REGRESSIVE. That would mean that – at the time – you would have been opposed to outlawing slavery. You would have been opposed to allowing women the right to vote. You would have been opposed to allowing those 18 years old to vote and equal rights for all regardless of sex, race, religion, gender, etc.. Progressive ideals include social security, medicare, medicaid, welfare, etc. These were/are all PROGRESSIVE ideals in their times when initially passed.
On the other-hand – packing our courts and senate with “conservatives” over the past 40 years – has not led to the abolition of abortion – but instead to more and more ‘progressive’ laws and decisions – many of which our nation has benefited from.
Russell Herman, PLEASE read the post more carefully. Did you not see the sentence, “I’m not, not not talking about politics”? Perhaps I should have put in a fourth NOT?
Every one of your examples is a political stand. I specifically said I wasn’t going there and I don’t want the comments to go there either. That’s why we’re allowing your comment–so that others can see we won’t be getting into political debates here. This is about biblical convictions, discipleship, and teaching–the ministry of the church, not which party you intend to vote for.
When it comes to biblical authority, “fidelity” is a much better word to aspire to than “progressive,” which assumes either God or the church has changed their minds. God never does; sometimes the church must if we got God wrong or understood scripture incorrectly. I want to be faithful to what God has already revealed more than I want to be “cutting edge” in a way that undercuts clear teaching and true biblical wisdom.
Oh the appeal of progressive theology…yet what emptiness resides within. This message provides a timely warning for those who are attracted to the deceptive charms of liberalism. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice” (Proverbs 12:15, ESV). Thank you, Gary Thomas, for this timely advice!
Very needed word today and very well said, Gary. There is no shadow of turning with the Lord. We must adjust to His eternal Word….not the other way around.
Amen!
Thank you for helping me understand this. I am greatly disturbed by the liberal theologians calling for inclusion in the name of Jesus, but your blog explains the reason. They seem to forget that Jesus was rejected by the status quo of His day.
I think some Christians are trying really hard to make God their buddy and just a big loving “grandpa” in the sky that we forget that he abhors sin and evil. Yes he loves us and forgives but as a whole we have lost our fear and reverence for God. He is not one of us and trying to put him on our level removes him from his rightly place of authority. We would tremble in his presence if truly realized who he is.
Terrific brief overview of progressive theology thinking and why it is so potentially dangerous and eternally jeopardizes us if we choose the broad way. Fear God and Him only, not man. Thank you. I’m forwarding this to many of my family and friends. Thank you LORD for J.I. Packer and thank you for Gary Thomas.
Thanks so much for addressing this. I wish more people were. I am 30 and so fall into a more progressive demographic to begin with, especially in SOCAL. It’s been hard to hear my friends buying into ideas like the “universal Christ” and starting to believe the death on the cross wasn’t necessary/there is no good and evil. It’s incredibly discouraging. I try to read up on this stuff and I feel like I get it and make a lot of connections with what I am reading, but its hard to articulate this stuff to my friends. Tim Keller’s book Generous Justice was actually really faith building and helped me understand more about Good and Evil and justice being necessary with Christ so it could also play out with every other scenario. Anyway, thanks for making me feel less alone.
Stand Strong Hannah! As the saying goes, when you stand for everything, you stand for nothing. The whole idea of inclusiveness leads people down this trail of total acceptance…we know the things that God has pointed out as sin in the Bible stand today as sin. Many liberal theologians preach that as times change, more leniency within parameters initially established by God should change also – but, we live on the promise that God’s word stands forever.
This is succinct and exactly accurate. Can’t say anything but a big Amen.
I’m not sure what you’re talking about here, or frankly, who you are talking about. It’s vague. Is there some person you have in mind that I’m supposed to guess who it is? What is your point here, Gary?
DDF,
I’m not referring to any one person. The liberal theologians that would roll off Dr. Packer’s tongue were those who espoused these conclusions fifty years ago. The names change today, but the thinking is always the same: they end up exactly where those who oppose and/or deny God end up. That’s the point of this blog–that we live not to curry favor with the crowd but to fear God ourselves (n the best sense of the term) and make the focus of our ministries to spread such reverence for God.
I cannot thank God enough for sharing this message through you! Thank you for your obedience to write it. My husband and I were discussing this very issue last night. I have been struggling with how to effectively impact this culture of women and believe that in some respects have been pulled toward a progressive mindset in my counsel. The fear of God has also been heavy on my heart as we can most certainly see the effects of a Christian culture who does not rightly divide the Word, therefore leading to a God of love without justice. This has given me affirmation to get back to sharing with confidence in the God who is the same yesterday, today and forever. Thanks again!
Thank you for starting this conversation, Gary. Good word!
Well written. Thank you.
Excellent article. Thank you.
I have many questions. I dont know where to start? I believe in God. No unbeliever here.I believe I have been placed on a progressive path by God. Like, forgive me if wrong but in terms of marriage God has directed me to the thought that one should not enter in lightly.
Now nestly six years ago I lost my husband. Time doesn’t allow me to give all details , it goes deep. Sense the death of my spouse I have dabbled in the thought of enlightenment, awakening twinflames karmic ect… I’ve found a lot of validity on that as well. Now dont throw tomatoes at me, I know God but I believe that some of those in these areas could be parts of the “new thing” spoken in Joel???? Please clarify because I have been intrigued. Perhaps too much. Please anyone clarify. Thanks…
Wanda,
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your husband. Grieving is a very personal and unique time and must be walked through on your own. While I am no theologian, you did ask for anyone to respond. So as a believer who cares for others and what they’re facing, I would encourage you to remember that God will never contradict His Word. Even the “new thing” He speaks of in the Bible. If it is new to us it will align with His character and His Word. I would caution you to seek Biblical counsel regarding your questions. Hopefully others will chime in here too. The enemy of our souls always begins with questioning God’s character or His Word. “Did God say?” This is a method he has used since the garden because it works. If you are sensing this same challenge to your faith I suggest those are the very thoughts we must take captive to the obedience of Christ, as His Word instructs.
I’ll be praying for you as you seek answers to your questions.
Wanda, I appreciate your vulnerability in asking these questions. If I may be so bold to offer a few thoughts in reply…
There are many “spiritual” paths that have their own charms and attraction. But just because something is attractive (e.g., the serpent, forbidden fruit, and the garden of Eden) it doesn’t mean that it is honoring to or blessed by God. In fact, 2 Thessalonians 2:9 promises the rise of counterfeits that are not of God, but of Satan.
Jesus’ prayer for His disciples on the eve of his arrest in John 17, “14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. (NIV, 1984)
The key is not looking to the world or even our own emotional experiences, but to the Word of God–THE source of truth.
Wanda,
I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. And it’s a good thing that you are seeking a closeness with your Creator right now.
Just to give you a bit of my background, I come from the kind of thing you are dabbling in, and have since left it behind for a pure walk with the Lord. I understand how drawing it is, and I agree with you, it is very real. I was quite deeply involved and was able to use clairvoyance and astral projection and all of that. It draws you in, and seems to even be helpful on the surface. So that can make it difficult to know what’s good and what’s not.
Here’s the truth, there are only two sources of supernatural power in the world. There is no in-betweens, or sort-ofs, or cross-overs from other gods. There is our all-powerful living God, and there is the lesser power (but still strong enough to impress us) of the devil. His power is real, too, but we know that in the end he is the losing side. If you knew that the source of what you were dabbling in was evil, though it might even appear to be helpful right now, would you still want to be involved? I promise you, once I got deep enough into it, I saw that the source was only evil. Scripture backs this up. Just seek God, and His word alone. He will show you. It is not worth it, even for the benefits you might be experiencing right now, to trust in any power source but God’s. I promise you, nothing else is worth it. I am praying blessings and discernment for you, that you would hear God clearly speak right to your heart.
Your point of view is “spot on” as far as I am concerned. It is important for human beings to adhere to principles of standard, not wishy washy types of thinking that take them no where but down. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness…on Christ the solid rock I stand, ALL other ground is sinking sand. G. Denniss, Canada
Very true – Thank you!