The ‘church’ and ‘Christianity’ in their broadest form is not often far behind the world in its thinking and teaching. I have come to call this type of ‘church’ the progressive church. However, there are those that I might call ‘progressive’ that would not fit that found in the https://progressivechristianity.org/.
Now, the following ‘church’ was recently mentioned in a Julie Roys Report https://julieroys.com/churches-services-ballparks-stadiums-covid-19/?mc_cid=6b5d6ea8a4&mc_eid=b13d34ad49. Like other articles one might read anywhere a little research is worthwhile. After some research it’s what was found on the church’s FAQ page that would make this church fit what I consider a progressive church and pastor.
‘Among the members of our leadership, staff, and community, you’ll find a wide spectrum of beliefs about questions related to human sexuality and gender identity, and we believe that agreement on these questions should not be the basis of our unity. We also believe that LGBTQ people have a right to know what they can expect from us in terms of belonging, involvement, leadership, and marriage. Our lead pastor, Jason Miller, addressed this in a teaching that you can hear on our podcast, A Sacred Conversation: Sexuality, and we strongly encourage you to listen to the teaching to understand our approach to this in a way that can’t be accomplished on an FAQ page. (During that teaching, Jason referred to a reading list for further learning, and you can find it in the podcast episode notes.) However, the bottom line is that no one at South Bend City Church will be excluded from belonging, involvement, and leadership on the basis of their sexuality or gender identity, and we have pastors available to perform weddings for same-sex couples.’https://southbendcitychurch.com/faq/
The above is the ‘progressive church’ view of Scripture. The progressive will perform weddings for those living a life which Scripture condemns. When it comes to what those in Sodom were committing it was once known in society as Sodomy but then progressed to being called homosexuality and today primarily simply being gay! No matter what the progressive wants to call it the name comes from the place which Scripture says the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly Genesis 13:13. The result of the lifestyle of these men resulted in the LORD raining upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven Genesis 19:24. In the New Testament this lifestyle is described as the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet Romans 1:27. Changing names doesn’t change the sin!
It seems the progressive churches have also become more enlightened ‘scientifically’ in that there is an acceptance of the theory of theistic evolution. BioLogos has articles by such well known men as Tim Keller, N. T. Wright and Christianity Today‘s new executive editor Andy Crouch. The pastor of the above church also has several articles at BioLogos https://biologos.org/articles/rooted-faith-in-a-changing-world-a-pastors-perspective.
As most conservative Bible believing Christians probably already know BioLogos seeks to show what they see as ‘…the harmony between science and biblical faith as we present an evolutionary understanding of God’s creation.’ However, as Paul told his son in the faith ‘…Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called‘ 1Timothy 6:20.
Many of those in progressive churches and many progressive pastors may be nice people but they are not teaching sound doctrine. Again as Paul wrote to Timothy the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears 2Timothy 4:3.
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
1Corinthians 7:2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
It may be old fashioned but it is best for believers to ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.
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