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Progressive Christianity is primarily characterized as a revival of ancient Christian traditions, seeking a return to early church practices.
Answer: False
Explanation: This assertion is inaccurate. Progressive Christianity is understood as a postmodern theological evolution of liberal Christianity, integrating contemporary insights rather than solely focusing on a return to ancient practices.
Progressive Christianity is considered the postmodern theological evolution of liberal Protestant Christianity.
Answer: True
Explanation: The movement is accurately described as the postmodern theological evolution of historic mainline liberal Protestant Christianity, incorporating contemporary perspectives.
The 'postliberal approach' in Progressive Christianity involves integrating postmodern insights and reinterpreting biblical texts for contemporary understanding.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'postliberal approach' is indeed characterized by the integration of postmodern insights and the reinterpretation of biblical texts for contemporary relevance.
The postmodern theological approach in Progressive Christianity relies heavily on Enlightenment principles.
Answer: False
Explanation: The postmodern theological approach characteristic of Progressive Christianity moves beyond, rather than relies heavily upon, the foundational principles of the Enlightenment.
Roger Wolsey characterizes Progressive Christianity as a 'post-liberal approach' focused on Jesus' teachings and God's immanence.
Answer: True
Explanation: Roger Wolsey defines Progressive Christianity as a 'post-liberal approach,' emphasizing Jesus' teachings and God's immanence, influenced by postmodern thought.
What is the primary theological characteristic of Progressive Christianity?
Answer: A postmodern theological evolution of liberal Christianity.
Explanation: Progressive Christianity is primarily characterized as a postmodern theological evolution of liberal Christianity, integrating contemporary insights and moving beyond the foundational concerns of modern liberalism.
What does the 'postliberal approach' integrate into theological perspectives?
Answer: Postmodernism
Explanation: The 'postliberal approach' integrates insights from postmodernism into theological perspectives, moving beyond the foundational concerns of classical liberalism.
According to the source, what does Roger Wolsey's definition emphasize regarding faith in Progressive Christianity?
Answer: A post-liberal approach influenced by postmodernism.
Explanation: Roger Wolsey's definition highlights Progressive Christianity as a 'post-liberal approach,' influenced by postmodernism and focusing on Jesus' teachings and God's immanence.
A core characteristic of Progressive Christianity is a resistance to questioning established traditions and a preference for rigid dogma.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to this statement, Progressive Christianity is characterized by a willingness to question tradition and an embrace of paradox and mystery over rigid dogma.
The central biblical teaching guiding Progressive Christians is the commandment to 'love one another,' found in John 15:17.
Answer: True
Explanation: Progressive Christians indeed hold a deep belief in the centrality of Jesus Christ's instruction to 'love one another,' as articulated in John 15:17.
Progressive Christian thought condemns fairness and compassion in societal governance.
Answer: False
Explanation: Progressive Christian thought actively promotes values such as fairness, justice, and compassion, condemning societal structures that exhibit injustice or neglect the poor.
Archbishop Wynn Wagner identifies the fundamental posture of progressive Christianity as exclusivity and judgment.
Answer: False
Explanation: Archbishop Wynn Wagner characterizes the fundamental posture of progressive Christianity as inclusiveness and acceptance, which he posits as a key distinguishing feature.
Progressive Christianity generally views homosexuality as sinful and advocates for its exclusion from religious communities.
Answer: False
Explanation: Progressive Christianity typically does not consider homosexuality sinful and emphasizes inclusivity and acceptance regarding sexual orientation within religious communities.
Progressive Christianity defines salvation primarily as a future event focused on escaping hell.
Answer: False
Explanation: Progressive Christianity tends to define salvation more in terms of achieving a robust, abundant life in the present, rather than focusing primarily on a future event or escaping hell.
Progressive Christianity tends to emphasize God's transcendence over God's immanence.
Answer: False
Explanation: Progressive Christianity typically emphasizes God's immanence (presence within the world) more than God's transcendence (being entirely separate from the world).
Progressive Christianity generally asserts that Christianity is the only valid path to connecting with God.
Answer: False
Explanation: Progressive Christianity is typically non-exclusive, meaning it does not assert that Christianity is the sole valid or viable path to connecting with the divine.
Progressive Christianity embraces paradox and mystery over strict adherence to rigid doctrines.
Answer: True
Explanation: A key characteristic of Progressive Christianity is its embrace of paradox and mystery, valuing these elements more than strict adherence to rigid doctrines.
Environmental stewardship is considered a minor concern within Progressive Christianity.
Answer: False
Explanation: Environmental stewardship is recognized as a key characteristic and significant value within Progressive Christianity, reflecting a commitment to ecological care.
Social justice is considered a core value and integral aspect of discipleship in Progressive Christianity.
Answer: True
Explanation: Social justice is indeed recognized as a fundamental value and an integral component of discipleship within the framework of Progressive Christianity.
Progressive Christianity is characterized by a willingness to question tradition and an acceptance of human diversity.
Answer: True
Explanation: A defining characteristic of Progressive Christianity is its openness to questioning tradition and its affirmation of human diversity.
Progressive Christianity primarily focuses on individual spiritual enlightenment rather than societal issues.
Answer: False
Explanation: Progressive Christianity places significant emphasis on societal issues, particularly social justice, alongside individual spiritual development.
Progressive Christianity embraces God's transcendence while downplaying God's immanence.
Answer: False
Explanation: Progressive Christianity tends to emphasize God's immanence (presence within the world) more than God's transcendence (being entirely separate from the world).
Which core characteristic is NOT typically associated with Progressive Christianity according to its adherents?
Answer: Strict adherence to biblical literalism.
Explanation: Progressive Christianity is characterized by a willingness to question tradition, an acceptance of human diversity, and an emphasis on social justice, rather than strict adherence to biblical literalism.
What central biblical teaching is highlighted as guiding Progressive Christians?
Answer: The instruction to 'love one another' (John 15:17).
Explanation: Progressive Christians place significant emphasis on Jesus Christ's commandment to 'love one another,' as recorded in John 15:17, as a guiding principle.
Which of the following values is NOT stressed by progressive Christian thought?
Answer: Exclusivity
Explanation: Progressive Christian thought stresses values such as fairness, compassion, and justice, and is generally characterized by inclusivity rather than exclusivity.
According to Archbishop Wynn Wagner, what is the fundamental posture distinguishing progressive Christianity?
Answer: Inclusiveness and acceptance
Explanation: Archbishop Wynn Wagner identifies inclusiveness and acceptance as the fundamental posture that distinguishes progressive Christianity.
What is the general stance of Progressive Christianity regarding homosexuality?
Answer: It is not considered sinful, with an emphasis on inclusivity.
Explanation: Progressive Christianity generally does not view homosexuality as sinful and emphasizes inclusivity and acceptance concerning sexual orientation.
How does Progressive Christianity typically define salvation?
Answer: As achieving a robust, abundant life in the present.
Explanation: Progressive Christianity typically defines salvation as the attainment of a robust, abundant life in the present, rather than focusing solely on future afterlife events or escaping hell.
Progressive Christianity tends to emphasize God's immanence, meaning:
Answer: God's presence is within the world.
Explanation: Emphasizing God's immanence signifies the belief that God's presence is manifest within the world.
What is the stance of Progressive Christianity on religious exclusivity?
Answer: It is generally non-exclusive regarding paths to God.
Explanation: Progressive Christianity generally adopts a non-exclusive stance, not asserting that Christianity is the sole valid path to connecting with God.
Which value is emphasized alongside social justice and non-violence in Progressive Christianity?
Answer: Environmental protection
Explanation: Environmental protection is emphasized as a core value within Progressive Christianity, alongside social justice and non-violence.
The emphasis on justice in Progressive Christianity is a theme inherited from the Greek philosophical tradition.
Answer: False
Explanation: The emphasis on justice and care for the marginalized within Progressive Christianity is primarily inherited from the Hebrew prophetic tradition, not Greek philosophy.
Progressive Christianity draws theological influence from liberation theology, feminist theology, and eco-theology.
Answer: True
Explanation: Progressive Christianity indeed draws significant theological influence from streams such as liberation theology, feminist theology, and eco-theology, among others.
Progressive Christians interpret the Bible exclusively through a literal, historical lens.
Answer: False
Explanation: Progressive Christians approach the Bible with seriousness but generally favor interpretive and metaphorical understandings, rather than adhering exclusively to a literal, historical lens.
The 'epic of evolution' narrative is used by some progressive Christians to reconcile science and faith.
Answer: True
Explanation: The narrative of the 'epic of evolution' is employed by some progressive Christians, such as Michael Dowd, to foster compatibility between scientific understanding and religious faith.
Panentheism, the belief that God is in all things but also greater than all things, is a view often leaned towards by Progressive Christianity.
Answer: True
Explanation: Progressive Christianity frequently leans towards panentheism, a theological perspective where the divine is immanent within the universe while also transcending it.
Liberation theology's focus on the liberation of the poor and oppressed is a significant influence on Progressive Christianity.
Answer: True
Explanation: Liberation theology, with its emphasis on the liberation of the poor and oppressed, constitutes a significant theological influence on Progressive Christianity.
Feminist theology's critique of patriarchal structures contributes to Progressive Christianity's emphasis on gender equality.
Answer: True
Explanation: Feminist theology's critical examination of patriarchal structures within religious traditions significantly informs Progressive Christianity's commitment to gender equality.
Womanist theology, originating from the experiences of Black women, addresses issues of race, gender, and class, influencing Progressive Christianity.
Answer: True
Explanation: Womanist theology, which addresses intersecting issues of race, gender, and class, particularly from the perspective of Black women, is a notable influence on Progressive Christianity.
Eco-theology, or environmental theology, explores the relationship between religion and the environment, aligning with Progressive Christianity's values.
Answer: True
Explanation: Eco-theology, which examines the intersection of religion and the environment, aligns closely with the values of environmental stewardship emphasized within Progressive Christianity.
Progressive Christians reject the historicity of biblical passages, viewing them only as allegories.
Answer: False
Explanation: Progressive Christians affirm the spiritual truths within biblical passages, even if their historicity is debated, suggesting a willingness to engage with metaphorical or allegorical interpretations rather than outright rejection.
Progressive Christians typically interpret the Bible with strict literalism, believing every word to be factually accurate.
Answer: False
Explanation: Progressive Christians generally approach the Bible with seriousness but favor interpretive and metaphorical understandings, rather than strict literalism.
The emphasis on justice and care for the marginalized in Progressive Christianity is historically linked to which tradition?
Answer: Hebrew Prophetic Tradition
Explanation: The emphasis on justice and concern for the downtrodden within Progressive Christianity is primarily inherited from the Hebrew prophetic tradition.
Which theological stream is NOT mentioned as influencing Progressive Christianity?
Answer: Fundamentalist Theology
Explanation: The source lists Process Theology, Neo-Orthodoxy, and Eco-theology as influences, but not Fundamentalist Theology.
How do Progressive Christians typically approach the Bible?
Answer: With seriousness, favoring interpretive and metaphorical understanding.
Explanation: Progressive Christians approach the Bible with seriousness, generally favoring interpretive and metaphorical understandings over strict literalism.
What is the 'epic of evolution' used for in some progressive Christian circles?
Answer: To foster compatibility between science and religious faith.
Explanation: The 'epic of evolution' narrative is utilized in some progressive Christian circles to foster compatibility between scientific understanding and religious faith.
How does feminist theology influence Progressive Christianity?
Answer: By critiquing patriarchal structures and promoting gender equality.
Explanation: Feminist theology influences Progressive Christianity by critiquing patriarchal structures and advocating for gender equality within religious discourse and practice.
What does Progressive Christianity affirm regarding biblical stories that may not be historically factual?
Answer: They are affirmed for their spiritual truth, even if not literal.
Explanation: Progressive Christians affirm the spiritual truths contained within biblical stories, even when their literal historicity is questioned, embracing metaphorical or allegorical interpretations.
Rev. John H. W. Stuckenberg is credited with coining the term 'progressive Christianity' in the late 19th century.
Answer: True
Explanation: The term 'progressive Christianity' was indeed first coined by the German-American Lutheran pastor and scholar, Rev. John H. W. Stuckenberg, in 1898.
Progressive Christianity in the US has been linked to involvement in the Social Gospel movement.
Answer: True
Explanation: Progressive Christianity in the United States has indeed been associated with Christian engagement in the Progressive Movement and the Social Gospel movement, emphasizing social justice.
The Social Gospel movement focused solely on individual spiritual salvation.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Social Gospel movement emphasized the social implications of Christian teachings, focusing on justice and the welfare of the poor, rather than solely on individual spiritual salvation.
The term 'progressive Christianity' was coined by contemporary theologians in the late 20th century.
Answer: False
Explanation: The term 'progressive Christianity' was first coined by Rev. John H. W. Stuckenberg in 1898, not in the late 20th century.
Who is credited with first using the term 'progressive Christianity'?
Answer: Rev. John H. W. Stuckenberg
Explanation: Rev. John H. W. Stuckenberg is credited with coining the term 'progressive Christianity' in 1898.
What was Rev. John H. W. Stuckenberg's primary motivation for advocating progressive Christianity?
Answer: To oppose religious dogma and promote living teachings.
Explanation: Stuckenberg advocated for progressive Christianity based on his belief in the living teachings of Christ and the Apostles, opposing the stagnation caused by religious dogmatism.
Which historical US social movement is mentioned as having reflected Christian involvement aligned with Progressive Christianity?
Answer: The Social Gospel movement
Explanation: The Social Gospel movement is cited as a historical US social movement where Christian involvement reflected themes aligned with Progressive Christianity, particularly concerning social justice.
Rev. John H. W. Stuckenberg advocated for progressive Christianity because he believed it should be based on rigid, unchanging interpretations of scripture.
Answer: False
Explanation: Stuckenberg's advocacy stemmed from a belief that progressive Christianity should be grounded in the living teachings of Christ and the Apostles, opposing the stagnation caused by rigid dogmatism.
The '8 Points of Progressive Christianity' are a set of credal statements defining specific theological beliefs.
Answer: False
Explanation: The '8 Points of Progressive Christianity' are described as non-credal principles, intended to outline core tenets rather than function as formal credal statements.
Progressive Christianity is synonymous with progressive political movements, sharing identical goals and ideologies.
Answer: False
Explanation: While there may be philosophical overlap, Progressive Christianity is not synonymous with progressive political movements; they are distinct concepts.
Michael Dowd promotes the idea that science and religious faith are mutually exclusive.
Answer: False
Explanation: Michael Dowd, an advocate for evolutionary evangelism, promotes the view that science and religious faith are not mutually exclusive, but rather compatible.
Geoff Thompson argues that progressive Christianity sometimes 'over-reaches its arguments' and questions its adherence to traditional Christian definitions.
Answer: True
Explanation: Geoff Thompson has critiqued progressive Christianity, suggesting that certain expressions may 'over-reach their arguments' and challenge established definitions of Christianity.
The phrase 'orthopraxy instead of orthodoxy' means that Progressive Christianity prioritizes correct actions over correct beliefs.
Answer: True
Explanation: This phrase signifies a prioritization of right actions and practices (orthopraxy) over strict adherence to correct beliefs or doctrines (orthodoxy) within the faith.
The 'Christian left' is a term exclusively used for progressive political activists who happen to be Christian.
Answer: False
Explanation: The term 'Christian left' encompasses Christians who align with progressive political and social values, often drawing from their faith's emphasis on justice; it is not exclusively limited to activists.
The concept of 'orthodoxy' (correct belief) is prioritized over 'orthopraxy' (correct practice) in Progressive Christianity.
Answer: False
Explanation: Progressive Christianity often prioritizes orthopraxy (correct action) over orthodoxy (correct belief), emphasizing lived practice and ethical engagement.
What is the nature of the '8 Points of Progressive Christianity'?
Answer: A set of non-credal principles.
Explanation: The '8 Points of Progressive Christianity' are described as a set of non-credal principles designed to articulate the movement's foundational beliefs and practices.
What is the relationship between Progressive Christianity and progressive politics?
Answer: They have philosophical overlap but are distinct concepts.
Explanation: While Progressive Christianity shares philosophical overlaps with progressive politics, they are distinct concepts and not synonymous.
Which criticism has Geoff Thompson leveled against progressive Christianity?
Answer: It sometimes 'over-reaches its arguments' and questions its definition.
Explanation: Geoff Thompson has argued that progressive Christianity can sometimes 'over-reach its arguments' and question its own adherence to traditional Christian definitions.
The phrase 'orthopraxy instead of orthodoxy' suggests a prioritization of what in Progressive Christianity?
Answer: Correct action over correct belief.
Explanation: The phrase 'orthopraxy instead of orthodoxy' indicates a prioritization of correct actions and practices over strict adherence to correct beliefs within Progressive Christianity.