A Fair Critique of Mainline Christian Liberalism
From Wesley Blog.
Though I am the type of person commonly identified with "Mainline Liberalism," I think Wesley Blog makes a good point: Many progressive Christian leaders are guilty of making uninformed generalizations about conservative evangelicals. As a result, progressive Christianity is more often defined by what it is not than by what it is.
For example some of my Sunday school students were upset by the content of an add for the United Church of Christ (mainline Christianity's most progressive, or liberal, denomination) in which the UCC contrasts itself with a congregation that does not welcome same-sex couples, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities. The kids took issue with the commercial because our United Methodist congregation, along with several other congregations in several other denominations (including some that would be considered "conservative"), would openly welcome any of the people turned away in the ad.
View the UCC ad.
I have problems with some of the rhetoric that comes from some of our evangelical, conservative brothers and sisters, particularly that which is directed toward homosexuals and women. But making blanket statements about "those darn conservatives" or "the church today" does no good. All Christians need to work toward providing safe forums to discuss matters of faith. While I disagree with Wesley Blog on a variety of issues and am occasionally offended by something he writes, I appreciate that he links to United Methodist bloggers (like me) whose views of the church differ substantially from his. Wesley Blog's interview with Beth Stroud was also a moment of grace.
Though I am the type of person commonly identified with "Mainline Liberalism," I think Wesley Blog makes a good point: Many progressive Christian leaders are guilty of making uninformed generalizations about conservative evangelicals. As a result, progressive Christianity is more often defined by what it is not than by what it is.
For example some of my Sunday school students were upset by the content of an add for the United Church of Christ (mainline Christianity's most progressive, or liberal, denomination) in which the UCC contrasts itself with a congregation that does not welcome same-sex couples, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities. The kids took issue with the commercial because our United Methodist congregation, along with several other congregations in several other denominations (including some that would be considered "conservative"), would openly welcome any of the people turned away in the ad.
View the UCC ad.
I have problems with some of the rhetoric that comes from some of our evangelical, conservative brothers and sisters, particularly that which is directed toward homosexuals and women. But making blanket statements about "those darn conservatives" or "the church today" does no good. All Christians need to work toward providing safe forums to discuss matters of faith. While I disagree with Wesley Blog on a variety of issues and am occasionally offended by something he writes, I appreciate that he links to United Methodist bloggers (like me) whose views of the church differ substantially from his. Wesley Blog's interview with Beth Stroud was also a moment of grace.
posted by Tinley | 6:41 AM
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