Over the last couple of years, and here on this forum in the past few weeks I have witnessed the emergence of a new “buzz” word, namely, “Progressive.” Here is the dictionary’s definition: (I have deleted 9 definitions which did not apply)
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
pro·gres·sive [pruh-gres-iv] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1. favoring or advocating progress, change, improvement, or reform, as opposed to wishing to maintain things as they are, esp. in political matters: a progressive mayor.
2. making progress toward better conditions; employing or advocating more enlightened or liberal ideas, new or experimental methods, etc.: a progressive community.
9. Medicine/Medical. continuously increasing in extent or severity, as a disease.
–noun
As I read and hear many use this term, I have become increasingly disturbed in my spirit by the redefining of what it means to be “progressive.” On the one hand, I believe that the church should be a truly progressive force in our world. We should favor and advocate progress, change, improvement, and reform, both on a personal and corporate basis. However, progress does not mean the abandonment of principles, morals, and values that are established by God.
There seems to be an attempt by some to convince us, that being a true “progressive” one must be enlightened with some new or “progressive” revelation that seeks to abolish standards, traditions, and even personal convictions that have no “scriptural mandate.” That in order to be effective, one must be relevant to their culture, so much so, that the line of demarcation between the church and the world is hard to see.
Many (not all) of those that aspire to this “progressive” mindset belittle those that hold onto their convictions, accusing them of being enemies of revival, and a hindrance to the evangelization of the world. They often times tout their “liberty” with arrogance and a self-righteous attitude, which they themselves despise from those who are still in “bondage.” I fear that this new age of “progressivism” is in reality a decent into liberalism, which like a disease attacks the core values, principles, and foundation of whatever society, institution, or religion it seeks to change, until there is little or no resemblance of its original state.
The underlying treachery of this “progressive” movement; is the ideology that true progress is measured by how far removed one can be from their place of origin. This is done by creating the illusion that they are in search of reformation based on restoration to the original, only to find that the original has been rewritten to align with their ideology. This creates a need to redefine every aspect of our heritage, doctrine, and name. Apostolic becomes authority, doctrine becomes dogma, separation and sanctification becomes legalism, charisma becomes anointing etc, and the Apostles did not mean what they said unless it is aligned with their “progressive” theology. All too often new and experimental ideas are embraced without looking at possible consequences; this creates instability in the name of “progress” because there is no longer a foundation to build upon.
It is interesting observation to me that the scriptures teach us the principle of adding to (progressive) our spiritual walk, yet this new "progressive" ideology seeks to subtract or strip away from us all of those things that we have found as safeguards of the anointing in our lives.
Let us never be deceived! New methods can be used without compromising the integrity of our faith. Building upon that which is laid, defines progress, not the abolishment of the foundations. Let us not be guilty of making new disciples and bringing them something that is so “progressive” that it makes them two-fold children of hell.
Let us be progressive and build upon that solid foundation which has been laid. But as the Apostle Paul warned us in
1 Corinthians 3:10 ….Let every man take heed how he buildeth thereon.
These are the musings of a young old time preacher with a hunger for a return to the old paths.