God blesses humanity through Law and Gospel. Divine grace operates through both, and neither is reduced to the other. Thus, giving Gospel answers to Law questions tends to result in the "cheap grace" of antinomianism, just as giving Law answers to Gospel questions tends to result in legalism (to generalize a bit, with much left out).
Too many times, I've seen/heard a message of "God loves you as a free gift just as you are" (absolutely true as far as it goes) but without clarifying the compelling implication that God's love is changing who we are to become more as we were intended to be. This is not a requirement, but a consequence, not "a root" but a "fruit" of salvation. This is a process that is ongoing over the resistance of human nature until the "new heaven and new earth."
I've also heard social justice messages that treat obedience to these ideals as though they were requirements for salvation. Sometimes, these were coupled with no forgiveness for past transgressions, regardless of repentance.
It's also important to distinguish between the personal sin of relatively free choices and the structures of sin/evil that afflict larger systems such as economic structures, governments, even religious denominations, etc., over which individuals have little if any control. Responsibility for self is always in the context of the systems in which one participates. Biblically, this also has been framed spiritually in terms of God v satanic forces.
Giving an "it's the system not the person" answer to personal responsibility questions tends to lead to helplessness, a victim mentality, and irresponsibility, just as giving personal responsibility answers to systemic questions tends to lead to blaming individuals for the larger problems of injustice, deprivation, societal violence, etc. (to generalize with much left out, yet again).
All of this supports the author's position on the importance of confession of one's transgressions and the importance of personal responsibility for dealing with one's situation. Like resolving denial in recovery from addictions and other emotional health issues, this is important for transformation spiritually.
Absolutely. At the same time, my experience of Progressives is to focus on systemic sin. We do need to extend this to an understanding of how we each participate in such sin. I always talked about sin in terms of ego-centricity (the word "sin" is often fraught with baggage). From there I would talk about specific behaviors. We have forgotten that the first thing Jesus says to do (in Mark) is "repent." Also, at least in my denomination (PCUSA) we do have Progressives who are Barthian enough to still talk about sin and repentance. But you're right, it is a major problem.
The sort of shunting all of our responsibility to the environment around us is such a disempowering move, in that we have ceded our final moment of agency. Confession and a hope of renewal/inner transformation gives us something that cannot be taken away by systemic injustice. It seems that progressives are stripping something of our essential humanity when they take away sin or perhaps also stated as personal responsibility for our actions.
I don't know if I am a progressive Christian or not, certainly I would be in a different place to where you are coming from.
Yes, at the basis of the faith is the fact that "all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God" Rom 3: 23, and yes we require that sins are forgiven If we confess them, "He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". 1 John 1:19.
However if we actually look at what Jesus is saying about sin in the Gospels we find that his main concern is in terms of relationships.
Jesus has told us to "Repent and believe the good news" Mk 1:15.
So we repent, and seek to build a place where the Kingdom of God is breaking in - "The Kingdom of God is near", Mk 1:15 and we pray that "God's Kingdom will come and God's will be done on earth as in heaven" Matt 6:10. This is not some vague time in the future, but something which can happen when right action takes place. What it the validating fact of Jesus - Try Matthew 11" 4 after john's disciples asked him if he was the one who was to come "The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
We get the same thing in lk 4: 18 where the marks of the kingdom are good news preached to the poor, freedom for prisoners recovery of sight to the blind the release of the oppressed and the proclamation of the jubilee.
By taking some comments and universalising them you are being fundamentally dishonest.
It would not be difficult to quote statements of Evangelicals which are sub Christian.
Some of this is semantics, but do think we need to take individual responsibility for things that we can do or change, but not judge others since we don’t know the fullness of their situation.
A thoughtful analysis with many good points.
God blesses humanity through Law and Gospel. Divine grace operates through both, and neither is reduced to the other. Thus, giving Gospel answers to Law questions tends to result in the "cheap grace" of antinomianism, just as giving Law answers to Gospel questions tends to result in legalism (to generalize a bit, with much left out).
Too many times, I've seen/heard a message of "God loves you as a free gift just as you are" (absolutely true as far as it goes) but without clarifying the compelling implication that God's love is changing who we are to become more as we were intended to be. This is not a requirement, but a consequence, not "a root" but a "fruit" of salvation. This is a process that is ongoing over the resistance of human nature until the "new heaven and new earth."
I've also heard social justice messages that treat obedience to these ideals as though they were requirements for salvation. Sometimes, these were coupled with no forgiveness for past transgressions, regardless of repentance.
It's also important to distinguish between the personal sin of relatively free choices and the structures of sin/evil that afflict larger systems such as economic structures, governments, even religious denominations, etc., over which individuals have little if any control. Responsibility for self is always in the context of the systems in which one participates. Biblically, this also has been framed spiritually in terms of God v satanic forces.
Giving an "it's the system not the person" answer to personal responsibility questions tends to lead to helplessness, a victim mentality, and irresponsibility, just as giving personal responsibility answers to systemic questions tends to lead to blaming individuals for the larger problems of injustice, deprivation, societal violence, etc. (to generalize with much left out, yet again).
All of this supports the author's position on the importance of confession of one's transgressions and the importance of personal responsibility for dealing with one's situation. Like resolving denial in recovery from addictions and other emotional health issues, this is important for transformation spiritually.
Absolutely. At the same time, my experience of Progressives is to focus on systemic sin. We do need to extend this to an understanding of how we each participate in such sin. I always talked about sin in terms of ego-centricity (the word "sin" is often fraught with baggage). From there I would talk about specific behaviors. We have forgotten that the first thing Jesus says to do (in Mark) is "repent." Also, at least in my denomination (PCUSA) we do have Progressives who are Barthian enough to still talk about sin and repentance. But you're right, it is a major problem.
Just an outstanding witness to our condition, my condition.
YES
The sort of shunting all of our responsibility to the environment around us is such a disempowering move, in that we have ceded our final moment of agency. Confession and a hope of renewal/inner transformation gives us something that cannot be taken away by systemic injustice. It seems that progressives are stripping something of our essential humanity when they take away sin or perhaps also stated as personal responsibility for our actions.
Sorry, but you are beginning at the wrong place.
I don't know if I am a progressive Christian or not, certainly I would be in a different place to where you are coming from.
Yes, at the basis of the faith is the fact that "all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God" Rom 3: 23, and yes we require that sins are forgiven If we confess them, "He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". 1 John 1:19.
However if we actually look at what Jesus is saying about sin in the Gospels we find that his main concern is in terms of relationships.
Jesus has told us to "Repent and believe the good news" Mk 1:15.
So we repent, and seek to build a place where the Kingdom of God is breaking in - "The Kingdom of God is near", Mk 1:15 and we pray that "God's Kingdom will come and God's will be done on earth as in heaven" Matt 6:10. This is not some vague time in the future, but something which can happen when right action takes place. What it the validating fact of Jesus - Try Matthew 11" 4 after john's disciples asked him if he was the one who was to come "The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
We get the same thing in lk 4: 18 where the marks of the kingdom are good news preached to the poor, freedom for prisoners recovery of sight to the blind the release of the oppressed and the proclamation of the jubilee.
By taking some comments and universalising them you are being fundamentally dishonest.
It would not be difficult to quote statements of Evangelicals which are sub Christian.
I suggest that you meditate on Heb 6: 1-3
Some of this is semantics, but do think we need to take individual responsibility for things that we can do or change, but not judge others since we don’t know the fullness of their situation.