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Cruciform Quick
The Ten Commandments of Progressive Christianity
Not long ago, I came across a list of ten principles set forth by proponents of progressive Christianity. They are, in effect, a new Ten Commandments. What’s striking is that they are far less about God revealing his desires and far more about man expressing his own—less Moses, more Oprah.
Half-truths can sound quite appealing until you recognize their foundations and implications. In this booklet, I diagnose and critique each of these tenets and offer a brief biblical and theological response. Liberal Christianity never really goes away. If the church is going to hold fast to “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3), we must, in every era, be able to distinguish the true faith from the false.
Half-truths can sound quite appealing until you recognize their foundations and implications. In this booklet, I diagnose and critique each of these tenets and offer a brief biblical and theological response. Liberal Christianity never really goes away. If the church is going to hold fast to “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3), we must, in every era, be able to distinguish the true faith from the false.
58 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2019
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421 people want to read
About the author
Michael J. Kruger
34 books119 followersMichael J. Kruger (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is president and professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, and the author of a number of articles and books on early Christianity.
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February 2, 2020
The author, president and professor at Reformed Theological Seminary, writes of a daily devotional from Richard Rohr that listed ten principles he thinks modern Christianity needs to embody. Those ten principles were drawn from Philip Gulley’s book, If the Church Were Christian: Rediscovering the Values of Jesus. In his devotional series titled “Returning to Essentials”, Rohr sets forth the ten principles as a kind of confessional statement of modern liberalism. Kruger tells us that they are in effect, a “Ten Commandments” for progressive Christianity.
Kruger tells us that each of these commandments is only partially true. And that is what makes the list, and progressive Christianity as a whole, so challenging. The author tells us it is a master class in half-truths that sound appealing on the surface until you dig down deeper and really explore their foundations and implications.
In this short book, he diagnoses and critiques each of the “commandments”, offering a biblical and theological response to each, dipping occasionally into J. Gresham Machen’s classic volume Christianity and Liberalism, written in 1923. In that book, Machen argued that the liberal understanding of Christianity was, in fact, not just a variant version of the faith, nor did it represent simply a different denominational perspective, but was an entirely different religion. He was saying that liberal Christianity is not Christianity.
The ten commandments of Progressive Christianity are:
• Jesus Is a Model for Living More Than an Object for Worship
• Affirming People’s Potential Is More Important Than Reminding Them of Their Brokenness
• The Work of Reconciliation Should Be Valued over Making Judgments
• Gracious Behavior Is More Important Than Right Belief
• Inviting Questions Is More Valuable Than Supplying Answers
• Encouraging the Personal Search Is More Important Than Group Uniformity
• Meeting Actual Needs Is More Important Than Maintaining Institutions
• Peacemaking Is More Important Than Power
• We Should Care More about Love and Less about Sex
• Life in This World Is More Important Than the Afterlife
I found this to be a very interesting book, not being familiar with either Rohr or Gulley before reading this book. Here are some of my takeaways from the book:
• By removing the person of Jesus from the equation as an object of worship, it essentially makes Christianity a religion of moralism. What matters most, we are told, is not doctrine or theology, but behavior. Deeds over creeds.
• Jesus’ moral teaching only works when we retain his identity as Lord. The two should never and can never be split apart.
• We must affirm both our deep depravity and the amazing potential we have as God’s image-bearers. The two belong together.
• Teaching people good theology is a vital, essential way of caring for them.
• In the end, it’s clear that right behavior is not more important than right theology. Both are important.
• Progressives are quick to condemn all sorts of behavior they see in the world around them, while insisting that Bible-believing Christians are wrong when they do so.
• Christianity is not about mankind’s never-ending “journey” to God, but about God’s completed journey to us, to save us from our sins.
• Much of the problem with Gulley’s account of the church is that he views it as having a purely horizontal purpose—that is, how humans relate to humans. Entirely missing from Gulley’s account is any vertical purpose for the church (how humans relate to God). The biblical view of the church does not choose between the vertical and horizontal dimensions. It affirms both.
• Gulley sometimes has the right diagnosis but the wrong (or woefully incomplete) cure.
• Progressive Christianity is decidedly moralistic: what matters is not what you believe, but how you behave. This approach is absent when it comes to issues regarding sex. When sex is in view, suddenly progressives are for moral freedom and moral choice.
• The hallmark of progressive Christianity is a deep commitment to being “good” and doing “good” things.
• Gulley’s final commandment masterfully encapsulates three hallmarks of progressive Christianity. It focuses on man instead of God, downplays doctrine for morality, and claims uncertainty while all the while being very, very certain of itself.
Kruger tells us that each of these commandments is only partially true. And that is what makes the list, and progressive Christianity as a whole, so challenging. The author tells us it is a master class in half-truths that sound appealing on the surface until you dig down deeper and really explore their foundations and implications.
In this short book, he diagnoses and critiques each of the “commandments”, offering a biblical and theological response to each, dipping occasionally into J. Gresham Machen’s classic volume Christianity and Liberalism, written in 1923. In that book, Machen argued that the liberal understanding of Christianity was, in fact, not just a variant version of the faith, nor did it represent simply a different denominational perspective, but was an entirely different religion. He was saying that liberal Christianity is not Christianity.
The ten commandments of Progressive Christianity are:
• Jesus Is a Model for Living More Than an Object for Worship
• Affirming People’s Potential Is More Important Than Reminding Them of Their Brokenness
• The Work of Reconciliation Should Be Valued over Making Judgments
• Gracious Behavior Is More Important Than Right Belief
• Inviting Questions Is More Valuable Than Supplying Answers
• Encouraging the Personal Search Is More Important Than Group Uniformity
• Meeting Actual Needs Is More Important Than Maintaining Institutions
• Peacemaking Is More Important Than Power
• We Should Care More about Love and Less about Sex
• Life in This World Is More Important Than the Afterlife
I found this to be a very interesting book, not being familiar with either Rohr or Gulley before reading this book. Here are some of my takeaways from the book:
• By removing the person of Jesus from the equation as an object of worship, it essentially makes Christianity a religion of moralism. What matters most, we are told, is not doctrine or theology, but behavior. Deeds over creeds.
• Jesus’ moral teaching only works when we retain his identity as Lord. The two should never and can never be split apart.
• We must affirm both our deep depravity and the amazing potential we have as God’s image-bearers. The two belong together.
• Teaching people good theology is a vital, essential way of caring for them.
• In the end, it’s clear that right behavior is not more important than right theology. Both are important.
• Progressives are quick to condemn all sorts of behavior they see in the world around them, while insisting that Bible-believing Christians are wrong when they do so.
• Christianity is not about mankind’s never-ending “journey” to God, but about God’s completed journey to us, to save us from our sins.
• Much of the problem with Gulley’s account of the church is that he views it as having a purely horizontal purpose—that is, how humans relate to humans. Entirely missing from Gulley’s account is any vertical purpose for the church (how humans relate to God). The biblical view of the church does not choose between the vertical and horizontal dimensions. It affirms both.
• Gulley sometimes has the right diagnosis but the wrong (or woefully incomplete) cure.
• Progressive Christianity is decidedly moralistic: what matters is not what you believe, but how you behave. This approach is absent when it comes to issues regarding sex. When sex is in view, suddenly progressives are for moral freedom and moral choice.
• The hallmark of progressive Christianity is a deep commitment to being “good” and doing “good” things.
• Gulley’s final commandment masterfully encapsulates three hallmarks of progressive Christianity. It focuses on man instead of God, downplays doctrine for morality, and claims uncertainty while all the while being very, very certain of itself.
February 14, 2020
This is a terrific little reference book for the overall tenets of the Progressive "Christian" movement. It is indeed a false gospel and a different religion altogether. I highly recommend all Christians become familiar with the "modern" (not at all modern) beliefs that are running rampant in many parts of today's church. I would also highly recommend Alisa Childers' blog and podcast, www.alisachilders.com, for the latest in analysis of this movement.
February 22, 2020
More books are needed like this one. Kruger does an excellent job of identifying and debunking 10 common themes of Progressive Christianity. Many believers may not even be able to discern what Progressive Christianity is but will have that ability after completing this read. This title is easy-to-read, so any layman could follow easily what Kruger sets forth. This one is highly recommended for all pastors and church leaders. Discernment in today's church is greatly needed, and this book provides the tools needed to identify the dangers of PC.
February 15, 2022
A helpful concise summary, and short enough to listen to a few times and become familiar with the arguments.
May 12, 2020
This was a quick read (54 pages) which I read in two short sittings. Mr. Kruger, the author, bases these ten principles/commandments on Philip Gulley's book, "If the Church were Christian: Rediscovering the Values of Jesus." Kruger explains each purported principle, then follows up with a Biblical response.
The Bible is clear that there is nothing new under the sun and that the enemy of our souls will continue to muddy the gospel until Jesus returns. The devil is a master of deception and confusion. He does well at twisting the truth rather than throwing it out altogether. As Spurgeon once stated, "Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right." The most dangerous doctrine is that which is partially right.
Progressive Christianity is alarming because it is based on misunderstandings of the Christian Church...the Church which Christ is building, though not yet perfect. These misunderstandings are obvious by the observations of Gulley. Though questions are good because we should always be asking questions/always reforming, Gulley's views are inconsistent and he tends to arrive at the wrong conclusions. "...Gulley sometimes has the right diagnosis but the wrong (or woefully incomplete) cure."
One tenet that is prevalent in the culture is that "Jesus is a model for living more than an object for worship." As Kruger states, Christianity is not about moralism. Jesus' moral example is only binding if he is Lord. There seems to be confusion between the law and the gospel. Gulley "sees the main job of the church as solving society's social ills. And he seems upset that it is not doing enough. Such an approach fits remarkably well with progressive Christianity. If one's religious system is pure moralism, then of course the only applicable categories are the horizontal. The "church" then becomes just another version of the United Way or the local YMCA. In contrast, the biblical view of the church does not choose between the vertical and horizontal dimension. It affirms both. Of course, the church is to be a light and blessing to the world. But it is also designed to bring glory and praise to God and to proclaim his truth."
This small book helped to clarify in a nutshell what I am observing in the culture and has given me a better understanding of postmodernism while helping to equip me with the tools to respond with biblical truth where I am able. Highly recommended! Now on to Machen's "Christianity & Liberalism".
The Bible is clear that there is nothing new under the sun and that the enemy of our souls will continue to muddy the gospel until Jesus returns. The devil is a master of deception and confusion. He does well at twisting the truth rather than throwing it out altogether. As Spurgeon once stated, "Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right." The most dangerous doctrine is that which is partially right.
Progressive Christianity is alarming because it is based on misunderstandings of the Christian Church...the Church which Christ is building, though not yet perfect. These misunderstandings are obvious by the observations of Gulley. Though questions are good because we should always be asking questions/always reforming, Gulley's views are inconsistent and he tends to arrive at the wrong conclusions. "...Gulley sometimes has the right diagnosis but the wrong (or woefully incomplete) cure."
One tenet that is prevalent in the culture is that "Jesus is a model for living more than an object for worship." As Kruger states, Christianity is not about moralism. Jesus' moral example is only binding if he is Lord. There seems to be confusion between the law and the gospel. Gulley "sees the main job of the church as solving society's social ills. And he seems upset that it is not doing enough. Such an approach fits remarkably well with progressive Christianity. If one's religious system is pure moralism, then of course the only applicable categories are the horizontal. The "church" then becomes just another version of the United Way or the local YMCA. In contrast, the biblical view of the church does not choose between the vertical and horizontal dimension. It affirms both. Of course, the church is to be a light and blessing to the world. But it is also designed to bring glory and praise to God and to proclaim his truth."
This small book helped to clarify in a nutshell what I am observing in the culture and has given me a better understanding of postmodernism while helping to equip me with the tools to respond with biblical truth where I am able. Highly recommended! Now on to Machen's "Christianity & Liberalism".
January 17, 2020
There is a greater divide between traditional and progressive Christianity than ever before. As a Sunday School teacher who teaches the Doctrines of Grace, I find myself needing to combat liberal claims and questions on a regular basis. In “The Ten Commandments of Progressive Christianity,” I have a trustworthy and practical guide to help me hold fast to the truth.
Cruciform Quick
This book is a part of the Cruciform Quick series, an imprint of Cruciform Press. While Cruciform Press is known for producing books of about 100 pages, the Cruciform Quick series aims to produce booklets in the range of 40-60 pages each.
This entry was authored by Michael J. Kruger, President and the Samuel C. Patterson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC. He is ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America and also serves part-time as Pastor of Teaching at Uptown PCA in downtown Charlotte.
Half-Truths
The book looks at ten half-truths set forth by proponents of progressive Christianity. Just by reading them aloud, I did not think of any red flags. But Kruger points out the error in their beliefs and brings us to the Biblical truth at the heart of each issue. His answers are succinct and clear, with Scriptural support to ground his positions.
I was most impressed with Chapter 9: We Should Care More About Love and Less About Sex. Kruger gives a complete breakdown of the opposing strategy for sexual freedom, and takes the time to clarify and condemn each step. His writing tone is blunt yet gracious, acknowledging when there is truth to the claims but attacking when there are falsehood and deception.
True Faith
This book is a refreshing and encouraging read because of its faithful adherence to the truth. It is not ashamed to proclaim the true Gospel. It is clear, convicting, and courageous. And I am inspired to be the same.
I was provided a complimentary copy of The Ten Commandments of Progressive Christianity in exchange for an honest review.
Cruciform Quick
This book is a part of the Cruciform Quick series, an imprint of Cruciform Press. While Cruciform Press is known for producing books of about 100 pages, the Cruciform Quick series aims to produce booklets in the range of 40-60 pages each.
This entry was authored by Michael J. Kruger, President and the Samuel C. Patterson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC. He is ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America and also serves part-time as Pastor of Teaching at Uptown PCA in downtown Charlotte.
Half-Truths
The book looks at ten half-truths set forth by proponents of progressive Christianity. Just by reading them aloud, I did not think of any red flags. But Kruger points out the error in their beliefs and brings us to the Biblical truth at the heart of each issue. His answers are succinct and clear, with Scriptural support to ground his positions.
I was most impressed with Chapter 9: We Should Care More About Love and Less About Sex. Kruger gives a complete breakdown of the opposing strategy for sexual freedom, and takes the time to clarify and condemn each step. His writing tone is blunt yet gracious, acknowledging when there is truth to the claims but attacking when there are falsehood and deception.
True Faith
This book is a refreshing and encouraging read because of its faithful adherence to the truth. It is not ashamed to proclaim the true Gospel. It is clear, convicting, and courageous. And I am inspired to be the same.
I was provided a complimentary copy of The Ten Commandments of Progressive Christianity in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2021
This is a good, concise, clear summary of many of the core beliefs of progressive Christianity and a brief rebuttal of each one. I ultimately wanted more out of it, though. There was nothing here I disagreed with, but I think it was probably to brief. The responses to each commandment is clear, but I think it would have benefited from a greater flushing out of each argument. It also fell short for me because Kruger is only really interacting with one book by one author. That’s fine, but I was expecting more interaction with a range of authors and teachers, rather than just one. It’s hard to say that these are THE Ten Commandments of progressive Christianity when your source material is only one book. Citing from other teachers would have lent more credibility to those claims. Overall, I enjoyed it and think it’s a helpful resource, but for a thorough rebuttal to the teachings of progressive Christianity, I’d probably look elsewhere.
February 8, 2021
Short and easy read about theological Liberalism and the dangers and errors therein: it focuses on man instead of God, downplays doctrine for morality, and claims uncertainty while all the while being very, very certain of itself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2020
Hmmmm
Not a progressive here, but I think he misreads and makes some of the same kinds of arguments he is accusing progressives of making
Not a progressive here, but I think he misreads and makes some of the same kinds of arguments he is accusing progressives of making
May 4, 2021
Kruger looks back to Machen's 1923 book, "Christianity and Liberalism", Philip Gulley's 2010 book "If the Church Were Christian: Rediscovering the Values of Jesus" and Richard Rohr's "Returning to Essentials" article, to 'diagnose and critique' ten tenets, offering biblical and theological answers to each of liberal/progressive christianity's tenants. p6
It is noted that much unbiblical or heretical concepts has SOME truth in them; the biblical balance of the good points that are made in the issues raised have to be balanced against what the God says in the Bible for a more complete view of biblical Christianity in belief and in action.
I attempt to summarize the emphasis of the ten tenets that are critiqued by Kruger:
1. Jesus is a good moral guide and not so much God, to be worshipped.
Divine status is questioned and undermined which essentially makes this christianity a religion of moralism. Namely, this christianity is characterized by what WE do and not so much what GOD has done in Christ to forgive our sin. p11
Biblical Christianity and Jesus' moral teaching only works when we retain His identity as Lord. The two should never and can never be split apart. Right social action should flow from Biblical belief.
"What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate". Mt 19:6 p12
2. People's potential is affirmed while one's brokenness is minimized.
Biblically we should affirm each individual's unique potential and one's brokenness. To leave one of the two concepts out, leads to imbalance. When all that is promoted is one's sinfulness, it can lead to spiritual abuse and be more harmful than helpful. When sin against a holy God is diminished it diminishes the essential saving work of Christ; His work on the cross becomes no big deal, which is eternally tragic. p15
When one rejects the ideas that each of us are sinners in need of a savior, that Jesus died on the cross for sins, not much is left of Biblical Christianity and one is left with something that is not Christianity, it is something altogether. p16
3. Reconciliation is more important than making judgements
It is often said that to never discern, evaluate, judge bad behavior not right. People aren't to judge others. That idea is profoundly unbiblical, self-defeating, inevitably selective, and undercuts the process of reconciliation. p20 Bad behavior (sin) needs to be acknowledged, owned, and repented of.
"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil." Isaiah 5:20
4. Being a nice person (having gracious behavior) is more important than right belief.
The Christian approach to correcting bad behavior includes correcting bad (unbiblical) thinking. p24
While it is true that church attitudes and tones toward those with sinful behavior can be received as judgmental, such evaluations in tone and attitude should be conveyed in humility, grace, patience and a spirit of love. Sinful behavior wherever, is not to be declared right or championed.
"Keep close watch on yourself and your teaching." 1 Tim 4:16
5. Questioning Biblical truths ("in humility as one on a journey of discovery") is more important than having firm Biblical values. Questioning Bible-believing Christians as those entrenched in 'dogma' is important, because their ( the Christians') bad-behavior, it doesn't promote the social program. This is especially true when questioning biblical or Christian values in others as the "uncertainty" of history or their 'dogma'. p26 It can be a virtue to question and be sarcastic about others' beliefs and values.
For the Christian, it is possible to have absolute values based on the Bible. Scripture may be mocked by the world or others, but it is the place where Jesus stood. He declared to His Father, "Your Word is truth." John 17:17 p28
6. Encouraging the personal search for truth is more important than settling in on Biblical truth.
Many with this "being on a journey" bent, value the quest more than settling on believing that there are true answers to embrace. Christianity is not about man-kind's never-ending "journey" to God. Christianity is about God's completed journey to us, to save us from our sins. p33
"In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." I John 4:10
7. Helping others, meeting needs, is more important that the Church or being part of a church.
The church can be unattractive. There are always problems and sinfulness in churches (it's made up of sinful people) but it is still the Bride of Christ. Eph 5:25-27. The church is not JUST to serve people or fix the world's problems, its' to worship and glorify Jesus in relation to the world and God Himself. p37 Learning to live and get along with other people in their brokenness can be a God-glorifying struggle.
One day the church, the Bride of Christ, will be perfect: "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb...having the glory of God." Rev 21:9-11 p38
8. Being a peacemaker is more important than having power.
It is true that Lording it over others, whether in the world or in the church is not the way to do things, true. Biblical authority vs authoritarianism is better. Biblical authority which upholds biblical sound doctrine is not abuse of authority. How to achieve peace? "For He (Jesus) is our peace, who made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility. Eph 2:14 Peace is not just political and social, it has primarily to do with peace with God.
"Peace I leave with you; MY peace I give you." John 14:27 p43
9. We should care less about sex and more about love.
For some christians, as long as people are nice people and have good intentions, biblical guidelines about life and living are secondary. They may believe that to oppose sinful behavior is itself bad if the "results seen in those peoples' lives" are not harmful. p49
As Christians we are called to not just care about love or sex, but both. "Set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." 1 Tim 4:12
10. Living life now is more important that the afterlife.
Jesus spoke about the afterlife often. If there is no biblical hell, and no biblical eternal judgment, then it makes sense to concentrate mostly on moralism, social action, helping others as best we can or as we see fit. This emphasis is bound to only to be disappointing because faith and belief in the Jesus of the Bible is the ultimate anchor, not our just our behavior. Despite the wrongs of the church in what has been said or done in ungodliness (or what has NOT been said or done), what we are to fear the most is God: what He says and what HE does.
"Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both the soul and body in hell." Matt 10:28.
I acknowledge I may not have stated or restated these ideas with perfect accuracy. I do believe that all of thought and deed as a Christian rests on His work in me which is reflected in understanding and growing in knowledge of Jesus and growing in grace.
Jesus came to forgive my sins and bring me into His family. This overwhelming truth causes me to want to believe and do what is right, as a Christian, more and more, by His grace.
One of my favorite passages is in the New Testament is this one: "...her sins, which are many, are forgiven--- for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.. Luke 7:47
O God, help us all to love much and be used by You to make a better world.
It is noted that much unbiblical or heretical concepts has SOME truth in them; the biblical balance of the good points that are made in the issues raised have to be balanced against what the God says in the Bible for a more complete view of biblical Christianity in belief and in action.
I attempt to summarize the emphasis of the ten tenets that are critiqued by Kruger:
1. Jesus is a good moral guide and not so much God, to be worshipped.
Divine status is questioned and undermined which essentially makes this christianity a religion of moralism. Namely, this christianity is characterized by what WE do and not so much what GOD has done in Christ to forgive our sin. p11
Biblical Christianity and Jesus' moral teaching only works when we retain His identity as Lord. The two should never and can never be split apart. Right social action should flow from Biblical belief.
"What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate". Mt 19:6 p12
2. People's potential is affirmed while one's brokenness is minimized.
Biblically we should affirm each individual's unique potential and one's brokenness. To leave one of the two concepts out, leads to imbalance. When all that is promoted is one's sinfulness, it can lead to spiritual abuse and be more harmful than helpful. When sin against a holy God is diminished it diminishes the essential saving work of Christ; His work on the cross becomes no big deal, which is eternally tragic. p15
When one rejects the ideas that each of us are sinners in need of a savior, that Jesus died on the cross for sins, not much is left of Biblical Christianity and one is left with something that is not Christianity, it is something altogether. p16
3. Reconciliation is more important than making judgements
It is often said that to never discern, evaluate, judge bad behavior not right. People aren't to judge others. That idea is profoundly unbiblical, self-defeating, inevitably selective, and undercuts the process of reconciliation. p20 Bad behavior (sin) needs to be acknowledged, owned, and repented of.
"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil." Isaiah 5:20
4. Being a nice person (having gracious behavior) is more important than right belief.
The Christian approach to correcting bad behavior includes correcting bad (unbiblical) thinking. p24
While it is true that church attitudes and tones toward those with sinful behavior can be received as judgmental, such evaluations in tone and attitude should be conveyed in humility, grace, patience and a spirit of love. Sinful behavior wherever, is not to be declared right or championed.
"Keep close watch on yourself and your teaching." 1 Tim 4:16
5. Questioning Biblical truths ("in humility as one on a journey of discovery") is more important than having firm Biblical values. Questioning Bible-believing Christians as those entrenched in 'dogma' is important, because their ( the Christians') bad-behavior, it doesn't promote the social program. This is especially true when questioning biblical or Christian values in others as the "uncertainty" of history or their 'dogma'. p26 It can be a virtue to question and be sarcastic about others' beliefs and values.
For the Christian, it is possible to have absolute values based on the Bible. Scripture may be mocked by the world or others, but it is the place where Jesus stood. He declared to His Father, "Your Word is truth." John 17:17 p28
6. Encouraging the personal search for truth is more important than settling in on Biblical truth.
Many with this "being on a journey" bent, value the quest more than settling on believing that there are true answers to embrace. Christianity is not about man-kind's never-ending "journey" to God. Christianity is about God's completed journey to us, to save us from our sins. p33
"In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." I John 4:10
7. Helping others, meeting needs, is more important that the Church or being part of a church.
The church can be unattractive. There are always problems and sinfulness in churches (it's made up of sinful people) but it is still the Bride of Christ. Eph 5:25-27. The church is not JUST to serve people or fix the world's problems, its' to worship and glorify Jesus in relation to the world and God Himself. p37 Learning to live and get along with other people in their brokenness can be a God-glorifying struggle.
One day the church, the Bride of Christ, will be perfect: "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb...having the glory of God." Rev 21:9-11 p38
8. Being a peacemaker is more important than having power.
It is true that Lording it over others, whether in the world or in the church is not the way to do things, true. Biblical authority vs authoritarianism is better. Biblical authority which upholds biblical sound doctrine is not abuse of authority. How to achieve peace? "For He (Jesus) is our peace, who made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility. Eph 2:14 Peace is not just political and social, it has primarily to do with peace with God.
"Peace I leave with you; MY peace I give you." John 14:27 p43
9. We should care less about sex and more about love.
For some christians, as long as people are nice people and have good intentions, biblical guidelines about life and living are secondary. They may believe that to oppose sinful behavior is itself bad if the "results seen in those peoples' lives" are not harmful. p49
As Christians we are called to not just care about love or sex, but both. "Set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." 1 Tim 4:12
10. Living life now is more important that the afterlife.
Jesus spoke about the afterlife often. If there is no biblical hell, and no biblical eternal judgment, then it makes sense to concentrate mostly on moralism, social action, helping others as best we can or as we see fit. This emphasis is bound to only to be disappointing because faith and belief in the Jesus of the Bible is the ultimate anchor, not our just our behavior. Despite the wrongs of the church in what has been said or done in ungodliness (or what has NOT been said or done), what we are to fear the most is God: what He says and what HE does.
"Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both the soul and body in hell." Matt 10:28.
I acknowledge I may not have stated or restated these ideas with perfect accuracy. I do believe that all of thought and deed as a Christian rests on His work in me which is reflected in understanding and growing in knowledge of Jesus and growing in grace.
Jesus came to forgive my sins and bring me into His family. This overwhelming truth causes me to want to believe and do what is right, as a Christian, more and more, by His grace.
One of my favorite passages is in the New Testament is this one: "...her sins, which are many, are forgiven--- for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.. Luke 7:47
O God, help us all to love much and be used by You to make a better world.
June 2, 2020
★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader as part of a quick takes post to catch up--emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness.
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There's part of this that's a tribute to Machen and Christianity & Liberalism , while being an update to it, too. To see how Liberalism is alive and well (running under the moniker of "Progressive" now), he uses two contemporary works to respond to. He stresses repeatedly that the tenents taught in these books aren't wholesale departures from the faith. However, these half-truths are so misleading they amount to the same. Being half-truths, they're all the more dangerous and will easily fool some.
The analysis and critique are sharp, spot-on, and easy to read. Well worth your time.
But...
I know that the point of this imprint is "quick," but this was just too brief to be really valuable. I'd have liked some more depth, for Kruger to use more than just the two works he's critiquing, that sort of thing. It was an appetizer—and it turns out that after a couple of bites, I wanted a meal.
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader as part of a quick takes post to catch up--emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness.
---
There's part of this that's a tribute to Machen and Christianity & Liberalism , while being an update to it, too. To see how Liberalism is alive and well (running under the moniker of "Progressive" now), he uses two contemporary works to respond to. He stresses repeatedly that the tenents taught in these books aren't wholesale departures from the faith. However, these half-truths are so misleading they amount to the same. Being half-truths, they're all the more dangerous and will easily fool some.
The analysis and critique are sharp, spot-on, and easy to read. Well worth your time.
But...
I know that the point of this imprint is "quick," but this was just too brief to be really valuable. I'd have liked some more depth, for Kruger to use more than just the two works he's critiquing, that sort of thing. It was an appetizer—and it turns out that after a couple of bites, I wanted a meal.
March 25, 2023
So helpful to understand the errant claims and half-truths of the professing Christian’s in our current culture who are seeking to turn the biblical believer into the bad guy. Highly recommended this book to help equip one another for a right biblical understanding of the wrong ideas being touted by these “progressive Christians”.
June 27, 2024
Great little book! Quick read but packs a punch. Very good for a Bible study or Sunday school study.
May 30, 2023
This is more an extended book review of another's work and less a definitive and thorough summation and rebuttal of progressive Christianity - having said that, it is well written and full of truth if at times a little sarcastic and ungracious.
January 19, 2021
Borrowing from Steph Lau! A quick, comprehensive read on the “half-truths” of progressive Christianity, which often dangerously cloud the true message of Christianity. :( I appreciated the easy-to-follow breakdowns of how to think through each commandment and was encouraged by the reminders to stand firm in truth even though following these commandments may be “easier” in this world. Will definitely be recommending this book to others!
September 19, 2021
What’s scarier than deception? Than downright misrepresentation of that we hold most dear as Christians? Half-truths. A combination of false teaching with a little truth thrown in, just enough to throw an avid reader off track. The trajectory the book heads it’s reader down is a treacherous road. Krueger makes the clear distinction between the two in the book “Progressive Christianity “.
Progressive Christianity is a not a new way of looking at Christianity, it’s Christianity rewritten.
Making such claims that Jesus is not who we know Him to be but just a good role model, that doctrine and theology is not something to cherish as much as practicing good behavior, to name a few. The 10 commandments have been rewritten to please a moral majority and are no longer held sacred for the progressive.
A short book with a big message. Hopefully those who aren’t confident in what progressive Christianity is will gain a greater understanding of it, it’s fallacy, and the dangerous lies lurking beneath the surface of the promise of something better than the truth.
Progressive Christianity is a not a new way of looking at Christianity, it’s Christianity rewritten.
Making such claims that Jesus is not who we know Him to be but just a good role model, that doctrine and theology is not something to cherish as much as practicing good behavior, to name a few. The 10 commandments have been rewritten to please a moral majority and are no longer held sacred for the progressive.
A short book with a big message. Hopefully those who aren’t confident in what progressive Christianity is will gain a greater understanding of it, it’s fallacy, and the dangerous lies lurking beneath the surface of the promise of something better than the truth.
February 7, 2020
It is rare that you ever say a book from a Reformed Christian is too short - but that may be the case here. Though the fact that it is short does not take away the usefulness. Dr. Kruger adeptly handles the core issue(s) of progressive Christianity. This is a helpful book for anyone to read these days with the prominence of deconstruction and the rise of the 'nones.' You can easily read it in a short time, but the content should stick with you and it will prove helpful.
July 4, 2020
I agree with this book’s view that the ‘progressive Christian’ movement is not actually Christian. But I found the treatment here dissatisfyingl.
April 13, 2023
TLDR: Must read. short book about the half-truths and hidden deceptions of Progressive Christianity.
Despite being such a small book, it is generous in the content it offers. These ten commandments really are the pillars of what progressive Christianity stands on. Progressive Christianity, at face value, seems like a good and moral system to adhere to. It is one of those ideologies that has some truth in it in order to be convincing enough, but upon closer inspection, you can see the sort of dire implications it has when it comes to the gospel. The overarching theme of Progressive Christianity (to me) seems Kruger affirms teachings that both progressive Christianity and biblical Christianity teach and also exposes the faults of progressive Christianity.
There are many great things about this book. It’s a quick read. Gets to the point. There’s no fluff. With about 4 pages dedicated to each commandment, Kruger explains each one soooooo well. So well in fact, that I would highly recommend it to all of my Christian friends that interact with their more liberal counterparts; who often find themselves unsure of how to respond to the tricky notions of progressive Christianity. Before reading this I had always been able to identify the problematic aspects of Progressive Christianity but struggled to form those thoughts and concepts into accurate, structured sentences. After reading this book, I finally have the words I have been looking for.
My only complaint is that it wasn’t longer.
August 12, 2020
Pretty basic, short, but good. I was hoping for something a little more substantive. It would be helpful for someone who may be looking for something fairly simple, who needs some answers for themselves or loved ones or friends who are contemplating a "progressive" church or are intrigued by a "progressive" leader or pastor. [Kruger himself is anything but theologically unsophisticated, being President of Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, N.C.] It would also be a helpful book to have around as a fairly basic outline of the main tenets of contemporary "Progressive Christianity." It is primarily a response to one Progressive writer, Philip Gulley's book, If the Church Were Christian, Rediscovering the Values of Jesus. As Kruger points out, "Progressive Christianity" is pretty much the old theological liberalism of the last century repackaged in a contemporary postmodern form. As such, Progressive Christianity is hardly progressive, it's actually regressive, falling back into the antiquated liberalism of a by-gone era. As many have pointed out, the theologically liberal denominations are hemorrhaging members, and have been for decades. Progressive Christianity imagines it can entice people with the same watered-down Christianity by attaching new labels. Some are fooled, but I doubt in the long run that many will find its discipleship-less, Crossless Christianity will have any more of an enduring appeal to many than did its predecessor.
January 14, 2026
I would start by saying that I agree with all of his arguments about the flaws in Gulley’s argument (ie the 10 Commandments of Progressive Christianity). But good Christian writers have been making these arguments for centuries now. So, I’m not quite sure what this little book is hoping to achieve. If it is just to state via these commandments what progressives believe, and to give brief apologetic material to refute then I suppose it achieves that. But do remember the book is brief.
If it is aimed at those who are attracted to some of the arguments that progressive voices make, and to draw them back into the fold, I think it is a little wanting. The author does frequently point out what Gulley (ie progressive) are right to complain about, but then the author moves on to what Gulley is wrong about. A bit more time spent on how we non-progressives (for want of a term) might work on our problems would be welcome.
It feels a little like the choice given is “Those who say they care about people but have their theology wrong” or “We who have a theology right, but seem to have some major issues that we are just leaving out there”.
I also find that today terms like evangelical, progressive, liberal, conservative, etc have taken on a life of their own, and that too much baggage is automatically included. Things are more of a spectrum, more multidimensional than 2 dimensions.
I feel this book missed some good opportunities for looking in the mirror.
If it is aimed at those who are attracted to some of the arguments that progressive voices make, and to draw them back into the fold, I think it is a little wanting. The author does frequently point out what Gulley (ie progressive) are right to complain about, but then the author moves on to what Gulley is wrong about. A bit more time spent on how we non-progressives (for want of a term) might work on our problems would be welcome.
It feels a little like the choice given is “Those who say they care about people but have their theology wrong” or “We who have a theology right, but seem to have some major issues that we are just leaving out there”.
I also find that today terms like evangelical, progressive, liberal, conservative, etc have taken on a life of their own, and that too much baggage is automatically included. Things are more of a spectrum, more multidimensional than 2 dimensions.
I feel this book missed some good opportunities for looking in the mirror.
June 27, 2021
If progressive Christianity really holds to the "ten commandments" that author Michael Kruger lists here in this short 50-page book, then it really is another religion, to be distinguished completely from biblical Christianity. He sums up the core of progressive Christianity as holding to three commitments: 1) it is man-centered rather than God-centered; 2) it prioritizes deeds over creeds, or activism over a concern for right doctrine; and 3) it is critical of certainty, at least certainty regarding answers, while being certain that asking questions and being a seeker is much more virtuous than actually claiming that there are solid answers.
Kruger reminds us that with these ideas there is nothing new under the sun, just a change in labels. J. Gresham Machen spoke to the same concerns some 80 or so years ago in his classic book "Christianity and Liberalism" which made the case that the two are different religions. I've been meaning to read that book for years, and now I've really got to pick it up!
This book, in its brevity, is a valuable introduction to a pernicious teaching that goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden when the serpent said, "Did God Really Say...?" The authority and trustworthiness of Scripture is really the core issue, and I wish progressives would be more honest in citing their unbelief in this regard.
I highly recommend this book.
Kruger reminds us that with these ideas there is nothing new under the sun, just a change in labels. J. Gresham Machen spoke to the same concerns some 80 or so years ago in his classic book "Christianity and Liberalism" which made the case that the two are different religions. I've been meaning to read that book for years, and now I've really got to pick it up!
This book, in its brevity, is a valuable introduction to a pernicious teaching that goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden when the serpent said, "Did God Really Say...?" The authority and trustworthiness of Scripture is really the core issue, and I wish progressives would be more honest in citing their unbelief in this regard.
I highly recommend this book.
November 23, 2021
Progressive Christianity Defines Everything Differently
There is a lot that can be said about the staggering differences between Progressive Christianity and the historical/traditional view of Christianity as held by most evangelical denominations.
Kruger points out how these two “perspectives” of what some say are the same religions are in fact different religions entirely. You cannot claim to believe the same things when you define everything differently. You, by definition, are holding to a completely different perspective.
While I think Kruger rightly agrees with a lot of the issues raised by Progressive Christianity (as articulated in this book, i.e. the abuse of power in authoritarian leadership styles, etc.). I would rightly agree that most of the critiques leveled by the Progressive Movement have incomplete or wholly inadequate solutions (i.e a push toward Moralist-Therapeutic Deism, which cannot rightly be considered a Christian perspective).
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is student or young adult ministries. I would also recommend this book to anyone who has people in their lives within the High School, College, or Young Professionals demographic.
There is a lot that can be said about the staggering differences between Progressive Christianity and the historical/traditional view of Christianity as held by most evangelical denominations.
Kruger points out how these two “perspectives” of what some say are the same religions are in fact different religions entirely. You cannot claim to believe the same things when you define everything differently. You, by definition, are holding to a completely different perspective.
While I think Kruger rightly agrees with a lot of the issues raised by Progressive Christianity (as articulated in this book, i.e. the abuse of power in authoritarian leadership styles, etc.). I would rightly agree that most of the critiques leveled by the Progressive Movement have incomplete or wholly inadequate solutions (i.e a push toward Moralist-Therapeutic Deism, which cannot rightly be considered a Christian perspective).
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is student or young adult ministries. I would also recommend this book to anyone who has people in their lives within the High School, College, or Young Professionals demographic.
January 11, 2023
I’m grateful for this book- Kruger responds to Gulley with warmth and graciousness, and he hits many of progressive Christianity’s hallmarks on the head. His chapter on sexuality, in particular, is helpful and poignant. However, this book is not so much about progressive Christianity as it is about Gulley’s particular brand of progressive Christianity, but Kruger often conflates the two. For instance, because Gulley denies the divinity of Christ, Kruger says that progressive Christianity writ large also denies the divinity of Christ. However, I spend a lot of time with progressive Christians, and only a few of them deny the divinity of Jesus.
Kruger’s use of Gulley also, I think, prevents him from seeing what I think are the two major differences between progressive and evangelical Christians. The first concerns Scripture: progressive Christians tend to think that one’s background and experiences essentially prevents any one person from understand the Bible. This epistemological issue does not appear in this book. Second, progressive Christians tend to think about sin as a system rather than a personal condition. Kruger touches on this, but focuses more on individual facets of systemic sin rather than the theological claim about systemic sin as a whole.
Kruger’s use of Gulley also, I think, prevents him from seeing what I think are the two major differences between progressive and evangelical Christians. The first concerns Scripture: progressive Christians tend to think that one’s background and experiences essentially prevents any one person from understand the Bible. This epistemological issue does not appear in this book. Second, progressive Christians tend to think about sin as a system rather than a personal condition. Kruger touches on this, but focuses more on individual facets of systemic sin rather than the theological claim about systemic sin as a whole.
October 23, 2022
If you have ever wondered what Progressive Christians believe, and why they sound so fuzzy in their theology, this book looks into ten essential beliefs that Progressive Christians hold, and why they are wrong. The thing is, everybody of them has a root of correctness to them, but they put two things against each other that should be part of the same thing, emphasizing the one that is enabled by postmodernist thought. So, love is more important than sex, and if you love - the sex thing is not that important to be strict on (as an example taken from the book). If you believe like that, you put the Bible under the bus and thus end up being only a progressive that picks things from the bible they like, but not really a Christian. So, this book is a great reminder for Christians to not trip in the snare and fall for sugarcoated theology like this, even if there are lots of rights, because we should love, it should not give permission morally to not care about sexual purity from the perspective of the Christian belief.
January 6, 2023
I really want to give this 2.5 stars (somewhere above "it was okay" but not quite to "I liked it"). I agree with the author's perspective and the book does its job well enough (so long as we remember that part of its job is to be short), so I'll round up. I've read other books by Kruger that take a more thorough look at their topic, resulting in not only much longer books but also much more satisfying reads. This book focuses on a single interlocutor, and Kruger's responses are rather narrowly tailored. Some of his responses don't hold up as well as others. "You too" arguments can feel a bit unserious, and can come across as pointing out a weakness in an opponent's *argument* without actually finding a flaw in their *position.* All in all, it could be a useful book to give to someone under the right circumstances, though a more thorough treatment of the topic would be needed for me to want to give it a general recommendation.
January 22, 2020
Book 13 of 2020. This is a brief response to ten principles Richard Rohr posted in a devotional. These principles were drawn from Philip Gulley’s work and represent many beliefs common to more liberal Christians. Kruger draws from the Bible and from Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism to form his responses.
This is a good, but brief response to many of the popular principles that are common to more liberal Christians. However, many more progressive Christians will not recognize themselves on these pages (or will see these views as a distortion of their personal beliefs). Kruger’s response is also directly to Gulley’s work, and Gulley is at the extreme liberal end doctrinally of the Progressive Christian movement. The book is solid, but I feel that perhaps the title is a little misleading.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#theology #books #bookstagram #theunreadshelfproject2020
This is a good, but brief response to many of the popular principles that are common to more liberal Christians. However, many more progressive Christians will not recognize themselves on these pages (or will see these views as a distortion of their personal beliefs). Kruger’s response is also directly to Gulley’s work, and Gulley is at the extreme liberal end doctrinally of the Progressive Christian movement. The book is solid, but I feel that perhaps the title is a little misleading.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#theology #books #bookstagram #theunreadshelfproject2020
July 27, 2022
Excellent critique of the ten principles Richard Rohr thinks modern Christians should endorse and the source of their origin in Philip Gulley's book, "If the Church Were Christian." It demonstrates how there is nothing new under the sun when it comes to so-called 'progressive' Christianity. He does this by showing the parallels between Gulley's principles and J.Gresham Machen's 1923 book, "Christianity and Liberalism." I agree with Kruger that liberal Christianity is not true Christianity:
"Although its modern advocates present liberal Christianity as something new and revolutionary, it is nothing of the sort. It may have new names (e.g., 'emerging' or 'progressive' Christianity), but it is simply a rehash of the same well-worn system that has been around for generations."
"Although its modern advocates present liberal Christianity as something new and revolutionary, it is nothing of the sort. It may have new names (e.g., 'emerging' or 'progressive' Christianity), but it is simply a rehash of the same well-worn system that has been around for generations."
July 11, 2023
This book would have been better as a podcast mini-series than a book.
Though I agreed with some points he made, Kruger took scripture and used it to make points that were not the scripture's purpose, for example, he used Matthew 19:6 "Therefore what God has joined together let no man separate" in the context of Jesus and His divinity rather than it's original meaning as to the permanency of Gods original plan for marriage.
If you're looking for a book critiquing progressive Christianity beliefs and offering a biblical response, I wouldn't recommend this book. Though short and approachable, he tore scripture out of context just as progressive Christians do.
Though I agreed with some points he made, Kruger took scripture and used it to make points that were not the scripture's purpose, for example, he used Matthew 19:6 "Therefore what God has joined together let no man separate" in the context of Jesus and His divinity rather than it's original meaning as to the permanency of Gods original plan for marriage.
If you're looking for a book critiquing progressive Christianity beliefs and offering a biblical response, I wouldn't recommend this book. Though short and approachable, he tore scripture out of context just as progressive Christians do.
May 8, 2020
I would have given this book 4 1/2 stars if I could have. If we are honest this book actually reveals cracks in aspects of our own Christian walk no matter what level of maturity you are. The sweet thing this that when those topics, illustrated here as the Ten Commandments of Progressive (or liberal) Christianity, are brought to the light we can wrestle with them (with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit).
If you want to arm yourself against pitfalls in your Christian walk this short book is a very good place to begin.
If you want to arm yourself against pitfalls in your Christian walk this short book is a very good place to begin.
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