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Just Faith: Reclaiming Progressive Christianity
According to new research from the Public Religion Research Institute, there are over 35 million consistently progressive Christians in the United States. Majorities of American Christians support reproductive justice and LGBTQ+ rights. Yet they're erased from our public narrative--only mentioned as outliers to the fundamentalist norm.
In Just Faith, progressive Christian activist and writer Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons explains how a strong religious left has accompanied every major progressive advance in our society, and he resurrects the long but forgotten history of progressive Christianity in the United States that can and must link arms with progressive Muslims and Jews to make the moral case for pluralism, human dignity, and the common good. Graves-Fitzsimmons provides a blueprint for this type of resurrection based on his advocacy work at the intersection of religion and American politics. Graves-Fitzsimmons creates a rallying cry for a bold progressive Christianity that unapologetically fights for its values to impact the biggest political battles of our time--from immigration and economic fairness to LGBTQ+ rights and abortion rights--so that progressive Christians will stop lowering their voices when they identify as Christians. "What kind of Christian are you?" they'll be asked. And they'll even be understood when they reply with a smile, "The good kind."
In Just Faith, progressive Christian activist and writer Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons explains how a strong religious left has accompanied every major progressive advance in our society, and he resurrects the long but forgotten history of progressive Christianity in the United States that can and must link arms with progressive Muslims and Jews to make the moral case for pluralism, human dignity, and the common good. Graves-Fitzsimmons provides a blueprint for this type of resurrection based on his advocacy work at the intersection of religion and American politics. Graves-Fitzsimmons creates a rallying cry for a bold progressive Christianity that unapologetically fights for its values to impact the biggest political battles of our time--from immigration and economic fairness to LGBTQ+ rights and abortion rights--so that progressive Christians will stop lowering their voices when they identify as Christians. "What kind of Christian are you?" they'll be asked. And they'll even be understood when they reply with a smile, "The good kind."
219 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2020
16 people are currently reading
323 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 15, 2020
My friend, Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons, wrote a book! And it’s out in the world now! You can buy it and everything!
Read this book if you need to be reminded that there is a vast history of Christians who have been about the work of liberation, who side with the vulnerable against racist, sexist, and economic systems that prevent human flourishing. Read this book if you are tired of people assuming that to be a Christian means you have to vote Republican. Read this book if you want to be encouraged and inspired to follow Jesus in feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, taking care of the sick, and visiting those in prison (Matthew 25:35-36).
Read this book if you need to be reminded that there is a vast history of Christians who have been about the work of liberation, who side with the vulnerable against racist, sexist, and economic systems that prevent human flourishing. Read this book if you are tired of people assuming that to be a Christian means you have to vote Republican. Read this book if you want to be encouraged and inspired to follow Jesus in feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, taking care of the sick, and visiting those in prison (Matthew 25:35-36).
September 7, 2020
So proud to call this man my friend! If Guthrie has been my pastor or an outspoken faith leader when I was growing up, I may have had a much better journey! So thankful to know him now! He is not just writing about fighting the fight to be a better progressive Christian but is actually fighting the fight. In his acknowledgments, he thanks Twitter last for giving him the platform to find his voice and have space for his voice. Aren’t we all so lucky that he did?
September 21, 2020
Mr. Graves-Fitzsimmons book is a needed reminder that progressive Christians exist and have a strong theological tradition. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the "Christian Left," whether they are already part of the tradition or are curious about it's emergence. In a time so fraught with creeping Christian nationalism, this is a wonderful counterpoint.
September 28, 2020
This is by far one of the most profound, thought provoking, and motivating books I have ever read. If you are a progressive Christian who doesn’t quite understand what this new world of “Trumpisms” and evangelical agendas means for progressives, you need to read this book. I cannot emphasize enough how much you need this book. It’s a call to action, it’s an eye opening examination of the religious history of the United stages, is a friend assuring you you’re not alone in your pursuits. It’s everything we need in this pre-2020 election experience of emotional exhaustion and fear for our future. Seriously, read this book. I cannot emphasize this enough. It has blown my mind and I truly am a different person after having read it. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
March 1, 2021
Graves-Fitzsimmons book is a call to action for progressive Christians in our country. Through the chapters of Just Faith the author describes how it is the duty and responsibility of those who claim Christianity as their faith tradition, and progressive politics, to bind these two together in the public discourse. For far too long the narrative has been that to be Christian, in this country, is to be politically conservative. This is an untrue statement and Graves-Fitzsimmons points that there are at least 35 million Progressive Christians in the U.S. There are many of us, and part of the work is knowing that each other exists.
While Just Faith is not a new type of theology, it is a charge for progressive Christians to push back against what it looks like to be a Christian in the US today. The dominant Christian narrative in this country is one that is steeped in exclusion, hate, and fear which is a juxtaposition of the radical message of inclusion and love of Jesus. The Christian Nationalist movement is fear based and very appealing. It’s important for people of faith, who do hold progressive values, to speak up and claim our faith. Having progressive Christians involved in getting out correct information, and not misinformation, is important.
In the second half of the book, Graves-Fitzsimmons brings up the importance of not “meeting hate with hate.” It’s important that we do the necessary work of claiming Christianity, but that we do so in love. As Graves-Fitzsimmons says, “no mind has ever been changed by being told they’re wrong.” We must learn to use the basics of strategic communication in order to get the message out. As progressive Christians we tend to frame our arguments, in response to conservative Christians, in a negative way: “we aren’t just against abortion, we’re not fundamentalists, we’re against X, Y, Z policy.” It’s important to share what we’re for: we’re for inclusion and equality, we’re for love and acceptance, we’re for X, Y, Z policies. Relationship building is also a central theme in Just Faith, it is important to build connections across religious differences. Sometimes the best way to unlearn a prejudice is to meet someone from the group you are prejudiced against. Similarly, progressive Christians are spread across different Christian denominations, non-denominational churches, and the Catholic Church--some are even in “unfriendly” denominations where the institutional beliefs and policies do not align with those of the individual. It is therefore even more necessary for us to bridge these divides and connect.
Just Faith is an accessible read that meets the reader where they are. There is no judgement if this is your first exposure to progressive Christian-thinking. There is also no expectation that you have a handle on the full history of the development of Christian theology. If you’re curious to learn more about progressive Christianity, how to merge faith and politics, or strategies for avoiding burnout I commend this book.
While Just Faith is not a new type of theology, it is a charge for progressive Christians to push back against what it looks like to be a Christian in the US today. The dominant Christian narrative in this country is one that is steeped in exclusion, hate, and fear which is a juxtaposition of the radical message of inclusion and love of Jesus. The Christian Nationalist movement is fear based and very appealing. It’s important for people of faith, who do hold progressive values, to speak up and claim our faith. Having progressive Christians involved in getting out correct information, and not misinformation, is important.
In the second half of the book, Graves-Fitzsimmons brings up the importance of not “meeting hate with hate.” It’s important that we do the necessary work of claiming Christianity, but that we do so in love. As Graves-Fitzsimmons says, “no mind has ever been changed by being told they’re wrong.” We must learn to use the basics of strategic communication in order to get the message out. As progressive Christians we tend to frame our arguments, in response to conservative Christians, in a negative way: “we aren’t just against abortion, we’re not fundamentalists, we’re against X, Y, Z policy.” It’s important to share what we’re for: we’re for inclusion and equality, we’re for love and acceptance, we’re for X, Y, Z policies. Relationship building is also a central theme in Just Faith, it is important to build connections across religious differences. Sometimes the best way to unlearn a prejudice is to meet someone from the group you are prejudiced against. Similarly, progressive Christians are spread across different Christian denominations, non-denominational churches, and the Catholic Church--some are even in “unfriendly” denominations where the institutional beliefs and policies do not align with those of the individual. It is therefore even more necessary for us to bridge these divides and connect.
Just Faith is an accessible read that meets the reader where they are. There is no judgement if this is your first exposure to progressive Christian-thinking. There is also no expectation that you have a handle on the full history of the development of Christian theology. If you’re curious to learn more about progressive Christianity, how to merge faith and politics, or strategies for avoiding burnout I commend this book.
April 20, 2021
A very well-written book about progressive Christianity and progressive Christians, their history and contributions -- and perhaps (hopefully) their future. It's a good history or reminder of the contributions of progressive Christians to economic and social progress throughout US history, making good, interesting and actionable points relative to today's challenges. And it offers a vision of how regaining a Christian progressive voice can help make strides toward further equity and justice, despite the Right's wishes to keep that from happening. Even reading this book more as a secular progressive, I thought the book was really good, illuminating, and validating.
October 10, 2020
A digestible look at how progressive Christians have played a role in major American social movements, despite conservative Christians and their causes dominating the public narrative. The latter half of the book is an inspiring call to action to the Christian Left, outlining how progressives can change that narrative and use their faith to make the world a loving, inclusive, peaceful place.
May 18, 2022
This book gave me hope. I know progressive Christians are out there, but they aren’t the loudest voices in the public sphere. Chalk it up to what gets clicks or views, it’s reassuring to hear of how many out there really believe in the authentic words of Jesus. Including “whatsoever you do for the least among you, you have also done for me.”
August 7, 2024
This is a book that has helped me a lot as I re-explore my faith as a Christian. I’d left conservative Christianity as a child and had a long spiritual journey since then that ultimately brought me back. I knew I couldn’t come back in the way I had been raised. This book helped uncover the sheer numbers of progressive Christians out there and made me feel seen.
September 8, 2020
Thoughtful combination of history, theology, reflection, and call to action. This book isn’t interested in a flat partisan endorsement but challenges us to think about that political history in light of God’s expansive love and continually progressing justice and liberation.
May 14, 2021
Many people believe that in order to be a true Christian, you have to support conservative politics. Graves-Fitzsimmons makes a strong Biblical case that your politics can love your neighbor, support peace, and welcome the stranger while still following Jesus' teachings.
May 28, 2022
Author lives in dream world
Writer attacks everyone that does not agree with him.
If progressive Christians are so worried about economic justice why don't they fund instead of asking the government to do it??
Writer attacks everyone that does not agree with him.
If progressive Christians are so worried about economic justice why don't they fund instead of asking the government to do it??
December 18, 2020
A bracing, brisk book that gives me such hope. Thank you, Guthrie!
December 12, 2021
Lots to think about!
January 2, 2022
Graves-Fitzsimmons raises your awareness of the vast numbers of progressive Christians and offers ideas for taking back space from Christian nationalists toward increased equity and social justice.
October 1, 2020
So grateful for this witness, and charged again to continue the hard and holy work of living out the live and justice of Jesus until the name “Christian” reflects the true principles of Jesus in our rhetoric.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews