THRS 2221 - Midterm Vocabulary Sheet

infallibilism/inerrantism (synonyms)

the belief that the Bible is without fault (infallible) or without error (inerrant)

Progressive Christians reject infallibilism, they believe that infallibilists are just attempting to use the bible to support their pre-biblical opinions. They are putting their beliefs above the meaning the of the bible. (Infallibilists use the bible to reinforce their world view). Progressives believe the bible is influenced by space and time and therefore its context must be understood and some of its texts rejected.

literalism

Taking the bible for its surface meaning

Progressives reject Biblical Literalism because it can lead to conflicts between faith and science. They prefer to interpret the bible figuratively, metaphorically, and spiritually because it allows us to see the transformative meaning of the Bible.

agape

God's unconditional and universal love for us all/the world.

Progressive Christians base their biblical interpretation around this concept just like Jesus did. Therefore, progressive christians interpret the bible through a universalist and inclusive lens while rejecting unloving interpretations.

patriarchy

a form of social organization in which males dominate females.

Progressive Christians reject patriarchal texts within the Bible and patriarchic beliefs because they do not coincide with a universalist understanding of God. God created/loves us all equally and therefore we should all be equally considered in each other’s ethical systems. Women are equal in God’s eyes so they should be equal in our society as well.

multiculturalism

the practice of valuing and respecting differences in culture OR valuing and respecting the diversity of the culture.

Progressive Christians embrace multiculturalism because Jesus embraced diversity and encouraged us to love each other. Jesus tells us to love our neighbor and our perceived enemies.

monoculturalism

the promotion of just one culture. Rejection of cultural diversity

Progressive christians reject monoculturalism and the belief that one culture should dominate others. Jesus teaches us to embrace differences and support the marginalized.

evangelicals/fundamentalists (synonyms)

individuals who follow the belief that the bible is literal and of the highest authority, God is authoritarian, and commitment to biblical authority and traditional orthodoxy.

Progressive Christians reject fundamentalist beliefs such as the belief that Christians should exercise dominion over all of society and their belief in biblical innerency. Rather Progressive Christians believe in democracy, pluralism, and figurative/metaphorical,spirtual interpretation.

egalitarianism

belief in equality

Progressive Christians believe in egalitarianism because we believe God is the god of the cosmos and he made and loves us all. Therefore, we are all equal and should be included in each others’ ethical systems.

apocalypticism/millennialism (synonyms)

end time belief system predicting an impending disruption of ordinary time by God. replacing conventional history with divine history.

This is a fundamentalist belief system that is not reflected in Progressive Christianity. This belief system is rooted in fundamentalist attraction towards a nation birthed through violence where good/ holiness (evangelicals) prevails above evil (those who are not evangelicals and therefore unholy). This viewpoint is rejected by Progressive Christians who believe it reflects a strong us v. them mentality and results in people not focusing on non-violent justice through social reform.

persecution complex/cherished victimhood

an irrational and deeply held belief that other people, groups, or institutions are trying to harm you without any basis in reality; belief you are a victim

This is a largely white male fundamentalist belief system that is rejected by Progressive Christians. This belief system reinforces a strong us v. them mindset that is rejected by progressive christians because it does not align with Jesus’ egalitarian views. Jesus embraced inclusivity not exclusivity.

Kingdom of God/ regnocentrism

The kingdom of God is described by Jesus as the reign of love.

Progressive Christians strongly believe in regnocentrism which is kingdom of God centered theology. They want to want progress towards the reign of love in our society.

Prodigal Son

This a parable where a son asks for his inheritance early from his father. He wastes this money on his vices and takes a job feeding pigs before swallowing his pride and returning to his father to be hired as a servant. Instead of rejecting his son or punishing him the father calls for a celebration because his son had returned home.

Progressive Christians interpret this parable as a reflection of God’s emphasis on forgiveness and reconciliation. Progressive Christians believe this parable calls for them to treat others with compassion and offer forgiveness.

Good Samaritan

a parable about a Samaritan, a traditional enemy of the Hebrews, who stopped to help a Jewish man who had been beaten and left for dead at the side of the road.

Progressive Christians interpret this parable as God calling for universalism. The samaritan is considered an outsider but does the right thing for his “enemy” regardless. This reflects universalist values because it shows that moral obligations/ ethical systems and compassion apply universally because we are all neighbors.

incarnation

A spirit, God, or abstract idea taking a physical form. Jesus being born is representative of God being enfleshed to dwell among us.

Progressive Christians view the incarnation as Jesus experiencing the human experience so God can now empathize with humankind. Faith, hope, and love was brought down to humankind.

crucifixion

Jesus' death on the cross

Progressive Christians believe the crucifixion represents humankind’s rejection of faith, hope, and love due to our fear, anger, and hatred.

resurrection

Jesus's rise from the dead 3 days after the crucifixion

Progressives view the resurrection as the victory of love over fear, and hope over despair. This is important because hope is central to progressive christian theology. Progressive Christians understand hope as the certainty that if something makes sense if must be fought for regardless of how it turns out.

parable

a simple story that illustrates a moral or religious lesson

Progressive Christians believe the Bible is full of parables rather than literal stories. This is important because a symbolic understanding of the bible allows for a more transformative understanding of it.

Pentecost

The holy spirit comes to the Church (early Apostles and disciples) 50 days after the resurrection.

Progressive Christians believe the pentecost represents the birth of an egalitarian, inclusive community that was rooted in the beliefs of Jesus. Nobody within the church was more holy than any other, they all contained the holy spirit.

Holy Spirit

The energizing spirit within Christ that inspired him when it entered the disciples it empowered them to do as jesus did.

Progressive Christians believe the holy spirit being contained in each of us points to the egalitarian nature of God’s teachings. The holy spirit also empowers progressive christians to seek societal reform for the common good.

inclusivism

Diversity of faith should be respected and celebrated rather than completely rejected and diminished.

Progressive Christianities push for inclusivism because Jesus taught us to love our neighbors and to protect those who are marginalized. Progressive Christians promote inclusivism because they want to support diverse communities built on compassion rather than monotheistic communities built on strict religious practice.

exclusivism

Rejects inclusivism and creates restricted spaces of uniformity/homogeneity.

Progressive Christians reject exclusivism because Jesus calls for us to love our neighbor and love our perceived enemies.

universalism

God's love is universal, or unconditional, to everyone without discrimination.

Progressive Christians strongly promote universalism. Progressive Christians believe that because God’s love is universal and unconditional our love for one another should be as well. Therefore, our ethical systems should include everyone (we’re all each other’s neighbors).

particularism

Salvation is found only through God, redemption is received based on specific faith alone

Progressive Christians reject this interpretation because they promote promote universalism. Progressive Christians believe that because God’s love is universal and unconditional our love for one another should be as well. Therefore, our ethical systems should include everyone (we’re all each other’s neighbors).