A Progressive Christian Declaration

Preamble

Progressive Christianity is not a unified group, but a movement that seeks to be honest with the evidence of science, history, and modern scholarship. Progressive Christians believe that Christianity can and should change. Below is just one view of what Progressive Christianity is.

A Declaration

Denouncement

As Progressive Christians we seek to distinguish ourselves from and denounce those who would use the name of Christ to take away the rights of LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, people of color, prisoners, Muslims, Jews, and others. We denounce Christian nationalism, white supremacy, patriarchy, and all racism, xenophobia, misogyny, and hatred. We stand for democracy, diversity, equity and inclusion for all people everywhere.

1. Christianity

We believe Christianity is a religion that is neither perfect nor complete, therefore we must grow, change, and update our beliefs and practices as we receive new knowledge.

2. Truth and Evidence

We believe that all truth is God’s truth, and that all authority lies in the truth, and that truth is discerned through an honest and objective assessment of the evidence.

3. Foundations

We believe that Progressive Christianity finds its foundations in a fair and balanced use and interpretation of scripture, tradition, reason, and spiritual experience.

4. Standard of Faith

We hold that the Nicene Creed, as accepted by the ecumenical councils of Nicene (325) and Constantinople (381), as our standard of faith, allowing for differences of interpretation.

5. The Bible

We believe the Bible is given by the inspiration of God, and though not inerrant, it does contain all things necessary for our salvation. We believe the Bible is a book of myths, metaphors, and parables and therefore is not to be interpreted literally, unless there are good reasons to do so.

6. Creation

We believe that God created the universe and humankind, but that science best tells us how God did it.

7. Jesus Christ

We believe Christ was a real historical figure who lived and died for the sins of the world, and was raised on the third day.

8. Sin

We believe that sin is breaking the law of God, that that law is love, and that love is choosing the highest good of God first and foremost, and good of others equally with our own good.

9. Salvation

We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and that we are saved by grace through repentance and faith unto good works, and that love for God and others is the true sign of conversion.

10. Church

We believe that the Church is not a building, an institution, or an organization, but that it is the one universal Christian community which includes all who truly Love God and have faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

11. The Environment

We believe that human action is causing climate change, deforestation, pollution, and mass extinction of species, and that humankind needs to repent and treat nature with care and respect and act as caretakers of God’s good earth.

12. Democracy

We believe in a democracy where the rights of the minority are protected, where civil liberties are maintained for all people, and where the separation of Church and state is upheld and people have freedom of and freedom from religion.

Rev. Dr. Jay N. Forrest

February 6. 2025