Can one be both 'progressive' and 'evangelical'?

I say yes! I am a progressive evangelical. Recently I have been reflecting much on how best to describe who I am in my beliefs and traditions.

I consider myself quite progressive in my social views but definitely not a secularist.

I consider myself an evangelical Christian, but definitely not conservative or fundamentalist.

I am American Baptist, which is generally much more progressive and inclusive than, say the Southern or Conservative Baptist traditions, generally speaking...

American Baptists affirm the calling and ordination of women and people of diverse cultural backgrounds in ministry.

There is also a significant portion of American Baptists who strongly support equal rights for gay and lesbian couples.

Many from my denomination affirm a women's right to make choices about her own body, though some do not.

Like any denomination, the one of which I am a part includes members across a diverse spectrum of beliefs, backgrounds and cultures. Like the Episcopal Church, although not quite on the same scale, there have been some divise battles within the fold about stances on uality, and ethics. A diversity of opinions is good as long as the body of believers can come together on what Jesus himself identified as the most important of the commandments:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and your neighbor as yourself."

Too often I think the temptation for people of faith is to forget this important commandment in the heat of discussion and instead follow our own spiritual pride and righteous indignation.

Still, far too often, when I speak to people in my daily travels and mention that I am a "Baptist," there is an uncomfortable silence, sometimes followed by a question like "Oh... You mean Baptist as in Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson Baptist??"

The radical religious right-wing's campaign to co-opt conservative politics (and vice versa), seems to have left most Americans (and even some 'progressive' theologians), with a sour impression of the word 'evangelical.'

Webster defines progressive as "making use of or interested in new ideas, findings, or opportunities," and evangelical as "of, relating to, or being in agreement with the Christian gospel especially as it is presented in the four Gospels." This does not have to be a literalist or fundamentalist 'agreement' with the Gospel (nor do I feel a need to conform to Webster's definitions literally)- rather I believe one can believe in the truth of the Christian message, and still recognize that the greatest truth is in the rich metaphors it conveys to us in its "more-than-literal" sense, as Marcus Borg would say.

When the radical right started to try to co-opt Christian evangelicalism in the 1970's and 80's, Falwell, Robertson, Dobson, Reed and others began to brazenly collude with the Republican party- to the point of even distributing partisian 'voter guides' in their churches, and opening their mailing lists, and pulpits to the RNC. I realize that faith leaders have also supported Democratic candidates, but not to the unprecedented and, I would say highly unethical extremes to which far-right conservatives have stooped.

For more on how low these depths go for conservatives read Tempting Faith by David Kuo, the former director of the so-called faith-based initiative, who delivers a scathing critique of both the Bush administration and the radical right for their gross failure to deliver on the promised funds and resources pledged to the faith-based initiatives.

It is beyond time for socially progressive and moderate Christians to 're-claim' evangelicalism!

Visionary leaders like Jim Wallis, Ron Sider and others are doing just that.

After all, the message of the Gospels is about liberating the captives, proclaiming justice to the poor, clothing the and binding up the wounded, is it not??

The message of the Gospel is about caring for Creation as faithful stewards of the environment (rather than making excuses for further pollution and waste in the name of financial prosperity in the short term), is it not??

Being an evangelical does not have to mean checking one's conscience (or one's brain) at the door.

Peace,

John