Note: I defend progress in this piece.  However, I thoroughly reject the beliefs of most of those who understand themselves as progressives.  I do not believe that their beliefs are progressive.  In general, they are regressive, not progressive.  I would argue that I present here a true progressivism, based on God’s word, not on man’s understanding of progress.

Progress is necessary.  God wants the church to grow in the understanding of his righteousness and his holiness. However, this truth is easily twisted.  Churches use it in order to excuse themselves for contradicting what is clear in the word of God.  We see this in those who argue for women in office and those who argue that homosexual relationships are a legitimate expression of human love. We need guidelines in order to differentiate between what is progressive and what is retrogressive. I offer a few below.

  1. Inscripturation: There is no real progress without a deep understanding of the scriptures. The first rule of progress is: study and contemplate the scriptures. God does not contradict himself, for he speaks with authority and truth.  We cannot progress without the scriptures. God and his word are the source of all truth as well as a deeper understanding of that truth.
  2. Tradition: If we cannot ignore the scriptures, we cannot ignore the tradition of scriptural interpretation.  Argument after argument has been given concerning various passages.  Our bit of “progress” may repeat the mistakes of the past.  It may repeat the heresies of the past. In order to move forward, we must have a deep understanding and appreciation of the past. For those who want to progress this can be hard to do.  Anti-progressive forces tend to love tradition to a fault.  The tendency, then, is to ignore tradition. This does not excuse anyone from this guideline, however. To ignore it is not only dangerous yourself but to those around you.
  3. Humility:  Humility is all important.  The one who wants to teach must learn.  Sit at the feet of those around you who have been given knowledge. You need humility in order learn from the Scriptures and from tradition.  Ultimately you need humility before God.  When you have humility before God you will have humility before the teachers he has raised up in your life.  Jesus asks that you become as a little child.  Only little children have the continual ability to learn.
  4. Patience:  You have your argument ready.  You have studied and contemplated the scriptures and you have immersed yourself in tradition.  Now you must be patient.  People aren’t ready to change at a moment’s notice.  Further, you might be wrong.  Better men than you of me have been wrong before.  Remember the words of the Psalmist.  “Wait on the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”