What is Progressive Christianity? The Alisa Childers Podcast #1 

What’s so beautiful about Scripture is the proof that it’s alive! Every false religion/heresy today has been addressed 2000 years ago through God’s inspired words. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Malachi 3:6 “For I, the Lord do not change...” There are 98 other verses that support that God is unchanging. Clearly God wants us to know that He does not progress.

I needed to hear this message! You also make apologetics understandable. With the loss of Ravi, I’m glad that God led me to you.

My wife and I were discussing how our children would become a minority in upholding authentic follow-ship of Jesus against the progressive movement. I am grateful for younger people like you that will carry the fight through the next generation.

The teaching of that children’s director brought tears to my eyes because it so sad and awful. I am talking to my young son about Jesus’ death and resurrection and he realizes the sacrifice and love it took to lay His life down for us. Certainly not damaging, but uplifting.

I love that GK Chesterton quote “object of opening your mind is to shut it on something solid”.

Oh my goodness! So articulate and beautifully voiced. So glad you are taking on this heresy. Born for such a time as this. Look forward to hearing more from you & all that God puts in your heart.

Just came across you ... and am so drawn 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

“Did God really say that you must not eat from any tree in the garden?” (Genesis 3:1). It all goes downhill when one questions what God says!

Thank God for people like you doing this...

This was SO informative! Thank you for the clarifying research and study you’re doing to keep people like me informed! 💕

I am glad you are doing these. I saw you on Melissa Daugherty, and I have listened to every video you had done for other forums. Thank you for addressing this issue. I have been reading Francis Schaeffer's complete works and he addresses this is in his books. I appreciate what you are doing.

Thank you. I am thankful for your calm, thoughtful discussion. Too many times, we hear angry, wrathful talks. It isn't helpful. I will continue to listen so we can help others.

Just listened to your interview with Joey from BadChristian podcast. Thank you for being a strong, articulate voice for historic Christianity. Blessings! :-)

Thank you for this Alisa. I pray for your ministry and strength and wisdom to speak the truth over feelings. I know God led me to you. I have a love for Apologetics and I want to teach women to be able to rise up and learn these truths. I’m praying for a door to open so I can learn and teach. 🥰

First time listen and it happened to be your first episode. Great work!

Well done Alisa. It gladdened my heart to hear it.

I enjoy your tone and thinking. May the Lord give you grace more and more.

Alisa, I so appreciate the wonderful job you've done with addressing this exceedingly vital topic. God bless you dear lady. I cannot express just how important this has been for my personal understanding and find healing from the suffering and distress I've experienced by the loss of my 2 grown children as a direct result of what you have presented. l am not passing this on to others. Thank you so much.

Thank you for being honest and open in reaching-out. Bless you.

Thank you i totally agree with your thoughts. Keep it going

I wrote a five part series on the Emergent Church Movement many years ago and intend to continue this series with an update of sorts on the Progressive Church, which seems to me to be a furtherance of the ECM. This podcast has been very useful Alisa, thank you!

A breath of fresh air 🙏

I just found out about this podcast, via Melissa Dougherty, and wow, so glad that I did. This episode was just packed with information! I'm def subscribing and going to listen to more of the episodes. God bless.

Great stuff!

Thank you! Loved it! Spot on! _Galatians __4:16_

Thank you for making people aware of this.

"Feelings over facts" is liberalism in a nutshell.

Spot on!

Great message.

This is the first video I've seen of yours. I enjoyed seeing you at Sonshine Fest in Wilmar Mn. Good to see you still standing for God.

Well done!!! Thank you for your voice...

Well said. Thank you for your clarity.

great podcast, just as I needed it. Thanks.

Alisa - I also have been through questioning periods yet am now stronger than before. I have a church I was on staff years ago that has gone progressive. Even looking at the 5 Core Values of Progressive Christianity is amazing that a church could choose that. Yet, I know that it is easy to shift our beliefs based on the pressure of the world system and feeling out of sync with where the world system is currently. Glad to be firm in my foundation based on the centrality of scripture and understanding of how the Spirit is to lead us in all truth. That it takes my daily crucifying of self.

My heart hurts so badly for people who have fallen into the progressive Christianity trap. The true gospel is so much better than anything these false teachers have to offer.

Nicely done!

I mentioned Schaeffer.... in his book, The Great Evangelical Disaster, He mentions Mecham and the speech he made to the Presbyterians in the early last century. It was a watermark in that denomination

Excellent. You're spot on. Today is simply a repeat of the "fundamentalist/modernist" controversy of early 20th century. The multivolume work called "The Fundamentals" shows the same controversy as that of Christian/progressive Christian one today.

Exremely good, these series.

Very helpful!!

Another great video. I’m so happy that God led me to you, you’re an amazing woman of GOD and you are very biblically sound and that’s what we need more of especially with woman of God. Blessings beautiful ✝️🙏🏼❤️💁🏻‍♀️⚔️👑

spot on

You are a very brave lady. Kudos to you. Keep raising awareness of some of the deceptions going on in churchianity today.

Excellent.

Wow, very clear and well done.

God has a path for everyone. Isn't it great He allows you to grow up in the knowledge of Christian faith, step by step confronts you with the lack of your faith , takes it away, and shows you exactly that path to His kingdom that He has excllusivly prepared for you? I love the way He has led me from my childjood believes through atheism to real faith in Him. Studied Theology...

A very good word and oh so true.

Very good and articulate

We've been looking for a new church. Through this process I'm learning just how progressive even our old church was, more than I realized. There were things that bothered me. I couldn't always put my finger on it, I thought much of it was just my own biases. Like you, I've always just wanted TRUTH. It bothered me when church depended so much on 'curriculum', and as I learned more of some of the teachers of that curriculum, red flags would come out all over. If I questioned it, it was explained that they didn't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. If we could bend on some things and not others, it made me question more. It's either true or it's not....there is no half and half. Thank you, I needed to hear this. What I want to know now is...is there even a church out there who is NOT progressive these days? I am wondering if any even exist any more.

Alisa asked the question Why are You so afraid of Answers...wonderfull.

13:30 - points 1. Low view of scripture 2. Feelings centered 3. Essential Christian doctrines are open to new interpretation 4. Historic terms are redefined 5. The Gospel shifts from sin to social justice

The term 'progress' comes from Kant, Hegel and Marx. They viewed history as a process of 'dialectical' social change aimed toward a Utopian future.

I recently moved from my small New England village and have been following my church's online sermons during the COVID shutdown. I recognized while living there that progressive ideology was a problem in that church, and in the denomination (United Church of Christ). Watching the videos, I am appalled by the complete sell-out expressed in the sermons. When I left, several people had begun to visit other churches, including our church to keep community with their neighbors and friends, which was difficult because there are very few churches in a large area, and few of them are any different. It's a great dilemma for them. I've moved to another small village, but have, thank God, found a Bible-believing congregation.

Just found and started listening to your podcasts from your interview with Capturing Christianity. Agree and enjoy listening to you but have to say the constant ad breaks RU-vid throws in the middle of sentences annoying. Wish the ads could just be at the beginning and end. BTW listened to, was blessed by your dad's music back in the day, during my late high school and college years. What a heritage to have!

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:3

Chuck Smith's discipleship tree continues to bear real substantial fruit. He'd be so proud of you, Alisa.

only 27K views ...it should be in the millions!

Thanks for this. Do you have any updates to this one?

Thanks Alisa.......now my wife and I have a better understanding of "Progressive Christianity" .

Excellent intro about the Prog Religion.

2 Timothy 3:16 Paul tells Timothy scripture holds sound doctrine. Each time Yeshua, Paul, James, John, Peter used the word “scripture” they meant the Old Testament. The New Testament was not gathered & label scripture at the time they were speaking.

This is great, thanks Alisa. THis increasingly important to understand post 2020. If people don't believe Jesus died and rose again they are as far or further from the truth than cults like JWs and LDS.

This morning I listened to you speak in the video interview, “Progressive Christianity is Dangerous”... and realized the Holy Spirit was reaffirming my faith through you. Please keep leading others to Jesus Christ with your wisdom and banishing confusion which is from the devil. His aim is to destroy God’s Holy Church through this unsound doctrine. Thank you for shining the bright light of Jesus Christ on these falsehoods.

This is so vital and powerful for all ears to hear!! Thank you so very much for this insightful video. May God bless you❤️

A prophetic teaching given in 1947 - the link is posted below

When I was in Seminary (many moons ago!) a Brilliant Professor, discussing Karl Barth, said that our Faith must be a Response to 'something'(that 'something else' in the Bible, as Barth says); it must not be a Creation. Faith Cannot be something that we create! Throughout Scripture we see people 'creating' Idols to 'help God out' with the best of intentions. And we all know where 'Good intentions' lead, dont we?

I'm curious now as to what your thoughts might be about heart syncs in relation to progressive Christianity. I've been exposed to it a lot lately and have felt the Spirit revealing some things to me about it, but I'd like to hear your thoughts on this so-called "progressive healing" movement. Thank you for considering my petition!

Timely. Doesn't God ask us to come and reason with Him? Rich stimulating discourse there to be had. Paul also spoke about debating and exposing the hollow philosophies of his day. Likewise we would do well to equip ourselves. Thank you

Progressive Christianity sounds a lot like the apostate church. Thank Alisa, you’ve helped me connect some dots.

5 Things Progressive Christians Have in Common: 1. There is a lowered view of the Bible (13:31) 2. Feelings are emphasized over facts / Feelings become the ultimate authority (16:04) 3. Essential Christian doctrines are open for reinterpretation (16:51) 4. Historic terms are redefined (19:34) 5. The heart of the gospel message shifts from redemption to social justice (22:12) Progressive Christianity = The Bible revelation is changing over time. Therefore, Paul and early church fathers are incorrect because they lacked understanding due to their limitations in time.

When this podcast will be available on Deezer?

The NAVIGATORS - great Bible Teaching/Study that I have enjoyed since the 70's! In college then their material on "the Caboose" Stuck, and it has never left/me: First of all - even before FACT - is FAITH. FAITH leads. Next is FACT. Then, last, is FEELINGS. Feelings are the 'Caboose'!

Alisa... I wonder what you make of DNA evidence around ancient human origins... please? Have you discussed work by for eg Svante Paabo and or Prof David Reich. Thank you.

Thank you, Alisa, for raising your voice against this. I consider myself to be pretty well educated. I read a lot and do my best to keep abreast of what's happening in the Christian world and in American culture at large. But I was unfamiliar with the term "Progressive Christianity." It breaks my heart to see what is happening to American evangelicalism today, even though I myself am an Anabaptist. Like you, I stand firmly within the stream of historic Christianity. And like you, I endured a long crisis of faith of years duration, which was eventually resolved through a combination of prayer, a lot of study, and personal counseling. I too am very much interested in apologetics, for, humanly speaking, apologetics is what saved my faith. I wish every Bible-believing church in America would institute a rigorous apologetics program as part of its discipling ministry. You are an inspiration to me, because you have pursued serious study even though you don't have a college degree. I commend you for that. I only wish all American Christians had the heart you obviously have for being faithful to Jesus and in searching for truth. God bless your ministry. I have a question for you: Do you know William Lane Craig, J. P. Moreland, Douglas Groothuis or anyone of their caliber, orthodoxy, and influence within evangelical academia who could write a scholarly analysis and critique of Progressive Christianity? I mean no disrespect to you. I am grateful for what you're doing to raise awareness of these issues. But as I know you know, unfortunately our society will listen to people more seriously if they have advanced academic letters after their name. I do not. I do have a Bible degree from Houghton College, but it's only a B. S. Though I read a lot and widely, my education is largely self-taught. Circumstances never permitted me to pursue an advanced degree. Like you, I am very much concerned about the threat Progressive Christianity poses to the true church of Christ. I just think it would be a tremendous service to the church of our Lord in America if someone with the necessary contacts could put a bug in the ear of a recognized and influential scholar in the evangelical community to undertake such a project. Perhaps I could contact you via your Patreon channel to discuss this. God bless you, and keep up the good work!

Martin Luther's main goal was also to make the bible available for common folk. He translated it into german so normal people didn't just become puppets of the priest and catholic church but understood when they were led astray. His 95 Thesen he nailed onto the Wittenberg Church door said a lot of that. He very much condemned the fact that for some money you get a "sin free" slip and have repented. So i absolutely agree on your point there. Read his 95 Thesen and you find that as well.

There are three positions you can take when it comes to the Holy Bible.....One: you are above it and you take what you like and leave what you don't like and understand it the way you want to understand it, second position the Bible is like a friend, some times you agree with it and sometimes you don't. or you are below it, it is the Word of God and you do what it says you obey it.

This is why I am a Fundamentalist

You are an apologist after my own heart.

👍🏽

The progressive Christianity movement began with Arianism, but more recently, the Disciples of Christ and the Church of Christ (mid 1800s) that say, "No book but the Bible, no creed but Christ." My point is, when you drop the creeds, you leave the church. Secondly, I appreciate your thoughts on Luther. Right on!

Correction - I "am" most happily passing this on to others!

Progressive Christianity isn’t Christianity

The only thing progressive in our faith is seeing that God's truths are timeless as we are given more cultures and settling to see how applying Christianity is always relevant to restoration of the human condition from the curse. That and seeing fulfilled scripture reveal the truth of the book of Revelation come to pass. Especially the church of Laodicea.

Progressive Christianity sounds like code for changing fundamental beliefs.

The parable of the rich man and the beggar, the rich man went hades and the beggar was in Abraham’s bosom, the rich man concerned about his family wanted to let them know to avoid that terrible place, he was told they have Moses (Torah) and the prophets (Tanak). Gods word is immutable.

I hear your heart Alisa. I however feel like you have lumped everyone who believes a little differently into one category when I think you have observed that everyone sees the word in a different lense.

thank you. i was not aware of the progressive movement. I have always steered clear when anyone deviates from the core gospel and so I stop listening

This is why we need a reformation of apostolic authority. I'm referring to the twelve apostles of Christ. If Christianity had carried that torch throughout the last 2 thousand years we'd have far fewer cults and zero pentecostalism.

Wow...who would have thought that instead of Christians progressing in their spiritual understanding, grace, and working-out of their salvation and thereby change and become more and more like Christ, they actually believe that the truth of God and the teachings of Christianity are changing. Crazy! God's truth doesnt change because he doesnt change - it is impossible to improve on God and his word

Voices like yours are so important. The Lord's sheep need fearless, loving leaders. At the same time, your examination of the word "Progressive" is unhelpful. Please don't say anything positive about progressivism. God's enemies always tag their activities with nice-sounding labels. "Progressive" is a political term, a vision of the role of government, and the theological aspect of progressivism serves the political. The way to get to a more productive discussion of progressivism is to study political conservativism.

Should this really surprise any true born again Bible believer today? Didn't the Apostle Paul warn the believers nearly 2 thousand years ago that as soon as he left that this would happen? "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears." Acts 20:28-31

Essentially a Progressive Christian is a person who is more reliant on the power of man for earthly salvation than the power of God. The Progressive Christian is a christian Humanist. The more one relies upon earthly resources to solve man’s ills the more progressive that person becomes.

In the podcast, you talk about the Progressives' attack on Christianity, and I wanted to first say that I appreciate your passion and your desire to share. However, I think language like Progressives' attack on Christianity is harmful. As a person walking through struggles after a lifetime conservative evangelical missionary, I can honestly say, I never LOOKED for these struggles but they came out of nowhere for me. As I navigate both sides, doctrines, and beliefs, I hear best from those that don't pit 'us against them.' I want to believe what you say. I lost everything when I started to challenge those beliefs in my heart and mind, but not a lot is drawing me back. I would also say that if God is who He says He is and it is He that draws us to Himself, are all these blogs and podcasts necessary? I also have a question regarding those that do not have the resources available in other countries and even here (time and resources) to really understand and research these topics...isn't God bigger than that? I read and study a lot. I have always loved Scripture in the past, and yet it was Scripture alone that was the red flag to me. It seems to me like Christians preach Sola Scripture, but then rely on many other authors to explain. Shouldn't God reveal Himself in His Word Alone according to the beliefs? I honestly welcome your feedback and would love to hear back from you. Thank you!

Can't take the ads g2g

The mind of sinful man is death but The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. Rom 8:6 These progressive so-called Christians are pseudo-intellectuals trying to exalt themselves above the word of God… They are all accursed. They espouse a completely different gospel… Thank you for exposing the truth… Blessings. 🙏

Why aren't you traditional catholic?

Deconstruct? Is that falling away or backsliding?

You made an interesting comment to the effect that Catholic Church was the progressive church and Martin Luther was the traditional Christian. I think in some ways that statement is true. Martin Luther believed he was recovering the true gospel that was obscured by centuries of Roman Catholic dogmatic innovations. Catholics would argue that their later dogmatic pronouncements were present in seed form in the early Church. This is a hugely controversial subject and as an Eastern Orthodox Christian I think Rome's understanding as to the progressive flowering of dogma is dubious. Still I would not call them progressive in the sense in which "Progressive Christians" call themselves progressive. You refer to yourself as a "Traditional Christian" and I'm pretty sure I understand what you mean. However the word Traditional implies you hold to a Tradition. St. Paul has some very positive things to say about Tradition. I'm just curious how much thought you have given to the implications of St. Paul's writing on this subject and have you given serious consideration to ancient Christian traditions like Orthodox Christianity?

The first part of the New Testament is called the Gospel of Matthew Levi (written by apostle Matthew Levi (1 - 80) between 40 and 85), the Gospel of John Mark (written by the seventy John Mark (1 - 68) between 40 and 75), the Gospel of Luke (written by the disciple Luke (1 - 84) between 50 and 90), the Gospel of John Zebedee (written by the apostle John Bar Zebedee (1 - 100) between 80 and 100), and the Acts of the Apostles (written by the disciple Luke (1 - 84) between 50 and 90), none of these books were ever called the Gospel of Jesus Christ because none of these books were written by Jesus. The letters of the apostle Paul (Saul Benjamin) (3 - 67) was written sometime between 47 and 67. I truly hope the apostles weren't makin' up stuff about our Lord and Savior just to make the Old Testament prophets look good! I wish there was more INDEPENDENTLY verifiable proof that Jesus Christ (Judah) (1 B.C. - 33 A.D.) actually fulfilled all these Old Testament prophecies. Most Israelite Jews think our Savior and Lord was just another rebellious rabbi, an unauthorized Priesthood holder, and another FALSE Messiah! I HOPE TO GOD THEY ARE WRONG! I just keep wondering why (if written records are so important, and they are) why Jesus himself NEVER bothered to write down a single word during his lifetime about his life, or his beliefs, or his gospel and why he never bothered to command a scribe to record these very important things down whilst he lived during his ministry (29 - 33) (unlike the prophet Joseph Smith Junior (1805 - 1844) who did during his ministry (1820 - 1844)). I have heard some historians describe Jesus as illiterate. The Holy Scriptures records that Jesus could read (Luke 2: 41 - 52, Luke 4: 16 - 30, Isaiah 61: 1 - 3), but the New Testament never records Jesus as being able to write (John 8: 1 - 11). Jesus Christ Judah (8 B.C. - 33 A.D.) is the prophet, the Son of Man, Messiah, the Christ, the Lord, the savior, the Anointed One, and the son of Jehovah God (Yahweh Elohim Allah). But was he God the Son, or the God of the Jews-the Israelites-the God Israel-Judah-the God of the Old Testament? I say no, but I could be wrong on this! Jesus was an Israelite-Jewish nationalist (Matthew 22: 1 - 46 (15 - 22), Mark 12: 1 - 44 (13 - 17), Luke 20: 1 - 47 (20 - 26)) and our Lord and Savior even Jesus Christ Judah (8 B.C. - 33 A.D.) did prefer Israelite - Jews over others (gentiles) up until his death in 33 A.D. which was why he often called them "dogs" (Matthew 15: 1 - 39 (21 - 28), Mark 7: 1 - 37 (24 - 30), Luke 16: 1 - 31 (19 - 31))! JST Matthew 15: 1 - 37 (20 - 27) JST Mark 7: 1 - 36 (22 - 29) JST Luke 16: 1 - 36 (24 - 36) JST Matthew 22: 1 - 44 (15 - 22) JST Mark 12: 1 - 50 (14 - 21) JST Luke 20: 1 - 47 (20 - 26) The Israelite-Jews wanted to kill Jesus not because he was claiming to be God which he NEVER did in the New Testament, but they wanted to WRONGLY kill him as a false prophet and a false Messiah (false Christ)! If you read the entire passage that the apostle John (1 - 100) writes you will see your error! John 8: 31 - 59 (41 42, 54)! Jesus states OUT OF HIS OWN MOUTH that their God Yahweh (Jehovah) sent him. Jesus DID NOT come of himself (John 5: 22 - 23, John 6: 38. Jesus TRULY said that his Heavenly Father is "the only true God" (John 17: 1 - 5 (3)) and that his Father sent him on his divine mission to complete his Holy ministry (29 - 34): John 5: 1 - 47 (16 - 47, 22 - 23) John 6: 1 - 71 (22 - 59, 38) John 8: 1 - 59 (12 - 59, 31 - 59, 31 - 47, 41 - 42, 48 - 59, 54 - 58) JST John 5: 1 - 48 (16 - 48, 22 - 23) JST John 6: 1 - 71 (22 - 59, 38) JST John 8: 1 - 59 (12 - 59, 31 - 59, 31 - 47, 41 - 42, 48 - 59, 54 - 58) Indeed, our Lord and Savior even Jesus Christ Judah (8 B.C. - 33 A.D.) did indeed state that "an adulterous generation demands a sign" (Matthew 12: 1 - 50 (38 - 42), Mark 8: 1 - 38 (11 - 12), Luke 11: 1 - 54 (29 - 32)), and even the apostle Paul of Tarsus (Saul Benjamin) (3 - 67) agreed with the Messiah on that point, and they both did not think very highly of sign-seekers (1 Corinthians 1: 1 - 31 (18 - 25, 22))! JST Matthew 12: 1 - 44 (33 - 36) JST Mark 8: 1 - 44 (10 - 12) JST Luke 11: 1 - 55 (30 - 33) JST 1 Corinthians 1: 1 - 31 (18 - 25, 22) JST Mark 8: 10 - And the Pharisees came forth and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. JST Mark 8: 11 - And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? JST Mark 8: 12 - Verily, I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation, save the sign of the prophet Jonah; for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so likewise shall the Son of Man be buried in the bowels of the earth. BUT, as both the Lord Jesus and the apostle Paul are making such grand claims about themselves and their theology (religious philosophy), AND they are making such great demands of their Christian followers to be obedient to both our Heavenly Father Jehovah God (Yahweh Elohim Allah) and His theological dictates, then the least the Lord Jesus and his followers could do is to provide us with something more than just "the sign of Jonah" (Jonah 1: 1 - 17 (17), Jonah 2: 1 - 10)! JST Jonah 1: 1 - 17 (17) JST Jonah 2: 1 - 10 JST Jonah 1: 17 - Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. The great English-British essayist Christopher Eric Hitchens (1949 - 2011) said it best: "EXTRAORDINARY CLAIMS REQUIRE EXTRAORDINARY PROOF!" AND YET, it would seem that, indeed, for us Christians (or any religious believer for that matter), the grander the claim we make the less proof we offer! One interprets the truth CORRECTLY, by using the facts! What FACTS support our beliefs? Our theology (religious philosophy) is just speculation UNLESS we can bring forth the FACTS to PROVE our case! The only way that you can find the truth is to get to the facts! What is truth? The truth is/are the facts correctly interpreted!

In the Bible legalists were unsaved / enemies of Christ (Pharisees) the Judaizers Paul dealt with were false teachers, this is a VERY serious charge.