Academic Review Panel's blog

  About two years ago the vision for the Institute for Progressive Christianity (IPC) took root in the world.  Recently over the last nine months the IPC has been gaining momentum. We have produced two full length academic papers, several shorter papers, and more are in the works.  We has issued several press releases and commentary on current events and we have hosted two symposiums featuring progressive theology. 

Dear Crossleft Community,   The Institute for Progressive Christianity, fashioned out of the CrossLeft community approximately two years ago is a Christian think tank that ecumenically weaves together the progressive Christians of Orthodox, Catholic, Evangelical, Mainline Protestant, and Liberal backgrounds.  In its two years of existence it has been gathering momentum toward a faithful, inspired, impassioned and yet reasoned and analytical articulation of Christianity as a progressive journey of greater love and justice toward others and a deeper personal communion with God.  The Academic Review Panel is the work group at the IPC charged with incubating, generating and supporting the products of the IPC.

Last Saturday, March 10, on behalf of the IPC, I traveled to the National Black Justice Coalition’s (NBJC) 2nd Annual Black Church Summit in Philadelphia. The NBJC is a black gay right group.  Being in a room of spirit filled LGBT black people was intense.  The praise choirs were on point and the speaking was inspiring to say the least.  The array of people present from the movement for black gay liberation was impressive. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Institute for Progressive Christianity (IPC)IPC Releases Innovative Paper on Gay Marriage Paper a theological breakthrough  Washington DC March 13, 2007 A new Christian think tank today issued the first articulation of gay marriage as "a moral good" that "spiritually liberates straight people as well as gay people.'" The Institute for Progressive Christianity (IPC) considers the paper - "The Kingdom of God and the Witness of Gay Marriage" - a theological breakthrough.

NEWS http://www.innewsweekly.com/innews/print.php?article_code=3547 Progressive Christians see hope for gay marriage Massachusetts-based Christian think tank, Institute for Progressive Christianity, holds winter symposium by Chuck Colbert March 01, 2007 A progressive Christian organization held a winter symposium on Feb. 23-24, at First Church in Cambridge, offering up an ecumenical, liberal vision of the Christian tradition, gay marriage, and political action - one not often heard in public discourse.

Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson to Headline   Black Church Summit with Gay Affirming Focus

The IPC Academic Review Panel has embarked on a conversation concerning gay marriage.  This paper, The Kingdom of God and the Witness of Gay Marriage, is the first to be  presented. Two more papers will follow.  The papers are written in different styles and address different concerns. This first paper is in an academic style. Yet, it is evaneglical and passionate. Below is an introduction.