Engagement (topic of upcoming Theology Panel conference call)

Friends,

I have been engaged in discussion during the past week with a diverse group of folks discussing the future of Progressive Christian engagement with the Religious Right. I would like to repost the string and open the topic up for discussion.
Please share your ideas and thoughts.

Peace,
Roger
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The whole progressive Christian movement is, and has been for quite sometime, under silent attack. While it's roots can be traced back to 4th century, the Peligius-Augustine debates, and up thru Calvin, and beyond, it's current roots, from what I can discern dates to 1928 and creation of Opus Dei, an ultraconservative Roman Catholic organization approved in 1950 by the Holy See as a secular institute, who's members "profess the evangelical counsels of secular life". They strongly oppose the reforms set forth by the Second Vatican council.
On the protestant side we see creation of what has become known as The Family. Founded in 1935 by an evangelical minister Abraham Vereide, it meets at 133 C St, SE in DC, it has come under scrutiny of late for the extra-marital affairs of SC Gov. Mark Sanford and NV Senator John Ensign. Sen. Ensign been the subject of 2 recent editorials, The NY Times, Oct 2nd and the Washington Post, yesterday the 5th for possible serious conflicts of interest.
I would include the Institute for Religion and Democracy in this company. As Frank Cocozzelli and Fred Clarkson have written, this uber-conservative group has extensive connections throughout our national government establishment.
All 3 organizations have one thing in common; a high level of secrecy that would make Dan Brown droll.
I would also add John Stott to this list, he's the author of the Lausanne Covenant, a crucial organizing document for modern evangelism. As NY Times columnist David Brooks wrote in a 2004 column, "--if evangelicals could elect a pope, Stott is the person they would likely choose." He, too, seems to be a highly secretive person.
If The Institute for Progressive Christianity, (sponsor of the Theology Panel), and it's sister organization, CrossLeft, and the Progressive Christian Alliance want to defend progressive Christianity we would, via the Theology Panel, conduct a thorough investigation of these ultraconservative secret organizations. We will soon come to realize the enormous impact these groups have on our nation's economic and political life, all quietly under girded by this highly authoritarian philosophies, and expose them for what they are, exponents of a vile form anti-democratic Theocratism. One, that IMO, is the antithesis of what we progressives think is Jesus' essential ministry to the poor.
But this is just my input. :-)
Rev. Rich Warden
Institute for Progressive Christianity
Progressive Christian Alliance

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Rich, Not to insert myself into a conversation to which I am not really a party, I would like to thank you for raising an important point, and copying me on the note. I will go ahead and briefly chime in.
The mainline denominations, and before them, the Southern Baptists, and currently mainstream liberal Catholicism has been under strategic attack for a long time. The level of denial, in my experience, has been simply profound, and the consequences devastating. It has long been my view that if mainstream religious institutions are to survive and even thrive again; and if those who wish to see some significant progressive political progress would like to see success, far more people, especially those who aspire to leadership, need to have a far better grasp of what has been, and continues to go on in this regard.
A few things you should know, if you don't.
1) Rev. Steven D. Martin, a Methodist minister and independent film maker from Tennessee, has a short film, Renewal or Ruin, about IRD and the attacks on the churches, which has been widely shown, particularly among the Methodists.
2) Political Research Associates has done a major study of the role of IRD and related "renewal groups" in the Episcopal, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches, regarding the manipulation of homosexuality as a wedge issue, particularly in mobilizing African protestantism against the American churches. It has not yet been published, but it is coming

Best of luck,
Frederick Clarkson
journalist, author and lecturer

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Frederick,
I cc'd you knowing that you have relevant info, and might be willing to share some that might be pertinent. Thank you. Like you I am very concerned about the ways and means the most conservative undermine basic Christianity.

Rev Rich Warden
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Thanks for the chance to read the conversation over your shoulders.
I appreciated the hospitality that you extended to me last year at the
PCC meeting at St. Paul's UMC. I think this group has great potential
for generative loving postures in tomorrow's church.
I am struck, though, that "progressive" is all-to-often framed as "anti-"
something or with a certain amount of modern certitude characteristic
of the old liberal-vs-conservative dichotomies. Is there a progression
toward or into something hoped for, worked for, or believed? Is there
a better future for our wider world than progressive christians simply
"reclaiming or re-appropriating church/religious power?" IMHO (as a
hack systems theorist), I find that alarmism does not generate
invention, but just more heavily armed defense systems...
I'd be interested in conversations that refine skills of "listening"
and that draw insights from postmodern developments about "difference" and "otherness." Some sources that I have been evocative for me in such directions include:
Presence, and other works by Otto Scharmer Exclusion and Embrace by
Mirislov Volf Its Really All About God by Samir Selmanovic The Great
Emergence by Phyllis Tickle The Cloud of Unknowing: A New Translation
by Atlantan, Carmen Acevedo Butcher

Thanks and keep up the courage to innovate and bring a better world!

Troy Bronsink, Abbot
neighborsabbey.org
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Troy,

Thank you for joining the conversation. I too greatly enjoyed our meeting last year, and I would be honored if you could join the PCA’s meeting this month at Virginia Highlands Church.
I fear you are correct that “progressive” is indeed often seen as what amounts to a smaller mirror image of the extremists on the Religious right, as we are often guilty on entrenching in our own positions and casting stones at the fortifications on the Right. Even within the last week I read an article from a fairly well-known figure of the Religious Left who wrote that in essence we Christian Progressives are wasting our time trying to reach across the gulf and find common ground with our brothers and sisters on the right. While I have a great amount of respect for this writer, I find myself in greatly opposed to this position. Perhaps this disagreement stems from my own mixed heritage as a conservative Baptist and a Liberal Episcopalian... Whatever the reason, I believe that we have much to learn from one another, and from other streams as well.

Within the Progressive Christian Alliance, some of these ideals are (we hope) evident in our principle of “respect for theological diversity”. In our number we have those who are comparatively quite traditional in their theology, as well as some who consider themselves liberal, postmodern or emergent. We are, however united around our principles of service to Christ and our neighbor and radical hospitality so that we can both welcome an embrace those who offer complementary wisdom from diverse sources.
I believe it was Thich Nhat Hanh who said that “True dialogue cannot happen unless both parties are willing to change”. We embrace that dialog as it can often be a catalyst for change that brings us ever closer to becoming who we are meant to be.
At the same time, there are those truths which we cannot compromise. Those truths sometimes prove to drive a wedge between us and an brothers and sisters, but we should always seek to establish common ground where we may.
I love the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam. We all have a part of the great whole of truth, and it is only through sharing that we start to fit the pieces together again.
Where we find those who are unwilling to engage in dialog so that we
might together discover a more whole truth, we unite in a spirit of
grace and justice to issue a call to renewal. There are times when we must take a stand for justice, however, and at times that means we stand diametrically opposed. If that is what's needed, then we must be willing to take up that cause, but always initiate grace sufficient to foment reconciliation.

So, all of that being said; please join us on the conference call and in face to face conversations in Atlanta later the same week, so we can start fitting those pieces back together.
What is progressive to me? Simply put, it is a recognition that I do not have all of the answers and a longing to find them.
Roger McClellan
Progressive Christian Alliance
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I suspect we have found our topic.
I'd like to propose a sort of cultural pacifism. There is much pathology in religion and we need to be about healing rather than warfare. I spent years trying to be better at cultural warfare and succeeded to the extent that the fundies approach with soft voices.
Perhaps a search for and engagement of the good is appropriate.
Jim Tarvid
Progressive Christian Alliance
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Brother Troy,
Thank you for responding. You are more than welcome to join in. Please do.
Yes, I agree. Once I get the info on these secretive organizations incorporated into the larger context of the morality of money, I see where the Christian community can some together to propose and support global monetary reform that will appeal to the world wide religious and secular communities.
I'm back in time 4,000 years now and striving to follow a fascinating thread forward to current times, and then propose common sense reforms. I am very optimistic.
Maybe I'm a bit of a simpleton, or an idealist, but I think we can base financial reform on The Golden Rule ( the biblical one, that is :-) ) and it's contemporary The Ethic of Reciprocity. By treating the poor like we wish to be, we help lift them out of poverty, into the middle class. If China and India can lift 400 million out poverty over the past 2 decades, why can't this good "Christian" nation do the same for our citizens? In these stressed economic times, it just makes good economic sense to employ the talents of all of our folks.
What we need do is explore and expand upon the considerable common ground people of faith and people of reason share. It's a matter of understanding the history of money, and how we can most effectively use this medium of exchange for the benefit of all of God's children, not just a few thousand who seem to have a long penchant for exploiting their fellow human beings.
Please don't let this limited focus or my language turn you away, I'm an old fire breathing activist from the 60's. I must have Old Testament Prophesy in my spiritual DNA :-) (Either that or I really am a nutcase!)

Rev. Rich Warden
Institute for Progressive Christianity
Progressive Christian Alliance

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Jim,
It's a good thought. I just wonder if we have the time before our cause is effectively undermined and blocked by the Absolutists, those who have no tolerance for diversity or democracy. You can hear their voices everywhere, shouting down voices of reason, be it on the radio, Fox news or blogs.

What you do others here think?

Rich
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Perhaps, if they shout loudly and long enough, they will become hoarse.
Rev. Daryl Taylor-Hazel
Pilgrim UCC
Progressive Christian Alliiance
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Troy,

Thank you for your clear and insightful comments. I am so glad you are taking part in this important discussion. It is true that the old culture wars are tiring and often generate no more than negatives about who or what is wrong. I have two things to share in response to this conundrum. Please know I hear this same critique in the work I am now doing every day. The fact remains though – there are throngs of well heeled, highly publicized people who are out there distorting the Gospel of my Jesus.
First – no matter how we try to sit at the same table with, break bread with, and engage in honest – deep dialogue with our brothers and sisters who define themselves as conservative or right (not only directly but as truly correct) the fact remains that the political seizure of religion that happened in the last 40 years has worked against those of us who desire meaningful dialogue. What we are left with is a hard line of “theology” that finds grounding (and funding) in condemnation and exclusion. This “right” that dominates the public square often works to hurt many people who are seeking a real relationship with God – myself included. The progressive movement has long tried to live and let live while pointing out theological critiques of “conservative” or “fundamentalist” “Christians”. Rather than being organized (as these other groups certainly are), and rather than creating a balance to the conversation in the public square, we have often allowed what I regard as a hijacking ot the gospel by those who would manipulate the Good News of Christ for political reasons and to maintain the capitalistic status quo.
Second – The organization for whom I am blessed to now be working is in fact working for progress toward something, not just reclaiming or rejecting something else. The Beatitudes Society nurtures and supports seminary students, lay and ordained clergy and the faithful working in non-profits. With paid fellowships at social justice organizations, prophetic preaching workshops and a community that helps abate the isolation of the work to which they are called, we hope to increase the numbers of faith leaders who are speaking and acting on behalf of our fragile planet and our most vulnerable citizens. This is action - hoping, working, preaching and praying for a beatitudes world.
We must do both – balance the voice of Christianity in the public square lest the world believe “they” speak for all Christians. AND act in ways that partner with the glorious in breaking of God already happening all around us. God without us will not, we without God cannot.

In Christ’s Peace,
Kimberly Knight
The Beatitudes Society
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I have not been keeping up with this conversation as closely as I should: I am easily overwhelmed by tons of "Re" messages. Its why I tend to avoid forums, blogs etc. So if I am off the mark here then I truly apologize.
I find that is important to create zones of conversation with our more conservative brothers and sisters. When done correctly deep listening can create a space of mutual exploration where all members in the conversation can welcome the possibility of gray zones.
While I find this important I find it LESS IMPORTANT than creating a theology of conversation. I do not expect people of more conservative bent to agree with me or believe in what I believe. But I do expect those of us with a more progressive bent to engage in a life-wide conversation in a way that takes our critics seriously while also maintaining our worship of God in Jesus. This is not so we can fight the mainstream, conservative conversation but so we can clearly articulate our perspective.

Rev. Jason Derr
Progressive Christian Alliance
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Rich,

There's the rub! How do we do both things at once? And how do we speak to people who will dismiss us on principle before any communication can take place? Fortunately, while we do have the commentators and their hard core followers on one hand, the vast majority of people do not listen to them, and there are many who do listen to them who are not given to such snap-judgments. Dialogue is more than possible with them.

I think we need to deal with each group using different means. People do need to know that there are clear alternatives to more conservative visions, and that can't happen too quickly. That's where we need to clearly articulate what we stand for, and reach out to as many people as possible. That's where we cannot be silent in the face of the conservative commentators. We can't stop just because some people will not listen to us on principle.

Meanwhile, there's a much larger group of people with whom we can find common ground, with whom we can begin discussions. It's here that we need to move our center away from principle (oh, sometimes I'm just as bad as the conservatives on that one!) and focus on some shared listening. For that kind of work, I've found no substitute for the old-fashioned tools. In my experience the best work is done one-on-one, painfully slowly. But it builds the relationships that last.

Rob Wright
www.towarddawn.org
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Rob,
Well I am hopeful that we can do both. We must.
I've served on the Board of the IPC for more two years, am now as an advisor, and I blog on the CL site. The most frustrating challenge for The IPC and CL communities is obtaining funding, especially for me, a retired non-profits professional fund raiser. It requires contacts I do not have.
The challenge is to get progressives high rollers to even entertain a proposal, especially a think tank like The IPC. The projects progressive sources do fund are all, understandably, local or state projects that can demonstrate immediate on the ground results.
Think tanks and websites like CL do not garner much attention. Progressives seem locked in "political correctness". "Now let's not offend anyone here", and pass on anything "religious". Conservative correctness is centered on a strict interpretation of things biblical. Plus they have the power of fear.
"If you do, or do not do, this you'll surely go to Hell!" Nothing like the fear of an eternal roast in that fiery place to prod a person into action, right?

So my question to you all is, the power of love greater that of fear? I know we hope so --- but really is it so? We progressives have used it to get Obama elected, you know how we used fear of 8 more years of the Bush 43 gang. So fear mongering is not the exclusive tool of the far right.
I see a common sense approach in basing our collective global family actions on the Golden Rule, stated as, "Treat others as you would have them do, or not do, to you." The Ethic of Reciprocity is the humanist/secularist counter part philosophy. If we fulfill Jesus' ministry to the poor, we lift all fellow humans up out of poverty, and we all benefit.
To do both requires understanding, and exposing the manipulations of these secret groups and counter them by offering the human family a positive affirming message, the one Jesus offered. I, too, am a fundamentalist, in the sense that we need to get back to Jesus' basic message of hope, truly the Good News.
As Kimberly Knight reminded us here, we need to reclaim Jesus from the hijackers. The challenge is getting the message out before the means of communication are monopolized by Neo-Theos and friends get total control.
The Supreme Court (SCOTUS) seems poised to overrule McCain-Feingold restrictions on use of corporate and union funding of elections. If, in addition, SCOTUS is given an opportunity to strike down the recent FCC Fairness Doctrine ruling, all progressive websites could be effectively shutdown by ISP's whose corporate funding comes from conservative capitalists.

So we have our work cut out for ourselves, and we best get to it, none too soon.
Rev. Rich Warden
Institute for Progressive Christianity
Progressive Christian Alliance
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