Progressive Christianity's Goal isn't About Finding Truth.

There's a very unique thing about the Progressive Christian movement, and that's what its ultimate goal is. When Christians deconstruct, what they are looking for can be different. So what is a common theme that's seen here? And why is there a resistance to what Church history and the Bible clearly teach? The answer is tough, but isn't that surprising.

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💡SEMINARY💡:

[dalefriday]

As a volunteer youth minister, I would often encounter young people who had been "injured" by "the church" or by "Christians" or a "Christian".. I would tell them about my dog. I would tell them I had to finally had to get rid of my dog because of all the things he did that drove me crazy. He would scratch all my furniture legs trying to sharpen his claws. He would rub against my legs with arched back but not let me pet him. He would not use the litter box and mess up my apartment. He would scratch me and anyone who visited me with his sharp claws. After several of these descriptions of my dog's behavior, one student would finally stop me and say "Mr. Dale, you are not describing a dog. That's a cat you are talking about." "No!" I would insist. "It was a dog." My student would argue and insist that I was absolutely NOT describing dog behavior, but CAT behavior. I would tell them I KNOW it was a dog because my veterinarian TOLD me it was a dog. The student would say that my veterinarian was wrong! I would finally say "Yes. He was wrong". I would tell the group that some of them had shared with me how "Christians" had hurt them or lied to them or betrayed them. I would say "But the people you described to me don't sound like Christians at all. In fact, they sound like the opposite." I would then share with them the fruits of the spirit, and Bible verses which deal with behavior and outer signs in a person's life which indicate that they are indeed a "real" Christian. I would encourage them to always judge truth by what the Bible says, not what people say.

[jpdhyem]

I grew up in a very conservative Church of Christ and at 7 I told my parents that if this is God then I don’t want anything to do with Him. I always believed in God and Jesus and never denied them but I was in my 40s before I realized I was brought up under a legalistic Biblical teaching with no understanding of the love, mercy, and grace of God. I know it sounds crazy but I watched the movie Pollyanna and realized I knew the Bible but had no understanding or knowledge of who God was. Learning about God over the years turned me around to accept the free gift of salvation Jesus offered with His death, burial, and resurrection. I continue to study the Word and am thankful every day for being able to get past the hurt of my upbringing and start looking for the one true God of the Bible. From all of it I learned how important it is to read and study the Bible and not take someone else’s word for what it says. A good study Bible is a must.

[loiscarteaux]

Biblical and helpful. Also i appreciate your letting your guests talk without constant interrupting. Thank you.

[jacobgingerhoffman]

In talking to many atheists who said they were Christians I have found out that they never had a clear understanding of God. This video has confirmed what I suspected.

[gracereece]

My brother is a "deconstructed Christian" and I was really struggling with my faith a few years ago, and he encouraged me to listen to some deconstructionists online, and I did for a while, but what I came across over and over again was a lack of basic theological understanding by these people. It is the reason why I stopped listening to them. Last year, I read Jinger Vuolo's book about her journey of disentangling the lies she was taught in the IBLP growing up from the truth, and that has resonated with me. I'm searching for TRUTH, not a religion that makes me feel good.

[NC_]

_‭I Timothy 4:1 NKJV‬_
*[1] Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, *

Scripture foretold of these times. Gotta love just how pinpoint God's Word is 🎯.

[NikiLarson-gsyb]

6:33 Thank you Tim!! Understanding the gospel is much easier while abiding in Christ and relying upon the Holy Spirit to guide you. James 1:5-6

[TravoltaMoonFan]

“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.”
‭‭I John‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬

[saracarlson-kringle]

As a former JW, [in my personal experience], I did not realize how enmeshed their governing body and Jehovah were at my time of leaving. So when I turned my back on them, it included God for a time [basically the whole old testament God] - when in reality what I wanted to do was give the governing body the finger. Pro tip: revenge is not sweet when you retaliate and actually go ahead and 'do the crime' for which you were told to 'do the time'. Now as a born again Christian, I still get to navigate life with the repercussions of my past decisions - which is not an excuse to despair, I just have to rely on God more - but if you can [as the saying goes] take the stones that are thrown at you and build an empire, I think your experience will be nicer.
Oh, and Pro Tip #2: If you're given counsel from a fellow dysfunctional human [who may or may not equate themselves with being on par with God, therefore qualified to flog you with scripture], pray that Holy Spirit clean up and decode that message so you can find the gem in it that relates to [and benefits] you, rather than throwing the baby out with the bathwater. And if it's a JW or their ilk, please do not assume they know true, sound, biblical doctrine in the first place. YOU get to 'make sure of all things', so don't put that off.

[phinneas-davidwilliams]

I resonate with just looking for truth, I grew up in a very legalistic church & I was researching & debating pastors from a very young age, I have not cared if I like it or not as long as it's truth. It did take many years to start a real relationship with Christ. Up till then, it was purely analytical. I do sometimes wonder why I kept going because I was hurt & kicked out of a lot of churches, but I think it is because my feelings didn't really matter, truth does.

[GodLoves]

I said the repeat after me "sinners prayer" likely a half dozen times; have been baptized into 3 different "churches" thru the years. 🫤
I never met Jesus in a single building or belief system I sat in or under.

He led me to Himself in a doctors office where I had every intention to meditate myself to deal with this world and my life in it.

I never said a prayer.
This doctor never even touched me. He simply said '"I don't think you need medication; I think you need God"...

I cut that testimony really short but I walked out of there changed... In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.

I always wondered how people had a born again day... I know now. You will know. You are not the same. You may sin..
You may deny Jesus like Peter did, but you can't remain in that state. You will come back... Like Jesus knew Peter would.

You come into True contact with God, you cannot remain the same.
You cannot stay away.

Only He has Life.
Bread and Living Water. ❤️

[jasonwagener]

"Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car" - G.K. Chesterton

[notthecontentiouswoman-wom]

If a person truly has had that I need Jesus moment, there is no way you'll say, " I was a Christian." I was in my 40s when it happened to me. However, before then, I definitely would have told I was a Christian and love Jesus. I didn't know Him, though, and I really didn't have an understanding of my own depravity. I had this moment of "I need to go before God now and handle my crap before eternity. There was shame I knew only God could take care of. There's a struggle and humbling in this walk. Every day, there's a stumble and step toward that "high calling in Christ." You trip up, but there's this drive to spend eternity with your Maker and Savior, so you ask for His strength, grace, and mercy and keep it pushing. Your identity is grounded in Christ. This is not disposable, nor would you want to give up the inheritance in Christ. So, deconstructionist lack depth primarily.

[JesusizmyLordandSavior]

❤❤ God led me through a deconstruction process from organized religion after I became sober. He drew me back to Him and after 21 years of sobriety, drew me deeper through His word. His Spirit is the best guide and teacher. I even experienced deliverance by standing in faith, applying the principles therein and allowing Him to cleanse me through confession. Not through man, but Him. Applying forgiveness and love, His way, the best I could and can. It's a daily choice. When I began to choose forgiveness for all the "church" hurt, I truly began to heal. God is love, but not the love the world states. His love is sacrificial and not self serving. 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[ChildofGod]

Father God give me strength I seem to bear the weight of the world on my shoulders as a single mom, I often face challenges that can seem insurmountable especially with raising two children with special needs. I’m trying to balance everything but Lord I’m struggling to make ends meet, to pay bills, and to put food on the table for my children. At times I want to give up but I know God will provide. ❤️

[chrisforeman]

I appreciate you three. You pray and don’t faint. It is termed “deconstruction” not “reconstruction”. They seek not the truth. They are not reformers, but deformers. Keep speaking the true gospel.

[lisawilliams]

Wow, just the title of this episode is eye opening. The search for truth is paramount to Christianity.

[fishtail]

Interesting how so many that claim to be deconstructing can’t pinpoint a true conversion experience based in repentance. That makes me think that we, as the church are not doing a very good job of truly preaching the gospel, rather are we selling an emotional experience of saying the sinners prayer and then that’s as deep as it goes. My pastor talks about this often. As someone who grew up in the church and youth group, I knew many kids who were there every time the doors were open and then as soon as they left home, they threw it all away. Because they never had a real faith, it was just that they were as Alisa said, around it.

Also, the link with critical theory is so spot on! So much of the progressive Christianity movement is based in that as well.

[kalevthewalrus]

Ain’t no way some of my favorite YouTubers made a vid together

[AlexanderosD]

Thanks for the Vid Melissa!
It's a sad theme throughout deconstruction stories and those leaving cults or churches that claim to be Christian;
They claim they were something they didn't truly understand and "deconstructing" is just the excuse for their desire to breakup with the Lord for the sake of their own desire.