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📅 December 5 Q&A
Responding to Progressive Christianity with Truth and Clarity
Q: How should Christians respond to progressive Christianity?
Progressive Christianity often presents itself as compassionate, open minded, and spiritually refreshing.
But beneath the appealing language lies a belief system that departs from the historic Christian faith.
The issue is not style, tone, or personality. It is doctrine, and doctrine always shapes discipleship.
This is why believers must learn to respond with clarity, conviction, and compassion.
Here is how Scripture calls us to think and respond.
1. Recognize how progressive Christianity drifts from biblical authority
Progressive teachers frequently speak warmly about Jesus while undermining the very Scriptures He affirmed.
Common patterns include elevating personal experience above biblical truth, redefining sin as brokenness
rather than rebellion, challenging core doctrines such as the atonement, resurrection, and judgment, and
treating the Bible as inspirational literature instead of the authoritative Word of God.
Whenever the authority of Scripture is weakened, the entire structure of the Christian faith begins to unravel.
2. Respond with clarity rooted in Scripture
Paul commands believers to “hold fast to the trustworthy word” (Titus 1:9).
We do not respond to error with emotion or personal opinion. Our response must flow from God’s revealed truth.
When a teaching contradicts Scripture, Christians must choose Scripture every time.
3. Respond with compassion without compromise
Many who drift toward progressive Christianity do so because they carry wounds, doubts, or unresolved questions.
Scripture calls us to engage gently and patiently, remembering that people are not the enemy. Error is the enemy.
Compassion never requires compromising truth. Biblical love always walks hand in hand with biblical truth.
4. Guard yourself and others through solid doctrine
Progressive Christianity thrives wherever biblical literacy is weak. This is why faithful preaching, sound
theology, and intentional discipleship are essential for the health of the church. When believers are grounded
in the gospel, false teaching loses its influence.
5. Keep your focus on the real Jesus revealed in Scripture
Progressive Christianity often reshapes Jesus into a figure who fits modern preferences. In this version He
never confronts sin, never judges, and never calls people to repentance. But the Jesus of Scripture is Lord,
Savior, King, and Judge. He is compassionate and gentle, yet also holy and authoritative. He forgives sinners,
but He also commands repentance and obedience.
6. Stand firm and trust that truth prevails
Error may be loud, but it is never lasting. Jesus promised that His sheep hear His voice (John 10:27).
The truth of God’s Word will continue to expose false teaching and preserve His people.
So the answer to progressive Christianity is not fear but clarity. Not anger but truth in love. Not retreat
but deeper confidence in Scripture and the gospel.
Hold fast to God’s Word.
Walk in grace.
Stay anchored in the Christ who never changes.
For more from Contending for the Word Q&A please visit our page here at Servants of Grace or at our YouTube.
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.
Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.
He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024).
You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.
When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.
Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.




