Progressive Christian’s statement of faith — Jim Burklo, USA

I’m
a
progressive
Christian
who:

 

  • keeps the faith and drops the dogma
  • experiences God more than I believe in any definition of God
  • thinks that my faith is about deeds, not creeds
  • takes the Bible seriously because I don’t take it literally
  • thinks spiritual questions are more important than religious answers
  • cares more about what happens in the war-room and the board-room than about what happens in the bedroom
  • thinks that other religions can be as good for others as my religion is good for me
  • goes to a church that doesn’t require you to park your brain outside before you come inside
  • thinks that God is bigger than anybody’s idea about God
  • thinks that God evolves

For years I've been writing and collecting 'tag lines', short phrases that we can share with others about the kind of Christianity we represent. Lots of folks are embarrassed to call themselves Christians, because of all the bad things that have been done in the name of our faith, and particularly by the traditional Christian claim that Christianity is the only true faith. Our progressive Christian movement is about re-imagining and re-defining our religion, boldly reclaiming our identity, and finding succinct ways to express it.

Jim Burklo

Jim Burklo, Associate Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California, writes progressive prayers, hymns and other worship items.  Many of his liturgical materials can be found in his book “Birdlike and Barnless:  Meditations, Prayers, and Songs for Progressive Christians”  (2008, St Johann Press).  Explore Jim’s blog for more words for worship.

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