✝️ OFFICIAL SUNDAY OPEN THREAD

Biblical Christianity Vs Secular Progressivism

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recently had the opportunity to discuss in an interview how secular progressivism; which largely dominates the thoughts of the secular Left, is antithetical to a Biblical worldview. To understand the age in which we live, it is important to understand the ideas behind secular progressivism; and more importantly, its ultimate aspirations. After all, whether the majority of people realize it or not, secular progressivism has the stated goal of organizing social life (with or without your consent) toward its explicitly chosen goals. Those goals, however, put it in direct conflict with Biblical truth.

The major flaw of secular progressivism is its belief that preference is more important than truth. Because the maxim of this ideology is that “all preferences are created equal,” any belief which competes with somebody’s “preference” is treated in one of two ways. Either it must be suppressed (usually with the backing of government or media institutions) or it must be branded as a private hobby which is acceptable in the home or inner thought life but not welcome in the public square where others may be influenced by it. So that dissenters don’t get any ideas about stepping outside of these arbitrary boundaries, opponents of secular progressivism are therefore branded as ignorant bigots who have not yet developed an adequate thought life to be trusted with any public influence.

Although secular progressivism is tirelessly critical of Christianity, it ironically cannot operate without it. Progressivism always needs an antagonist; an external order against which it can rebel. As much as it claims its goals are to destroy Christianity, the reality of being the parasitic organism which it is, dictates if progressivism destroys its host, it also destroys itself. Therefore, we will note progressivism’s aim is not necessarily to destroy Christianity, but to highlight its supposed negative qualities in contrast in order to promote secular progressivism’s supposed positive qualities. In other words, in this clash of worldviews, secular progressivism still needs somebody to clash against so it may seek to expand its own influence.  

There are notable areas where these clashes are most volatile; with sexual orientation, gender identity, and abortion being three key points of continuous friction & disagreements. Under the cultural rules of engagement which have been thrust upon Christians, secular progressivism has cast Christianity as antiquated and evil; a system of thought which has failed to advance with the forward march of time. In its place stands a communally accepted movement which has marketed itself as an ethical worldview which emphasizes a human-derived morality, universal equality and social justice. Its so-called appeal claims rather than relying on religious dogma, it grounds its belief in reason, empathy and the improvement of social conditions as society advances. But no matter how secular progressivism has chosen to see or define itself, when you adopt a Biblical worldview the only conclusion you can reach is that the movement is delusional and spiritually damaging. 

The reality is although secular progressivism may cast itself as a social or even political movement, it does in fact possess a quasi-religious character. Its orthodoxy emerged out of the sexual revolution and its “promised land” is a society which fully accepts the dominance of pleasure and self-will. Unfortunately, as secular progressivism has increased its grip on society, yesterday’s sins have now become today’s sacraments meaning that yesterday’s sinners are now lauded as today’s saints. That’s why those who are firmly entrenched in the progressive agenda do not think what they do is deplorable. Their spiritual delusion has led to their belief they are in possession of a higher truth they insist must now become the dominant universal truth.   

Because secular progressivism is not accountable to any kind of theistic worldview, it claims it is possible to be good without God. But in progressive orthodoxy, who or what is “good?”  That distinction always comes back to individual preferences. To determine what is morally acceptable in their movement, progressives use a simple equation: preferences define what is good and since all preferences are equal (through moral egalitarianism) then everybody has equal claim to a satisfying life through the manifestation of their preferences. Where we experience hostility from secular progressivism is when we reject an individual’s “preferences” because they are in opposition to Biblical commandments. Rather than respecting our position, they perceive the rejection of personal preferences as baseless discrimination and therefore, in their view, a form of hatred and oppression. 

Secular progressivism, whilst focusing its attention on the exercise of personal preference, has completely overlooked the problem of personal sin. In attempting to absolve people of guilt, progressivism has sought to recast sin as preference, whilst blindly ignoring the ruinous (and eternal) consequences of mankind’s depraved and sinful state. The truth is that there is nothing forward-thinking about secular progressivism. It is grounded in a regressive and harmful unbiblical lifestyle which can place a person’s very soul in eternal jeopardy. ✪