A Progressive's Three Great Loves

June 22, 2011 by Eric Elnes

Continued from Page 1

Love of Neighbor

Christians are letting go of a narrow definition of appropriate sexual orientation and gender identity. They are embracing with increasing confidence an understanding that affirms the dignity and worth of all people.
Christians are letting go of an understanding that people of faith should only interest themselves in the "spiritual" well-being of people. They are embracing a more holistic understanding that physical and spiritual well-being are related.
Christians are letting go of the desire to impose their particular vision of faith on wider society. They are embracing the notion that their purpose is to make themselves more faithful adherents of their vision of faith.
Christians are letting go of the old rivalries between "liberal, moderate, and conservative" branches of their faith. They are embracing a faith that transcends these very definitions.

Love of Self

Christians are letting go of notions of the afterlife that are dominated by judgment of "unbelievers." They are embracing an understanding that Godnever gives up on any of us, even after we die, and that all people are loved far more than we can comprehend.
Christians are letting go of the notion that faith and science are incompatible. They are embracing the notion that faith and science can serve as allies in the pursuit of truth, and that Godvalues our minds as well as our hearts.
Christians are letting go of the notion that one's work and one's spiritual path are unrelated. They are embracing an understanding that rest and recreation, prayer and reflection, are as important as work, and that our work is a "calling" and expression of what some call our "sweet spot."
Christians are letting go of old hierarchies that privilege religious leaders over laypeople. They are embracing an understanding that all people have a mission and purpose in life in response to the Spirit's call*.* It's no longer about who wears the robes but who lives the life.

To me, this where the revolutionary "kingdom of God" is breaking into our world at Christianity's growing edges.

If you're interested in exploring these edges, I invite you to join me and a merry band of misfits and mischief-makers from around the world at Darkwood Brew. We stream live—and interactively in HD video—at http://www.darkwoodbrew.org each Sunday at 6 p.m. Eastern/5 p.m. Central. Come and add your voice to the mix! I also invite you to "friend" me on Facebook.

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6/22/2011 4:00:00 AM

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