Progressive Christians; Why Are They Ashamed of the Cross?

Prior to Holy Week and after Easter, I've come across numerous Progressive Christian writers and bloggers who detest the Cross. It's too bloody and gory for them; it's violence goes against their pacifist principles; it's unacceptable that God should kill His Son; and now with the Supreme Court Mojave decision, Progressives opine that the Cross is an insulting symbol to other faiths.


The Cross has always been offensive to the peoples of the world. They hate what it stands for - that we are so sinful we need a sacrificial Savior to bleed and die on it so that we can be saved from God's wrath. The world would rather deludingly believe that God turns a blind eye to our sin and winks at our brazen ways. 


The trouble is this: progressive Christians believe the same in order to accommodate the rest of the world. In other words, Christ's sacrifice is not good enough for today's inter-faith world, so Progressive Christians have got to save the day, the church, and the world with their rejection of the Cross and their idolatrous doctrine of cosmopolitan toleration - a toleration which of course excludes their own traditional faith.


I am proud to be a part of the Christian Resurgent Movement. The progressive appeasers have gone too far. It's about time that true apologetics returned instead of timid apologizers.

In the cross of Christ I glory,

Towering o’er the wrecks of time;

All the light of sacred story

Gathers round its head sublime.

When the woes of life o’ertake me,

Hopes deceive, and fears annoy,

Never shall the cross forsake me,

Lo! it glows with peace and joy.

When the sun of bliss is beaming

Light and love upon my way,

From the cross the radiance streaming

Adds more luster to the day.

Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure,

By the cross are sanctified;

Peace is there that knows no measure,

Joys that through all time abide.

In the cross of Christ I glory,

Towering o’er the wrecks of time;

All the light of sacred story

Gathers round its head sublime.

(lyrics by John Bowring)

images by Stushie

Free Daily Devotions: Beyond Death - Psalm 6

Psalm 6:5 No one remembers you when he is dead. Who praises you from the grave?

Sometimes I feel sorry for the ancient Israelites. They didn’t have any real hope in resurrection and everlasting life. They believed that when someone died, the soul went to a place of shadows and, over time, it became a mere shadow itself. Death was something to be dreaded and feared. It meant the end of everything – life, relationships, and faith.

Thankfully, we are New Testament people and the good news of the Gospel means that death does not have the final word. Christ’s victory over sin and death has opened up a door between us and God. Instead of going to the land of shadows when we die, we are welcomed into the Kingdom of Light. Rather than losing our relationships, we are restored to God.

These blessings come to us through Jesus. There is no other way. He is the conduit of God’s everlasting compassion; He is the sole channel of God’s eternal grace. When we fully give our hearts to Him and place our souls into Christ’s hands, we are assured of these wonderful gifts and death no longer has any power to diminish us or our souls. Not only will we remember and praise God from the grave, we will be restored to rejoice with Him forever.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, thank You for the giving of Your holy and precious Life, so that we may be given the forgiveness of our sins and the promise of everlasting life. Help us to claim these sacred gifts by the giving of our hearts to You. In Your Saving Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, pleases end him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.