Deconstructive Progressive Christianity asserts that orthodoxy should not be embraced due to its perceived origin as a human-made construct, attributed either to the gradual evolution of time or to the influence of select figures within the early Roman Catholic Church. This ideology contends that consensus on fundamental beliefs within the early Church only emerged in the late 700s through the Roman Catholic Church, a notion that contradicts historical records. By the second century, a well-established “rule of faith” was shared among all Christians, irrespective of claims that challenge this truth. Let us not be deceived by these misconceptions and false narratives. Consider the following concise summary of core Christian doctrine, which strikingly mirrors today’s evangelical beliefs:
“This faith: in one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth and all that is in them; in one Christ Jesus, the Son of God, who became incarnate for our salvation; and in the Holy Spirit, who proclaimed God’s salvation plan through the prophets, the virgin birth, the passion, the resurrection from the dead, the bodily ascension of Christ Jesus, our beloved Lord, to heaven, and His future glorious return from heaven to restore all things and resurrect the entire human race.” — 180 AD Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses
Paul himself references one of the earliest creeds within the Church:
“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4, NKJV)
Despite its brevity and gospel-centered nature, this creed encompasses elements that Progressive ideologies often challenge or deny. The phrase “for our sins” speaks to the atonement, “the Scriptures” alludes to Jesus’ presence in the Old Testament, “was buried” affirms the accuracy of gospel narratives, “rose again” signifies the resurrection, and “according to the Scriptures” (mentioned twice) underlines the New Testament’s significance as Scripture.
The Progressive movement tends to rely on revised historical narratives and disregard the genuine context of historical Christianity. In doing so, it rejects the undeniable evidence of the steadfastness and coherence of orthodoxy, which has endured since the inception of the Church by Jesus Himself. While distortions and heresies have arisen over centuries, it is orthodoxy that has consistently stood firm against such deviations. Let us, my fellow believers, stand resolute in our faith and unwavering in the face of misleading ideologies.
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