Frequently, after a lecture or seminar, someone will ask me:  "Why do you have to call it Progressive Christianity?  Aren't we all Christians?" These were usually people who seemed to be a little on edge, and sometimes even angry, but their questions were sincere and frankly, they are good ones. 

I think it is important to note that the term "progressive" was part of the American Christian dialogue over a hundred years ago. Toward the end of the nineteenth century there was an active group of well respected clergy who initiated a movement that had a profound impact both short and long term. 

In his fascinating book, The War for Righteousness, Richard M. Gamble writes: "The self-described "progressives" among America's Protestant clergy at the turn of the twentieth century were well known in church circles and beyond for their advanced thinking on theology, politics, and foreign affairs. As they faced the prospect of a new century, these ministers and academics thought of themselves as broad-minded, humane, and cosmopolitan, in harmony with the very best scientific, political, and theological wisdom of the age. In short, they were among the "right thinking" leaders of their day. These reformers have since been labeled "liberal" or modernist by historians, the word "progressive suited their character and their times."

Certainly this movement had strong social influence, not all of it good, as Gamble points out in his book in some detail. But I believe that it is important to point out that even back then, the movement was first about rethinking theology and attempting to move Christianity into the 20th century, over one hundred years ago. William Jewett Tucker wrote: "The first effect of the progressive departure in the field of strictly theological inquiry was to bring about a change in the prevailing conception of God...the conception of God must be affected by the advance in our understanding of nature."

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