THE PROGRESSIVES AND ORTHODOX
a discussion starter

We are constantly searching for words to speak of those who (a) seek in general or specific terms to preserve basic Christian worship, doctrine and discipline, and those who, in contrast, (b) seek in general or specific terms to bring received worship, doctrine and discipline into line with recent and modern ways of thinking, relating and behaving. This morning I heard the Public Radio Religion correspondent use the terms, "orthodox" and "progressive". These are obviously not perfect but they will serve for this exercise of thought.

The point being made on radio was that the "orthodox" are found across and within the Christian denominations of America, from the Catholic to the Bible churches, and that the "progressives" are found also across America from the Catholic through the main-line (old line) denominations to the Unitarian churches. In general the Orthodox are united on doctrinal matters such as the authority of the Bible, the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and that He is the only way to the Father for personal salvation; and on moral issues like opposition to abortion, gay rights and euthanasia. Likewise the Progressives are united on their openness to a variety of ways to God and of naming God, together with support for abortion, gay rights and euthanasia.

What is seen across the USA as a general division amongst religious people is also seen within denominations, especially inside the Catholic and main-line Churches. Here the Orthodox seek to preserve some or all of the ethos and traditions of their Church while the Progressives seek to bring the ethos and style of their Church into conformity with what they regard as required modern standards, norms and insights. Thus in the Episcopal Church, those who support innovations such as the blessing of gay couples can be called the Progressives and those who oppose such innovations the Orthodox.

However, be it in the Catholic or Episcopal or Lutheran Church, terms used for general convenience should not to be made the equivalent or strict or careful description. For example, those who are presently called the Orthodox in the Episcopal Church are so called primarily because of their opposition to the "gay agenda"; in other areas they may well be progressives - e.g., in terms of approving women priests, the marriage of divorcees in church, the use of new prayer books, and so on. Likewise those who are Progressives may be supportive of gay rights but be very traditional in their attitude to and use of liturgical texts and church music.

The fact of the matter is that the Orthodox can be progressive and the Progressive can be orthodox in certain ways! After all, the new Pope is most certainly Orthodox in worship, doctrine and discipline, but (in contrast to the Orthodox of the religious supermarket of the USA) he will probably, like his predecessor, be progressive in social, political and economic matters.

In the Early Church "orthodox" was an adjective that described the Church as church rather than individuals as such. One became orthodox by being a faithful member of the Church accepting her teaching and confessing her faith. Today, where individualism is rampant, it has become an adjective for use with individuals first and groups second!

The Rev'd Dr Peter Toon April 21, 2005