The Protestant reformers had a saying that I believe is correct, “Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda.” It translates into, “The Church Reformed, Always Reforming.”
Progressive Christianity
When I talk about Progressive Christianity I am using the word progressive to mean “characterized by continuous improvement or advancement.” I agree with the idea that the church should always be reforming.
And what should the church, the Christian community, be reforming to? The truth. And the foundational sources for discovering the truth are Scripture, Tradition, reason, and spiritual experience.
Solo Scriptura
One of the biggest mistakes of the reformation was solo scriptura, Scripture alone. It divorced itself from a millennial and a half of the Holy Spirit’s guidance of the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. As if God was mute for over 1,500 years
Tradition
Tradition is the shared wisdom, the collective guidance, and lived experience of the body of Christ. Reading the monks, mystics, and saints of these ancient churches reveals a profound stream of wisdom. To ignore this is foolish at best.
Reason
But to also ignore the place of reason, which God has given us, has also caused untold harm to the Christian witness. Faith may be above reason, but it is never contrary to reason. The laws of logic are God given, and science is the best means of knowing the natural world.
Personal Experience
And finally, proof of the pudding is in the eating. If the map tells you that there should be a lake ten feet in front of you, and there is no lake, the map is wrong. Christianity should accurately describe spiritual realities or your version of Christianity is wrong.
Unfortunately, most Christians have a relationship with the Book of God but have never met the God of the Book. Personal experience is the heart of a relationship with God.
And if the truth is not making you a better person, you are not truly believing it. Belief means to accept a claim as true, which then becomes a rule of action. You may be saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone. It always results in actions. What Jesus calls fruits.