Progressive Christianity

[cercatorius]

Thanks for your answer It's a much more realistic and balanced view of the bible than I am used to hearing.

What makes you think any of it is true (above some historical facts that can be verified), in particular the supernatural elements? Or are you sceptical of those?

Do you think Jesus was just a man?

I'm not trying to be critical, just curious!

I don't mind your questions.  Thanks for the encouragement! What makes me think it is true?  I want to clarify that I feel there is a difference between "thinking the bible is true" and finding truth in it. I see some truth in the bible the same way you might see truth in any other book, movie, poem, song, or correspondence.  I don't think the bible has a monopoly on truth, and I think we see some great examples of untruth in it. 

I think in the bible, if we step back, we see an arc - practically starting with an understanding of god as a Janus-faced, violent, blood thirsty asshole.  We see a slow, progressive arc toward understanding God as nonviolent entity. [sidebar: penal substitution atonement theory is the idea that god demanded the sacrifice, and Jesus stepped in in our place - I do not ascribe to that].  I believe that we demanded the sacrifice of Jesus, and that he was a forgiving victim of that sacrifice (as are many, many people of many cultural and religious backgrounds).
Supernatural events - I think much of mythology and scripture is a record of how earlier peoples attempted to explain forces they may have not understood, and definitely could not control.  I don't take it literally, so I'm pretty comfortable admitting much of it is myth and there may not have been any supernatural events, ever.
Was Jesus just a man...I'm kind of in a funny spot with that right now.  I've been trying to define my understanding of divinity. I guess the short answer is that I don't think it matters. My theology doesn't require him to be a deity.

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Okay - without embarrassing our new arrival - Wiki shows this as

Progressive Christianity is a form of Christianity which is characterized by a willingness to question tradition, acceptance of human diversity, a strong emphasis on social justice and care for the poor and the oppressed, and environmental stewardship of the Earth.

You know..the type that Mike Huckabee and the rest of the republitards think are commies!

Oh, Huckabee, you sad, sad man.  Thanks for finding that wiki def. I would say that fits me fairly well.