In May’s issue Peter Bergel invited us into his hopeful conversation with Rev. Jim Wallis. As a progressive seminary student, I connected deeply with the ideas and hopefulness put forward.

Broaden the Definition

Christian morality has often been defined so narrowly that progressive values are seen as a compromise of our faith rather than as its embodiment. This does not absolve us of our calling, though, to bring healing to a broken world. That is why I was pleased to read about the Sermon Project and its challenge to local churches. It showed that Oregon PeaceWorks takes the relationship between faith and social justice seriously. At the same time, I felt that more local voices were needed. I don’t offer my voice as the only legitimate Christian voice, or even as the only progressive Christian voice — but simply as a particular, grounded addition to the conversation.

A challenge progressive Christians often face is the criticism that we are not “biblical.” Can a progressive ethic be understood as a biblically-based ethic? Wallis is a very important voice for progressive Christians. He consistently points out that issues such as poverty, hunger and fair treatment for the underprivileged are at the heart of the scriptural witness. Verse tallies are only part of the story. As a progressive Christian, I feel that my call to the scriptures presses me outward as a witness to God’s cry of love and justice for all creation. Jesus centers the Christian understanding of scripture. The Old Testament illuminates the religious history from which Jesus emerged. The New Testament shows the impact and understanding of Jesus in the early church. Above all, Jesus embodies the Gospel — the living Word of God that emerges from the midst of human prejudice to challenge us to a better way.

The Importance of Inclusivity

This dynamic is artfully illustrated in Acts 10. Peter is challenged in a vision to eat unclean animals. He refuses citing the Old Testament rule (Leviticus) against eating such things. The voice warns Peter not to call unclean what God has made clean. Further on in the story, Peter realizes that this vision is not just about food, but about God’s acceptance of all people. This follows the approach modeled by Jesus. He ate with sinners and argued that what comes out of the mouth defiles, not what goes in. Jesus did not reject the scriptures of his time but rather he pointed past the regulations to their purpose.  Jesus fully embraced the prophetic tradition of advocacy for the oppressed. There is a promise from Jesus recorded by both Luke and Matthew: though we are deaf, blind, lame and diseased — we are healed. Though we are poor, we are given good news. When we are not offended by Jesus, we are blessed.

The 20^th century theologian Karl Barth argued that the words of scripture are literally the Word of God only in those moments when God breaks through the text to reach us. I agree with Barth, and think that there are passages where this happens more frequently than with others. Child sacrifice in Judges rarely makes the list, though its inclusion allows us to honestly address the reality of abuse. My breath is always taken away by Saint Paul’s assurance that nothing can separate us from the love of God that comes through Christ Jesus. The Christian’s call to action is rooted here. Love creates hope. Hope inspires action. Action works for peace.

Peace, Justice Define Each Other

The term “just peace” recognizes that true peace is defined by justice and that true justice is defined by peace. This is also at the core of our national identity. By declaring that we are all granted certain inalienable rights by our Creator, we laid the foundation for a just peace. This truth compelled us down the path that abolished slavery and persistently expanded the circle of those who count. We are still in the process, though, and none should worship oneself as a self-created God. As the world’s most powerful nation, it is tempting to fuse our nation with God. True peace asks us to remember what a refugee people learned and what a marginalized movement taught. Only God is God, and we are all God’s children. Let us hope together that the peace of God will guide us.

Gabriel Ertsgaard is a member of First Congregational Church UCC of Salem, and a graduate student at Northwest House of Theological Studies. She works for Leslie Middle School as an Instructional Assistant and for Ten Thousand Villages as an Assistant Manager.