The Phoenix Affirmations

[McKenna]

Note - I know there was a thread on these a while back, but that was over 2 years ago and this version of the Phoenix Affirmations is slightly updated (version 3.8 instead of 3.7).

 

I was glancing through the Wikipedia article on Progressive Christianity (see this thread) and I found their article on the Phoenix Affirmations. I looked at the CrossWalk America website for their version of the Phoenix Affirmations, which were worded a bit differently than those listed on Wikipedia. Here are the Affirmations from the CrossWalk America website:

 

Christian love of God includes:

 

1. Walking fully in the path of Jesus, without denying the legitimacy of other paths God may provide humanity;

 

2. Listening for God’s Word which comes through daily prayer and meditation, studying the ancient testimonies which we call Scripture, and attending to God’s present activity in the world;

 

3. Celebrating the God whose Spirit pervades and whose glory is reflected in all of God’s Creation, including the earth and its ecosystems, the sacred and secular, the Christian and non-Christian, the human and non-human;

 

4. Expressing our love in worship that is as sincere, vibrant, and artful as it is scriptural.

 

Christian love of neighbor includes:

 

5. Engaging people authentically, as Jesus did, treating all as creations made in God’s very image, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental ability, nationality, or economic class;

 

6. Standing, as Jesus does, with the outcast and oppressed, the denigrated and afflicted, seeking peace and justice with or without the support of others;

 

7. Preserving religious freedom and the Church’s ability to speak prophetically to government by resisting the commingling of Church and State;

 

8. Walking humbly with God, acknowledging our own shortcomings while honestly seeking to understand and call forth the best in others, including those who consider us their enemies;

 

Christian love of self includes:

 

9. Basing our lives on the faith that, in Christ, all things are made new, and that we, and all people, are loved beyond our wildest imagination – for eternity;

 

10. Claiming the sacredness of both our minds and our hearts, recognizing that faith and science, doubt and belief serve the pursuit of truth;

 

11. Caring for our bodies, and insisting on taking time to enjoy the benefits of prayer, reflection, worship and recreation in addition to work;

 

12. Acting on the faith that we are born with a meaning and purpose; a vocation and ministry that serves to strengthen and extend God’s realm of love.

 

I thought the Affirmations expressed some lovely sentiments, and I was wondering what everyone else felt.

 

Do these describe Progressive Christianity well? Any points with which you agree/disagree?

 

[McKenna]

Also, if you have extra time, the full version can be found here. It provides some more detail, it's an interesting read

[minsocal]

Yes, these are expressive of Progressive Chrisianity. A few readers will recognize the format, which might have been derived from the anthropologist Richard Schweder. Psychologists Johnathan Haidt and Paul Rozin have built on the work of Schweder and done extensive research into the nature of intuitive moral emotions in the three spheres of autonomy (self), community, and divinity. Haidt's work is particularly valuable to those interested in understanding both the progressive and conservative viewpoints without the usual biases. I would be willing to post more on this if anyone is interested.

 

minsocal

[McKenna]

Yes, these are expressive of Progressive Chrisianity. A few readers will recognize the format, which might have been derived from the anthropologist Richard Schweder. Psychologists Johnathan Haidt and Paul Rozin have built on the work of Schweder and done extensive research into the nature of intuitive moral emotions in the three spheres of autonomy (self), community, and divinity. Haidt's work is particularly valuable to those interested in understanding both the progressive and conservative viewpoints without the usual biases. I would be willing to post more on this if anyone is interested.

 

minsocal

 

I'm interested! If it's not too much trouble

[emale07]

Yes, these are expressive of Progressive Chrisianity. A few readers will recognize the format, which might have been derived from the anthropologist Richard Schweder. Psychologists Johnathan Haidt and Paul Rozin have built on the work of Schweder and done extensive research into the nature of intuitive moral emotions in the three spheres of autonomy (self), community, and divinity.

 

 

Not to be argumentative, but wouldn't it be more accurate to say that the list was based on the Golden Rule?

 

I was pleased to see this topic, though, as I've just begun a podcast based on the Phoenix Affirmations, and Eric Elnes was a guest on my second show. This list bodes well for the future of our faith!

 

landon

[McKenna]

Not to be argumentative, but wouldn't it be more accurate to say that the list was based on the Golden Rule?

 

I was pleased to see this topic, though, as I've just begun a podcast based on the Phoenix Affirmations, and Eric Elnes was a guest on my second show. This list bodes well for the future of our faith!

 

landon

 

You started a podcast?? That's great! What's it called? I want to check it out

[emale07]

You started a podcast?? That's great! What's it called? I want to check it out

 

The Phoenix Journal - http://www.thephoenixjournal.org

 

Any feed back would be lovely.