Richard Beck thinks about how the need to define our beliefs as both holy and pure is not limited to evangelicalism but shows up among progressives as well.
We’ve all read about the problems related to the purity culture associated with evangelicalism. But recently I’ve been thinking about the purity culture that is found in liberal, progressive and/or radical Christian circles.
My thoughts here were spurred by the essay written by Aurora Dagny entitled “Everything is Problematic.”
As someone who identifies as a progressive Christian I found Aurora’s essay to be very thought-provoking. The essay describes Aurora’s journey into radical, leftist activism and the reasons she eventually stepped away. If you’re a progressive Christian like me I encourage you to read the whole thing.
Beck says that the same dynamic shows up among conservative, evangelical Christians and among progressives as well.
And this “will to purity” doesn’t just manifest in protecting sacred beliefs, it manifests inbehavior as well. Both evangelical and progressive Christians doggedly pursue a vision of moral purity.
For evangelical Christians moral purity will fixate on hedonism (e.g., sex, drug use).
For progressive Christians moral purity will fixate on complicity in injustice….
Posted by Andrew Gerns