Another Gospel
Another Gospel
A Lifelong Christian Seeks Truth in Response to Progressive Christianity
by Alisa Childers
A Movement Seeks to Redefine Christianity. Some Think that It Is a Much-Needed Progressive Reformation. Others Believe that It Is an Attack on Historic Christianity.
Alisa Childers never thought she would question her Christian faith. She was raised in a Christian home, where she had seen her mom and dad feed the hungry, clothe the homeless, and love the outcast. She had witnessed God at work and then had dedicated her own life to leading worship, as part of the popular Christian band ZOEgirl. All that was deeply challenged when she met a progressive pastor, who called himself a hopeful agnostic.
Another Gospel? describes the intellectual journey Alisa took over several years as she wrestled with a series of questions that struck at the core of the Christian faith. After everything she had ever believed about God, Jesus, and the Bible had been picked apart, she found herself at the brink of despair... until God rescued her, helping her to rebuild her faith, one solid brick at a time.
In a culture of endless questions, you need solid answers. If you or someone you love has encountered the ideas of progressive Christianity and aren’t sure how to respond, Alisa’s journey will show you how to determine―and rest in―what’s unmistakably true.
Compass Reviewed
Introduction
Joshua Tippe
What happens when skepticism and deconstruction comes from within the church, rather than from outside? Many who identify as Progressive Christians either revise or deny central Christian beliefs, often resonating with the term deconstruction. Whether you are going through your own deconstruction experience or are simply wondering if there are any real answers to Progressive Christianity, Alisa Childers’ Another Gospel? is a must-read kind of book!
Basic Plot Summary
Throughout Another Gospel?, Alisa Childers explores some of the key differences between the Historic Christian Faith and Progressive Christianity. However, this book shines brightest when Alisa recounts her personal story of grappling with a process of deconstruction induced by a progressive Christian pastor. She confronted the abyss of deconstruction and came out on the other side with a more intellectually robust faith. Alisa beautifully blends her personal story with intellectual substance, making this book a very pleasant read.
Alisa distinguishes historic from progressive Christianity in the following way. Historic Christianity refers to the central teachings of Jesus and His apostles (p. 41). Her primary reference point for identifying these teachings is the earliest known Christian creed (1 Corinthians 15:3-5). When the chips are down, Childers argues Christianity 101 has at least eight core beliefs, which include human sinfulness, Jesus’ incarnation, substitutionary atoning death for our sins, and His resurrection from the dead. She also ably shows that the earliest Christians considered the Scriptures to be divinely inspired, true in their teaching, and authoritative over their lives. Progressive Christians, on the other hand, tend to avoid making absolute theological or moral statements, nor do they tend to rally around creeds or confessions of faith (p. 8). This tends to have ripple effects for how some progressive Christians understand (or revise) doctrines about the atonement or God’s nature and character.
Of the many questions Childers explores in this book, she is perhaps most on target when she focuses on the differences between how Progressive Christians and the Historic Church tend to view Scripture’s inspiration and authority. Childers argues that, where Jesus and His apostles saw the Bible as God’s holy and authoritative word, Progressive Christians tend to view it more like a colourful (but often mistaken) spiritual mosaic. She then shows how this can have ripple effects that may lead Progressive Christians to deny core Christian doctrines. When a person tosses aside the authority of the Scriptures, there is little stopping from believing a religion of their own making rather than the Historic Faith attesting to Jesus the risen King.
Praise for the Book
There is much to like about Another Gospel?! Childers masterfully uses a story about her grandma’s peach cobbler recipe to show how New Testament scholars (1) identify early Christian creedal traditions in the New Testament and (2) ensure our current translations are extremely close to the original writings. She also gives great advice about how to do your own research in academic areas that you are unfamiliar with. Alisa also wisely advises Christians to distinguish the essential from non-essential doctrines of the Faith. If we focused more on articulating the beliefs that unite Christians across the globe, we can hopefully have better conversations with non-believers and avoid unnecessary divisions within the Church. Alisa’s book shines brightest when she allows the reader to peer into her deconstruction story. Alisa’s story offers the hopeful reminder that deconstruction does not need to end in deconversion. The Christian worldview can stand strong under scrutiny, and there are many Christian scholars who can help us reconstruct a deeper and wiser faith (see pp. 145-150 for a list of resources).
Critique
At times, I felt that Childers painted progressive Christians with too broad a brush in this book. Progressive Christians are not a unified group, thus holding a variety of philosophical convictions and varying degrees of orthodox belief. For example, contra Childers, I have both met and listened to Progressive Christians who are certainly not truth relativists. I think Alisa is closer to the crux of the controversy between Historic and Progressive Christianity when she focuses on our theological differences regarding the authority and inspiration of Scripture.
Finally, I think Childers could have more clearly stated that we should preserve positive relationships with people who are exploring Progressive Christianity. A healthy relationship with us may be the only positive example they have that (1) loving actions are compatible with right belief and (2) discernment is compatible with charity and grace. We need to take time to understand why a person is doubting and how their personal story has shaped them to struggle with their questions.
Recommendation and Rating
I give Alisa Childers’ Another Gospel?, a 4.5 out of 5 rating. This book has spurred important dialogues about progressive Christianity, making it a must-read entry into this conversation. If you are currently grappling with your own deconstruction process, Alisa is an author who understands your pain. Her book conveys a hopeful message that God cares for you and is with you in this place. She also helpfully points people to a variety of resources from Christian scholars who can help you walk through your questions and doubts (see pp. 245-250). Alisa puts it best when she writes: “If you also feel as if you are losing your mooring because of deep hurt, doubt, or a progressive’s persuasive-sounding arguments, please hear me: There. Are. Answers.” (p. 226).