‘Progressive Christianity’ a Form of Heresy Says Author of ‘The Christian Left’
What sorrow for those who say
that evil is good and good is evil,
that dark is light and light is dark,
that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.
– Isaiah 5:20
Author and pastor Lucas Miles didn’t set out to write a book about the onslaught of liberal thought pervading churches today. However, he said he felt called by God to do just that.
BY ALEX MURASHKO
MEDIA ON MISSION
“For the last few years, I’ve witnessed a real rise in confusion regarding the gospel. Progressive ideology slowly has crept into the church and eroded the faith of many pastors and Christian leaders I know,” Miles told Media on Mission. His upcoming book, The Christian Left – How Liberal Thought Has Hijacked the Church, comes out in May. “With that, many no longer hold to biblical inerrancy and in many cases, I’ve watched friends embrace progressive views on gender, abortion, and sexuality. I was originally going to write on another topic, but I kept feeling the Lord calling me to address the dangers of progressive Christianity and the need to expose it for what it is — a form of heresy.”
Words matter. Perhaps that’s obvious, but to be sure, they can inspire a change in the atmosphere, create something new, give life or death.
Unfortunately, words today often don’t mean the same thing as yesterday. That’s a problem.
We live in uncertain times when (for example) the Good News of the Bible — the Word — is increasingly deemed as “hate speech.” Once there were clear definitions — even in the dictionary. However, words like “love,” “marriage,” and “truth” have become foggy remnants of the meanings they once had.
Not everyone has gotten the memo. While some like-minded people and groups have changed the meanings of words to fit their agendas, disagreements and misunderstandings escalate.
Even in churches.
In The Christian Left, the words “church” and “Christian” are re-examined and each splintered, revealing the social erosion of truth.
Miles reminds us that the attack on the church is real and that Jesus’ followers cannot bask in their own comfort while knowing that others are being led down a path of darkness.
Even more specifically, as stated in the book’s summary: “The Christian Left unveils how liberal thought has entered America’s sanctuaries, exchanging the Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for the trinity of diversity, acceptance, and social justice. This in-depth look at church history, world politics, and pop culture masterfully exposes the rise and agenda of the Christian Left.”
Miles said he would like Christians to “be equipped with a strong understanding of issues facing the church today and empowered to elevate God’s truth, justice, and wisdom.”
Below is Media on Mission’s Q&A email interview with Lucas Miles.
MEDIA ON MISSION: Can you give a short testimony of how you came to Christ?
LUCAS MILES: I was born in a Christian home to wonderful Christian parents. Somewhere along the way though, I developed a fairly legalistic approach to relating to God. Although even from a young age I proclaimed God’s love to others, I struggled with receiving His love for myself. It wasn’t until I really got a revelation of God’s grace through the first couple chapters of the book of Romans that I ever truly felt secure in my faith.
MoM: At some point, you became interested in media such as video, podcasts, blogs and books. Can you tell me how that interest began and developed?
MILES: When I was in junior high, my parents got a Panasonic VHS camcorder. It was giant and clunky, but I quickly fell in love with it and within no time I was running around my house and neighborhood making movies and funny videos. My mom loves telling the story of how I would always yell, “Quiet on set!” and “Action!” at all hours of the day while I was filming….I guess not much has changed!
MoM: How is your faith in Jesus wrapped up into your storytelling?
MILES: As a filmmaker and a Christian, I’m focused on using my talents to the glory God. This doesn’t always mean creating faith content, but more so, doing everything in such a way that creates room for God to speak and act through my life, relationships, and art. That might be hosting a Bible study with actors or producing a faith oriented film…but either way, I look to Him to lead the way!
MoM: How did the concept for your book, Christian Left, come about? You must have seen a need? Did you have questions about how to proceed?
MILES: For the last few years, I’ve witnessed a real rise in confusion regarding the gospel. Progressive ideology slowly has crept into the church and eroded the faith of many pastors and Christian leaders I know. With that, many no longer hold to biblical inerrancy and in many cases, I’ve watched friends embrace progressive views on gender, abortion, and sexuality. I was originally going to write on another topic, but I kept feeling the Lord calling me to address the dangers of progressive Christianity and the need to expose it for what it is — a form of heresy.
MoM: What was the most difficult thing about writing The Christian Left?
MILES: The actual writing of the book came very easy to me — it just flowed. But I know that there will be some who struggle receiving it. I often say I feel like my call is to protect the church from radicalism on the left and the right and I think this book does that. Certainly the left is the greater focus, as I believe progressive thought presents a more imminent danger to the makeup of the church, but the book is fair to errors on both sides. It’s not easy writing something you know some people will dislike you for — but it needed to be done…I just hope people feel the love with which it was written.
MoM: How have your interviews about the book been going?
MILES: So far, I’ve been getting an awesome response. Interviews and appearance requests are coming in like crazy. Already the book has hit multiple best seller lists even though it doesn’t release until May 4th.
MoM: Do you think more discussion of this topic will bring unity?
MILES: I don’t think unity is the goal – I think biblical orthodoxy is. I hope more conversations will help those in error on both sides return to biblical orthodoxy, which if that happens, will bring unity – but unity that isn’t based upon truth is only false hope.
MoM: What lessons has God shown you in writing this book?
MILES: I’m an optimist – and I always like to find the good in everything, but through this process it’s really grieved my heart recognizing how hurt the church in America is right now…I’m just trying to keep listening to the Lord through all of this to see how he can use me more to minister to those in need and those struggling in such a divided political and societal environment.
MoM: Having been in media-related work for quite some time, what do you see as the state of media today?
MILES: Obviously there are bad examples of media out there, but I’ve maintained a really positive relationship with most media so far. I love our local news reporters and I love working with many national outlets. I find that most want to do the right thing. For me a big part of Christianity is influence – I think we do this best by being thankful and appreciating those we come across. Reporting is a tough job, and even though I might not always agree with someone, I want to at least demonstrate dignity and grace within our disagreement.
“The Christian Left – How Liberal Thought Has Hijacked the Church” is available for pre-order on Amazon and wherever books are sold.
