The Bible and Progressives

I like to joke about Ecclesiastes on politics. "A wise man's heart inclines him to the right, but a fool's heart to the left." (Eccl 10:2) Clear enough, right? Well, mostly.

I've written a lot lately from 1 John because that's where we've been studying. Well, obviously, if we were in 1 John before, 2 John must be next. So I came across this gem.

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. (2 John 1:9)

What an interesting phrase. He speaks of those who "go on ahead." The NASB goes with "goes too far," but adds, "Lit. runs ahead" in the margin. The word is προάγων -- proagōn. The verb is present participle active -- an ongoing action. It might be "leads forward" or "to go further." Try as I might, I can't help but see "progressive" in this word.

Now, note, John doesn't say that going on ahead was wrong. He didn't say that we mustn't do that. What he warns about is being progressive and leaving Christ's teaching.

It's okay to look for new and interesting. It's fine to examine things, figure out new approaches, update language, use new methods, all that kind of stuff. "Progressive" in this language is not evil. Leaving Christ's teaching is. Departing from the Logos -- from the Word -- is a problem.

How much of a problem? If that's what they're doing -- moving ahead and departing from the teachings of Scripture -- then they don't have God. What is the sure test to see if you have God? Abide in the teaching. And what are we supposed to do? This is harsh, but it's Scripture. "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works." (2 John 1:10-11)

There is, then, apparently good "progressive" and bad "progressive." Moving ahead isn't necessarily wrong. What is critical is remaining in the teaching of Christ. If we have the Father, we have the Son and we will remain. (Oh, wait, that's what John wrote over in 1 John 2:18-19, isn't it? Nice. Continuity.) And we aren't supposed to receive or even greet those who, in the name of Christ, don't keep His teachings. I'm not sure how many of us are keeping that command.