Reflection Questions:
Malynda states that she doesn’t like using the term “progressive Christianity,” as the compassionate, loving religion she and The New Evangelicals advocate for is centered in the teachings of Jesus, and is inherently Christian. How do you respond to that? Should progressive followers of Jesus try and reclaim the word Christianity, or is it important to differentiate themselves from the more hateful version being perpetuated?
Malynda talks about progressive people of faith needing to show “what they’re for":” to embody their beliefs in acts of kindness, service, and caregiving as a way of demonstrating values that run counter to the harmful religion practiced by so many. How do you see the balance between positively expressing your spiritual/moral convictions and outwardly condemning and opposing the injustice and oppression of Conservative Christianity?
Regarding her early faith journey, Malynda talks about being raised in a progressive household where the teachings of Jesus were central. Unlike so many, she didn’t have church trauma to deal with or a rigid fundamentalism to deconstruct from. Whether you were raised within organized religion or not, how were you affected by your origin story?
