Polarisation in the church is old news: ever since James and John caused a big barny among the disciples by wanting to sit at Jesus’ right and left hand respectively (Matthew 20:20-24), the church has found it almost impossible to agree on just about anything—multipolarisation is the word, not just bipolar. Persecution of alleged heretics, schisms, breakaways, fundamentalist splinter groups, you name it—disunity is the norm, the occasional burst of unity the exception.

In November’s PC Forum session Fergus McGinley will explore the current polarisation between conservative evangelicals and liberal progressives, both locally and internationally, try to tease out exactly what the cause of all the division is, then see if we can imagine a way forward.

Fergus is an Adelaide writer, lay preacher, teacher, a member of the PCNet SA Task Group and current chair of the Effective Living Centre. Author of many essays, articles and sermons, you can catch his latest piece in the PCNet August Newsletter: “Jesus didn’t come to alleviate the suffering of the world—but yes he did!”. Due for release in January 2025 through ATF Press is “The God Who Doesn’t Exist”—stay tuned for launch details.

Progressive Christianity Forum - Fergus McGinley - THE CHALLENGES OF POLARISATION IN THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH

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