This is the first episode of the New Year, and I'm starting with a deep dive into how progressive Christianity approaches the Bible.

In this episode, Natasha Crain and I walk through Better Ways to Read the Bible by progressive Christian pastor Zach Lambert, using it as a case study to examine common progressive claims about Scripture. Lambert argues that the Bible is often read through “harmful lenses” and should instead be read through new “healing” ones. While we agree that the Bible has been misused in real and damaging ways, we explain why his proposed solutions create more confusion than clarity.

We discuss the critical difference between:

• The nature of Scripture (inspiration, inerrancy, authority)
• The interpretation of Scripture (how we determine meaning)
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Along the way, we address:

• Why “literalism” is often misrepresented in progressive theology
• How progressive Christianity reframes hell, sin, and judgment
• Moralism vs. legalism—and what Scripture actually teaches about grace
• Liberation theology, critical theory, and power-based readings of the Bible
• The misuse of “fruit” language to justify affirming what Scripture calls sin
• Why progressive Christians still identify as Christian—and why sincerity is not the same as truth
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This conversation is not about motives or tone. It’s about theology, presuppositions, and whether the progressive framework is consistent with the historic Christian faith.

We’re starting the year by going back to first principles: what the Bible is, how it should be read, and why those questions matter.