MR 2:4 The Legacy and Future of Progressive Christianity: A Conversation with David Gerber and Mark Lempke

Since 1980, progressive Christianity, once the powerful force for civil rights and against the Vietnam war, has faded from the scenes. Voices like George McGovern and Walter Mondale who proclaimed a social gospel, are fading. In their place is a more conservative muscular version of evangelical Christianity that downplays the need for social justice and works instead to preserve traditional values. Why the shift? Is there a role for progressive Christianity in the future? How can progressive Christian find its voice again? Included in this conversation are David A. Gerber and Mark Lempke. David A. Gerber is University at Buffalo Distinguished Professor of History Emeritus. David A. Gerber taught American History at the University at Buffalo (SUNY) from 1971 to his retirement in 2012. He was founding Director of the Center for Disability Studies at UB, and served in that capacity from 2009 through 2012. Mark is the author of My Brother’s Keeper: George McGovern and Progressive Christianity. Mark is a historian of post-war religion and politics. He specializes in progressive Christianity and the Christian left that developed in the 1960’s and 70’s. He completed his Ph.D. at the SUNY at Buffalo and previously taught in Singapore at the UB Singapore campus. He lives now in Buffalo NY.