Generally regarded as a logophile my mother had a particular fascination for contranyms. She delighted in the fact that words such a sanction, dust, dress, and overlook could mean their opposites. Even so she instructed my siblings and me (or in today’s untutored grammar ‘my siblings and I’) to define our terms before employing them in any debate lest we be misunderstood. However, she advised that while Scripture admonishes us that our ‘no’ should be ‘no’ and our ‘yes’ should be ‘yes’ we should honor the role of nuance. Whether in verbal, visual or culinary expression nuance can enhance the appeal of concepts, colors and tastes. But, nuance combines and blends realities; it doesn’t confuse them. We should avoid confusion. Were she alive today I wonder what my mother would think of the popular use of the word ‘progressive’, a confused term to be sure which may itself have become a contranym.
My understanding is that progressives are people who think the conditions in which they find themselves are, or should be, progressing to better ones. Etymologists identify the roots of the word progress with the Latin words for forward and to walk. Clearly to progress connotes to advance.
For Christians this perspective is richly steeped in the First Testament of the Bible. In Genesis Yahweh instructs our banished progenitors to ‘go forth and multiply’ and cultivate the earth. In a series of covenants Yahweh assures them of future restoration in exchange for fidelity. As the Hebrew nation escapes slavery and progresses toward the ‘promised land’ Moses in his farewell remarks exhorts them to ‘choose life’ that they and their subsequent generations may be blessed in the land they are about to enter. The prophets, such as Ezekiel and Isaiah, predict a blissful state in the culmination of history.
The concept of progress is even more pronounced in the Second Testament especially in the ‘already/not yet’ paradox of Jesus’ teaching. God’s kingdom is here, but not fully. We, his followers, are called to participate in its advent knowing that it will not be fully realized until the Parousia, the Second Coming. Jesus tells us to ‘be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect’. The Greek word used originally for perfect is teleios (think of teleology) which means whole, fully mature, and complete.
We are to strive for completion. Our Lord also sends us forth to evangelize all nations. The letters of St. Paul imply progress. As their fledgling church is being built, he urges the Thessalonians to “test everything and hold fast to what is good” – an imperative which while embracing conservatism validates progressivism. Furthermore he identifies the gift of the Holy Spirit as a “pledge of what is to come”, another reference to a future reality for which we aspire.
Progressives are radical, at least in the traditional sense of that description. They adhere loyally to their radix’ (Latin), their root. And they are liberal. Without betraying their roots they champion openly and generously the free will and human dignity which emanate from the imago dei in which they believe they are created.
But perhaps my understanding is incorrect and confused.
Is it possible radical implies extreme eradication of the very roots of one’s beliefs? Can liberal denote the freedom to limit freedom itself? Might the two words, like progressive, also be contranyms? Should we define our terms?
I hope the confusion does not impede the advance of the Kingdom.
My first comment is that I LOVE the grammar reference. When I a was a child, my mother would always correct our grammar and, in that day, our mistakes would have been the opposite (e.g. my sister and me went to the store). These days we mistakenly use a subject pronoun (“I”) where the objective (“me”) belongs. It drives me crazy!!!
I also greatly appreciated your reflection on “progressive,” “conservative,” “liberal,” and “radical.” The way those terms are thrown around these days can cause confusion and, worse, polarization. Thank you for this thoughtful and entertaining piece.