Reluctance to share the gospel due to conservative dominance

I guess it depends on what you mean by liberal Christian. By the standards of CF, I'm a liberal Christian, but by the standards that exist out there in the real world, I would be uncomfortable identifying with liberal theology.

There are more and more evangelical Christians rethinking gay marriage, and doing so within their theological traditions without having to resort to liberal theology.

Honestly the liberal Christians I've come across have been awesome people who have a passion for wanting to help others. Compassion was a big thing with them & they love God, love their neighbors as themselves & serve all people in need without judging. I don't strictly categorize myself "liberal" or "conservative". I have strong faith in God, believe in Jesus Christ being our savior, dying for our sins & resurrecting from the dead. I believe in prayers being answered, miracles happening & people getting blessed. As far as all of the man made laws put into scriptures for control, greed & power reasons I don't see eye to eye with any of it & I can't picture in my heart our Lord having anything to do with that hate. God bless!

sickntired771 said:

I think liberal Christianity is a lot bigger in philosophy than we think, I think the problem is it is splintered among congregations and individuals and isn't organized like the Christian right. There are millions of people who consider themselves Christians who don't espouse certain viewpoints but they are kind of all over the place.

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Yeps, there are liberal Christians among pretty much every denomination, but hardly any liberal denominations. At least here it is so. I know people, mostly ex-churchgoers who have distanced themselves from fundamentalism, or conservative Christianity, and who would like to go to Christian church but since they don't want to risk running into conservatives who would start judging them, they stay home. I think there is demand for exclusively liberal churches, but so far nobody has shown interest to start building such thing here.

Unfortunately we’ve got a problem with definition. What does liberal mean?

To me it is a movement that goes back to the early 19th Cent, and to some extent earlier. It results from people rethinking Christianity in the light of the Enlightenment, critical scholarship on the Bible, and Kant. At this point it tends to be strongly connected with current Jesus scholarship.

Not everyone in this agrees, but still, there are common features. It tends to stay away from abstracts in theology, using terminology that is more directly Biblical. It tends to focus on Jesus’ teachings as a structure for theology, seeing Paul as giving us an example of how Jesus’ principles were applied by the next generation of followers. It tends to see establishment of a Christian community as a focus of Jesus attention (since he defined the Gospel as the creation of God's Kingdom, of which the Church is the interim form), and not just individual salvation. It sees the Church as carrying on the role of the Prophets in speaking to the culture and government.

Liberal theology is not “anything goes” and it is not a general skepticism of anything related to Christianity, though it can look that way to people who have tied Christianity to traditional post-Biblical interpretations.

While there may be few purely liberal denominations, most of the mainline seminaries teach theology and exegesis fitting this description, and their leadership and public statements are based on it. This has been true in my denomination (PCUSA) since the early 20th Cent. There are participants in liberal theology pretty much everywhere. But one thing I find interesting is the extent of its influence among evangelicals and Catholics. Part of it, I think, is that denominations with graduate-level seminaries find it hard to resist current scholarship on the Bible and theology. Hence as evangelical seminaries such as Fuller develop, then tend to look more and more mainline. There have to be periodic conservative purges to keep denominational seminaries conservative. Given current membership trends, my suspicion is that the long-term future of liberal theology is among evangelicals and non-denominationals more than the traditional mainline denominations.

I don't tell them I'm a christian. I tell them I'm inspired by the life of Jesus Christ.

Mustaphile said:

I don't tell them I'm a christian. I tell them I'm inspired by the life of Jesus Christ.

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In what ways you tell them you are inspired by the life of Jesus Christ?

Ghandi the political activist also stated that too and even the Prophet Muhammed of Islam was also inspired by the life of Jesus Christ.

sickntired771 said:

I wanted to share and see if others are in the same boat for the position im in. I'd love to share the gospel, but am reluctant to do so because I do not want to be associated with the more conservative elements that dominate modern day Christianity. I am in no way passing judgement on conservatives but as a liberal Christian I do not espouse the same views on issues like gay rights and hence don't want to be seen as leading people to what in my view is not the correct way to view scripture.

I want to spread the gospel with the caveat of "hey, I am telling you about the liberal Jesus guy who loved everyone, healed everyone and extends grace" not the Jesus that we so often see portrayed by some missionaries.

What are the thoughts of other liberals?

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Are the views of a potential target welcome?

The first question is just how were you thinking of sharing your faith?

For the sake of a decent exposition let's say it is going door to door and let's take it a step farther that your and others in your Church have decided to have an event and will invite the people you are talking to.

This Does not have to be the way you do things for some of my thought to apply, it is just a foundation so to build specific idea on. Your job to generalize things (or to ask for further thoughts on my part).

First stop and think of when you were on the other end of people going door to door. Remember you are intruding on someone else s privacy. Most assume I know nothing of their God! Say what? I'm an educated man in the U.S. even if I were grossly ignorant I would know the outlines. In my case I'm apt to know far more than they do. I've been to the dark parts of Scripture. Jephthah is well known to me and I take the story as written.

And I've had far too many people coming door to door already in my life.

So potentially I'm a nightmare or a door in your face.

Quick you have 10 seconds to change my mind.

If you wait until then you are going to lose. So plan ahead. Think of some 'shocking' lines. I don't mean vulgar or crude, just radically unexpected.

You have a specific goal, set yourself apart from what I have seen before. You DO NOT need or I think even want to try for the central point of your message, your were spot on that it is too easily confused with a image of Christ you abhor.

Let me give you one I might try.

My Jesus said that any that give a cup of cold water to those who come in his name will not be denied their reward, but I'd prefer a cold beer actually. Not for use unless it is the man of the house for you, same gender in any case.

That works for me as after a half dozen doors I'd really be ready for a cold beer.

Then be ready to explain your God allows, nay encourages happiness. Be ready to explain the differences in your view from what they have come to expect.

Then to what was first and is now last (or at least well into your sell). The event. Try to find something totally different.

Or perhaps not even just one special event. If your Church is socially active perhaps just a handout with events and making it clear non-members are welcome, no obligation, no pressure. Assuming that is the truth of course.

Or perhaps even more ideal if you have a special event you want to do, heck let's say white water rafting (selected because I've done that with Church groups and non-Church Groups) inviting them to that especially if you can honestly say you need a few more people to make the minimum for a group trip or that if you get more you might get a price break it can be a good sell. Again as long as it is honest.

All this assumes you are open to 'outsiders' in your midst.

One caution. A favorite verse on the liberal list is 'Let he without sin cast the first stone'. In an increasing number of cases you will be talking to someone who knows that was added hundreds of years later. Much as I like the though, I refuse to use it as a citation.

Oh I just thought of a more general 'shock' line.

My Jesus can laugh.

Seriously, that totally separates you from the kind of Conservative Christianity you want to be separate from. Of course be ready to explain.

Hi, I'm Fred and my Jesus can laugh is going to get a question back half the time. You sure won't be thought of a puritanical Christian, A JW or a Mormon.

I just remind people that Jesus is the world's # 1 Jewish liberal.

Nuff said.

As a non liberal Christian I don't believe you have a right to share the bible while you don't do as it says. The bible is clear you can't go around sinning, or saying Jesus approved of homosexual relationships, and still be a Christian.

1Jn 3:8 Anyone who keeps on sinning belongs to the devil. He has sinned from the beginning, but the Son of God came to destroy all that he has done. God's children cannot keep on being sinful. His life-giving power lives in them and makes them his children, so that they cannot keep on sinning.

FutureAndAHope said:

As a non liberal Christian I don't believe you have a right to share the bible while you don't do as it says. The bible is clear you can't go around sinning, or saying Jesus approved of homosexual relationships, and still be a Christian.

1Jn 3:8 Anyone who keeps on sinning belongs to the devil. He has sinned from the beginning, but the Son of God came to destroy all that he has done. God's children cannot keep on being sinful. His life-giving power lives in them and makes them his children, so that they cannot keep on sinning.

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This post makes me want to call myself a Christian again and once more get involved with spreading the Word. Be careful, I do tend to operate based purely on spite

KitKatMatt said:

I do tend to operate based purely on spite

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Maybe a little spiteful but in reality I am trying to save their souls. There is no such thing as a liberal (all may come) Christian. The two things don't coexist.

KitKatMatt said:

This post makes me want to call myself a Christian again and once more get involved with spreading the Word.

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If you don't... who will? Go find an Episcopal or UCC church and get involved!

There is such a thing. You are also not allowed on this forum to insinuate that someone who calls themselves Christian aren't really Christian, so I'd be careful with that.

FireDragon76 said:

If you don't... who will? Go find an Episcopal or UCC church and get involved!

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That's a good point. I am still trying to find a church I feel a part of. It's a bit difficult, I live in an extremely conservative area.

I hate to say it, but interacting with some Christians has made me not want to ever call myself "Christian" again, even if I still believe and am one

sickntired771 said:

I wanted to share and see if others are in the same boat for the position im in. I'd love to share the gospel, but am reluctant to do so because I do not want to be associated with the more conservative elements that dominate modern day Christianity. I am in no way passing judgement on conservatives but as a liberal Christian I do not espouse the same views on issues like gay rights and hence don't want to be seen as leading people to what in my view is not the correct way to view scripture.

I want to spread the gospel with the caveat of "hey, I am telling you about the liberal Jesus guy who loved everyone, healed everyone and extends grace" not the Jesus that we so often see portrayed by some missionaries.

What are the thoughts of other liberals?

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https://youthleaderthoughts.wordpress.com/2015/07/27/the-gospel-is-offensive/

Check this out

FutureAndAHope said:

As a non liberal Christian I don't believe you have a right to share the bible while you don't do as it says. The bible is clear you can't go around sinning, or saying Jesus approved of homosexual relationships, and still be a Christian.

1Jn 3:8 Anyone who keeps on sinning belongs to the devil. He has sinned from the beginning, but the Son of God came to destroy all that he has done. God's children cannot keep on being sinful. His life-giving power lives in them and makes them his children, so that they cannot keep on sinning.

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Jesus criticized Pharisees or religious hypocrites more than any other group. If sinning makes one of the devil, then holier-than-thou types are likelier more of the devil than anyone else.

HonestTruth said:

Jesus criticized Pharisees or religious hypocrites more than any other group. If sinning makes one of the devil, then holier-than-thou types are likelier more of the devil than anyone else.

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Sure I get a bit angry at sin. But my heart is to get the fear of God into people, who take liberty of God's grace.

Tit 2:11-12 For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world;

We need to be moving away from sin, telling people they can have sin in their lives like homosexuality, is against the bible. It is the bible that men will be judged by not opinions.

I should not fear God. He's the one that loves me and forgives me for my mistakes. Why should I fear Him?

KitKatMatt said:

I should not fear God. He's the one that loves me and forgives me for my mistakes. Why should I fear Him?

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God does forgive our mistakes, but he wants us to repent, to change our ways. Note the following scripture about lust.

Mat 5:28-30 but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell. And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into hell.

Jesus talks about sexual lust, and says pluck it from you, even small sins need to be removed from us. People can't be gay, transgender, using inappropriate content, committing fornication, and saying it is all ok with the LORD. He wants us pure.