I'm theologically conservative about some things, but I am liberal about certain practices. For example, I believe in open communion, but my church practices closed communion.
I think a moderate is someone who blends liberal acceptance and conservative beliefs.
^^I like this. What he said. That is what I am. I have conservative beliefs theologically, but I realize that not everyone believes as I do, and that doesn't make them evil or any less valuable then me.
__________________ "There is no struggle too vast, no odds too overwhelming, for ever should we fail- should we fall- we will know that we have lived." --Anomander Rake.
"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light." --Plato
"I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill." Psalm 3:4
"The virtuous man is never a novice in worldly things." Marcus Valerius Martialis
^^I like this. What he said. That is what I am. I have conservative beliefs theologically, but I realize that not everyone believes as I do, and that doesn't make them evil or any less valuable then me.
That is generally how I roll.
__________________ Causing confusion one avatar at a time.
I understand the meaning of the terms liberal, moderate , and conservative in relation to politics but I would feel strange adopting any of them to actually define my spiritual worldview. Does anyone else feel that way? I know my Priest would often say that this isn't a conservative, liberal, traditionalist, modernist, moderate, etc.. Church, this is the Church of Christ and that labels of that nature have no place here. Did Christians ever think of themselves as being part of a specifically liberal vs conservative theology or church prior to relatively modern times? I don't see the early Christians talking (or rather writing because we have their writings and not recordings of their conversations obviously lol) in that manner for example.
Maybe in some instances it could be a useful designation though? I don't know. Just wondering what others thought.
I understand the meaning of the terms liberal, moderate , and conservative in relation to politics but I would feel strange adopting any of them to actually define my spiritual worldview. Does anyone else feel that way? I know my Priest would often say that this isn't a conservative, liberal, traditionalist, modernist, moderate, etc.. Church, this is the Church of Christ and that labels of that nature have no place here. Did Christians ever think of themselves as being part of a specifically liberal vs conservative theology or church prior to relatively modern times? I don't see the early Christians talking (or rather writing because we have their writings and not recordings of their conversations obviously lol) in that manner for example.
Maybe in some instances it could be a useful designation though? I don't know. Just wondering what others thought.
The terms conservative and liberal have a different, but similar meaning in the context of theology. Generally anything "liberal" is something that goes against what is traditional, or perceived to be "the norm." At this point in the story of Christianity on Earth, the traditional side equates to the types of theology found in churches that adhere to fully to whatever foundational doctrines their denominations set up during the Reformation, or long before that (i.e. Catholics, Orthodox, etc).
Extremely conservative Protestant theology is characterized by salvation only being possible via belief in Jesus. Nothing else. It is also characterized by an extreme adherence to traditional morality. That is: anti-homosexuality, no sex before marriage, etc. Liberal theology tends to be far more accepting of things like that.
The conservative-liberal scale in theology can, I think, be applied in two different places: doctrine and morality. Conservative doctrine is adherence to beliefs that have been traditional to Christianity for a long time, or from its beginning. Liberal doctrine is that which is less afraid of taking inspiration from other religions or systems and integrating them into Christian theology. Conservative vs liberal morality I already explained above.
Being able to measure conservative vs liberal on two scales (doctrine and morality) somewhat reduces the ambiguity of the terms. It's not perfect, but it does the job a lot better than lumping an individual Christian's beliefs entirely into "liberalism" or "conservatism."
__________________ Causing confusion one avatar at a time.
I find myself to be pretty much centrist. Certain areas of my theology and politics are conservative, but certain areas are not. And even then I try to take as balanced a view as possible.
All things in moderation.
So that's why you're a moderator. Right?
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Don't mess with Yoda!
"There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done.""
-C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce (emphasis mine)
"You must be imaginative, strong-hearted. You must try things that may not work, and you must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul."
-Chef at the beginning of Ratatouille
How can you be a moderate politically or theologically without being wishy-washy? For instance, like you can't make up your mind? For instance, I hold steadfast to the beliefs that Jesus was resurrected in body, was born of a virgin, and was the son of God. However, I don't believe when the Bible says that a wife is to be submissive to her husband does that mean she is subordinate, a doormat, or has to submit to the will of all men on the planet. Does this equal wishy-washy?
Wishy-washy, as defined by a good friend of mine:
When you're on either side of the road, you don't get hit by traffic. When you're in the middle, you become roadkill pizza: people and their views will run you down.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Don't mess with Yoda!
"There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done.""
-C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce (emphasis mine)
"You must be imaginative, strong-hearted. You must try things that may not work, and you must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul."
-Chef at the beginning of Ratatouille
Most people equate being theologically conservative with being moralistic. Moderate Christians generally realize that this is not true.
You could probably make a pretty good case that Moderate Christians are those who are doctrinally conservative, yet non-Pietistic in their practice of Christianity.
Most people equate being theologically conservative with being moralistic. Moderate Christians generally realize that this is not true.
You could probably make a pretty good case that Moderate Christians are those who are doctrinally conservative, yet non-Pietistic in their practice of Christianity.
That definition fits me pretty well.
Though actually I'm only really conservative on the core doctrines, such as expressed in the 1910 'five fundamentals' or the Nicene Creed. When we move beyond those, liberals and I agree on a lot. So calling me a Fundamentalist Liberal wouldn't be too far off, though it might make some people's heads explode.
Politically I'm not liberal at all, but libertarian-right, like Barry Goldwater, Ron Paul, Neal Boortz or Larry Elder.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. No guilt of life, no fear of death This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
Just wondering what others thought. 
Linear Mode
