Theological Liberalism and the Democratic Party

[joseph_]

Hello, I was wondering if you all have any thoughts about the relationship between theological liberalism and practical democratic party media. Do you think it is possible for average people to be exposed to, for instance, teachings that go in the face of theologically centrist or conservative ideas and not end up believing them?

As I see it, the Democratic Party seems to be dangerous. J. Gresham Machen wrote famously that liberalism is the biggest enemy of Christianity in America. I think, if you study the history of the church in the 20th century with Bultmann and all the people who demythologized the bible and the decline of the mainline churches, I think this sounds like a reasonable theory.

Do you think it is possible for people to be liberal politically and be isolated from the underlying doctrinal ideas? The issue of homosexuality comes to mind.

What is the route then for Christians who are concerned about for instance income inequality, obviously an important issue? Should Christians just defer to theological orthodoxy because of the inevitable heresies that associations with liberal politics implies? Or is there some other alternative?

 

[faroukfarouk]

Interestingly, William Jennings Bryan was very conservative theologically.

 

[Cearbhall]

Hello, I was wondering if you all have any thoughts about the relationship between theological liberalism and practical democratic party media.

Background: I'm religious and left-leaning. I identify more with libertarianism than liberalism. I definitely vote Democrat more often than Republican.

As I see it, the Democratic Party seems to be dangerous. J. Gresham Machen wrote famously that liberalism is the biggest enemy of Christianity in America.

I don't really see any trend of liberalism going against the Constitutional rights of Christians. I see liberalism rightfully questioning the precedent of unconstitutional privilege for Christians, which is a good thing. It protects true American values.

 

[JackRT]

I am a liberal both theologically and politically because that is the only way I can maintain my intellectual and spiritual integrity.

 

[faroukfarouk]

it was Chillingworth who said: 'The Bible and the Bible alone is the religion of Protestants'.

Then there is complete agnosticism.

I'm not agnostic - far from from it - but I find agnosticism at least more rigorous and coherent than the intermediate stages between agnosticism and professed Christianity.

It's really 'Thy word is truth' (John 17.17) versus 'my word is truth'.

 

[High Fidelity]

I don't know if there's a particular correlation so much as people open enough to be honest about where they are willing to make concessions.

If theological liberalism is a name tag to quantify how loosely people interpret and apply Scripture to their own walk with Christ, the majority of Christians are theologically liberal whether they care to admit it or not.

That's what confuses me. People will cast rocks at those that are okay with homosexuality, female pastors, abortion or premarital sex, yet they have no problem with letting unwholesome words fall from their mouths, being judgemental, unforgiving, unmerciful etc.

So it's my opinion that theological liberalism is a social construct created to place a particular group of people in a box and labelling it when in reality it's something that affects equally, or more severely, many of the people that want to label those folks to begin with.

(For the record I am pretty much a fundamentalist/conservative).

 

[joseph_]

I'm not agnostic - far from from it - but I find agnosticism at least more rigorous and coherent than the intermediate stages between agnosticism and professed Christianity.

This is very insightful. I agree with you, and this is why, in spite of my sympathies with some of the Left it is hard for me to let go of the disastrous effect that this has on people spiritually. Faith is so much more a living reality than a philosophy, as liberal Christians interpret scripture as being a philosophy without supernatural power or the presence of the Holy Spirit.

 

[faroukfarouk]

This is very insightful. I agree with you, and this is why, in spite of my sympathies with some of the Left it is hard for me to let go of the disastrous effect that this has on people spiritually. Faith is so much more a living reality than a philosophy, as liberal Christians interpret scripture as being a philosophy without supernatural power or the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Luther said starkly that if outside of Christ you try to understand your relationship with the world, you will break your neck.

He was one for pithy, hard hitting quotes, but I can see what he means. What many people of the liberal worldview don't understand is that they actually don't own the ball park, not even historically, let alone theologically.

 

[redleghunter]

Hello, I was wondering if you all have any thoughts about the relationship between theological liberalism and practical democratic party media. Do you think it is possible for average people to be exposed to, for instance, teachings that go in the face of theologically centrist or conservative ideas and not end up believing them?

As I see it, the Democratic Party seems to be dangerous. J. Gresham Machen wrote famously that liberalism is the biggest enemy of Christianity in America. I think, if you study the history of the church in the 20th century with Bultmann and all the people who demythologized the bible and the decline of the mainline churches, I think this sounds like a reasonable theory.

Do you think it is possible for people to be liberal politically and be isolated from the underlying doctrinal ideas? The issue of homosexuality comes to mind.

What is the route then for Christians who are concerned about for instance income inequality, obviously an important issue? Should Christians just defer to theological orthodoxy because of the inevitable heresies that associations with liberal politics implies? Or is there some other alternative?

I believe we Christians must realize our calling to be Kingdom citizens in all we do in life.

The challenge we face is if we step out each day as citizens of Christ's Kingdom we shortly realize we are pilgrims in an unholy land.

In the US and most Western countries every citizen has a right to vote. Unfortunately, in the US for a Kingdom citizen the choices are slim or the lesser of two evils.

Together we make quite a voting block. Perhaps we as Christians should separate ourselves from the rat race of the two party system, form our own caucus and have candidates court our vote.---instead of us giving in to their planks.

 

[Desk trauma]

J. Gresham Machen wrote famously that liberalism is the biggest enemy of Christianity in America.

Christianity is Christianity's biggest enemy.

 

[SkyWriting]

Hello, I was wondering if you all have any thoughts about the relationship between theological liberalism and practical democratic party media. Do you think it is possible for average people to be exposed to, for instance, teachings that go in the face of theologically centrist or conservative ideas and not end up believing them?

I feel that conservatives are mistaken on many issues and that Jesus did not take
the stand that conservatives believe that He did. True conservatism should
consistently re-evaluate it's stand on issues to ensure that what we have been
told by leaders is actually biblical. My experience is that a number of social issues
have not been well examined.

 

[JackRT]

On a number of instances in these forums when I self identify as a liberal, I am condemned by people who go on to tell me exactly what I believe and why that is wrong. Problem is, it is usually not what I believe at all. I conclude that liberalism is a straw man in most people's minds. Needless to say, I resent being condemned for what I am not.

 

[redleghunter]

theological liberalism

Good day.

Perhaps defining theological liberalism would help given some of the responses.

Short version from theopedia:

http://www.theopedia.com/theological-liberalism

 

[cow451]

Christianity is Christianity's biggest enemy.

I was going to say that Christians are Christianity's biggest enemies.

 

[redleghunter]

Christianity is Christianity's biggest enemy.

As my university Jesuit professor would say "that depends."

Your statement is intriguing. The apostles warned quite often of the wolves in sheep's clothing. From that aspect your statement is quite insightful and Biblical.

 

[cow451]

In the US and most Western countries every citizen has a right to vote. Unfortunately, in the US for a Kingdom citizen the choices are slim or the lesser of two evils.

If you think it's tough in the Western countries, try the Eastern ones, LOL.

 

[redleghunter]

If you think it's tough in the Western countries, try the Eastern ones, LOL.

Yes even the ones which do have a choice make the same mistakes we do.

 

[Albion]

Interestingly, William Jennings Bryan was very conservative theologically.

So.....a hundred and twenty years ago, the Democratic Party wasn't so bad. I can agree to that.

 

[Albion]

Hello, I was wondering if you all have any thoughts about the relationship between theological liberalism and practical democratic party media. Do you think it is possible for average people to be exposed to, for instance, teachings that go in the face of theologically centrist or conservative ideas and not end up believing them?

As I see it, the Democratic Party seems to be dangerous. J. Gresham Machen wrote famously that liberalism is the biggest enemy of Christianity in America. I think, if you study the history of the church in the 20th century with Bultmann and all the people who demythologized the bible and the decline of the mainline churches, I think this sounds like a reasonable theory.

Do you think it is possible for people to be liberal politically and be isolated from the underlying doctrinal ideas? The issue of homosexuality comes to mind.

What is the route then for Christians who are concerned about for instance income inequality, obviously an important issue? Should Christians just defer to theological orthodoxy because of the inevitable heresies that associations with liberal politics implies? Or is there some other alternative?

You have it right. Democrats overwhelmingly--the leaders and most important candidates anyway--give lip service to Christian or religious values while feigning great offense if a Republican ever turns out not to be a paragon of virtue. But, in reality, there's hardly a religious, moral, value that the party upholds when push comes to shove. Not respect for life, not religious liberty, not the right of churches not to have their teachings dictated by the government, not freedom to express religious beliefs in a public forum or on public property, etc.

 

[JackRT]

Good day.

Perhaps defining theological liberalism would help given some of the responses.

Short version from theopedia:

http://www.theopedia.com/theological-liberalism

Interesting article. It informed me of the correct name for my particular brand of heresy. It is good to know what you are.