Defining a Christian Centrist

[Apex]

Please forgive me if this is not the proper place to discuss this, but there currently isn't a centrist faith group. This does deal with how a centrist develops theological ideas though.

While much has been said about political centrists, I would like to discuss the definition of a theological (Christian) centrist.

I would like to see if this definition could be improved upon or if anyone has helpful questions about this position.

Let's begin by looking at political centrism (aka radical centrism). This Wikipedia article is a solid starting point: Radical centrism - Wikipedia

Some key quotes:

• The "radical" in the term refers to a willingness on the part of most radical centrists to call for fundamental reform of institutions. The "centrism" refers to a belief that genuine solutions require realism and pragmatism, not just idealism and emotion.
• Most radical centrists borrow what they see as good ideas from left, right, and wherever else they may be found, often melding them together.
• Some observers see radical centrism as primarily a process of catalyzing dialogue and fresh thinking among polarized people and groups.
• Radical Center...is not neutral, not middle-of-the-road, but a view of the whole road.

The Centrist Party website also has good information on how to define this position: What is Centrist/Centrism — The Centrist Party

Some key points:

• Ideology limits the capacity of reasoning. Reasoning is based on pragmatic reality and circumstance.
• Centrism is not a belief. It is an open book to an unfolding situation. This does not mean it is moderate, but that it is considerate of changing circumstances that may require reconsideration based on the intelligence (evidence) available.
  
• Centrism is not about doing what is popular, it is about doing what is right.
• Centrism supports strength, tradition, open mindedness, and policy based on evidence not ideology.
• Centrism is considerate of traditional values and new ideas in the context of evolving needs.
  
• Centrists are independent thinkers that gauge situations based on context and reason, consideration and probability.

Now let's compare this with theological (Christian) centrism. I found two Christian blog posts that I think had some good starting points.
Borders of Faith: Centrist evangelical
The Evangelical Centrist

Some key quotes:

• Being centrist must not be confused with taking the middle road between fundamentalism and liberalism. It embraces the truth in both camps and negates the untruth in these positions as well. Being a centrist evangelical means building upon the center or core of faith--the gospel of God's reconciling act in Jesus Christ attested in Holy Scripture and clarified by the fathers and teachers of the faith through the ages.
  
• Theologically, the centrist is orthodox, typically labeled moderate to conservative somewhere on the spectrum between fundamentalism and liberalism holding a high view of Scripture, the work of Christ (incarnation, substitutionary death/atonement and resurrection), salvation through Christ alone and God’s redemptive mission.

With all this in consideration here is how I would define a Christian centrist: an orthodox (as defined by the Nicene Creed) believer in Christ who develops his/her peripheral theology (any belief not explicitly defined by the Nicene Creed) by honestly considering all ideas equally without concern for ideological consistency or popularity. Instead, their concern is forming convictions grounded in their core faith and based on context and reason. They are willing to change positions or enact reforms when better evidence or new circumstances convince them that any previously held peripheral belief has become inadequate. Their investigative and open nature drives them to understand why someone with a differing opinion believes what they believe without believing the same or taking offense. In this way, they can peacefully debate others because the end goal is their own edification.

What does everyone think?

 

[FireDragon76]

What you describe is how mainline Protestantism generally works. I think you'ld have alot of resonance with Episcopalianism or mainline Presbyterianism.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Please forgive me if this is not the proper place to discuss this, but there currently isn't a centrist faith group. This does deal with how a centrist develops theological ideas though.

While much has been said about political centrists, I would like to discuss the definition of a theological (Christian) centrist.

I would like to see if this definition could be improved upon or if anyone has helpful questions about this position.

Let's begin by looking at political centrism (aka radical centrism). This Wikipedia article is a solid starting point: Radical centrism - Wikipedia

Some key quotes:

• The "radical" in the term refers to a willingness on the part of most radical centrists to call for fundamental reform of institutions. The "centrism" refers to a belief that genuine solutions require realism and pragmatism, not just idealism and emotion.
• Most radical centrists borrow what they see as good ideas from left, right, and wherever else they may be found, often melding them together.
• Some observers see radical centrism as primarily a process of catalyzing dialogue and fresh thinking among polarized people and groups.
• Radical Center...is not neutral, not middle-of-the-road, but a view of the whole road.

The Centrist Party website also has good information on how to define this position: What is Centrist/Centrism — The Centrist Party

Some key points:

• Ideology limits the capacity of reasoning. Reasoning is based on pragmatic reality and circumstance.
• Centrism is not a belief. It is an open book to an unfolding situation. This does not mean it is moderate, but that it is considerate of changing circumstances that may require reconsideration based on the intelligence (evidence) available.
  
• Centrism is not about doing what is popular, it is about doing what is right.
• Centrism supports strength, tradition, open mindedness, and policy based on evidence not ideology.
• Centrism is considerate of traditional values and new ideas in the context of evolving needs.
  
• Centrists are independent thinkers that gauge situations based on context and reason, consideration and probability.

Now let's compare this with theological (Christian) centrism. I found two Christian blog posts that I think had some good starting points.
Borders of Faith: Centrist evangelical
The Evangelical Centrist

Some key quotes:

• Being centrist must not be confused with taking the middle road between fundamentalism and liberalism. It embraces the truth in both camps and negates the untruth in these positions as well. Being a centrist evangelical means building upon the center or core of faith--the gospel of God's reconciling act in Jesus Christ attested in Holy Scripture and clarified by the fathers and teachers of the faith through the ages.
  
• Theologically, the centrist is orthodox, typically labeled moderate to conservative somewhere on the spectrum between fundamentalism and liberalism holding a high view of Scripture, the work of Christ (incarnation, substitutionary death/atonement and resurrection), salvation through Christ alone and God’s redemptive mission.

With all this in consideration here is how I would define a Christian centrist: an orthodox (as defined by the Nicene Creed) believer in Christ who develops his/her peripheral theology (any belief not explicitly defined by the Nicene Creed) by honestly considering all ideas equally without concern for ideological consistency or popularity. Instead, their concern is forming convictions grounded in their core faith and based on context and reason. They are willing to change positions or enact reforms when better evidence or new circumstances convince them that any previously held peripheral belief has become inadequate. Their investigative and open nature drives them to understand why someone with a differing opinion believes what they believe without believing the same or taking offense. In this way, they can peacefully debate others because the end goal is their own edification.

What does everyone think?

I don't know that I can add anything, Apex. What you've laid out here sounds good to me, even though I might classify myself as being just a step or two right of center.

As a Christian Philosopher, I'm probably somewhat 'centrist-ic' in my approach because I think evaluating how one gets to the truth (via epistemological considerations) is just as important as the concepts we think we arrive at and then call "the truth." And for me, this means there are many tangled webs that are to be carefully unwoven and the Bible isn't just something that can be flipped open and assumed that its supposed perspicuity will just slap us all in the face with an obviousness that can't be denied.

Peace,
2PhiloVoid

 

[Albion]

My first reaction was to doubt the comparison to political action and the unknown *Centrist party.* But, after some thought, I think FireDragon is essentially correct. You are speaking of a pragmatism that is more or less what today's Episcopal Church has morphed into and, probably also, the Presbyterian Church (USA).

 

[Apex]

What you describe is how mainline Protestantism generally works. I think you'ld have alot of resonance with Episcopalianism or mainline Presbyterianism.

I certainly think a Christian centrist (per my definition) is capable of finding affinity with some of the more moderate or liberal-leaning denominations, but I fear denominational boundaries create limitations that would be too restricting for a true centrist - especially for those with numerous conservative positions or if they desire to become a minister or pastor. This is the same issue a political centrist has when becoming a member of a political party.

 

[FireDragon76]

I certainly think a Christian centrist (per my definition) is capable of finding affinity with some of the more moderate or liberal-leaning denominations, but I fear denominational boundaries create limitations that would be too restricting for a true centrist - especially for those with numerous conservative positions or if they desire to become a minister or pastor.

You'ld be surprised, there are conservatives in most mainline denominations. It really depends on the geography, we tend to be very congregational. You'ld fit in just fine with the local Episcopalians here in Central Florida. Alot of the clergy are from quite conservative backgrounds (Baptist or Pentecostal), or they come straight from conservative Anglican evangelicalism, but they are willing to mix with more moderate types.

 

[Apex]

You'ld be surprised, there are conservatives in most mainline denominations. It really depends on the geography, we tend to be very congregational. You'ld fit in just fine with the local Episcopalians here in Central Florida. Alot of the clergy are from quite conservative backgrounds (Baptist or Pentecostal), or they come straight from conservative Anglican evangelicalism, but they are willing to mix with more moderate types.

I spent some time just now looking into some of those denominations. I can see how a centrist would see them as an option. I'll have to do more digging though. I'm not trying to find a perfect fit, like Cinderella's glass slipper, but I would like to be part of a church community that makes me feel comfortable to express my thoughts.

Now, in terms of a new faith group, what do you think a centrist forum would look like? Do you think it would be possible here? I know the "Bridge Builder" moderate faith group never really was able to interest enough people. But this was largely due to no one being able to define what a moderate was! I guess a public poll asking how many other Christians fit the definition above would prove helpful in determining how attractive such a forum would be here at CF. Perhaps a centrist group could "replace" the now dead moderate group.

 

[FireDragon76]

I spent some time just now looking into some of those denominations. I can see how a centrist would see them as an option. I'll have to do more digging though. I'm not trying to find a perfect fit, like Cinderella's glass slipper, but I would like to be part of a church community that makes me feel comfortable to express my thoughts.

The reality of church life is that a certain amount of politics influences these things (after all, human beings are political animals), therefore most people form into camps just by nature. It happens in every religious tradition. So, you aren't going to find a strong middle here or anywhere, unfortunately. Episcopalians and Anglicans are known for being more than a little middling and "latitudinarian" more than any other church, though, it's almost their defining characteristic.

Most mainline churches are not into too much controversy, though. People can have their private opinions, for instance, and there are rarely heresy trials. We are not into "peering into men's souls". Sometimes there is a great deal of toleration even for voiced opinions that are quite radical, but on the whole mainline churches are about communion and consensus, which means people tend to focus on what they share in common and not what divides them. They are not quite as individualistic as some kinds of conservative evangelicalism, where church splits carry less moral significance.

Now, in terms of a new faith group, what do you think a centrist forum would look like? Do you think it would be possible here? I know the "Bridge Builder" moderate faith group never really was able to interest enough people. But this was largely due to know one being able to define what a moderate was!.

Whosoever Will, May Come is where I see most moderate Christians on these forums. True liberals here are very rare.

 

[Apex]

Perhaps, if CF is willing to make some rules concessions, a Christian Centrist faith group could be a really popular and interesting forum. This is due to the wide range of theological beliefs accepted by centrists and their willingness to peacefully hear out other's points of view.

For example, it is a fact that many Christians (especially centrists) believe that abortion, premarital sex, homosexuality, and marijuana use are acceptable and not sinful within "context and reason". I know a friend that supports some forms of abortion when the mother's life is at high risk. Currently, he would not be allowed to express this view anywhere on CF. However, they use the Bible to support their claims and desire to honor God.

I think it would be both fair and prudent to allow a sincere faith group to have such open conversations within the proper arena. Maybe the admins could turn off the "featured" thread function in this forum so no topics get leaked to the homepage.

 

[Albion]

But since there are no predetermined beliefs that describe these "Centrists"--other than acceptance of the Nicene Creed, which is already a requirement for posting in any Christian faith group's forum--all posters who understand the Centrist designation and want to discuss doctrine or religious practice might just as well do it on the existing forums--this one (General Theology), for example.

 

[Apex]

But since there are no predetermined beliefs for these "Centrists"--other than acceptance of the Nicene Creed, which is already a requirement for posting in any Christian group's forum--all posters who understand the Centrist designation and want to discuss doctrine or religious practice might just as well do it on the existing forums. General Theology, for example.

This is why I suggested a rules concession for the centrist forum. Many things can be discussed in GT, but these discussions have a tourniquet around them when it comes to certain topics. A Christian centrist cannot rightly or fully express the "potential range" of their peripheral beliefs in such a theologically constrictive environment.

I know this from personal experience here.

 

[Albion]

That's true, but why should the Centrist group, with no known constituency here, be permitted to discuss subjects that are already ruled inappropriate for all of CF, especially when the liberal forum (WWMC), General Theology, and some others that would be naturals for such a discussion are barred from doing so?

 

[Lily of Valleys]

There is only one absolute truth, which is from God. If nobody added to or subtracted from God's word, and everybody interpreted God's word according to what it was originally intended regardless of whether they like it or not, there would be essentially no such thing as fundamentalism, centrism, or liberalism.

 

[Apex]

That's true, but why should the Centrist group, with no known constituency here, be permitted to discuss subjects that are already ruled inappropriate for all of CF, especially when the liberal forum (WWMC) and some others that would be naturals for such a discussion are barred from doing so?

Since the number of Christian centrists is unknown at this time, a poll (as I mentioned earlier) asking who identifies with the centrist label would be a smart idea. However, to be honest, I think the faith groups you mentioned should also have this rules concession.

 

[Apex]

There is only one absolute truth, which is from God. If nobody added to or subtracted from God's word, and everybody interpreted God's word according to what it was originally intended regardless of whether they like it or not, there would be essentially no such thing as fundamentalism, centrism, or liberalism.

There would only be Truthism!

 

[Albion]

Since the number of Christian centrists is unknown at this time, a poll (as I mentioned earlier) asking who identifies with the centrist label would be a smart idea.

Probably a good idea if you intend to request recognition of a new faith group.

However, to be honest, I think the faith groups you mentioned should also have this rules concession.

I would think that doing this would be more logical than asking for a new Centrist group alone to be exempted from the existing rules.

 

[Apex]

Probably a good idea if you intend to request recognition of a new faith group.

Done. Do you identify as a Christian Centrist?

I wish I could have just had the "yes" option. I just want to count the number of people who identify.

 

[Lily of Valleys]

There would only be Truthism!

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)