Liberal Theology at it's most basic level

[jjdoe]

I thought T. Scott put it so eloquently in another thread, that it deserved it's own.

"
The problem with liberal theology is only a problem for fundamental theology.

Unlike a fundamentalist, a liberal Christian, IMO, is usually not a biblical literalist, and instead studies all pertinent and periphrial information and uses reason in making interpretations. Also a liberal Christian is more interested in the teachings of Jesus and less interested in the mysticism and magic involved with Christian dogma, while fundamentalists seem to be much less interested in Jesus' teachings and more interested in the dogma. This is only a problem for fundamentalists because in their eyes this usually means that the liberal Christian is not a Christian at all.

The problem with fundamentalist theology is that by their way of thinking none of Jesus' disciples would have been considered Christians either.

If Saint James or Saint Peter, became members here at CF, they'd be barred from Christian only forums."

http://www.christianforums.com/t75072-the-problem-with-liberal-theology.html&page=5

 

[Mic]

That is put VERY nicely. I missed the original thread; thanks for reposting it.

Mic

 

[inquisitor_11]

One thing that any christian has to watch out for is creating an "us" and a "them".

As much as i disagree with alot of more conservative doctrine and practice, I reckon that its important that we don't make the same mistakes that we see in other christians.

 

[dwbh]

Quick question: what is your definition of a "biblical literalist"? I always thought it meant that you take the miracles and supernatural events reported in the bible to be factual events, and not symbolic, right?

Just wondering if that would make me a progressive biblical literalist, and how many of us there are out there...

 

[marlow]

Hi, dwbh. In my experience there are degrees of being a Biblical Literalist. Some believe every word (yes, EVERY word) in the Bible is factually accurate and there because God willed it so, others accept that it was written by men with their own thoughts, but dierected by God's influence. Some of these believe strictly in a six-day creation, others believe 'six days' is a code for six eras (yes 'eras' ,not 'years'), and of THESE, some believe that the Old Testament can be largely legendary but The Gospels, including the miracle stories, are historical fact. It can be difficult to know which you're dealing with!

 

[Ananel]

Huh... and I wonder how one handles a biblical innerrancy advocate who is strongly mystical in viewpoint concerning the text but vascillates between orthodox and unorthodox views, based upon their reading of Scripture primarily and texts concerning it secondarily.

Probably wouldn't be 'liberal' per se.

 

[apenman]

Huh... and I wonder how one handles a biblical innerrancy advocate who is strongly mystical in viewpoint concerning the text but vascillates between orthodox and unorthodox views, based upon their reading of Scripture primarily and texts concerning it secondarily.

Probably wouldn't be 'liberal' per se.

Are you describing yourself??

 

[new_world_savage]

In my personal experience, literalism has never been a good thing. Taking the Bible as the only source of information from God can often frustrate a genuine desire to learn spiritually. Thus, fundamentalism seems to me like nothing more than a paranoid and egotistical way of defending one's own moralistic treasure trove (to the affronted fundamentalist: I did say "to me").

I've actually found that reading philosophical works dealing with existentialism, atheism, and various other standpoints, as well as being in contact with other spiritual organizations has strengthened my faith in God and Jesus, not pulled me into darkness. This might not be what everyone needs, but it's a place where I find myself now, and I just trust that God will show me his way for me. I could never experience that in a fundamentalist or literalist environment.

God bless

 

[Otsoga]

Liberal Theology is detestable to the Lord. The Bible says what it says and you must have faith in its inerrancy. The liberalization of Christian thought throughout the centuries has been detrimental to our society.

 

[praying]

Liberal Theology is detestable to the Lord. .

Is that a verse in Leviticus, I missed it? . Can you cite chapter and verse?

 

[Otsoga]

Liberal Theology is what is making it possible for homosexuals to get married.
Liberal Theology is why our children are taught "Evolution" is school.
The more liberal christian theology gets, the closer we are to becoming an atheist nation.
That, I assure you, is detestable to the Lord.

 

[praying]

Liberal Theology is what is making it possible for homosexuals to get married.
Liberal Theology is why our children are taught "Evolution" is school.
The more liberal christian theology gets, the closer we are to becoming an atheist nation.
That, I assure you, is detestable to the Lord.

Well since you can assure me and all, please show me the scripture that supports "Liberal Theology is detestable to the Lord". I am always skeptical of those who claim to speak for the Lord.

 

[MoodyBlue]

Liberal Theology is detestable to the Lord. The Bible says what it says and you must have faith in its inerrancy. The liberalization of Christian thought throughout the centuries has been detrimental to our society.

Thank you so much for your comments. I have now seen the error of my ways.

 

[apenman]

Liberal Theology is detestable to the Lord. The Bible says what it says and you must have faith in its inerrancy. The liberalization of Christian thought throughout the centuries has been detrimental to our society.

Not a single word of this is true.

 

[CaDan]

Liberal Theology is what is making it possible for homosexuals to get married.
Liberal Theology is why our children are taught "Evolution" is school.
The more liberal christian theology gets, the closer we are to becoming an atheist nation.
That, I assure you, is detestable to the Lord.

Would you like some ice cream? It is yummy and delicious!

 

[CaDan]

Huh... and I wonder how one handles a biblical innerrancy advocate who is strongly mystical in viewpoint concerning the text but vascillates between orthodox and unorthodox views, based upon their reading of Scripture primarily and texts concerning it secondarily.

Probably wouldn't be 'liberal' per se.

One says, "Hey! It's Another Ananel PostTM! Now with up to 50% Real Mad!"

*cue video of Ananel dressed as the giant Kool-Aid guy breaking through a wall*

 

[scraparcs]

Liberal Theology is what is making it possible for homosexuals to get married.
Liberal Theology is why our children are taught "Evolution" is school.

That's probably just the liberal politics at work. Mind you, that doesn't particularly bug me much either.

The more liberal christian theology gets, the closer we are to becoming an atheist nation.
That, I assure you, is detestable to the Lord.

Ah, but for some of us, liberal Christian theology is what keeps us from atheism (although I hate saying it, because I don't want to be speaking negatively of atheism).

 

[PandaBear]

Ah, but for some of us, liberal Christian theology is what keeps us from atheism (although I hate saying it, because I don't want to be speaking negatively of atheism).

I would say that liberal theology is what keeps me Christian And I'm grateful for that.

And hey, I'm all for the right to get married, because right now I can't. Not legally anyway. Not without moving.

PB

 

[seebs]

Liberal Theology is what is making it possible for homosexuals to get married.

Er. Whether or not it is possible for homosexuals to become married is not subject to our theological beliefs.

Liberal Theology is why our children are taught "Evolution" is school.

No, that would be "science".

The more liberal christian theology gets, the closer we are to becoming an atheist nation.

Not true at all; a nation of believers who live their lives as Jesus commanded is not an atheist nation.

That, I assure you, is detestable to the Lord.

Not half so detestable as a "Christian nation" would be. I mean, what next? Reconstructionism?

 

[CaDan]

One says, "Hey! It's Another Ananel PostTM! Now with up to 50% Real Mad!"

*cue video of Ananel dressed as the giant Kool-Aid guy breaking through a wall*

I have discovered photographic evidence of Ananel teaching Sunday School. Note the clever use of the Flannelgraph!

Today's lesson:

[bible]Hebrews 13:8[/bible]

Love ya, bro!