Theological Liberalism

[Sola1517]

What makes a person theologically liberal?

 

[SkyWriting]

What makes a person theologically liberal?

They read it and believe it:

Romans 13:10
Love does no wrong to its neighbor.
Therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.

 

[RC1970]

What makes a person theologically liberal?

The denial of Biblical miracles (such as the virgin birth of Christ) or the denial of the verbal plenary inspiration of the Bible.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

What makes a person theologically liberal?

Are you asking why they are the way they are, or what beliefs, or lack of them, would define theological liberalism?

 

[seeking.IAM]

Define theologically liberal.

 

[kiwimac]

The leading of the Spirit of God.

 

[Thedictator]

A person who does not believe in the Word of God, and does not want to live by God's Word.
A person who want to pick and choose what they believe, and create a god of their own design.
The want to live and reap the benefits of a sinful world but does not want to suffer the consequences of loving that world.

 

[seeking.IAM]

I think you have just defined "atheist."

 

[Tree of Life]

What makes a person theologically liberal?

Probably where they stand on the inspiration and authority of Scripture.

 

[Thedictator]

I think you have just defined "atheist."

No, they believe in a god just not the real God.

 

[seeking.IAM]

It sounds like you mean they don't believe everything you believe, therefore they are liberals. I think I need a more clear definition.

 

[seeking.IAM]

How about a definition tied to the Nicene Creed? Is a theological liberal one who cannot affirm every phrase of the creed?

 

[jimmyjimmy]

I think this quote helps define things:

“A God without wrath brought men without sin into a Kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a Cross.”

― H. Richard Niebuhr, The Kingdom of God in America

 

[Tree of Life]

How about a definition tied to the Nicene Creed? Is a theological liberal one who cannot affirm every phrase of the creed?

One who cannot affirm the Creed in its entirety is a heretic. A liberal is not necessarily a heretic.

 

[seeking.IAM]

Okay that makes sense. But, then, I still need help defining this creature. Goodness, I could be one. I need to find out. LOL

 

[ubicaritas]

I think this quote helps define things:

“A God without wrath brought men without sin into a Kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a Cross.”

― H. Richard Niebuhr, The Kingdom of God in America

Most conservative Christians would consider Niebuhr a liberal for his neo-orthodox theological leanings. "Verbal plenary inspiration" is not something he would have endorsed, for sure.

It just goes to show how we need to be careful with our definitions. Historic liberalism, 19th century Tubingen style, hasn't weathered postmodernity very well, and isn't as widespread as some conservative Christians would assume.

 

[redleghunter]

The denial of Biblical miracles (such as the virgin birth of Christ) or the denial of the verbal plenary inspiration of the Bible.

I believe the original fundamentalist movement addressed many of the "tenents" of liberal theology.

1) The Bible is literally true. Associated with this tenet is the belief that the Bible is inerrant, that is, without error and free from all contradictions.

2) The virgin birth and deity of Christ. Fundamentalists believe that Jesus was born of the virgin Mary and conceived by the Holy Spirit and that He was and is the Son of God, fully human and fully divine.

3) The substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross. Fundamentalism teaches that salvation is obtained only through God’s grace and human faith in Christ’s crucifixion for the sins of mankind.

4) The bodily resurrection of Jesus. On the third day after His crucifixion, Jesus rose from the grave and now sits at the right hand of God the Father.

5) The authenticity of Jesus’ miracles as recorded in Scripture and the literal, pre-millennial second coming of Christ to earth.

 

[Thedictator]

How about a definition tied to the Nicene Creed? Is a theological liberal one who cannot affirm every phrase of the creed?

I affirm no creed. I only affirm only the Word of God the Bible. I am no Liberal.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

I believe the original fundamentalist movement addressed many of the "tenents" of liberal theology.

1) The Bible is literally true. Associated with this tenet is the belief that the Bible is inerrant, that is, without error and free from all contradictions.

2) The virgin birth and deity of Christ. Fundamentalists believe that Jesus was born of the virgin Mary and conceived by the Holy Spirit and that He was and is the Son of God, fully human and fully divine.

3) The substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross. Fundamentalism teaches that salvation is obtained only through God’s grace and human faith in Christ’s crucifixion for the sins of mankind.

4) The bodily resurrection of Jesus. On the third day after His crucifixion, Jesus rose from the grave and now sits at the right hand of God the Father.

5) The authenticity of Jesus’ miracles as recorded in Scripture and the literal, pre-millennial second coming of Christ to earth.

Yes. Spot on.

If you want to know what theological Liberalism is look at the reaction and stance of Fundamentalists (as you have)

 

[jimmyjimmy]

I only affirm only the Word of God the Bible.

That's a creed.