What are moderate Christians?

[Victorium]

Just wondering: What exactly are Moderate Christians?

 

[ToBeInChrist]

As a non-moderate Christian, myself, I'm wondering the same thing.

 

[Gospel Trafficker]

Here is a link to the discussion in the past about this very question.

http://www.christianforums.com/t7394257-6/

 

[ToBeInChrist]

I can imagine this question comes up again and again and again, here.

 

[Victorium]

Thanks Mojo.

 

[Gospel Trafficker]

Thanks Mojo.

Anytime. Glad I could help!

 

[Dark_Lite]

It probably means slightly different things to different people. But the general gist is to take a moderate stance on issues and have a mind open to dialogue or changing opinion.

 

[ToBeInChrist]

It probably means slightly different things to different people. But the general gist is to take a moderate stance on issues and have a mind open to dialogue or changing opinion.

Ah.

I'd say take either a moderate or non-moderate stance on issues where that is the best interpretation of the full counsel of Scripture, while having a mind open to dialog and a heart that does not like contentiousness or needless disputes, and being willing to change opinion if it is shown that one does not have the best interpretation of the full counsel of Scripture.

I'm interested in any moderatism or moderation that is taught in the Bible, I'm not particularly interested in moderatism or moderation based on non-Biblical principles.

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

As noted, there is a previous thread dealing with this But it has no posts this year, so if you want to avoid thread necromancy, I guess that's your option.

When this forum was founded (and yes, I was in on it), the idea was there were a lot of CF members who didn't fit neatly into any of the fundamentalist, conservative or liberal boxes. All of those others had forums and they didn't, and this was the answer.

What they were NOT was wishy-washy or lacking in passion for our Lord.

Another factor was dissatisfaction at the level of polarization between conservatives and liberals, and the desire to have a neutral meeting ground where different kinds of Christians could meet and discuss things in a civil way.

Many of us (BB founders, that is) were self-described theological conservatives who weren't happy with the contentious tone on the conservative forum (at the time, it may be different now), and were looking for a kinder, gentler, more polite and less political alternative.

So, for purposes of this forum, a "moderate Christian" (meaning a suitable member) is anyone who likes to discuss matters in a civil and thoughtful way, and is happy to do it with others who aren't necessarily just like themselves. Defining it more than that, having a statement of faith or the like, was considered, and by strong consensus, rejected. Everyone is welcome here, provided they behave themselves.

As for what kind of "moderate" I am (which isn't necessarily like others here): I range from fundamentalist to liberal, depending on the issue. On very basic theology, the historic "five fundamentals" work for me, so in that sense I'm a fundamentalist. And I'm conservative on most other theology in an Anglican kind of way, like C.S. Lewis and N.T. Wright, two of my favorite Christian writers. I am sympathetic to "emerging church" thinking though not wholly convinced by it. I'm liberal-ish on some things, mainly social issues. And I'm libertarian on politics, mostly in agreement with Ron Paul, except that his ideas on foreign policy are too radically non-interventionist for me.

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

Ah.

I'd say take either a moderate or non-moderate stance on issues where that is the best interpretation of the full counsel of Scripture, while having a mind open to dialog and a heart that does not like contentiousness or needless disputes, and being willing to change opinion if it is shown that one does not have the best interpretation of the full counsel of Scripture.

I'm interested in any moderatism or moderation that is taught in the Bible, I'm not particularly interested in moderatism or moderation based on non-Biblical principles.

From that description, it sounds like you belong here.

 

[ToBeInChrist]

Interesting. So friendly discussion and a lack of a desire to get argumentative is more the type of 'moderation' that you mean.

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

Interesting. So friendly discussion and a lack of a desire to get argumentative is more the type of 'moderation' that you mean.

Mainly. There was a perceived lack of that in the other forums I mentioned.

That, and to provide a home for those who didn't fit neatly in any of the other categories. Like, "I'm not fundamentalist, conservative or liberal. And I don't want to talk just with people from my own denomination. So where do I post?"

You can believe pretty much anything (within the CF rules of course) and be welcome here, so long as you're friendly, reasonable and polite.

 

[EmilyF]

I left another (non-Christian) forum recently. Several people were sad to see me go. It felt good to "hear". They all said essentially the same thing about me "You can disagree with someone with out being a jerk and you can make people see sides of an issue that they didn't see before."

Man! It was so great to read that about myself. As a moderate, I feel like I get it from all sides. There are very few hills that I'm willing to die on and I just get tired of the proverbial pooh being slung at me from all sides.

I'm not wishy-washy. There are some things that I'm undecided on and a thing or two that I've been rolling around in my head for several years that I just haven't been able to come to a final consensus on. There are many many more that I'm firm on.

It's exhilarating to find people who I feel like there's a kinship with.

 

[Johnnz]

God is far to big to be narrowed into "This is the total picture of what I correct about God and being a Christian". There are some basics to our faith, but also many areas for different insights.

John
NZ

 

[Holiness3389]

To be in Christ is to dwell within the presence of God Himself. To be consumed by His every desires, feelings, and passions. One who is truly in Christ is one who has taken on every aspect of the life of Christ as their own. (Php 3:10)

lifemoreabundantly.net46.net

 

[Yitzchak]

I think that a person can be moderate on some issues and either conservative or liberal on other issues. For example , a person could be conservative on moral issues but liberal about financial issues. Or even in a more specific way , a person could be very conservative about how they feel about divorce and remarriage and yet be very liberal about drinking alcohol.

I agree with the idea that Moderates like to take each issue on a case by case basis and not be put into a category where they are forced to accept the package deal. on some issues I lean conservative and on others I lean liberal and some issues I am not sure which way I lean. So on some issues I might even be wishy washy.

For me being a moderate is retaining my right to decide on each issue and not have to have a predetermined answer for things.

 

[rturner76]

I think I may have found a second home. I like to be able to come somewhere and not have to defend myself all the time. I'm a pretty liberal guy but I have some things I'm very conservative about so I'm always bumping heads with somebody. I'd rather fellowship, learn and grow in my faith with an open mind. Just because you are an open person does not mean you are wish washy, you jsut want to let the evidence present itself and make an informed decision. I don't belong to any Christian "team" we are all on God's team and one of these labels can stop two people from even having respect for each other as a fellow Christian because you differ on this doctrine or that. You're either not christian enough or your too judgmental. I love EVERYBODY like Jesus told us to

 

[WannaWitness]

I left another (non-Christian) forum recently. Several people were sad to see me go. It felt good to "hear". They all said essentially the same thing about me "You can disagree with someone with out being a jerk and you can make people see sides of an issue that they didn't see before."

Man! It was so great to read that about myself. As a moderate, I feel like I get it from all sides. There are very few hills that I'm willing to die on and I just get tired of the proverbial pooh being slung at me from all sides.

I'm not wishy-washy. There are some things that I'm undecided on and a thing or two that I've been rolling around in my head for several years that I just haven't been able to come to a final consensus on. There are many many more that I'm firm on.

It's exhilarating to find people who I feel like there's a kinship with.

I think I may have found a second home. I like to be able to come somewhere and not have to defend myself all the time. I'm a pretty liberal guy but I have some things I'm very conservative about so I'm always bumping heads with somebody. I'd rather fellowship, learn and grow in my faith with an open mind. Just because you are an open person does not mean you are wish washy, you jsut want to let the evidence present itself and make an informed decision. I don't belong to any Christian "team" we are all on God's team and one of these labels can stop two people from even having respect for each other as a fellow Christian because you differ on this doctrine or that. You're either not christian enough or your too judgmental. I love EVERYBODY like Jesus told us to

Being moderate (oh, there's that "ugly" word!), I run into the exact same thing. I am one who likes to view a situation from all possible sides, while holding on to my faith in Christ without compromise. I know as a Christian that Jesus is the one and only way to Heaven, and that I should try my best to follow God and the teachings of the Bible, living a holy lifestyle, as His Word says. This is what we should all agree, as Christians. But I also realize that general perspectives and convictions are going to differ on a variety of matters, even among believers, and this does not give the license for one fellow believer to "one-up" other believers (or exalt themselves as "more Godly") just because their convictions aren't the same. It could be over matters such as what Bible translations are okay to read and/or study from, what true modesty is, and whether women should wear pants or not, eating meat, what TV shows are okay for Christians to watch (or whether or not to even own a TV) or even politics and who is more "Christian" just because of they way they voted (for whatever reason they felt in their heart). We should just see these things for what they are, agree to disagree, and trust that God works in the lives of all believers in different ways.

Romans 14 is a good Scripture for us "Bridge Builders", as it covers how we as believers should basically respect one another, even when disagreeing on some "iffy" issue (such as what I listed above). Verse one calls it "doubtful things".

So.... that's my two-cents.

 

[Guy Rex Rodgers]

Has anybody read The City of Man: religions and politics in a new era by Michael Gerson and Peter Wehner? It is an insightful book that calls for a change in rhetoric. Nothing is gained by demonizing people who disagree with our beliefs or by polarizing the world. We need to be moderate in our language and embody our faith by behaving with restraint.

GRR

 

[lesliedellow]

I suppose it means they are not Bible thumping fundamentalists on the one hand, and not so liberal that just about anything qualifies as Christianity on the other hand.