What describes a liberal Christian?

[aperson1234]

sorry for quoting your post again, i should have just put it together.

but there are liberals who believe in universal reconciliation as myself. we believe that Divine Love is more paramount to human freedom.

so would that make me a liberal Calvinist?

The Doctrine of Calvinism does not support universal reconciliation, so in orthodox Calvinist circles, no. Orthodox Calvinism (5 point Calvinism) supports the belief Limited Atonement. So... possibly under some other Calvinist movement. After looking at Calvinism on Wikipedia.org, I never realized how many different forms of Calvinism there are. So I suppose... yes if you believe that God saves those only to whom accepts the universal love of God. But I'm not that familiar with the other movements of Calvinism so I can't say for sure.

I believe in the doctrines of Calvinism but don't normally go by the label "Calvinism", so that would make me a conservative in this sense. I don't see a need to stake my claim as a fellow Calvinist though in a denominational sense I am Presbyterian. I don't state my belief of doctrines or denominational preference first and foremost because those words tend to negate bad feelings. Especially since I posted in the Liberal thread. =) One doesn't have to claim Calvinism to believe in the concepts and beliefs.

At any rate, I find this word (Calvinism) easily overused and easily excuseable to not delve deep into the belief, to, in the words of the apostle Paul, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." God didn't give us minds to be suppressed.

Then again, Calvinism appears to be a list of beliefs formulated from scripture as a whole, like the doctrine of the Trinity for example. A concept of sorts. Of faith, just like it takes faith to believe in universal reconciliation or evolution or any number of things, like God.

If there are liberals who believe in universal reconciliation, would that mean conservatives mostly believe it? Honestly, I'm not hip with the numbers.

I see some errs in universal reconciliation, philosophically and theologically... I was about to put it in here, but this isn't a thread for that kind of discussion. I will gladly start one, or you could, if you wish to discuss universal reconciliation. At either rate I want to learn more about it. Being closed-minded and ignorant only detracts one from the world.

Thus said, if my beliefs fall philosophically then there's no point in believing that belief. Yes, a belief isn't called a belief for nothing - it branches into areas of faith. I'll be believing in an ideal that has no foundation.

Fortunetely for me I don't need a PhD for the area God has called me to live right now. I simply live my life, and if a conversation sways a certain way, I'll do my best to follow the promptings of the Spirit and take hold of the moment.

 

[Im_A]

The Doctrine of Calvinism does not support universal reconciliation, so in orthodox Calvinist circles, no. Orthodox Calvinism (5 point Calvinism) supports the belief Limited Atonement. So... possibly under some other Calvinist movement. After looking at Calvinism on Wikipedia.org, I never realized how many different forms of Calvinism there are. So I suppose... yes if you believe that God saves those only to whom accepts the universal love of God. But I'm not that familiar with the other movements of Calvinism so I can't say for sure.

I believe in the doctrines of Calvinism but don't normally go by the label "Calvinism", so that would make me a conservative in this sense. I don't see a need to stake my claim as a fellow Calvinist though in a denominational sense I am Presbyterian. I don't state my belief of doctrines or denominational preference first and foremost because those words tend to negate bad feelings. Especially since I posted in the Liberal thread. =) One doesn't have to claim Calvinism to believe in the concepts and beliefs.

At any rate, I find this word (Calvinism) easily overused and easily excuseable to not delve deep into the belief, to, in the words of the apostle Paul, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." God didn't give us minds to be suppressed.

Then again, Calvinism appears to be a list of beliefs formulated from scripture as a whole, like the doctrine of the Trinity for example. A concept of sorts. Of faith, just like it takes faith to believe in universal reconciliation or evolution or any number of things, like God.

If there are liberals who believe in universal reconciliation, would that mean conservatives mostly believe it? Honestly, I'm not hip with the numbers.

I see some errs in universal reconciliation, philosophically and theologically... I was about to put it in here, but this isn't a thread for that kind of discussion. I will gladly start one, or you could, if you wish to discuss universal reconciliation. At either rate I want to learn more about it. Being closed-minded and ignorant only detracts one from the world.

Thus said, if my beliefs fall philosophically then there's no point in believing that belief. Yes, a belief isn't called a belief for nothing - it branches into areas of faith. I'll be believing in an ideal that has no foundation.

Fortunetely for me I don't need a PhD for the area God has called me to live right now. I simply live my life, and if a conversation sways a certain way, I'll do my best to follow the promptings of the Spirit and take hold of the moment.

well honestly, i was being humerous with the whole liberal Calvinist point

i do believe in universalism tho. i see nothing wrong with it philosophically, morally, or scripturally.

there are plenty of threads in GA if you want to start up discussion. and i'm willing to discuss with you either pm, or on here as well if you want to. i just know it seems rather sometimes hard to find discussion without people making ad hominims, false accusations, or stupid comments in regards to talking about this view. this is why i'm trying my best to give my honest opinion of the doctrine of people being burned in hell, or people being annihalated in hell and just trying to be another person who explains it to someone that is curious, or at least, explain the reasons why i see nothing wrong with it morally, philosophically, or even theologically.

so it's up to you if you want to start up a thread about it. i wonder how it would go here in WWMC. i don't think i've seen a discussion of universalism last too long her at WWMC. usually it gets moved to Liberal Theology when a non-liberal is debating. i would really like to see one over here go in a discussion format. just asking question, no one having a point of convincing anyone of anything, and just think about it. maybe someday....

God Bless! <><

 

[aperson1234]

Haha, yeah... I read too much into your post.

I need to read about universal reconciliation to really think about it more. I don't think I've thought about it enough to have a discussion about it... I have to see if my arguments line up with my worldview correctly.

Yeah I said I see some iffy spots. But I think those are from my bias. ...I dunno! I'm tired.

At any rate.... possibly in the future. I would love to.

 

[Diane_Windsor]

What makes me a Liberal Christian:

---Being intellectually honest with myself and challenging my long-held beliefs I grew up with about Jesus of Nazareth.

---I embrace textual criticism and modern Biblical scholarship.

---Not believing that Church Councils or Creeds are binding.

---Not believing that dogmas about Jesus, God, etc. are essential. IOW, I expect to see a lot of Unitarians and other "non-traditional" Christians in Heaven.

---Not seeing the Bible as the Word of God, inerrant, infallible, etc.

---Seeing the core of Christianity in having a trusting relationship with Jesus of Nazareth, and again placing no or little value on certain doctrines.

---As a Methodist I am a big believer in social justice and personal holiness.

---As a Southern Baptist I am a big believer in separation of Church and State.

Basically, being a liberal Christian to me means that you are willing to challenge your beliefs about Jesus, the Bible, etc. and are not afraid to reject long-held doctrines if you find them to be untrue. Yet at the same time also having a deeply personal relationship with Jesus of Nazareth and placing your faith and trust in Him.

DIANE

 

[tulc]

I didn't even know I WAS liberal until I started hanging out here! I always thought I was just a Christian. But then I didn't know I was a conservative either till I started hanging here!
tulc(so annoying, neither side wants me!)

 

[buckshowalter]

I didn't even know I WAS liberal until I started hanging out here! I always thought I was just a Christian. But then I didn't know I was a conservative either till I started hanging here!
tulc(so annoying, neither side wants me!)

you say tomato, I say tomato...

come on people now, smile on your brother...

 

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

A liberal christian believes Jesus to be a liberator. One who draws all to himself, regardless.