What is a "Moderate Christian" theologically?

[lesliedellow]

What is a "Moderate Christian" theologically?

The same as "the" theology of conservative and liberal Christians. All three labels are far too broad to have a single theology ascribed to them.

A moderate is a liberal with some conservative traits, or a conservative with some liberal traits.

 

[Anto9us]

Well, I finally read a book with theology in it that was WAY TOO LIBERAL for me -- Bishop Spong's autobiography.

So I now declare myself NEO-MIDDLE (the Neo-Middle Manifesto -- I haven't written it yet -- may be coming soon).

I have never been in Bridge Builders b4, though I have been at CF for about 5 years. Bridge Builders sounds a lot better than Fence-Sitters...

I am Wesleyan Quadrilateral rather than Sola Scriptura.

I see the Bible as SUFFICIENT, rather than inerrant.

In the WHOSOEVER WILL (liberal) sub-forum, i usually found myself liberal theologically but more conservative politically than the rest.

I do not think the earth was created in 4004 B.C., I do not demonize homosexual people, I do not equate abortion with murder.

I guess I am a Moderate in moderation.

I am Neo-Middle, but do not force Neo-Middle-ism on others.

 

[hedrick]

The typical mainline position is conservative in Europe and the UK, and liberal in the US. I think it's fair to say that Spong is liberal both places.

 

[Albion]

The same as "the" theology of conservative and liberal Christians. All three labels are far too broad to have a single theology ascribed to them.

A moderate is a liberal with some conservative traits, or a conservative with some liberal traits.

I do not disagree. However, if the question of the OP is asked with this forum in mind...the term refers only to those who are willing to share ideas without rancor.

It has nothing to do with either theological stances or political liberalism or conservatism.

That is why the wording Bridge Builders (get it?) was added to the title--so that the focus would not be misunderstood. I have never noticed that it did much good, however.

 

[ColbaltHeart]

As a moderate myself, I definitely believe in God, Jesus, etc, but I don't follow some Christian beliefs. Namely, I don't believe that homosexuality is a sin, nor that all gays are promiscuous. Also, I despise humanity as a whole (though this may be a side effect of me being in my teen years), and I don't think that works of fiction created by non-Christians are sin (I recently learned that a lot of ardent Christians think this... for some reason). As long as you aren't a murderer, a Satanist, or a pedophile, you should be good.

 

[Albion]

As a moderate myself, I definitely believe in God, Jesus, etc, but I don't follow some Christian beliefs. Namely, I don't believe that homosexuality is a sin, nor that all gays are promiscuous. Also, I despise humanity as a whole (though this may be a side effect of me being in my teen years), and I don't think that works of fiction created by non-Christians are sin (I recently learned that a lot of ardent Christians think this... for some reason). As long as you aren't a murderer, a Satanist, or a pedophile, you should be good.

See post #84, ColbaltHeart. Thanks.

 

[SkyWriting]

How is your theology "moderate"... or is it?

I think scripture is litterally correct and is socially liberal.
This is a change from ultra-conservative for me.

 

[JamieRedheadUK]

I don’t believe that this forum was for those with moderate (middle of the road) theological or political opinions, more for those from liberal and conservative positions to discuss without angry firey and unhelpful argument.

 

[Peripatetic]

For me, moderate theology means seeking out different perspectives and viewing change as a natural part of my journey. It means admitting that my theological understanding does not progress in a straight line of increasing wisdom. It means never being in a state where I think, "OK, I've arrived. I understand now."

t's an acknowledgement of my innate tendencies toward bias, rigidity, and tribalism. It means giving up my desire for certainty. I don't view Moderate as a mid-point on a political or theological spectrum. 5 years from now, I'll have views that would surprise me today. Just as I see things differently now than I did 5 years ago.

The word "theology" means the study of the nature of God. In the end, how can we not be humble and moderate while considering a being who is so transcendent?

 

[Anthony2019]

Moderate theology, for me, is accepting the basic tenants of the Christian faith (ie. the Gospel, Nicene Creed, 39 articles, etc) but trying them to understand and apply them in an ever-changing world. The belief that however much we know about God, we will never fully know and understand everything, that faith is a journey and we have not reached the destination.

 

[Spherical]

I don’t believe that this forum was for those with moderate (middle of the road) theological or political opinions, more for those from liberal and conservative positions to discuss without angry firey and unhelpful argument.

That is an interesting perspective.

 

[Tigger45]

I don’t believe that this forum was for those with moderate (middle of the road) theological or political opinions, more for those from liberal and conservative positions to discuss without angry firey and unhelpful argument.

That’s right. The forum isn’t for those with less than passionate beliefs but those that can carry a civil discussion with those that differ with them.

 

[AthensToJerusalem]

I’ve been reading this part of the forum and thinking and stuff...And isn’t what some of you call a moderate simply someone who’s read 1 Peter 3:15, 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, and pretty much the whole Sermon on the Mount?

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

1 Corinthians 5:12-13 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside...

Sermon on the Mount: ...Blessed are the meek (i.e. gentle, kind).Blessed are the merciful...Love your enemies...Turn the other cheek...Deal with your own sin before you judge others...

In other words, shouldn’t this be every Christian? Just saying.

 

[Tigger45]

I’ve been reading this part of the forum and thinking and stuff...And isn’t what some of you call a moderate simply someone who’s read 1 Peter 3:15, 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, and pretty much the whole Sermon on the Mount?

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

1 Corinthians 5:12-13 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside...

Sermon on the Mount: ...Blessed are the meek (i.e. gentle, kind).Blessed are the merciful...Love your enemies...Turn the other cheek...Deal with your own sin before you judge others...

In other words, shouldn’t this be every Christian? Just saying.

Excellent post! 1 Peter 3:15 should be the montra of the ‘Bridge Builders-Moderate Christians’ forum, eloquently summarizing the intent of it’s SoP.

 

[Albion]

I’ve been reading this part of the forum and thinking and stuff...And isn’t what some of you call a moderate simply someone who’s read 1 Peter 3:15, 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, and pretty much the whole Sermon on the Mount?

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

1 Corinthians 5:12-13 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside...

Sermon on the Mount: ...Blessed are the meek (i.e. gentle, kind).Blessed are the merciful...Love your enemies...Turn the other cheek...Deal with your own sin before you judge others...

In other words, shouldn’t this be every Christian? Just saying.

Hi. Congrats to you for appreciating what the Moderate Christian forum is supposed to be about.

Most people who come upon it get the idea that it means your doctrines are in the middle of the spectrum somehow, sort of like Baptists on occasion but sorta like Catholics in other ways, whatever that would be! Like a political moderate in other words.

The Statement of Purpose for the forum, however, does explain pretty well and it is what you said.

 

[Anto9us]

So Bridge Builders sees the "moderate-ness" in an ATTITUDE of discussing with others, and does not deal with how liberal or conservative one's views are.

That is a unique position for a forum to have.

 

[Albion]

So Bridge Builders sees the "moderate-ness" in an ATTITUDE of discussing with others, and does not deal with how liberal or conservative one's views are.

That is a unique position for a forum to have.

Perhaps, but it came about at a time in the past when the whole list of forums was being restructured and the idea of safe houses or forums for particular POVs was being considered.

In the midst of the discussion about a liberal forum and a conservative forum and other variations on that theme, some members asked for one in which the participants would be committed to "bridge building," i.e. discussing without rancor and discussing with the intention of finding common ground if possible.

 

[Anto9us]

In a way, it is unfortunate that the phrase "Moderate Christians" is even in the title of the forum.
IMO, it should be just "Bridge Builders", and people are left to realize it is for those who want to discuss without rancor -- because regardless of what is said, the phrase 'Moderate Christians' does indeed bring to mind the concept of VIEWS WHICH ARE MODERATE in the sense of midway between conservative and liberal -- else it would not be so hard to get across the true purpose of the forum; and it does seem to be admitted, Albion, that the true purpose of the forum is often misconstrued.

 

[Albion]

In a way, it is unfortunate that the phrase "Moderate Christians" is even in the title of the forum.
IMO, it should be just "Bridge Builders", and people are left to realize it is for those who want to discuss without rancor -- because regardless of what is said, the phrase 'Moderate Christians' does indeed bring to mind the concept of VIEWS WHICH ARE MODERATE in the sense of midway between conservative and liberal -- else it would not be so hard to get across the true purpose of the forum; and it does seem to be admitted, Albion, that the true purpose of the forum is often misconstrued.

I agree that the inclusion of "Moderate Christians" as part of the title has not helped, but I doubt very much that leaving it as "Bridge Builders" alone would have been much better.

As it is, the forum's "Statement of Purpose" spells it all out in very clear terms, but time and again people ask what the forum is about or what the title means or just go ahead and create a thread which is based on the assumption that the forum is supposed to be for people who are sorta Liberal and sorta Conservative.

 

[Anto9us]

If the phrase BRIDGE BUILDERS was ADDED TO the name of the forum -- is it possible that the phrase MODERATE CHRISTIANS could be deleted?