What is a moderate?

[9Rock9]

So, since this is the moderate forum, I must ask, what makes you a moderate?

I'm personally starting to think I am a moderate, but I also kinda wary of the label due to fear of drifting towards progressive Christianity and theological liberalism.

I come from a conservative evangelical background, so I saw moderates as a slippery slope towards apostasy.

Now, though, I am not sure if I am a conservative anymore. I still hold conservative viewpoints on Nicene orthodoxy and LGBT related issues pertaining to weddings and ordination, but I think I am moderate on most other issues.

I think the Bible is infallible when it comes to matters of faith and practice, and its purpose is to point the reader to salvation. It's not meant to be a science textbook nor an exhaustive source of all knowledge.

I lean towards a complementarian stance on women's ordination, but I also now know there's more nuance to the issue than I had initially assumed. Aside from thinking the office of pastor should be reserved for men only, I think I am a believer in gender equality in all other areas of life.

I guess I realize that some initial assumptions I held were wrong, and I think I am closer to moderate viewpoints, but I worry about drifting towards liberalism.

A minor thing, but I have been told mainline denominations might be a better fit for me, even though I still think of myself as an Evangelical, though that's likely due to the stereotype of mainline = liberal.

What about you? Anyone else have similar concerns?

 

[Maria Billingsley]

So, since this is the moderate forum, I must ask, what makes you a moderate?

I'm personally starting to think I am a moderate, but I also kinda wary of the label due to fear of drifting towards progressive Christianity and theological liberalism.

I come from a conservative evangelical background, so I saw moderates as a slippery slope towards apostasy.

Now, though, I am not sure if I am a conservative anymore. I still hold conservative viewpoints on Nicene orthodoxy and LGBT related issues pertaining to weddings and ordination, but I think I am moderate on most other issues.

I think the Bible is infallible when it comes to matters of faith and practice, and its purpose is to point the reader to salvation. It's not meant to be a science textbook nor an exhaustive source of all knowledge.

I lean towards a complementarian stance on women's ordination, but I also now know there's more nuance to the issue than I had initially assumed. Aside from thinking the office of pastor should be reserved for men only, I think I am a believer in gender equality in all other areas of life.

I guess I realize that some initial assumptions I held were wrong, and I think I am closer to moderate viewpoints, but I worry about drifting towards liberalism.

A minor thing, but I have been told mainline denominations might be a better fit for me, even though I still think of myself as an Evangelical, though that's likely due to the stereotype of mainline = liberal.

What about you? Anyone else have similar concerns?

I believe a moderate position is the new norm for a true Christian. The alternatives are now considered extream, radical or too zealous. Ultimately, if it is not based on LOVE, then it is not the Fathers will.
Blessings

 

[Richard T]

My advice is to dispense with the labels. You have to disconnect the issues and look at each item separately. You can find principles that you apply to policies based on God's word. An example is debt of government. "The borrower is slave to the lender." Thus, it is better to store up during good years to help during lean years.
maria too is right: What is love? This answer may vary somewhat. An example for me though is in immigration, should families be broken up because of immigration status? Is it more loving to send them packing, or if they have jobs give them some status to stay?
Many just prefer political or social labels so they do not need to investigate matters for themselves. But especially in Christianity and in good public policy we have to know why we believe in something, and not just accept things as our parents, education or even church teaches. We all use such short cuts but it is better to be independent and really take a look behind the curtain. Sadly, there is lots of deception in politics too. It is tough to know the heart and character is important. Sometimes labels are not used correctly and often can vary in meaning. People change as well. Some frankly don't even know themselves and will either follow money or do whatever it takes to be elected or remain in leadership.

This test of maybe 50 questions or so, will help you find yourself on two dimensions. One is left/right the other is authoritarian/libertarian. While these are labels, it offers some insight into the two dimensions they test. The Political Compass