What makes a liberal Christian?
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Over the years I have heard a range of definitions for liberal Christianity. At times I've heard it described in contrast to the five fundamentals adhered to by fundamentalism (inerrancy of scripture, literal interpretation including miracles, virgin birth, bodily resurrection, and substitutionary atonement). Other times I've heard liberal Christianity described as placing reason (i.e. science) over revelation. Of course, there is a moral element to liberal Christianity that others have described on this thread- the acceptance of abortion, homosexuality and other sexual immorality as well as other kinds of sin generally condemned in scripture and/or by 'conservative' Christians.
The times that I have been called liberal on CC have usually resulted from denying certain doctrines related to the identity of Christ of from saying that Jews are still 'covered' under the Mosaic covenant.
Personally I think the easiest way to identify liberal Christianity is by its denial of divine revelation. The consequences of such a position of course include moral relativism and the reliability of scriptures in general. Jesus becomes a great teacher and ethicist, but not much else.
As to what box I would tick for myself, I would say that I am ultra-conservative to the point that many find me liberal. This happens because I deny doctrines that I see as later developments in the faith (the Trinity, for example). I do share one perspective with liberal Christianity in that I beleive that reason plays an important role in faith, but the role I would have it play is slightly different, because reason does not overrule revelation, but rather helps us identify it. Historians, archeologists, linguists and the like can help us understand the development of scripture, doctrine, and the church in a way that identifies what is original and what is man-made/added to the faith.
The times that I have been called liberal on CC have usually resulted from denying certain doctrines related to the identity of Christ of from saying that Jews are still 'covered' under the Mosaic covenant.
Personally I think the easiest way to identify liberal Christianity is by its denial of divine revelation. The consequences of such a position of course include moral relativism and the reliability of scriptures in general. Jesus becomes a great teacher and ethicist, but not much else.
As to what box I would tick for myself, I would say that I am ultra-conservative to the point that many find me liberal. This happens because I deny doctrines that I see as later developments in the faith (the Trinity, for example). I do share one perspective with liberal Christianity in that I beleive that reason plays an important role in faith, but the role I would have it play is slightly different, because reason does not overrule revelation, but rather helps us identify it. Historians, archeologists, linguists and the like can help us understand the development of scripture, doctrine, and the church in a way that identifies what is original and what is man-made/added to the faith.
Well to me I guess it comes down to the holier than thou people. I see them all the time. The ones who think there more holy because they don't wear make up. Some Christian man talking about the kids with the baggy pants who wouldn't like if they called him a red neck.
If they put 666 on their head and found our Lord they could repent. That is not the mark of the beast. But if you seen a person with a tattoo on their head of 666 and you judged them you would take chance of going to hell over your judgement.
One acting like their better than anyone else is a sin also.
Then it goes onto how they wear there hair. What clothes do they wear. Oh my God she has shorts on and so on. Or your not close enough to God because you don't wear a suit and a tie right.
Doesn't the bible talk about people in the bible and they were giving them gifts of earrings oooowww now what are we going to do.
I don't care what they look like on the outside. I care if God lives on the inside. The inside of the cup is what God talked about didn't he.
Well, i was innocently just answering an enquiery, of the two termonology's, you took from it whatever you wanted. I didnt express my person opinion until you remarked back at mines, so i am not one of these "holier than thou" people.
But since you bring it up, i do belive that it is wrong to wear makeup, i think its done for no other reason than vanity...like in jerimiah 4. i think the way your hair is count. If not have been expressed in 1 Corinthians. It wouldnt have also been expressed in 1 Timothy about clothes and modesty if it wasnt, on some level, important.
All of this we dont share the same view on, it all comes down to these man made catogories of "liberal" or "conservitive" ...
i wasnt making any personal or non-personal attacks against anything or anyone. i dont see what you have picked up on :S
But since you bring it up, i do belive that it is wrong to wear makeup, i think its done for no other reason than vanity...like in jerimiah 4. i think the way your hair is count. If not have been expressed in 1 Corinthians. It wouldnt have also been expressed in 1 Timothy about clothes and modesty if it wasnt, on some level, important.
All of this we dont share the same view on, it all comes down to these man made catogories of "liberal" or "conservitive" ...
i wasnt making any personal or non-personal attacks against anything or anyone. i dont see what you have picked up on :S
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two extremes and both a reaction to the other but neither looking to God for guidance but reacting to men and their own flesh and coming up with their own solution to the problem of sin instead of accepting Jesus plan of salvation:
"left" or liberal position (extreme): its ok to be gay, no rules, all about love, other paths to God then Jesus as long as you are morally ok and your heart doesn't condemn you, you're good to go, God loves you and its unconditional and He will cover up your sins with love, preaches love and forgiveness of sins but does not mention WHY you need forgiveness or that people are sinners or that JESUS is the only way to be made right with God.
"right" or conservative (extreme) legalistic, must follow ALL the laws in the Bible and if you don't do good works you are going to hell, earn your salvation route, conditional love. preaches the LAW but not the gospel of LOVE and that Jesus will forgive you if your repent and submit to HIS will and you do not earn salvation but you can accept as a free gift of LOVE from God.
neither one is the Gospel according to the Bible but that is what I have found to be the two extremes. most people fall some where in the middle.
labels are deceptive and show a laziness on the part of the person putting the name on another person. it builds a wall that allows them to harden their heart to that person and ridicule, look down upon or abuse them with their words and actions and not feel the conviction of their sin when they do those actions to a child of God and act out of pride, anger, bitterness or ignorance instead of love and compassion for others struggling to learn God's will for our lives and each other. I don't really like labels and I'm sorry someone slapped one on you.
but there is one label/ title I think we should all be proud to wear and that is "child of God" and I hope my brethren out there agree with me on that statement at least even if we may disagree on many other things
"left" or liberal position (extreme): its ok to be gay, no rules, all about love, other paths to God then Jesus as long as you are morally ok and your heart doesn't condemn you, you're good to go, God loves you and its unconditional and He will cover up your sins with love, preaches love and forgiveness of sins but does not mention WHY you need forgiveness or that people are sinners or that JESUS is the only way to be made right with God.
"right" or conservative (extreme) legalistic, must follow ALL the laws in the Bible and if you don't do good works you are going to hell, earn your salvation route, conditional love. preaches the LAW but not the gospel of LOVE and that Jesus will forgive you if your repent and submit to HIS will and you do not earn salvation but you can accept as a free gift of LOVE from God.
neither one is the Gospel according to the Bible but that is what I have found to be the two extremes. most people fall some where in the middle.
labels are deceptive and show a laziness on the part of the person putting the name on another person. it builds a wall that allows them to harden their heart to that person and ridicule, look down upon or abuse them with their words and actions and not feel the conviction of their sin when they do those actions to a child of God and act out of pride, anger, bitterness or ignorance instead of love and compassion for others struggling to learn God's will for our lives and each other. I don't really like labels and I'm sorry someone slapped one on you.
but there is one label/ title I think we should all be proud to wear and that is "child of God" and I hope my brethren out there agree with me on that statement at least even if we may disagree on many other things
The bible speaks against denominational-ism.
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and [that] there be no divisions among you; but [that] ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." 1 Corinthians 1:10
The separation in the body of Christ will be the churches downfall.
Jesus said it himself: "And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand." Mark 3:24
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and [that] there be no divisions among you; but [that] ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." 1 Corinthians 1:10
The separation in the body of Christ will be the churches downfall.
Jesus said it himself: "And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand." Mark 3:24
Oh not making any personal attacks. Was just going where the Spirit lead me. Had a feeling I was going to here some didn't like make up.
Didn't bring up tats or piercings either.
Way too close to that Pharisee thing for me.
God bless you and all the so called much better than all the rest of you people.
Oh Jesus help us!!
To be honest, many women who wear makeup are acting out in a Jezebel spirit. Control/manipulation... to entice men or invoke jealousy in other women. There are many excuses, but I do not believe women should adorn themselves with make-up, jewelry, immodest clothing as it sets a stumbling block for their Christian brothers.