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What constitutes liberalism?

Discussion in '2004 Archive' started by Charles Meadows, May 25, 2004.

  1. Charles Meadows

    Charles Meadows New Member

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    I'm curious to see what people will say here. As baptists we hold to the Bible as God's inspired word. What do you think constitutes liberalism in terms of bibilical interpretation? Is an old earth a liberal view? Is a nonliteral creation story liberal? Is pseudonymous authorship liberal? Opinions?
     
  2. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    Charles Meadows: " As baptists we hold to the Bible as God's inspired word."

    But look at the wide varity of that
    in my survey at:

    Is your Bible Inerrant?
     
  3. JamesJ

    JamesJ New Member

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    One example, and probably the most troubling for me, is the way the word "day" in Genesis 1 is interpreted by some to mean "age" or "long period of time". That is taking liberties (or rather, being liberal) with the text. Another example is when we hear people say that, "back in Moses' time, homosexuality was wrong, but we know better today (or some other such phrasing)."
     
  4. JGrubbs

    JGrubbs New Member

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    I have met liberal in the church who don't believe in the virgin birth, don't believe in a literal 6-day creation, don't think homosexuality is a sin and don't believe that Paul was inspired by God. My first run in with liberal "christians" was over on XnForums. That is one online forum that gives me a headache.
     
  5. Charles Meadows

    Charles Meadows New Member

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    I imagine that views here may be wide-ranging!

    I think certain points are absolutely clear in scripture. The virgin birth, Jesus' resurrection, eternal life just to name a few!

    Any removal of these and other core Christian doctrines leaves a "religion" which is NOT Christianity!!

    Now there are some other areas about which I would not be so dogmatic. Given the style of near eastern literature and the way the creation account is given I personally have no problem seeing it as figurative in terms of time - that is not necessarily 6 literal days. I think that studying the language as well as what we know about other near eastern civilizations can help us understand this bible passage. As such I don't see this as being a "liberal" position. Opinions?
     
  6. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    To a conservative Christian, liberalism is generally used to describe anyone who's not as conservative as they are. A moderate conservative, like myself, would be considered a liberal from the extreme conservative POV.
     
  7. LadyEagle

    LadyEagle <b>Moderator</b> <img src =/israel.gif>

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    Yep, John, you have spoken wisely. [​IMG]
     
  8. Craigbythesea

    Craigbythesea Active Member

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    Dr. Meadows,

    From my point of view, a true liberal is a person who is not afraid to think for himself. He opens the Bible with an open mind and studies it to find out for himself what it really says, who really wrote it, how inspired it may or may not be, how much it may have been edited over the years, how it should be viewed in the face of scientific investigation, how relevant it is in today’s society, whether or not it is historically accurate, whether or not it contradicts itself morally and theologically, and to learn anything else that may be of interest to him.

    He is likely to be much more widely read than his conservative counterpart, much more knowledgeable of Biblical and other relevant languages, and much more honest with God, the Bible and himself.

    But there is also the false liberal who does not think for himself. He opens the Bible with a closed mind and studies the Bible to earn a living, impress others, and grind his own axe.

    Most unfortunately, many conservatives confuse the two!
     
  9. JeffM

    JeffM New Member

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    The word Liberal is used very loosely these days.

    I don't know many "liberal" Christians, except those I meet on the net, and the few Unitarians that I work with.

    The Liberals (communist) that run Hollywood and the Democratic Party are a whole different kind of Liberal. It's safe to say that with these liberals, if God is for it, they are against it.
     
  10. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    I need to save this post [​IMG]

    (John bows low, and humbly doffs his cap).
     
  11. Charles Meadows

    Charles Meadows New Member

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    Craig,

    Very eloquently put!
    [​IMG]
     
  12. Craigbythesea

    Craigbythesea Active Member

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    Thank you! [​IMG]

    By the way, I am not a liberal; I am a moderate. But conservatives call me a foolish liberal; and liberals call me a naïve conservative.

    Matt. 5:11. "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
    12. "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (NASB, 1995)

    [ May 26, 2004, 04:31 AM: Message edited by: Craigbythesea ]
     
  13. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    Nearly everyone here is such. [​IMG]
     
  14. massdak

    massdak Active Member
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    your quote in bold cannot really be serious.
    if so it is the most deceived opinion and lacks giving any credit of guidance from the Spirit of God and the statement is the most modern pharisaical comment that i have ever read.
     
  15. LadyEagle

    LadyEagle <b>Moderator</b> <img src =/israel.gif>

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    Picking myself up from rolling on the floor with laughter.
    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    In some cases, it might be a true statement, given the fact there are only two brain cells to think for himself with, etc., or the equivalent. [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    I needed the laugh - thanks. [​IMG]
     
  16. massdak

    massdak Active Member
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    Picking myself up from rolling on the floor with laughter.
    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    In some cases, it might be a true statement, given the fact there are only two brain cells to think for himself with, etc., or the equivalent. [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    I needed the laugh - thanks. [​IMG]
    </font>[/QUOTE]that post was a hoot, but if it is really meant to be serious it is scarey.
     
  17. Michael52

    Michael52 Member

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    AMEN!

    In my youth, I rebelled for many wrong and ‘sinful’ reasons. However, I don’t think my stance against the ‘closed-mind’ was wrong at all. I guess we all were obsessed with the idealism of youth to some extent. Obviously, ‘conservative’ does not have to mean ‘closed-mind’ but to the extent it does, I don’t regret being ‘liberal’ if that is what it means to have an ‘open-mind’. Though, I don’t think I would enjoy being labeled a liberal! :rolleyes:

    Amazingly, especially to me, the more I study the Bible and myriad other things, I find myself becoming more ‘conservative’ in my views daily. This conservatism is not due to blindly following anyone or anything (except the Lord). If there is anything which I pray for, to receive for myself, it is wisdom and understanding. I also pray that the Lord would allow and insist that my mind would remain continually ‘open’.
    Michael
     
  18. massdak

    massdak Active Member
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    open mindedness of liberalism is to be open minded enough to let your brains fall out. liberalism boils down to leaning on ones own understanding instead of trusting the Lord.
    liberalisms mantra is follow your own heart.
     
  19. LadyEagle

    LadyEagle <b>Moderator</b> <img src =/israel.gif>

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    Stop it, massdak, I can't take any more! [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  20. JamesJ

    JamesJ New Member

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    What did God always say to Israel? Turn from your ways and turn back to my ways.

    What else is found in the scriptures about God's ways? God does not change

    It is God's way, his nature, to conserve his ways... to be conservative. I, too, have found that the more I learn about God though the scriptures and prayer, I become more conservative and stray less, or at least want to stray less.
     
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