What is the definition of

[servant4ever]

A liberal Christian, especially on this site?

[Treasure the Questions]

This defines it quite well for a lot of people http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Olympus/2961/liberal.htm

However, different people mean different things by the term. For some it means accepting of other's points of view. For some it means an emphasis on the social gospel and for others it means interpreting the Bible in the light of modern knowledge and understanding.


Karin

[Polycarp1]

Well, this board adopts the definition of "Christian" as someone who does or can subscribe to the Nicene Creed, or at least to the doctrines it contains. ("Liberal" is something of a self-defining usage -- if you believe yourself to be liberal because you agree with those who call themselves liberal, you're probably liberal. :))

We spent a long time discussing what the definition might be before the forum was created -- and there's no hard and fast rule. There are a lot of tendencies exhibited by liberals and a number of emphases that liberals place on prioritizing what one ought to do.

But there's no hard-and-fast definition. If you feel comfortable discussing things here, you belong here. (Theresa is a fairly conservative Catholic who is also a liberal Christian, I'm staunch Episcopalian and extremely liberal in many ways, and you could write similar descriptions for several others of us.)

[seebs]

One way to look at it is that liberalism, for our purposes, isn't a question of what you believe, but of how you treat disagreement. If you welcome it as an opportunity to learn, you're probably a liberal.

[Christi]

I'm drawn to liberal Christianity, although I can't find a definition of it broad enough to include me. I'm socially conservative, theologically mostly fundamentalist, and a registered Republican. ;)

If I could be an objective observer.....it's simply gratitude for grace, (unmerited favor). It's not getting used to it, .....and being always awed by it, ....and wanting to share it with all of your friends.:clap:

It's if I am in disagreement with __________ on every single social, and theological issue, but we worship the same Christ who died for both of us, then I choose to embrace him as a brother, rather than send him away.

It's alot about second chances. It's alot about how crappy we all are. It's alot about trying to be better.

It's mostly about the unconditional love that we've been given.

That we are compelled to return.

Not out of obligation, or rule-following, or guilt.

Simply out of gratitude and love.

It's not me looking at you and thinking you're not good enough. It's me looking at you and knowing I'M not good enough, and he loves you as much as me, so aren't we both so blessed? Let's help someone else have this!

[LondonsBurning]

One way to look at it is that liberalism, for our purposes, isn't a question of what you believe, but of how you treat disagreement. If you welcome it as an opportunity to learn, you're probably a liberal.
I think that may be an inconsiderate defintion when it comes to Conservative Christians. It's almost like your saying Conservative Christians are completely close -minded to any new opinions

[Toney]

Welcome to Liberal Churches Forum, Christi. We exsist for those among us who do not hold truth in a head lock, so to speak.

[Christi]

Welcome to Liberal Churches Forum, Christi. We exsist for those among us who do not hold truth in a head lock, so to speak.
Thank you, Toney. :) I've never been much good at headlocks. Either passively or aggressively. (But I've tried, and think I should get bonus points for my valiant attempts.:) )

[seebs]

I think that may be an inconsiderate defintion when it comes to Conservative Christians. It's almost like your saying Conservative Christians are completely close -minded to any new opinions

Not all of them are, but the very nature of conservatism is to try to hold steady, right or wrong. That's what conservativism is; that's why "conservative" opinions change from one decade to another, and very dramatically from one century to another!

[Christi]

Not all of them are, but the very nature of conservatism is to try to hold steady, right or wrong.

I disagree with this.

(Christi's disagreeing with seebs for the first time ever, and it's freaking her out!!!:eek: Be gentle with me, seebs!!!!)

I don't think that conservative's feel that it's holding steady, right or wrong. I think conservative's feel that it's not what they think is right or wrong......but what God says is right or wrong, and that can be found in the Bible. I don't know any conservative who holds steady to something they think is wrong, or potentially wrong. I think that conservatives/fundamentalists feel that us mere humans don't discern God's Holy Truth and that we should leave that to God......and that He's spoken. I think biblical literacy must have a huge part in the conservative/liberal seperation?

Christi (a little bit county, and a little bit rock n' roll)

[sakamuyo]

I, too, have some real trouble with the statement, "If you welcome it as an opportunity to learn, you're probably a liberal."

I consider myself to be a liberal in that I believe the story of the bible is equally important as the facts in the bible and that accurate and appropriate reading of the bible isn't always as simple as the "literal" method used by conservative evangelical circles. I believe followers of Christ are truly free, not enslaved to a new religion or new set of laws, and that our job is to preach and live grace, not condemnation.

That being said, there are some issues where I believe the Scriptures are quite explicit and to say, "How I interpret it is okay." is not appropriate. In these areas, I'm not going to be "open." I'm going to stand for what I believe. I am always open to learning, but that does not mean I am open to all opinions and interpretations.

[Treasure the Questions]

I disagree with this.

(Christi's disagreeing with seebs for the first time ever, and it's freaking her out!!!:eek: Be gentle with me, seebs!!!!)

I don't think that conservative's feel that it's holding steady, right or wrong. I think conservative's feel that it's not what they think is right or wrong......but what God says is right or wrong, and that can be found in the Bible. I don't know any conservative who holds steady to something they think is wrong, or potentially wrong. I think that conservatives/fundamentalists feel that us mere humans don't discern God's Holy Truth and that we should leave that to God......and that He's spoken. I think biblical literacy must have a huge part in the conservative/liberal seperation?

Christi (a little bit county, and a little bit rock n' roll)
It seems to me that conservatives believe that if "the Bible says so", then it must be right, which i assume is seebs' point.

Karin

[Treasure the Questions]

I, too, have some real trouble with the statement, "If you welcome it as an opportunity to learn, you're probably a liberal."

I consider myself to be a liberal in that I believe the story of the bible is equally important as the facts in the bible and that accurate and appropriate reading of the bible isn't always as simple as the "literal" method used by conservative evangelical circles. I believe followers of Christ are truly free, not enslaved to a new religion or new set of laws, and that our job is to preach and live grace, not condemnation.

That being said, there are some issues where I believe the Scriptures are quite explicit and to say, "How I interpret it is okay." is not appropriate. In these areas, I'm not going to be "open." I'm going to stand for what I believe. I am always open to learning, but that does not mean I am open to all opinions and interpretations.

Perhaps you're only slightly liberal. It is a comparative term, after all.

Karin

[sakamuyo]

Perhaps.

Or, perhaps no qualifiers are needed and all liberals don't have to believe exactly the same thing.

I self-identify as a liberal and the hardcore evangelical churches would absolutely agree with that. However, I still come to my beliefs by reading the bible and studying what it has to say. If the bible says so, then the bible says so. The real question is what we do when the bible only sort of says so. In those areas, I contend the conservatives will err on the side of "righteousness" and decide the best solution is to stay far far away and exclude the behavior/attitude/whatever, where the liberals will err on the side of "grace" and decide the best solution is to be inclusive and allow people to make up their own minds.

I come to my conclusion not simply because it's what I feel is right, but because I truly believe it to be what the bible says. What makes me a liberal is not that I do not base my faith and life on scripture, but that in areas of ambiguity, I choose to side with grace and inclusion. That being said, there are some issues where some liberals might think the bible is silent and/or ambiguous, yet I think the bible is clear. In these situations, I am going to live out my life as I believe God wishes, not simply because it is in some book, but because I truly believe God's Word is an authority in my life that should be followed as we best understand it.

[Treasure the Questions]

If you're only slightly liberal it would explain why you disagree with, "If you welcome it as an opportunity to learn, you're probably a liberal."

[sakamuyo]

Or, I'm so extremely liberal that I feel the need to include all christians, even those who are more stubborn and close-minded. :P

[Treasure the Questions]

I see. Point taken.

K

[fragmentsofdreams]

I think the best place to find the defining feature of liberalism would be to look at those with conservative theologies who can get along here. Whatever makes them different from others who share their beliefs would be the definition of liberal for these forums.

[servant4ever]

So, fragmentsofdreams, I would be a liberal Christian since I believe in Open Theism for my view of God's foreknowledge?

[fragmentsofdreams]

Perhaps. You are very probably a better judge of your liberalness than I.

[McCravey]

When we try to define it we do it injustice.....give people another reason to label us and not listen to what we are saying.

"Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth" (scene from Rush Hour)

[Im_A]

When we try to define it we do it injustice.....give people another reason to label us and not listen to what we are saying.

"Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth" (scene from Rush Hour)
i agree with that. i think in the long run of things, we'll accidently create something that all the time we have been complaining about. All liberal Christians have things in common with each other, and some don't, the same as with conservatives differing with each other conservatives, and we've seen that throughout history. so is there a real defintion of conservativess? is there a real definition to liberalism? there are common areas being shared, but everyone is different.

so in answer to the question of what is the definition of liberal Christians? the answer is the definition of a Christian.

with the fact that there are denomination after denonmination within Christianity, there are conservatie Christians and liberal Christians. it's just a fact of life.

[wonder111]

for me it's a matter of interpretation. Instead of saying 'because God say's so' I like to look into the context of what was being said, who said it, and why? I have faith, but I can also ask questions ;)

I also believe some parts do not make sense when they are taken literally!
peace!

[seebs]

I disagree with this.

(Christi's disagreeing with seebs for the first time ever, and it's freaking her out!!!:eek: Be gentle with me, seebs!!!!)

I don't think that conservative's feel that it's holding steady, right or wrong. I think conservative's feel that it's not what they think is right or wrong......but what God says is right or wrong, and that can be found in the Bible. I don't know any conservative who holds steady to something they think is wrong, or potentially wrong.

I've certainly seen them make claims like "I struggle with this, but I have to have faith...", which is in that direction.

But the point is, the essence of conservativism is exactly what the name suggests; holding steady, favoring the status quo. That means a tendency not to examine the way things are very critically.

I think that conservatives/fundamentalists feel that us mere humans don't discern God's Holy Truth and that we should leave that to God......and that He's spoken. I think biblical literacy must have a huge part in the conservative/liberal seperation?

History, too; a lot of conservatives have no idea how much their views differ from earlier views on similar or the same topics.

[sakamuyo]

Conservatives and liberals alike are prone to holding on to what they've been told without thinking through it critically. That's a human fault, not a conservative fault.

[Christi]

Conservatives and liberals alike are prone to holding on to what they've been told without thinking through it critically. That's a human fault, not a conservative fault.
I agree totally. I think that perhaps a true definition of "liberal Christianity" would involve having the same attitude (and actions) toward all other people, including the Fundamentalists. For within Liberal Christianity, what are Fundamentalists.....but the "Outcasts" ? Inclusiveness has to include people we don't like so much, especially, and not just the people we identify with. And Fundamentalists and Liberals who seek to follow Jesus should do that. There is a non-Christian thread here in this forum, which I am all for and so grateful for. But wouldn't it be nice if we could treat Christians with theologically polar opposite views with as much kindness and generousity of spirit? Otherwise we become Fundamentalist Liberals or Liberal Fundamentalists. And that's alot of hair-splitting, when there are other things to be done.

[wonder111]

absolutely Christi, that's one to watch out for

[Mustaphile]

To conserve, is to maintain and protect.

To liberate, is to set free and/or remove impediments.

Interestingly conserve has the word 'serve' in it, which implies some type of service to a cause. In a way, the conservative is a servant to the status quo, whereas a liberal is a competitor for status quo?......

....I'm rambling here..but I really would love to find the perfect answer to this question one day. :D