(original post 18 Sep 2019)
When I first began my collegiate academic journey after graduating high school, I joined a campus ministry group. The mentor was an ordained UMC reverend whom I had much respect for and reliance on as I faced struggles through that season of life. Fast forward 10 years and picture the utilization of social media for sharing thoughts and ideas which often gives rise to discussion and debate. A UMC reverend who faced the dilemma of Biblical teaching and traditional condemnation of same-sex behavior versus his own son wanting to marry his male partner with his father officiating; this reverend is a close friend of my (now former) mentor from college. Long story short, the father decided his views towards same-sex behavior and marriage had “evolved” (to borrow a term from a former US president) and he opted to officiate the wedding, at the cost of his pastorate within the UMC.
This situation became a source of debate between my former mentor and I as I argued for the authority of Scripture, that it was settled as far as being God’s Word, and that Christians are to love others yet that does not mean we are to condone or encourage what Scripture clearly identifies as sinful activity. The pushback was that Scripture is not settled, that flawed men wrote the Bible, and the church needs to modernize with the cultural shifting of society. Basically, God’s old-fashioned ideology needs to catch up with the times.
For those who know me, it’s obvious that I hold conservative views on most anything. This is more so apparent when it comes to issues of theology and Christianity. I hold a high view of Scripture, take literal the parts which are intended to be taken literally, and try to understand the Bible in proper context to glean how it applies to my life today.
In this modern age, and for the past 50+ years or so, there has been a growing movement devoted to “deconstructing” Scripture. Britannica defines the idea of deconstruction as, “form of philosophical and literary analysis, derived mainly from work begun in the 1960s by the French philosopher Jacques Derrida, that questions the fundamental conceptual distinctions, or “oppositions,” in Western philosophy through a close examination of the language and logic of philosophical and literary texts.[1]” This concept has been applied throughout numerous areas; the focus here will be on its application towards Christian theology. It is this thought pattern which spurned the situation I addressed at the beginning. I will focus on several aspects of liberal / progressive Christianity though there are many other thoughts and doctrines it holds to. I invite you to investigate and research for a more full understanding; my goal is to highlight the idea and concepts in hopes to spur thought and desire to understand one of the challenges to traditional Christianity.
One main area of impact from liberal / progressive Christianity is the shift from external (objective) authority to internal (subjective) experience. In essence, the Bible is challenged as God’s Word, preserved and translated over the centuries, and given to us as His revelation regarding truth and reality. Instead, an individual’s emotions / feelings / experience becomes the basis for truth and understanding of God. This is evidenced in how Scripture is studied—instead of discerning the author’s intent (God), and individual relies on reader’s response (personal interpretation). This exposes one to a poor hermeneutic (how the Bible is studied). Instead of an exegetical look at Scripture (what has God said and how are we to respond to His truth) one is pushed towards an eisegesis approach (reading ourselves, ideas, presuppositions, opinions, etc into the text of Scripture). Eisegesis is responsible for much heresy within Christendom. This very concept fails because it follows the contradicting idea that “all truth is subjective” or “there is no absolute truth.” Both of these make objective truth claims while denying objective truth exists. Thus, this approach to understanding the Bible is on crumbling and unstable foundation and will not stand up against scrutiny based in reality and evidence.
Another area of impact is what my former mentor spoke towards: that traditional Christianity is outdated and needs to modernize. The belief is that Scripture as we read it was directed towards and reflecting of cultures and societies as they existed from Adam and Eve to the 1st Century A.D. As we have grown exponentially in technology, global communications, civil rights, and areas of social justice there has been a call to amend traditional Christianity to match cultural attitudes—mainly this is directed in the area of how the church “accepts” those in the LGBTQ+ crowd. Admittedly, the church has done a horrible job in addressing this subculture of society. Mockery, harsh words / attitudes, shunning and shame, even outward hatred and attack have been leveled against LGBTQ+ individuals and groups. There is a stark difference in loving a person by sharing how sin separates us from God but through Jesus we find forgiveness and salvation. This can be done effectively without taunts, slurs, condescension, and a judgmental attitude. Such negative approaches have created animosity towards and disregard for when temperamental, concerned, and loving Christians seek to evangelize those in the LGBTQ+ population.
Lastly, liberal / progressive Christianity focusses on Jesus’ way of living, not emphasizing doctrines which concern Jesus. “The Word of Christ is not a doctrine or the end of an argument, but a self-authenticating life; it is morally regenerative spiritual power claimed in Christ’s spirit…2” This can be seen in how proclamations of “Jesus is love” and “love is the highest ethic / moral.” To only focus on this aspect of Jesus’ ministry is to overlook or omit His very purpose for coming to earth—to save people from sin and restore them in right relationship with God. Yes, the Bible teaches consistently that God is a loving Being, that His very nature is the perfection of love. That is only half of the story. God expressed His love ultimately in sending Jesus to bear the burden of our sin by sacrificing Himself for us; God laid down His own life because none of us are worthy to redeem ourselves let alone others. This was done by Jesus expressing God’s love by single handedly facing God’s wrath. To preach / teach Jesus only in the concept of love is to teach a false Jesus. The other side of the coin is needed to understand His purpose for coming to earth, living a perfect life keeping God’s law, and qualifying to be our atoning sacrifice.
Summarily put, liberal / progressive Christianity seeks to redefine what is Christianity. Scholarly work dating back centuries and affirmed again and again in each generation is questioned. Traditions and doctrines which have been bedrock in bringing others to Christ and discipleship are challenged. The written truth of the Bible is ignored and replaced with individual, personal emotive experience. Liberal / progressive Christianity stands against God’s work in drawing sinners to Him. It places obstacles for the true Gospel to reach people and creates a more hostile situation for Christians to navigate. This is just some of the danger liberal / progressive Christianity poses and Christians must be diligent in studying God’s Word and discerning how it applies to modern society and culture.
~In Christ!
[1] https://www.britannica.com/topic/deconstruction
2 https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/seven-characteristics-of-liberal-theology/
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