The spirit of theological liberalism was first
seen a long time ago. It appeared not in
a dark cave, but in a splendid garden.
Its first words were, “Did God really say . . . ?”
Since that tragic day, theological liberalism
has been sowing doubt about the content, reliability, truthfulness, goodness,
and authority of God’s words. And it has been doing this among God’s people by
those claiming to represent Him.
What
Prompted This Post
I read this question on a Christian Discussion
Forum: “What makes a person
theologically liberal?”
I read over 100 replies. Some were quite helpful, but I still felt
more should be said.
While the original question asked about theological
liberalism, I am including theological postmodernism also. There is a great deal of overlap between the
two. Both have the effect of eroding the
authority of God’s Word in the hearts and minds of the people they influence.
Various
Disclaimers
I’m aware that there are a wide range of
people who self-identify, or are identified with, theological liberalism and/or
postmodernism. They’re not all the
same. Some may be true brothers and sisters in Christ.
I’m not talking about politics. Although there is a high correlation between
theological liberals and political liberals in the US, they are not identical,
and my focus here is on theological liberalism.
More specifically, I’m concerned with those who claim to be Christians,
but embrace and promote theological liberalism and/or postmodernism.
Being “liberal” on one issue does not mean a
person, church, or denomination is liberal overall.
Despite their errors, liberals sometimes do
good and sometimes are used for good purposes by God.
While I recognize these “disclaimers”, I do
not want to water down the truth about theological liberalism and
postmodernism. These are some of the
most serious and widespread sources of false teaching within Christianity. They distort God’s truth, and in the process
lead many astray.
Short
Definitions
Theological
Liberalism: teaching
which undermines trust in the truthfulness and authority of the Bible by compromising
with modern beliefs, morals, and/or values which are contrary to God’s Word.
Theological
Postmodernism: teaching
which undermines trust in the truthfulness and authority of the Bible by compromising
with postmodern beliefs, morals, and/or values which are contrary to God’s
Word.
Both liberalism and postmodernism usually
begin not with outright denials of the truth of the Bible, but with sowing
doubt about its truthfulness. However,
in settings where it is advantageous to their cause, they do go on to explicitly
deny many Bible truths and teachings.
Examples
and Indications of Theological Liberalism and Postmodernism
A teacher, church, or institution claiming to
be Christian, may be theologically liberal or postmodern if you see any of the
following.
* They
cause doubt about whether the books of the Bible which name their authors were
actually written by those historical people. For example, if someone causes doubt
about whether Paul wrote 2 Timothy, they have been influenced by theological
liberalism.
* They
question the truthfulness of any account which is presented as historically
real in the Bible. Examples would be
Jonah being swallowed by a fish, the virgin birth, and other miraculous stories
throughout the Bible.
* They
question the need to win people to the Christian faith from other religions,
such as Islam and Hinduism.
* If
someone believes or teaches that any sexual act between two men (or between two
women) is not sinful, they are theologically liberal/postmodern.
*
Belief in unguided evolution as a correct explanation for the appearance
of life and for all the types of life we see today is a strong indicator of
theological liberalism.
* All,
or nearly all, theological liberals deny the Bible’s teaching that husbands are
to lead in a marriage and that only men should serve as Senior Pastors in the
church. However, there are some
Christians who are truly evangelical and theologically conservative overall who
are wrong on this one issue.
*
Postmoderns often undermine the Bible’s teaching that the death of
Christ on the cross meant that He was acting as a substitutionary atonement on our
behalf.
* If
you are reading something on one of the above topics and the author’s view
seems unclear and confusing, it is very often the case that the author is
theologically liberal or postmodern. A
lack of clarity is sometimes just poor writing.
But a lack of clarity is also a trademark of some postmodern writing.
Their writing causes doubt about things that are clear in God’s Word, while
intentionally being worded in such a way that allows the author to avoid an
accusation of outright heresy. This is
especially common when postmodern authors desire to continue to be accepted by,
and to be able to have influence among, evangelical Christians.
How
to Guard Against and Respond to Theological Liberalism and Postmodernism
The best defense against the doubt, confusion,
and errors of theological liberalism and postmodernism is to read, study, believe,
and teach all of God’s Word.
If you know someone going down the path of
theological liberalism, do all you can to gently, but clearly, win them back to
the truth.
Christian teachers, authors, and leaders who
promote theological liberalism should be opposed as false teachers.
If you find yourself in a liberal or
postmodern church or denomination, unless you are called by God to fight
against these errors by staying, get out!
Get into a church that believes that all of the Bible is really true.
In applying these principles, be careful not
to become divisive over minor issues or doctrines which many truly
theologically conservative, evangelical Christians disagree on. Although they may be mistaken, someone is not
a false teacher just because they have a different view from you of the age of
the earth, or a different understanding of the millennium, or a different way
to explain God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. In your zeal for the truth (which is good!)
do not neglect to also have a passion for unity among true believers.
A
Few Verses to Meditate On
NIV Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had
made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from
any tree in the garden'?"
NIV Matthew 7:15
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but
inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
NIV Matthew 24:11
and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
NIV Acts 20:30-31
Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw
away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I
never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
NIV 2 Peter 2:1 But
there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false
teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even
denying the sovereign Lord who bought them-- bringing swift destruction on
themselves.
NIV 2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting
and training in righteousness,
NIV 2 Timothy 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them
repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others . . .
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