Liberal Christianity

Difficulties in definition

Diversity of opinion is a central characteristic of liberal Christianity, and one which makes it difficult to define with precision. Liberal Christianity exists within many denominations throughout the Christian world, and is often described as 'modernism', though it would be more accurate to describe modernism as a movement within liberal Christianity, since not all liberal Christians are modernists. The American 'Christian Right' might describe it as the 'Christian Left', which is also something of a misnomer: such labels are readily applied by opponents of liberal Christianity, but its adherents see it as a much broader and more inclusive movement. Because of its relations to progressive thinking, liberal Christianity is often described as Progressive Christianity in an attempt to redefine it in a way that does not associate it with modernism, since postmodernist views are increasingly becoming part and parcel of liberal Christian discourse. It is even problematic to draw a distinction along theological lines, at least in terms of the individual, since many who would accept the label liberal Christian hold to a mix of conservative and liberal theological positions, so there is really a continuum of views. Thus among theological liberals, some would be more liberal than others. For example, Karl Barth was more conservative theologically than Rudolf Bultmann. Even among conservatives there is a continuum. Evangelicals, for instance, are more "liberal" than fundamentalists. There is also a distinction to be made between liberal Christianity and Christian liberalism: the former usually implies a liberal theological outlook, the latter a liberal political outlook to which some theologically conservative Christians adhere. It is quite possible for someone to be liberal in their politics while at the same time holding strongly orthodox theological views. The reverse is also true, although few liberal Christians would in practice be likely to support the Religious Right.

Related Topics:
Denomination - Modernism - Christian Right - Christian Left - Progressive Christianity - Postmodernist - Karl Barth - Rudolf Bultmann

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Ultimately, the word liberal connotes a more progressive attitude towards Christianity based on individualism, in its emphasis on individual subjective experience, and liberalism, in its respect for the freedom of the individual to hold and express views which fall outside the boundaries of conservative orthodoxy and tradition. Disagreements between conservative and liberal Christians arise most frequently when the latter perceive that the former are exhibiting a lack of compassion, mercy, love and inclusiveness, and when the former perceive the latter to be abandoning essential Christian doctrines.

Related Topics:
Individualism - Liberalism - Compassion

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