Liberal Christianity

Introduction

Liberal Christianity, Progressive Christianity or Liberalism is a movement within Christianity that is often characterized by the following features:

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• internal diversity of opinion
• an embracing of higher criticism of the Bible with a corresponding willingness to question supernatural elements of biblical stories (e.g., the virgin birth)
• the rejection of biblical literalism and the inerrancy of the Bible
• the freedom to construct one's own personal view of God
• broader views on salvation than those held by conservative Christians, including universalist beliefs
• an emphasis on inclusive fellowship and community, often applied in recent years to homosexuals
• a willingness to consider and adopt viewpoints which have their roots outside of Christianity
• a willingness to combine theology with modern scientific theories