WHAT IS LIBERALISM ?

“There is nothing new under the sun…” - Eccl. 1:8

• Modernism is not modern• New Thoughts are not new• Innovations are repeats• If it is true, it is not new, if it is

new, it is not true

By Tom Roberts

WHAT IS LIBERALISM ?

Modern name given to old practice

There have always been liberals in Biblical history

Liberalism has to do with an attitude toward God’s revelation and one’s relationship to it.

LIBERALS OR CONSERVATIVES

Conservatism: “disposition to preserve what is established; opposition to innovation or change.”“To defend standard”

Liberalism: “favorable to progress or reform…asunrestricted as possible”

Dictionary Definition avoids prejudice

DEBATE NOT CONFINED TO CHURCHES OF CHRIST

Politics Catholics Protestants Garden of Eden ! (Gen. 3)

Conservative - Jehovah Liberal - Satan Was There A Right or Wrong?

DISCUSSION PRESUPPOSES A STANDARD OF AUTHORITY

Politics and Constitution Catholics and Papacy

Protestants and Creeds Relativism or “Pluralism” denies a

standard: Situation Ethics One is as good as another There is no right or wrong

GOD ESTABLISHED A STANDARD IN OLD TESTAMENT

• Deut. 6:1-9; 8:1 • Deut. 28:1-14 (cf: 15-68)• Liberals Condemned - Deut. 13:1-5• Attitude: “Like the nations”

1 Sam. 8:5 - spirit of liberalism• Spirit of Discontent, “progress.”

NEW TESTAMENT IS ALSO A STANDARD

• Gal. 1:6-9; Jude 3; Phil. 1:17 • 2 Tim. 1:13; 2:2; 3:16-17• Liberals Condemned –

2 John 9-11; Rev. 22:18-19• Attitude: “turn from truth”

2 Tim. 4:1-4 - spirit of liberalism

DEBATE IS MORE THAN NAME-CALLING OR PREJUDICE

“Liberal” and “Conservative” are human terms for Biblical Attitudes

• Biblical word - “Sound” (healthy)• 1 Tim. 1:8-10; 2 Tim. 1:13; 4:3

• Compare Isa. 1:4-6 - unhealthy• Spiritual soundness is found in

following God’s Revelation

EXAMPLES OF LIBERALISM

• First Century - 2 Thes. 2:3-7; Acts 20:28-32; 1 Tim. 4:1-3

• 1875-1925 in America• Missionary Society - 1 Tim. 3:15• Instrumental Music - Eph. 5:19

• 1950’s in America

LIBERALISM ISSUES OF 1950

• Centralized Control: Brotherhood elders, sponsoring churches, local churches under larger churches; missionary societies

• Sound Doctrine: Acts 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:1-2; Phil. 1:1

• Elders are restricted to local church. Liberalism denies it.

LIBERALISM ISSUES -2

• Institutionalism: Big Businesses; Church unable to do its work of evangelism, edification or benevolence; subsidize institution; church is “unable”

• Sound Doctrine:Eph. 4:11-16; 3:8-11

• Example: TCU, ACU, “Homes”

LIBERALISM ISSUES -3

• Benevolence: Care of needy became issue. Not lack of care, but should institutions replace the Lord’s church and individual care.

• Sound Doctrine: 1 Cor. 16:1-2;Acts 6:1-4; James 1:27; 1 Tim. 5:8-16

• Example: Boles Home, Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Day Care

LIBERALISM ISSUES - 4

• Social Activities as work of church: Church kitchens, gyms, ball games, skits, youth directors, ski trips, youth churches

• Sound Doctrine: Jn. 4:24;1 Tim. 3:15; Acts 2:42;1 Cor. 11:22, 34

• Work of Home Confused-Eph. 6:4

CONFLICT IS INEVITABLE

• Spirit of Liberalism Demands Change: Be “unrestricted,” “progressive,” something new.

• Spirit of Liberalism opposed by sound preaching - 2 Cor. 10:3-5; 1 Tim. 6:3-5

• To Obey Is Better –1 Sam. 15:22; 2 Thes. 1:8

LIBERALISM AND THE PLAN OF SALVATION

• Great Commission: Mk. 16:16 • Compromise: Be “progressive”

“positive,” “non-judgmental”• Spirit of Liberalism embarrassed

by sound preaching - Jn. 6:60-66

• To Obey is Better - Acts 4:18-20