Liberalism

WHAT IS LIBERALISM ? “There is nothing new under the sun…” - Ecclesiastes 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

WHAT IS LIBERALISM ? w Modern name given to old practice wThere have always been liberals in Biblical history wLiberalism has to do with an attitude toward God’s revelation and one’s relationship to it.

LIBERALS OR CONSERVATIVES w Conservative: disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc., or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change. w Liberal: favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs. Dictionary.com

DEBATE NOT CONFINED TO CHURCHES OF CHRIST w Politics w Catholics w Protestants w Garden of Eden! (Genesis 3) wConservative - Jehovah wLiberal - Satan wWas There A Right or Wrong?

DISCUSSION PRESUPPOSES A STANDARD OF AUTHORITY Politics and Constitution Catholics and Papacy Protestants and Creeds w Relativism or “Pluralism” denies a standard: Situation Ethics w One is as good as another w There is no right or wrong

GOD ESTABLISHED A STANDARD IN OLD TESTAMENT Deuteronomy 6:1-9; 8:1 Deuteronomy 28:1-14 (cf ) Liberals Condemned - Deut. 13:1-5 Attitude: “Like the nations” 1 Samuel 8:5 - spirit of liberalism Spirit of Discontent, “progress.”

NEW TESTAMENT IS ALSO A STANDARD Galatians 1:6-9; Jude 3; Philippians 1:17 2 Timothy 1:13; 2:2; 3:16-17 Liberals Condemned – 2 John 9-11; Revelation 22:18-19 Attitude: “turn from truth” 2 Timothy 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 Timothy 1:8-10; 2 Timothy 1:13; 4:3 Compare Isaiah 1:2-6 - unhealthy Spiritual soundness is found in following God’s Revelation

EXAMPLES OF LIBERALISM First Century - 2 Thessalonians 2:3-7; Acts 20:28- 32; 1 Timothy 4: in America ◦Missionary Society - 1 Timothy 3:15 ◦Instrumental Music - Ephesians 5: ’s in America

LIBERALISM ISSUES – 1 Centralized Control: Brotherhood elders, sponsoring churches, local churches under larger churches; missionary societies Sound Doctrine: Acts 14:23; 1 Peter 5:1-2; Philippians 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: Ephesians 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 Corinthians 16:1-2; Acts 6:1-4; James 1:27; 1 Timothy 5:8-16 Example: orphanages, nursing homes, hospitals, day care centers

LIBERALISM ISSUES – 4 Social Activities as work of church: Church kitchens, gyms, ball games, skits, youth directors, ski trips, youth churches Sound Doctrine: John 4:24; 1 Timothy 3:15; Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:22, 34 Work of Home Confused: Ephesians 6:4

CONFLICT IS INEVITABLE Spirit of Liberalism Demands Change: Be “unrestricted,” “progressive,” something new. Spirit of Liberalism opposed by sound preaching - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; 1 Timothy 6:3-5 To Obey Is Better – 1 Samuel 15:22; 2 Thessalonians 1:8

LIBERALISM AND THE PLAN OF SALVATION Great Commission: Mark 16:16 Compromise: Be “progressive” “positive,” “non-judgmental” Spirit of Liberalism embarrassed by sound preaching - John 6:60-66 To Obey is Better - Acts 4:18-20