1. WHAT IS LIBERALISM ? “There is nothing new under the sun…” Eccl. 1:8 “There is nothing new under the sun…” Eccl. 1:8 Modernism is not modern Modernism is not modern New thoughts are not new New thoughts are not new Innovations are repeats Innovations are repeats If it is true, it is not new; if it is new, it is not true If it is true, it is not new; if it is new, it is not true

2. LIBERALISM IS ANCIENT Modern name given to old practice Modern name given to old practice There have always been liberals in Biblical history 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. Liberalism has to do with an attitude toward God’s revelation and one’s relationship to it.

3. LIBERALISM AND CONSERVATISM

4. DEFINING TERMS Conservatism: “the practice of preserving what is established; disposition to oppose change in established institutions and methods” (Webster, p. 389) Conservatism: “the practice of preserving what is established; disposition to oppose change in established institutions and methods” (Webster, p. 389) Liberal/ism: “not literal or strict; as, a liberal interpretation of the constitution…. one who advocates greater freedom of thought or action” (p. 1042); “progressive” (Wordrefer- ence.com) Liberal/ism: “not literal or strict; as, a liberal interpretation of the constitution…. one who advocates greater freedom of thought or action” (p. 1042); “progressive” (Wordrefer- ence.com) Dictionary definitions avoid prejudice Dictionary definitions avoid prejudice

5. I. DEBATE NOT CONFINED TO CHURCHES OF CHRIST Politics Politics Catholics Catholics Protestants Protestants Garden of Eden ! (Gen. 3) Garden of Eden ! (Gen. 3) Conservative - Jehovah Conservative - Jehovah Liberal - Satan Liberal - Satan Was there a right or wrong? Was there a right or wrong? LIBERALISM AND CONSERVATISM

6. Politics and Constitution Politics and Constitution Catholics and Tradition/Papacy Catholics and Tradition/Papacy Protestants and Creeds Protestants and Creeds Relativism or “Pluralism” denies a standard: Situation Ethics Relativism or “Pluralism” denies a standard: Situation Ethics One is as good as another One is as good as another There is no right or wrong There is no right or wrong LIBERALISM AND CONSERVATISM II. DISCUSSION PRESUPPOSES A STANDARD OF AUTHORITY

7. GOD ESTABLISHED A STANDARD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT Deut. 6:1-9; 8:1 Deut. 6:1-9; 8:1 Deut. 28:1-14 (cf. 15-68) Deut. 28:1-14 (cf. 15-68) Liberals Condemned, Deut. 13:1-5 Liberals Condemned, Deut. 13:1-5 Attitude: “Like the nations,” 1 Sam. 8:5, spirit of liberalism Attitude: “Like the nations,” 1 Sam. 8:5, spirit of liberalism Spirit of discontent, “freedom of thought” Spirit of discontent, “freedom of thought” LIBERALISM AND CONSERVATISM II. DISCUSSION PRESUPPOSES A STANDARD OF AUTHORITY

8. NEW TESTAMENT IS ALSO A STANDARD Gal. 1:6-9; Jude 3 Gal. 1:6-9; Jude 3 2 Tim. 1:13; 2:2; 3:16-17 2 Tim. 1:13; 2:2; 3:16-17 Liberals Condemned, 2 Jno. 9-11; Rev. 22:18-19 Liberals Condemned, 2 Jno. 9-11; Rev. 22:18-19 Attitude: “turn from truth,” 2 Tim. 4:1-4, spirit of liberalism Attitude: “turn from truth,” 2 Tim. 4:1-4, spirit of liberalism LIBERALISM AND CONSERVATISM II. DISCUSSION PRESUPPOSES A STANDARD OF AUTHORITY

9. Spirit of Liberalism: Be “progressive,” “freedom of thought,” “non-judgmental” Spirit of Liberalism: Be “progressive,” “freedom of thought,” “non-judgmental” Conservatives offend, embarrass, or otherwise trouble liberals by sound preaching, 2 Cor. 10:3-5; 1 Tim. 6:3-5 Conservatives offend, embarrass, or otherwise trouble liberals 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 To Obey Is Better, 1 Sam. 15:22; 2 Thes. 1:8 LIBERALISM AND CONSERVATISM II. DISCUSSION PRESUPPOSES A STANDARD OF AUTHORITY

10. “Liberal” and “Conservative” are human terms for attitudes toward the Bible “Liberal” and “Conservative” are human terms for attitudes toward the Bible Biblical word, “sound” (healthy) 1 Tim. 1:8- 10; 2 Tim. 1:13; 4:3 Biblical word, “sound” (healthy) 1 Tim. 1:8- 10; 2 Tim. 1:13; 4:3 Compare, Isa. 1:4-6, unhealthy Compare, Isa. 1:4-6, unhealthy Spiritual soundness is found in following God’s revelation Spiritual soundness is found in following God’s revelation LIBERALISM AND CONSERVATISM III. THE DEBATE BETWEEN LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES IS MORE THAN NAME- CALLING OR PREJUDICE

11. First Century, Matt. 23:16-22; Acts 20:28-32 First Century, Matt. 23:16-22; Acts 20:28-32 1875-1925 in America 1875-1925 in America Missionary Society, 1 Tim. 3:15 Missionary Society, 1 Tim. 3:15 Instrumental Music, Eph. 5:19 Instrumental Music, Eph. 5:19 1950’s in America  1950’s in America  LIBERALISM AND CONSERVATISM IV. EXAMPLES OF LIBERALISM

12. ISSUES OF THE 1950’s Centralized Control: Brotherhood elders, sponsoring churches, local churches under larger churches; steering committees Centralized Control: Brotherhood elders, sponsoring churches, local churches under larger churches; steering committees Acts 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:1-2; Phil. 1:1 Acts 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:1-2; Phil. 1:1 Repeat of First Century and 1800’s, Acts 20:28-30 Repeat of First Century and 1800’s, Acts 20:28-30 Result: Boston “Mother” Church Result: Boston “Mother” Church LIBERALISM AND CONSERVATISM IV. EXAMPLES OF LIBERALISM

13. Institutionalism: Big businesses; Church unable to do its work of evangelism, edifica- tion or benevolence; subsidize institution Institutionalism: Big businesses; Church unable to do its work of evangelism, edifica- tion or benevolence; subsidize institution Eph. 4:11-16; 3:8-11 Eph. 4:11-16; 3:8-11 Result: Church supported hospitals Result: Church supported hospitals ISSUES OF THE 1950’s LIBERALISM AND CONSERVATISM IV. EXAMPLES OF LIBERALISM

14. Social activities as work of church: Church kitchens, gyms, ball games, skits, youth directors, ski trips, youth churches Social activities as work of church: Church kitchens, gyms, ball games, skits, youth directors, ski trips, youth churches Jno. 4:24; 1 Tim. 3:15; Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 11:22, 34; Eph. 4:11-13 Jno. 4:24; 1 Tim. 3:15; Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 11:22, 34; Eph. 4:11-13 Result: Many churches have lost their distinctiveness; they are like denominations Result: Many churches have lost their distinctiveness; they are like denominations ISSUES OF THE 1950’s LIBERALISM AND CONSERVATISM IV. EXAMPLES OF LIBERALISM

15. LIBERALISM AND THE PLAN OF SALVATION Be “progressive,” “allow freedom of thought,” “non-judgmental” Be “progressive,” “allow freedom of thought,” “non-judgmental” Result: Recognize those in denominations as saved Result: Recognize those in denominations as saved To Obey is Better, Acts 5:29 To Obey is Better, Acts 5:29 LIBERALISM AND CONSERVATISM IV. EXAMPLES OF LIBERALISM

16. LIBERALISM AND MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, AND REMARRIAGE Aliens are not under God’s marriage law Aliens are not under God’s marriage law Matt. 19:9; Jno. 12:48 Matt. 19:9; Jno. 12:48 Result: All marriages are right in the sight of God Result: All marriages are right in the sight of God LIBERALISM AND CONSERVATISM IV. EXAMPLES OF LIBERALISM

17. LIBERALISM AND THE DAYS OF CREATION “Creation days were ages;” “Creation week was billions of years long.” “Creation days were ages;” “Creation week was billions of years long.” Gen. 1:1-2:2 Gen. 1:1-2:2 Result: Deny miraculous in Bible Result: Deny miraculous in Bible LIBERALISM AND CONSERVATISM IV. EXAMPLES OF LIBERALISM

18. LIBERALISM AND CONSERVATISM IV. EXAMPLES OF LIBERALISM I. DEBATE NOT CONFINED TO CHURCHES OF CHRIST II. DISCUSSION PRESUPPOSES A STANDARD OF AUTHORITY III. THE DEBATE BETWEEN LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES IS MORE THAN NAME- CALLING OR PREJUDICE

19. DEFINING TERMS Conservatism: “the practice of preserving what is established; disposition to oppose change in established institutions and methods” (Webster, p. 389) Conservatism: “the practice of preserving what is established; disposition to oppose change in established institutions and methods” (Webster, p. 389) Liberal/ism: “not literal or strict; as, a liberal interpretation of the constitution…. one who advocates greater freedom of thought or action” (p. 1042); “progressive” (Wordrefer- ence.com) Liberal/ism: “not literal or strict; as, a liberal interpretation of the constitution…. one who advocates greater freedom of thought or action” (p. 1042); “progressive” (Wordrefer- ence.com)