Room in the Middle
I'm reading a book published by Alban entitled Lost in the Middle (Alban, 2009), by Wesley Wildman and Stephen Garner. I'll comment more fully on the book and the points it makes at a later date, but I'd like us to consider what it means to live in the middle. The last time I asked the question about where people stood, the respondents generally took the discussion in a political rather than a theological direction. I think its important to note that one's politics and one's theology can be different.
So, today I want to pose a different question -- it's a question that the book poses as well: Can one be both liberal and evangelical?
The authors of the book note, rightly so, that while liberal and conservative may be opposites, liberal and evangelical need not be. Going back in history, Charles A. Briggs, a biblical scholar at Union Seminary, who was defrocked for heresy because he engaged in historical critical study, was still in his profession of faith very evangelical.
As for me, my politics is fairly liberal, I use historical critical tools. I find great value in the social gospel tradition, and I'm actively involved in interfaith work. I lean toward a universalist perspective. But, I preach Jesus. I pray in Jesus name (when that's appropriate to the occasion). So, I'm a Jesus centered, evangelical universalist, who takes the bible seriously, though not always literally.
That's where I stand, which probably puts me in the middle. How about you?
So, today I want to pose a different question -- it's a question that the book poses as well: Can one be both liberal and evangelical?
The authors of the book note, rightly so, that while liberal and conservative may be opposites, liberal and evangelical need not be. Going back in history, Charles A. Briggs, a biblical scholar at Union Seminary, who was defrocked for heresy because he engaged in historical critical study, was still in his profession of faith very evangelical.
As for me, my politics is fairly liberal, I use historical critical tools. I find great value in the social gospel tradition, and I'm actively involved in interfaith work. I lean toward a universalist perspective. But, I preach Jesus. I pray in Jesus name (when that's appropriate to the occasion). So, I'm a Jesus centered, evangelical universalist, who takes the bible seriously, though not always literally.
That's where I stand, which probably puts me in the middle. How about you?
Comments
I just wanted everyone to get along. It (liberalism) sure didn't rub off on all of my siblings.
I'm middle still I guess, but it doesn't mean I'm not passionate.
David Mc
John
Even though I expect many would think my use of critical biblical studies to be to the "left" of Bruce, my theology to contain more "progressive" elements than his, and my politics on the left wing of the Democratic Party, I still think Bruce's answer works for me.
I am evangelical because I am gospel centered as the word implies. I am NOT a capital "E" Evangelical because I do not fit in the U.S. Evangelical subculture.
-Ryan
http://ryanmccarl.blogspot.com
I would go a step further and say that you can't be a liberal(theologically) and be a real Christian, since liberals take the Bible neither literally nor seriously, despite your claims that you do.
I can be succinct:
You are wrong in virtually every generalization you asserted about Christian liberals.
John
You don't have to call yourself a liberal.
Just act like one.
JC (kidding, it's David Mc)
I'm not a liberal (in the classic "liberal-protestant model) at all and I know that to be false of many liberals.
Some of the church fathers (origen, gregory of nyssa) were universalists and were arguably more orthodox than any modern evangelical.