Theological Liberalism is a movement that began in the 18th and 19th centuries as a response to the Enlightenment, and it sought to reconcile Christian faith with modern thought, scientific discoveries, and critical approaches to the Bible. Unlike traditional Christianity, which relies on the Bible as the authoritative revelation of God, Theological Liberalism emphasizes human reason, personal experience, and moral progress as central to understanding God and faith. It often downplays or denies essential Christian doctrines like the inspiration of Scripture, the deity of Christ, the atonement, and miracles.
History of Theological Liberalism
Enlightenment Influence: The Enlightenment (17th-18th centuries) dramatically shifted the intellectual landscape in Europe and North America. Thinkers like John Locke, Immanuel Kant, and David Hume emphasized human reason, empiricism, and skepticism toward supernatural claims. Enlightenment philosophy stressed rationalism, the autonomy of the individual, and the scientific method as the means to understand the world, which created tensions with traditional Christian teachings rooted in divine revelation and supernatural events.
As this rationalist worldview grew in prominence, it led some theologians to adapt Christian teachings to fit modern intellectual and scientific sensibilities. These theologians sought to maintain the ethical teachings of Christianity while abandoning or reinterpreting doctrines that seemed incompatible with reason or science.
Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768-1834): Often considered the father of modern theological liberalism, Friedrich Schleiermacher attempted to redefine Christianity in terms of human experience, particularly the experience of dependence on God. In his work On Religion: Speeches to Its Cultured Despisers (1799), he argued that the essence of religion is not found in doctrine or historical events (such as the resurrection of Christ) but in the feeling of absolute dependence on a higher power. Schleiermacher minimized the importance of traditional doctrines like the Trinity and the atonement, viewing them as secondary to personal religious experience.
19th-Century Development: As theological liberalism spread, theologians like Albrecht Ritschl (1822–1889) emphasized ethical living and the moral example of Jesus over His divinity and atoning work. Ritschl’s influence led to a focus on social ethics, with the goal of improving society through the moral teachings of Jesus. The Social Gospel Movement in America, led by figures like Walter Rauschenbusch (1861–1918), applied these principles to issues like poverty and labor rights, emphasizing the establishment of the Kingdom of God through social reform rather than through conversion and spiritual regeneration.
Biblical Criticism and Science: Higher criticism, a method of interpreting the Bible that developed in the 19th century, applied historical and literary analysis to the Scriptures. Pioneered by scholars like Julius Wellhausen, this approach questioned the historical reliability of biblical narratives, especially the miracles and supernatural elements. Liberal theologians often embraced higher criticism, leading them to view the Bible as a human document shaped by cultural and historical forces, rather than as divine revelation.
Additionally, the rise of Darwinian evolution challenged the biblical account of creation and contributed to the liberal tendency to demythologize the Bible by interpreting its stories symbolically or metaphorically rather than as literal, historical events.
Theology of Theological Liberalism
Theology within the liberal tradition often diverges from historic Christian orthodoxy in several critical ways:
Rejection of Biblical Inerrancy and Inspiration: Theological Liberalism generally rejects the idea that the Bible is the inerrant or inspired Word of God. Instead, it sees Scripture as a collection of religious writings shaped by human authors who were limited by their cultural contexts. The Bible is treated as fallible, and its moral and spiritual teachings are often interpreted in light of modern values.
Denial of the Deity of Christ: Many liberal theologians reject the traditional doctrine of the divinity of Jesus. They often view Jesus as a great moral teacher or prophet rather than the incarnate Son of God. Schleiermacher, for instance, emphasized Jesus as the perfect example of God-consciousness rather than as God in the flesh. Similarly, liberal theologians may interpret the virgin birth, miracles, and the resurrection of Christ as symbolic or mythological, rather than historical realities.
Moral Example Theory of Atonement: Rather than emphasizing the substitutionary atonement of Christ—where Christ’s death is seen as a sacrifice for sin—liberal theology often promotes the moral example theory of atonement. This view suggests that Jesus’ death on the cross was not a penal substitution but rather an example of love and self-sacrifice for humanity to follow. This downplays the need for a sacrificial atonement for sin and focuses on the ethical teachings of Jesus as the heart of Christianity.
Optimistic View of Human Nature: Liberal theology generally holds a positive view of human nature, rejecting the orthodox doctrine of original sin and the inherent depravity of humanity. Liberal theologians tend to believe that humans are capable of moral progress and can work toward achieving the Kingdom of God through education, social reform, and ethical living. The concept of salvation is thus understood more as personal and social moral improvement rather than the reconciliation of sinners to a holy God through faith in Christ’s atoning work.
Focus on Social Justice: Theological liberalism often places a strong emphasis on social justice, particularly through movements like the Social Gospel. This view holds that the Christian faith should focus on addressing social issues such as poverty, inequality, and injustice, often prioritizing these concerns over traditional theological doctrines. The Kingdom of God is understood as a social reality to be achieved here on earth through human effort, rather than a future eschatological hope brought about by Christ’s return.
Why Theological Liberalism is Heretical
Theological Liberalism is considered heretical by historic Christian orthodoxy for several key reasons:
Denial of Scripture’s Authority: Liberalism’s rejection of the divine inspiration and infallibility of Scripture undermines the foundation of Christian faith. Traditional Christianity teaches that the Bible is the authoritative Word of God, revealing His will, plan of salvation, and truth. Liberalism’s emphasis on personal experience and reason over biblical revelation leads to a subjective, ever-changing faith, disconnected from the truth claims of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16).
Rejection of Christ’s Divinity and Atonement: Liberal theology’s denial of the deity of Christ and His atoning sacrifice on the cross represents a fundamental departure from historic Christianity. The early church, through creeds like the Nicene Creed and Chalcedonian Definition, affirmed that Jesus is both fully God and fully man, and that His death was necessary to atone for humanity’s sins (John 1:1, 14; 1 John 2:2). By denying these core doctrines, theological liberalism undermines the very basis of salvation.
Emphasis on Moralism Over Salvation: Liberalism’s focus on moral example and social reform shifts the message of Christianity from one of salvation from sin to one of moral improvement and ethical living. This disregards the biblical teaching that humanity is in need of redemption through faith in Christ, not merely moral guidance (Ephesians 2:8-9). The gospel becomes more about human achievement than about God’s grace.
Optimism About Human Nature: The optimistic view of human nature promoted by liberalism directly contradicts the biblical doctrine of human depravity and the need for regeneration by the Holy Spirit (Romans 3:23, 5:12). Historic Christianity teaches that humans are inherently sinful and cannot achieve salvation through their own efforts or moral progress but are entirely dependent on God’s grace.
Historic Christian Orthodox View
The historic Christian view is built upon several key affirmations that stand in contrast to theological liberalism:
The Authority of Scripture: Orthodox Christianity affirms that Scripture is divinely inspired and authoritative for all matters of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible reveals God’s will, His plan for salvation, and the truth of the gospel. Any theological system that undermines the authority of Scripture departs from this essential foundation.
The Deity of Christ: The historic Christian faith confesses that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man (John 1:1, 14). His incarnation, atoning death, and resurrection are central to the gospel message. The Nicene Creed (325 AD) affirms the eternal deity of Christ, which theological liberalism denies or downplays.
Salvation by Grace Through Faith: Orthodox Christianity teaches that salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ’s atoning work on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9). This stands in contrast to liberalism’s emphasis on human moral progress and ethical living as the primary means of transformation.
Human Sinfulness and the Need for Redemption: The Bible teaches that humanity is inherently sinful and in need of redemption through Christ (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23). Salvation is not about achieving moral improvement but being reconciled to God through the forgiveness of sins, made possible by Christ’s sacrificial death.
Modern-Day Iterations of Theological Liberalism
While theological liberalism is most closely associated with 19th- and 20th-century thinkers, its influence continues in various forms today. Some examples include:
Progressive Christianity: Progressive Christianity is perhaps the most prominent modern expression of theological liberalism. It emphasizes social justice, inclusivity, and moral reform, often prioritizing these values over doctrinal orthodoxy. Progressive Christians tend to reinterpret or reject traditional teachings on the deity of Christ, the atonement, and the authority of Scripture in favor of a more subjective and flexible understanding of faith.
The Emergent Church Movement: In the early 2000s, the Emergent Church Movement embraced postmodern skepticism toward absolute truth and emphasized community, dialogue, and social change over adherence to traditional Christian doctrine. Like theological liberalism, this movement often downplayed the importance of core Christian beliefs, such as the inerrancy of Scripture and the exclusivity of salvation in Christ.
Universalism and Pluralism: Many modern liberal theologians advocate for universalism (the belief that all people will eventually be saved) or religious pluralism (the belief that all religions are valid paths to God). This undermines the historic Christian teaching that salvation is found only in Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12) and is indicative of a broader departure from orthodox beliefs in favor of inclusivity and humanistic ideals.
Conclusion
Theological Liberalism represents a significant departure from historic Christian orthodoxy, as it seeks to adapt Christianity to modern intellectual trends by downplaying or rejecting essential Christian doctrines. By emphasizing human reason, experience, and moral progress over divine revelation and salvation through Christ’s atonement, theological liberalism ultimately distorts the gospel message. While its influence can still be seen in progressive Christianity, universalism, and other contemporary movements, historic Christian orthodoxy remains rooted in the authority of Scripture, the deity of Christ, and the need for salvation by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ.