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Fundamentals Of Liberalism Introduction: The terms liberal and liberalism are thrown around a lot. We hear the term in politics where a person may run as a liberal. Depending on your political view the term can be either good or bad. The terms are used in religion as a scholar may be a "liberal theologian." The fact is the term means different things to different people. I may think of liberal differently than you. For example during the 50's and 60's liberal referred to congregations that sent money to a college or orphan home, in the 70's and 80's it came to be used describing congregations with family life centers, gyms, and social ministries. In this lesson I want us to understand the difference between liberalism and its fruits. For some liberalism has nothing to do with a college in the church budget or a gym. Example: A few years ago a congregation split. One lady said they had gone liberal. I don't know if she was really insightful or just using the term to try and prejudice people but she may have been right. I) More Current Fruits of Liberalism A) Denial of the inspiration of the scriptures. B) Denial of the miracles in the Bible. C) Denial of the deity of Jesus D) Denial of heaven and hell E) Denial of God's authority II) Liberalism Denies What The Bible States A) The Bible is viewed as the product of men, Romans 11.33 1. Miracles are either exaggerations of lies, i.e. Walls of Jericho falling down, parting of the Red Sea, resurrection of Jesus, etc. 2. The apostles are seen as men trying to come up with a story that would appeal to the people, 2 Peter 1.16 B) The creation account is seen as the product of different cultures coming together in one story, Genesis 1. & 2 1. Liberal scholars tend to regard the figure of Satan as a much later invention of Jewish theology. 2. The Quest for the Historical Jesus, (1906) looks for the "real Jesus" instead of the mythical Jesus. 3. One topic in a lectureship a few years ago was "Did Mary Magdalene Exist Before Mark Created Her?" 4. We need to see what Nebuchadnezzar saw, Daniel 4.35. a) He saw the existence of God b) He saw the power of God C) God's word is powerful and authoritative, Hebrew 4.12 1. This is replaced with God's word is what we want it to be. 2. The Bible is just another book that depends on our private interpretation. 3. Modernism and the Bible a. "One who makes the methods and results of modern thought and life the norms for judging the claims of religious traditions" b. "It is an attempt to fuse Biblical teaching with modern philosophical and scientific learning. In the process, however, the Bible is made to conform to the new learning" 3. "belief that the proper response to modern thought is to make radical alterations in Christian doctrine" i.e. Homosexuality, sexual immorality, idolatry, etc. 4. "Modernism assumes the literal meaning of Scripture is to be dismissed in any case where such conflicts with modern scientific theory or philosophical thought" D) God is holy and demands holiness, 1 Peter 1.15-16 1. Holiness is defined by God. How do we know what is holy? God tells us. 2. This is replaced by cultural ethics and morality is relative 3. Preaching about sin is wrong due to being judgmental. E) God is merciful and calls for mercy, Matthew 5.7 1. Mercy is extended to those who come to God for mercy. F) God is love and demands our love, Matthew 22.37ff 1. How is love defined? Culturally or Biblically? III) Can A Man Be Viewed Separate From His Words? A) Jesus says our words reveals our heart, Matthew 15.18 1. Why is telling a lie so wrong, or a dirty joke? 2. Only if he can be delivered from his mind, Matthew 12.34 3. A letter or words reveals the thoughts of the heart. B) The Bible is the word of God 1. Reveals His mind and character, 1 Corinthians 1.12-13 2. To disregard the Bible is to disregard the very mind and character of God IV) Liberalism vs. Reverence, Psalms 111.9 A) Liberalism says "No big deal" 1. Emotions over the mind; what feels right, what seems right to you? 2. The flesh is more important than the spirit; what do we need physically is seen as the primary purpose of religion. 3. Man is over God a. Jeroboam instituted worship at Dan and Bethel, 1 Kings 12 b. David and the ox cart c. Cain's self willed sacrifice 4. Biblical example: Ezra 9.2 only 8 years from captivity, Ezra 10.1-3 we see the repentance of Israel B) Reverence 1. Eli trembled for the ark of God, 1 Samuel 4.13 2. Let the people tremble, Psalm 99.1 Conclusion: God is look for a people, Isaiah 66.2. Are you such a person? Instead of being afraid of what people will think or what everybody else is doing we need to care what God thinks and what He wants us to do. |