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Liberalism & Its Views Introduction: In our first lesson we pointed out that "modern theology" and liberalism denies the very inspiration of the Bible. As such religion is totally dependent on what man thinks of God and what man wants. At the same time we must recognize many of our religious neighbors claim to believe in the Bible but practice a much different kind of religion than that in the Bible. Churches with women preachers, hand clapping, instrumental music, Lord's Supper on Saturday night, blue jean services, sprinkling of infants, etc. as some of the fruits of liberalism. In this lesson we want to understand how many religious people view subjects such as grace, the church, faith, and love. I) Liberalism's View Of Grace A) Grace 1. Admittedly can be a difficult subject and misunderstood. a. A popular song a few years ago had the words "Not who I am but who He is. Not what I have done but what He did." b. Many believe salvation is totally by grace without faith or obedience. 2. We will all be saved by grace is true but many use grace a justification for sin. a. None of us are perfect. b. Minimizes sin and its effect on our salvation. 3. We are saved by grace so reading and studying the Bible is not essential to our salvation. a. The Biblical pattern in worship is not important. b. Allows man to accept unauthorized worship -- Jeroboam's calf worship, Cain's sacrifice, David's ox cart. B) Grace -- unmerited favor. 1. Does man deserve grace? Can that which is created deserve blessings from its Creator? a. God owes us nothing! b. The faithful servant in Luke 17.10 is called unprofitable. 2. We need and have received God's grace, James 1.17 a. Physically we receive God's grace, Acts 14.17 b. In order to have food man must plan, cultivate, and harvest the crop. c. Man must then eat the food in order to benefit from God's grace. 3. Introduction of sin in Genesis 3.6 a. By sin, death entered into the world, Romans 5.12 b. In the Garden of Eden, God's grace was manifested in His plan for man's redemption, Genesis 3.15 c. Paul used the word "grace" in our redemption through Christ, Romans 3.24 d. Spiritually we receive God's grace, Ephesians 2.8 4. God's grace requires something a. Physical blessings are due to God's grace, but still require work. b. Spiritual blessings in Christ require obedience, Romans 16.26 i. Jesus identifies the saved, Matthew 7.21 ii. Grace does not excuse sin, Hab. 1.3 iii. Grace teaches us how to live apart from sin, Titus 2.11-12 II) Liberalism' View of The Cross and The Church A) Liberalism denies the necessity of Christ's church 1. Promotes denominationalism 2. Promotes religions outside of Christ a. Book of Mormon, Koran, Watch Tower, Catholic Catechism, etc. b. Are all seen as equal to the Bible. B) Redemption and the cross 1. Theme of Genesis 1 is God, 32 times in 31 verses God is mention. 2. Theme of Genesis 2 is man -- Genesis 1.31 God's perfect creation; Genesis 2.25 man's innocence. 3. Genesis 3 man's sin and God's redemptive work. 4. Old Covenant was an antitype or shadow of the New Covenant, Hebrews 9.22 a. Law of Moses given by God, sealed with blood, demanded obedience b. Law of Christ -- given by God, ratified by the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9.14), blood of the covenant (Hebrews 10.29), demands obedience. c. The Book of Mormon, Koran, Watch Tower, Catholic Catechism -- Not from God, not ratified by Christ's blood, not the New Covenant. 5. By His death on the cross Jesus paid the sacrifice for sin a. He built His church, Matthew 16.18 b. The saved are added to His church, Acts 2.47 c. There is one body, Ephesians 4.4 d. Group purchased by His blood, Acts 20.28 III) Liberalism's View of Love A) Love is seen outside the Law 1. Just have the spirit of love and you can practice whatever you want. 2. Liberalism professes a greater love for God. 3. Denies the need for the Lord's church and Bible authority. B) Bible Love 1. An act of God and man's will, Matthew 22.37 2. Knowledge and love go together, Phil. 1.9 3. The commandments of God (The Law) contain God's Love. 4. Love demands obedience, John 14.15 a. Possible to show obedience without love, 1 Corinthians 13.3 b. Impossible to love God and not obey His law. IV) Liberalism's View of Faith A) Liberalism equates faith to opinion and personal feelings 1. Denies the need for book, chapter, and verse preaching. 2. Sees Bible authority as too old fashion. B) Bible faith 1. Comes from hearing, Romans 10.17 a. No word -- no faith b. Know the word -- Know the faith 2. Faith works together with grace, Ephesians 2.8 a. Law of works condemned (self righteousness) Romans 3.27 b. Law of faith (man's trusting in God) Romans 3.27 is the "obedience of the faith" Romans 16.26 c. Trusting God versus trusting self, Psalm 119.47 d. Faith is what moves man to repent, to confess, to be baptized, and faithfulness in keeping the law.
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