Classical Liberalism (in theology, not politics), shows the shift in the way theology is done to a more "modern" perspective. It holds some key concepts including the use of modern thought and in-depth examination of what Christians believe. It is a way of approaching and utilizing Scripture or the foundations of what we believe, not necessarily a certain viewpoint or conclusion about God and His people. I think at a start, these concepts are useful in the evaluation of what you believe, but I think the result takes these concepts too far. From it, we see what we will deal with in the rest of the post.
This site was very helpful http://theconnexion.net/wp/?p=2420#ixzz1cWOA38t
When I was doing this study I came across a very helpful blog that not only described theological liberalism and it's history, but the misuse of the term "liberalism" in Christian and theological circles was very frustrating to him. He said that often conservatives use the term liberal when it's something they disagree with, having nothing to do with whether it is actually liberal theology or not. This is something we need to be careful of. If we are so disgusted by the ignorance of others we had better be careful of our own ignorance when it comes to this subject.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson/2011/07/what-is-theological-liberalism/
2. What is your opinion of the Jesus Seminar?
No Comment...
Ok fine. I really, really don't like the Jesus Seminar. My gut level reaction is something like this...
But in all seriousness, the Jesus seminar uses their own understanding and opinion of the "historical Jesus" to decipher what he most likely said or did. In doing so, they rid the gospel of anything that really makes it The Gospel. Here's what they say about their final version of the Bible.
"Unlike other major translations into English, the Scholars Version is being created free of ecclesiastical and religious control. The language is meant to produce in the reader an experience comparable to that of the first readers—or listeners—of the original."
Seriously? The only people I would trust deciphering and interpreting the Bible are the people that live their life by it.
3. What is your opinion of Liberation Theology?
In my basic understanding, this movement is one characterized by interpreting social justice from the Bible. The people take the teachings of Jesus and other passages and interpret them through a lens of libertation from injustice. This view is often advocated from the viewpoint of the poor and can lead to forms of Marxism.
My opinion is that Liberation Theology holds value but doesn't quite grasp the point of the gospel. It views the gospel as a movement of freedom against oppression. Rather than the oppression of sin, this would lean toward the oppression of social and political contributors. Although I don't think my generalization holds true for all who follow Liberation Theology.
When I think of Liberation theology I think of this song, probably because of the one line in the middle that reads "...freedom fighter dying on the cross for you..."
4. What is your evaluation of "higher criticism"?
Higher criticism is a funny concept because it claims itself as a "better" criticism in it's own name... Or it just gives that impression. Actually the name is not meant in that way, it is just a contrast to "lower" criticism, but who gave "lower" criticism it's name?
The whole process of higher criticism is confusing to me and appears to be a practice advocated mostly by people who evaluate the scriptures from a biased hand. I did find a source that included the main questions about higher criticism and it was very helpful. It shows that not all higher criticism is or was so biased.... here it is.
http://user.xmission.com/~fidelis/volume1/chapter1/hague.php
5. What is the basic idea behind Process Theology?
The basic idea of Process theology is that everything is being processed. Nothing stays the same, not even God.
8 Points of Process Theology
- Everything is in process; reality is flowing; nothing ever stays the same.
- All things are interconnected; no human is an island; things are present in one another even as they have their autonomy.
- The whole of nature has value; all live beings deserve respect; human beings are not the sole repository of value.
- Human beings find happiness in sharing experiences with others; there are no isolated egos; all selves are selves-in-relation; humans become whole through reciprocity.
- The essence of the universe is a continuous creativity of which all things are expressions; there is creativity in plants and animals, hills and rivers, trees and stars.
- All beings seek harmony as their guiding ideal; harmony includes differences; the whole of the universe is a harmony of harmonies.
- Thinking and emotion cannot be sharply separated; mind and body are not two; even thinking is a form of feeling; aesthetic wisdom and rational inquiry are complementary.
- Every moment of human experience begins, not with projecting things onto the world or even acting in the world, but with feeling the presence of the world and being affected by it.
http://processandfaith.org/about/what-process-theology
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