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==Role of the Bible==

==Role of the Bible==

Liberals view the Bible as the ''witness'' of God rather than the ''word'' of God.  Strangely the view looks for support by a type of ''literal'' interpretation - though this should not be confused with the form of [[Biblical literalism]] found in fundamentalist and conservative churches - of the words of Paul in his second letter to Timothy:

Liberals view the Bible as the ''witness'' of God rather than the ''word'' of God.  Strangely the view looks for support by a type of ''literal'' interpretation — though this should not be confused with the form of [[Biblical literalism]] found in fundamentalist and conservative churches — of the words of Paul in his second letter to Timothy:

{{Bible quote|All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,...|book=2_Timothy|chap=3|verses=16}}

{{Bible quote|All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,...|book=2_Timothy|chap=3|verses=16}}

Here some see Paul conveying that that scripture is a direct result of the authors contact with God ("witness"), whilst stopping short of claiming actual divine authorship ("word").  [[Conservative Christianity|Conservative Christians]] would answer that Paul states here that the words which make up scripture are ''God-breathed'', and that the Bible records God's promise to preserve His words, not merely His ideas.<ref>[http://www.chick.com/information/bibleversions/preserve.asp God's promise to preserve His Word]</ref><ref>[http://www.biblebelievers.com/kam/kam_001.html All Scripture Is Given By Inspiration]</ref>

Here some see Paul conveying that that scripture is a direct result of the authors contact with God ("witness"), whilst stopping short of claiming actual divine authorship ("word").  [[Conservative Christianity|Conservative Christians]] would answer that Paul states here that the words which make up scripture are ''God-breathed'', and that the Bible records God's promise to preserve His words, not merely His ideas.<ref>[http://www.chick.com/information/bibleversions/preserve.asp God's promise to preserve His Word]</ref><ref>[http://www.biblebelievers.com/kam/kam_001.html All Scripture Is Given By Inspiration]</ref>

As a result Liberal Theologians view the Bible as a text to be [[hermeneutics|interpreted]] in its [[history|historical]] context but through liberal ''critical analysis''.<ref>http://home.earthlink.net/~gbl111/liberalism.htm</ref> As a result, many hold that texts such as Genesis’ early chapters or Old Testament miracles are poetry or fables - having a message, but not to be taken literally (in spite of thew New Testament referring to such as literal events).<ref>http://www.gotquestions.org/liberal-Christian-theology.html</ref> This approach began to dominate most Protestant denominations in the early 1900's, and was challenged by [[Neo Orthodoxy]] and [[Fundamentalism]] after 1940. Examples today include some churches within [[Anglicanism|Anglican]]/[[Episcopalian]], [[Lutheran]], [[Methodism|Methodist]], [[Presbyterian]], and [[United Church of Christ]] churches.<ref>[http://www.beliefnet.com/story/80/story_8028_1.html ''What Liberal Protestants Believe''] Beliefnet. Accessed 15 March 2008</ref> The word "liberal" in liberal Christianity does not refer to any political agenda or set of beliefs, although liberal theological beliefs will often form the basis of liberal political beliefs.

As a result Liberal Theologians view the Bible as a text to be [[hermeneutics|interpreted]] in its [[history|historical]] context but through liberal ''critical analysis''.<ref>http://home.earthlink.net/~gbl111/liberalism.htm</ref> As a result, many hold that texts such as Genesis’ early chapters or Old Testament miracles are poetry or fables &#8212; having a message, but not to be taken literally (in spite of thew New Testament referring to such as literal events).<ref>http://www.gotquestions.org/liberal-Christian-theology.html</ref> This approach began to dominate most Protestant denominations in the early 1900's, and was challenged by [[Neo Orthodoxy]] and [[Fundamentalism]] after 1940. Examples today include some churches within [[Anglicanism|Anglican]]/[[Episcopalian]], [[Lutheran]], [[Methodism|Methodist]], [[Presbyterian]], and [[United Church of Christ]] churches.<ref>[http://www.beliefnet.com/story/80/story_8028_1.html ''What Liberal Protestants Believe''] Beliefnet. Accessed 15 March 2008</ref> The word "liberal" in liberal Christianity does not refer to any political agenda or set of beliefs, although liberal theological beliefs will often form the basis of liberal political beliefs.

In addition, liberal Christians are seen taking an unwarranted [[Cafeteria Christianity|pick-and-choose]] approach to the Bible, declaring that passages which they favor were intended by God to be followed today, while other parts are outdated or need to be reinterpreted, in order to conform with current trends. As needed, the spirit of the Bible is emphasized in such a way that its specific wording can be ignored or negated. As Machen comments,  

In addition, liberal Christians are seen taking an unwarranted [[Cafeteria Christianity|pick-and-choose]] approach to the Bible, declaring that passages which they favor were intended by God to be followed today, while other parts are outdated or need to be reinterpreted, in order to conform with current trends. As needed, the spirit of the Bible is emphasized in such a way that its specific wording can be ignored or negated. As Machen comments,  

<blockquote>

<blockquote>

Admitting that scientific objections may arise against the particularities of the Christian religion-- against the Christian doctrines of the person of Christ, and of redemption through His death and resurrection--the liberal theologian seeks to rescue certain of the general principles of religion, of which these particularities are thought to be mere temporary symbols, and these general principles he regards as constituting "the essence of Christianity.<ref>[http://www.biblebelievers.com/machen/machen_introduction.html J. Gresham Machen, Christianity and Liberalism; Introduction]</ref>

Admitting that scientific objections may arise against the particularities of the Christian religion&#8212;against the Christian doctrines of the person of Christ, and of redemption through His death and resurrection&#8212;the liberal theologian seeks to rescue certain of the general principles of religion, of which these particularities are thought to be mere temporary symbols, and these general principles he regards as constituting "the essence of Christianity.<ref>[http://www.biblebelievers.com/machen/machen_introduction.html J. Gresham Machen, Christianity and Liberalism; Introduction]</ref>

</blockquote>  

</blockquote>  

Rather than the Bible being wholly inspired by God, many liberal Christians believe that the Bible was [[Documentary Hypothesis|the work of numerous editorial redactors]]<ref>[http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/rs/2/Judaism/jepd.html Documentary Hypothesis]</ref><ref>http://www.ukapologetics.net/docu.htm</ref> - [[homophobic]] ones in cases where pro-homosexual writers wish to see homoeroticism positively portrayed between Bible characters - or even that certain parts of the Bible that do not agree with liberal theology are later additions that do not belong in the Bible at all.<ref>[http://www.chick.com/ask/articles/1john57.asp Is it true that 1 John 5:7...?]</ref>  In extreme cases, some liberal Christians even engage in [[politically correct]] [[censorship]] against those who quote Bible verses that tend to disprove a liberal Christian position. It may also esteem other books as works of God as well as the Bible.  Some liberal Christians argue that correct Christian doctrine is [[fluffy bunny|whatever each individual believer deems it to be]].  

Rather than the Bible being wholly inspired by God, many liberal Christians believe that the Bible was [[Documentary Hypothesis|the work of numerous editorial redactors]]<ref>[http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/rs/2/Judaism/jepd.html Documentary Hypothesis]</ref><ref>http://www.ukapologetics.net/docu.htm</ref> &#8212; [[homophobic]] ones in cases where pro-homosexual writers wish to see homoeroticism positively portrayed between Bible characters &#8212; or even that certain parts of the Bible that do not agree with liberal theology are later additions that do not belong in the Bible at all.<ref>[http://www.chick.com/ask/articles/1john57.asp Is it true that 1 John 5:7...?]</ref>  In extreme cases, some liberal Christians even engage in [[politically correct]] [[censorship]] against those who quote Bible verses that tend to disprove a liberal Christian position. It may also esteem other books as works of God as well as the Bible.  Some liberal Christians argue that correct Christian doctrine is [[fluffy bunny|whatever each individual believer deems it to be]].  

Most of those within mainline denominations evidence beliefs and its effects which are at variance with Biblically based historical Christian faith.<ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/RevealingStatistics.html#Sec4 Revealing Statistics: Differences Between Denominations]</ref> Two issues usually indicative of liberal denominations are support for abortion and homosexuality. {{Main|Homosexuality and Christianity}}   

Most of those within mainline denominations evidence beliefs and its effects which are at variance with Biblically based historical Christian faith.<ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/RevealingStatistics.html#Sec4 Revealing Statistics: Differences Between Denominations]</ref> Two issues usually indicative of liberal denominations are support for abortion and homosexuality. {{Main|Homosexuality and Christianity}}   

===Liberal Christianity and Christian witness===

===Liberal Christianity and Christian witness===

Espousing a liberal view of Christianity invalidates a person's Christian witness.  If a self-proclaimed Christian does not take the entire Bible seriously, unbelievers will assume that they need not do so, either.

Espousing a liberal view of Christianity invalidates a person's Christian witness.  If a self-proclaimed Christian does not take the entire Bible seriously, unbelievers will assume that they need not do so, either.

==Neo-Orthodoxy opposes Liberalism==

==Neo-Orthodoxy opposes Liberalism==

The first-quarter 20th century [[neo-orthodoxy]] movement was a renewal of Christian doctrines that had been neglected by liberal Christianity within the American and European academy.  At the heart of the neo-orthodox renewal appeals to symbolic and aesthetic interpretations of long forgotten Christian doctrines can be found in the works of [[Karl Barth]], the Niebuhr brothers, and [[Paul Tillich]].

The first-quarter 20th century [[neo-orthodoxy]] movement was a renewal of Christian doctrines that had been neglected by liberal Christianity within the American and European academy.  At the heart of the neo-orthodox renewal appeals to symbolic and aesthetic interpretations of long forgotten Christian doctrines can be found in the works of [[Karl Barth]], the Niebuhr brothers, and [[Paul Tillich]].