Changes

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 &#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.

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 1900s, 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,  

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]].  

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}}   

Some liberal Christians acknowledge that an [[omnipotence|omnipotent]] God could easily preserve His words and conclude that, for whatever reason, He has chosen not to do so, instead leaving us to our subjective impressions of God's will.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/unfundamentalistchristians/2015/06/christian-fundamentalisms-grand-illusion/ Christian Fundamentalism's Grand Illusion]</ref>

Some liberal Christians acknowledge that an [[omnipotence|omnipotent]] God could easily preserve His words and conclude that, for whatever reason, He has chosen not to do so, instead leaving us to our subjective impressions of God's will.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/unfundamentalistchristians/2015/06/christian-fundamentalisms-grand-illusion/ Christian Fundamentalism's Grand Illusion]</ref>

{{cquote|Several decades ago, church statistician and demographer David Barrett began to report the surprising news that around the world, the most rapidly growing faith was Spirit-empowered Christianity, marked by clear gospel preaching, belief in the literal truth of the Scriptures, and the reality of God’s presence. (The data were compiled in the prestigious “World Christian Encyclopedia,” published by Oxford University Press.)...

{{cquote|Several decades ago, church statistician and demographer David Barrett began to report the surprising news that around the world, the most rapidly growing faith was Spirit-empowered Christianity, marked by clear gospel preaching, belief in the literal truth of the Scriptures, and the reality of God’s presence. (The data were compiled in the prestigious “World Christian Encyclopedia,” published by Oxford University Press.)...

This is confirmed in the new Pew Forum report, which showed that [[Evangelicalism|evangelical Protestant]] churches in America grew by 2 million from 2007 to 2014 whereas the so-called mainline (liberal) Protestant churches declined by 5 million, meaning that evangelical Protestants now make up the largest religious group in the nation. (Although this is not part of the Pew Forum survey, my surmise is that the evangelical churches that are most Bible-based and make the most serious, grace-empowered demands on their congregants are, generally speaking, the ones that are growing rather than declining.<ref>[http://www.wnd.com/2015/05/why-conservative-churches-are-still-growing/ Why conservative churches are still growing]</ref>}}

This is confirmed in the new Pew Forum report, which showed that [[Evangelicalism|evangelical Protestant]] churches in America grew by 2 million from 2007 to 2014 whereas the so-called mainline (liberal) Protestant churches declined by 5 million, meaning that evangelical Protestants now make up the largest religious group in the nation. (Although this is not part of the Pew Forum survey, this writer's surmise is that the evangelical churches that are most Bible-based and make the most serious, grace-empowered demands on their congregants are, generally speaking, the ones that are growing rather than declining.<ref>[http://www.wnd.com/2015/05/why-conservative-churches-are-still-growing/ Why conservative churches are still growing]</ref>)}}

== Decline of liberal Christianity within global Christianity ==

== Decline of liberal Christianity within global Christianity ==

This is confirmed in the new Pew Forum report, which showed that [[Evangelicalism|evangelical Protestant]] churches in America grew by 2 million from 2007 to 2014 whereas the so-called mainline (liberal) Protestant churches declined by 5 million, meaning that evangelical Protestants now make up the largest religious group in the nation. (Although this is not part of the Pew Forum survey, my surmise is that the evangelical churches that are most Bible-based and make the most serious, grace-empowered demands on their congregants are, generally speaking, the ones that are growing rather than declining.<ref>[http://www.wnd.com/2015/05/why-conservative-churches-are-still-growing/ Why conservative churches are still growing]</ref>}}

This is confirmed in the new Pew Forum report, which showed that [[Evangelicalism|evangelical Protestant]] churches in America grew by 2 million from 2007 to 2014 whereas the so-called mainline (liberal) Protestant churches declined by 5 million, meaning that evangelical Protestants now make up the largest religious group in the nation. (Although this is not part of the Pew Forum survey, my surmise is that the evangelical churches that are most Bible-based and make the most serious, grace-empowered demands on their congregants are, generally speaking, the ones that are growing rather than declining.<ref>[http://www.wnd.com/2015/05/why-conservative-churches-are-still-growing/ Why conservative churches are still growing]</ref>}}

[[Christianity]] is the world's largest religion and it has seen tremendous growth over its 2000 year history.<ref>[http://users.adam.com.au/bstett/BChristianIncrease12.htm 2000 YEARS OF CHRISTIAN INCREASE]</ref> Christianity has recently seen explosive growth outside the [[Western World]] which often has cultures which are very traditional and [[conservative]].<ref>

[[Christianity]] is the world's largest religion and it has seen tremendous growth over its 2000-year history.<ref>[http://users.adam.com.au/bstett/BChristianIncrease12.htm 2000 YEARS OF CHRISTIAN INCREASE]</ref> Christianity has recently seen explosive growth outside the [[Western World]] which often has cultures which are very traditional and [[conservative]].<ref>

*[http://pewforum.org/Christian/Faith-and-Conflict-The-Global-Rise-of-Christianity.aspx The global rise of Christianity - Pew Forum]

*[http://pewforum.org/Christian/Faith-and-Conflict-The-Global-Rise-of-Christianity.aspx The global rise of Christianity - Pew Forum]

*[http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=30077 Is Christianity taking over the planet?]

*[http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=30077 Is Christianity taking over the planet?]