Against Liberal Theology

Liberal Christian theology is a big topic in today's churches and seminaries. But what does liberal theology really mean and why is it so controversial? What does it actually believe about truth, Scripture, and Jesus Christ? And where does it lead? The term "liberal theology" is often misinterpreted, confused with a set of loose ideologies within the Christian faith and sometimes rallied behind by genuine Christians who are simply concerned about modern social justice issues. It's also been wrongly leveled against churches and even entire denominations that don't adhere to the tradition of liberal theology. Against Liberal Theology, is written in a direct and conversational tone that makes sense of this theological movement by: Defining liberal theology and explaining its beliefs about central Christian doctrines. Giving its history and progression—beginning with 18th century German theologian Friedrich Schleiermacher and leading up to today. Making distinctions between liberal theology and simple moderate or progressive Christian thought, much of which is still biblically committed and doctrinally orthodox. Discussing the arguments of specific liberal theologians and what their words mean in regard to everyday Christian living and faith. Sincere and to the point, professor and theologian Roger E. Olson is not interested in grinding axes. He openly admits to frustration with fundamentalist Christianity and explains why. But he warns that true liberal theology—more concerned with making Christianity palatable to the modern mind than it is committed to biblical integrity—isn't the right alternative to the cultic tendencies of fundamentalism and has little in common with classical, biblical Christianity. Against Liberal Theology is perfect for Christians on any side of a cultural debate—for those who consider themselves progressive or conservative or something in between. It's always unpopular to be against anything. But in order for Christianity to be anything, it has to stand against some things. If Christianity is compatible with anything and everything, it is nothing.

This book lays out the basic characteristics of liberal theology, delving into historical and philosophical sources as well as social and intellectual roots. Ideal for readers who want a better understanding of liberal theology, a religious tradition that is rooted not in authority but in one's own experience and conscience.

Liberal theology, in its typical form, represents the attempt to approach religion from a rational perspective without denying or belittling the importance of religious experience and religious commitment. Versions of liberal theology can be found in all the great religions.This book is primarily concerned with a Christian tradition that goes back to the second century and reached a high point in the seventeenth. This tradition includes a method of inquiry which, when re-evaluated in the light of recent discussions on the nature of rationality and applied to contemporary issues, reveals that there are versions of materialism, monism and theism that can accord with rationality. When the liberal tradition is taken at its best, it can support a version of Christianity which continues to refer to God as a transcendent 'reality', and which can continue to support recognizable doctrines of incarnation, redemption and Trinity.The liberal theology introduced and advanced in this book can be contrasted with many recent 'radical theologies', and could be called 'liberal orthodoxy'. Students of philosophy, theology and religious studies, as well as clergy and interested lay readers, will find this an accessible insight into liberal theology and to current debates on materialism, atheism and inter-faith dialogue.

This text identifies the indigenous roots of American liberal theology and uncovers a wider, longer-running tradition than has been thought. Taking a narrative approach the text provides a biographical reading of important religious thinkers of the time.

Modern theology is a maze of conflicting beliefs. In fact, the shape of contemporary theology has changed so much in this century— and especially since the 1960s— that it’ s hard to make sense of it all. Of not only what the various belief systems mean, but how we came to be where we are within those systems. In The End of Liberal Theology, respected theological lecturer and author Peter Toon introduces evangelicals to modern forms of doctrine and theology— both Protestant and Roman Catholic. He does so by discussing the basics of orthodoxy, by speaking to the various points of accomodation that have resulted in new forms of theology, and by dissecting liberalism and its effect on evangelicalism. This book is thus a “ family tree” of modern theology, showing how the various contemporary forms, and those that preceded them, are related to each other. With its comprehensive analysis, The End of Liberal Theology is destined to be a yardstick by which critical evaluations of current doctrines— both old and new, liberal and conservative— will be made.

This title was first published in 2002: Two hundred years after the publication of Schleiermacher's epoch-making Speeches, The Future of Liberal Theology presents a comprehensive and critical re-assessment of the past, present and future of the liberal tradition in Christian theology. In dialogue with the different forms of liberalism emerging from the Enlightenment, each of which is carefully defined, distinguished international theologians draw on a range of perspectives which represent the diversity of liberal theology. Discussing the criticisms of liberalism offered in the twentieth century, and engaging with contemporary theological debate which is often deeply hostile to liberalism, the conclusions offered for liberal theology range from the deeply pessimistic to the thoroughly optimistic. Students, clergy, and theological educators more broadly will value this critical reflection on the current state of theology and suggestions for its future course, together with the serious engagement with issues in theological education, which this book presents.

Modern theology is a maze of conflicting beliefs. In fact, the shape of contemporary theology has changed so much in this century--and especially since the 1960s-- that it's hard to make sense of it all. Of not only what the various belief systems mean, but how we came to be where we are within those systems. In The End of Liberal Theology, respected theological lecturer and author Peter Toon introduces evangelicals to modern forms of doctrine and theology--both Protestant and Roman Catholic. He does so by discussing the basics of orthodoxy, by speaking to the various points of accommodation that have resulted in new forms of theology, and by dissecting liberalism and its effect on evangelicalism. This book is thus a family tree of modern theology, showing how the various contemporary forms, and those that preceded them, are related to each other. With its comprehensive analysis, The End of Liberal Theology is destined to be a yardstick by which critical evaluations of current doctrines--both old and new, liberal and conservative--will be made.

In this incisive work, distinguished theologian Peter Hodgsonreflects on the precarious yet vital role of theology today andits nearly lost and sometimes discredited tradition of liberalthought, especially liberal theology. Liberal theology has beenthe main thread of Christian thinking over the last 200 years, butit threatens to be obscured by a rising tide of conservative andeven fundamentalist Christianity, on the one hand, and a secularmaterialism, on the other. Hodgson's sure-footed work offers a way of seeing our religiousand political situations together. He calls for liberal theology toreinvent itself and to fulfill its crucial historical roles as a mediatorbetween Christian commitment and the cultural situation andas a critical lens through which to retrieve and reconstrue keyChristian doctrines. The heart or root of Christian commitment, Hodgson finds,lies in its radical vision of freedom – God's, nature's, and ourown. In the end, Hodgson's proposal embraces not only theologybut Christianity itself and its relevance to today's mostpressing problems.