by Steve | Jul 28, 2009 | Archive - 2009, Magazine Articles
By James V. Heidinger II
Each week, word comes of persons who have decided to leave the United Methodist Church and its happening too frequently across the church.
Sadly, many who leave have been lifetime United Methodists. They have served, given, prayed, attended, struggled, endured, become discouraged, and finally given up. With heavy hearts they leave the church their parents and grandparents attended in order to seek a fellowship more compatible with their understanding of the Christian faith.
With full awareness of the various controversies and conditions we face within the church, we would still encourage United Methodists to reject the urge to leave.
Ultimately, of course, that decision must be made by each person individually, in the context of his or her own personal struggle. We are also aware that the United Methodist Church may not be for everyone. But we are convinced there are compelling reasons for United Methodist evangelicals to remain and labor faithfully in their church.
First, though we acknowledge serious problems in our denomination, we must also recognize, in fairness, that in thousands of United Methodist churches, persons are finding Christ as Lord and Savior, are being grounded in his Word, and nourished in Christian fellowship. We fail to see the picture adequately unless we acknowledge that at altars of prayer, in counseling rooms, church school classes, Bible study groups, and in the pews, thousands of United Methodists are hearing the Word and responding to it in faith. Lest we be unfair in our analysis, we must admit that numerous United Methodist churches are doing many things right. As evangelicals within the denomination we have a responsibility to help strengthen, establish, and preserve the fruit of such ministries. When evangelicals leave, they weaken the Body in its nurturing function.
Second, to pastors the responsibility has been given to Tend the flock of God that is your charge (I Peter 5:2). They are charged with the task of overseeing the flock, to be shepherds willing to lay down their lives for the flock. But when evangelical pastors, grounded in the Word of God, leave the denomination, it diminishes the general spiritual well-being of 9 million United Methodists. In addition, upon leaving, many find a new set of problems in their new church and discover that all communions of Christs Church have their struggles and disagreements.
The Wesleyan contribution
Third, the Wesleyan branch of Protestant theology has made a major contribution to Christendom. United Methodists are the largest group in a world Methodist community of over 50 million members. And it is the evangelicals within United Methodism who are excited about Christian doctrine and committed to the Wesleyan theological tradition. The great Wesleyan distinctives of prevenient grace, original sin, justification by faith, assurance, sanctification, and perfect love must not be relegated to the theological archives. We can be sure that todays liberals will not maintain our rich Wesleyan tradition. Only the evangelicals will do that.
Fourth, the United Methodist Church remains a strategic opportunity for the proclamation of the Gospel and the renewal of the nation. Through a vast connectional system, this church reaches into villages, towns, and cities the length and breadth of the land. There are more local United Methodist churches today than there are post offices in America! We have a chance to be Gods vessel for spiritual and evangelical renewal all across the nation. If we think this is not possible, let us remember that with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).
Contending for the faith
Fifth, we must be willing to contend for the faith. Jude wrote: Beloved, being very eager to write to you of our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). We must contend for the faith without becoming contentious in spirit. In spite of being misunderstood or misrepresented, it is imperative that in our contending, we exhibit the love of God and the very fragrance of Christ. If we dont, we find ourselves in the contradictory posture of contending for the Gospel which brings holiness of heart and life, but doing so in an unholy manner.
The early church soon and continually encountered doctrinal controversy. Paul confronted Peter when he compromised with the Judaizers. Paul did not just affirm that they had diversity. Rather, Paul withstood or opposed Peter to his face (Galatians 2:11). Peter, who walked with Christ, was literally rebuked by Paul, the apostle born out of season. Why? Because Paul knew that a vital theological principle was at stake. He would accept no deviation from the doctrine of justification by grace alone though faith. To do so would have destroyed the Gospel. What significant contending that was on behalf of the integrity of the Gospel!
Many pastors and lay persons have talked with me about how much they dislike controversy. I share those feelings. I would much rather focus on reconciliation. But I am alarmed that many choose to avoid controversy totally. To follow that course may mean never standing firmly and publicly for anything.
The major temptation for United Methodist clergy may be just thatto become so amiable that they stand firmly for nothing. To assume such a posture means one has settled down and become comfortable with some things that should arouse anger and opposition. The One who called us into ministry said, Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword (Matthew 10:34). It was the Prince of Peace who said our peace might be disturbed because of the Gospel.
United Methodist clergy would do well to remember periodically that we were asked when ordained if we would give faithful diligence duly to minister the doctrine of Christ, the Sacraments, and the discipline of the Church, and in the Spirit of Christ to defend the Church against all doctrine contrary to Gods Word? We answered, I will do so, by the help of the Lord. Not to defend against contrary doctrine is an abdication of our responsibility as ordained ministers. Our charge is to contend, not leave.
Enabling bold leadership
Finally, by remaining and bearing faithful witness, United Methodist evangelicals will encourage other leaders to be bold in their stand. A United Methodist bishop once remarked, Some bishops are really evangelical, but to be very honest, we dont want to risk the scorn of some fellow bishops who identify conservatism as not being intellectually respectable. The specter of intimidation among evangelicals in the church is a sad reality. Many are silenced or compromised by such intimidation. Laity know of it too, so let none of us underestimate the power of intimidation. To feel the scorn of ones colleagues can bring fear to even the strongest.
An encouraging sign is that an increasing number of laity, clergy, and church leaders are voicing their convictions. By remaining in the church and continuing to bear faithful witness, United Methodist evangelicals will give encouragement and support to United Methodist leaders to speak their mind boldly as they ought. Renewal within the United Methodist Church will continue as the Holy Spirit helps us restore church discipline and accountability within the community of believers. He will enable us to confront one another in love. Bonhoeffers words from Life Together have never been more timely: Where defection from Gods Word in doctrine of life imperile the family fellowship and with it the whole congregation, the word of admonition and rebuke must be ventured.
Good News has been and remains committed to working for renewal within the United Methodist Church. We believe there are compelling reasons for such a commitment. We urge United Methodists to remain within the church, working and praying fervently for the Lord to do in and through us that which he wills.
On July 1, James V. Heidinger II retired as the president and publisher of Good News. This article originally appeared in the July/August 1982 issue of Good News.
by Steve | Jul 28, 2009 | Archive - 2009, Magazine Articles
Archive: A Good Name Bids Farewell
By Liza Kittle
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1
Dr. Jim Heidinger is a leader, statesman, pastor, mentor, and friend who possesses a good name. His good name is esteemed as an advocate for the historical doctrines of Christianity and a champion for the evangelical foundations of Methodism. As Jim steps away as president of Good News, it seems impossible that a name so firmly associated with renewal of the United Methodist Church could ever be separated from the cause that has characterized his life and ministry.
Woodrow Wilson said, Absolute identity with ones cause is the first and great condition of successful leadership. Most members of the United Methodist Church and beyond would attest that Jim has met this criterion for successful leadership due to his absolute identity with the renewal movement of Good News.
Jim has always been a stalwart supporter of the Renew Network from its inception. Faye Short, founder and past president of Renew, said, I well recall sharing the vision the Good News Womens Taskforce had for starting a network for evangelical women with Jim in l989. He was 100 percent for ityet, acutely aware that we were taking on a tall order. He pledged his support and prayers at that time, and always stood by that commitment. Serving in the renewal movement with Jim Heidinger has been a privilege I will always cherish.
All of us at Renew have wonderful memories of our association with Jim. His grace-filled demeanor and kind-hearted humility have been present even in the midst of tumultuous trials and opposition. His encouragement and support will be greatly missed, but there is little doubt that God will continue to use Jim as an instrument of goodwill, defender of the faith, and supporter of Renew.
Katy Kiser, member of the Renew Steering Committee and Good News board member, writes, Jim Heidinger is one of the great Christian leaders of our time. He has provided the United Methodist Church with insightful commentary on the challenges we have faced and called us to be faithful to our Wesleyan understanding of the gospel. His commitment to doctrinal integrity was always motivated by a deep desire to see Christ realized in the lives of our members. Jims legacy will endure long past his retirement.
American writer Walter Lippman wrote, The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind in others the conviction and the will to carry on. Jim Heidinger leaves behind an army of Christian servants inspired by his service ready to carry on the spiritual battle for the heart and soul of United Methodism. As Rob Renfroe begins his leadership of Good News, we at Renew are confident that Jims passion for uplifting Christ and standing boldly for the truth of Gods Holy Word will continue to be the defining foundation of the Good News movement.
From all of us at the Renew Network, may God bless you, Jim and Joanie, in your much deserved retirement.
UPDATE: Renews website continues to grow and the e-store is open! We are encouraged by those finding us on the web. Let me also mention to recent remarkable events.
A Women of Grace event was held in Atlanta. This event was a joint effort between two womens ministry groups at Dunwoody UM Churchan evangelical group called Women of the Word (WOW) and United Methodist Women. Guest speaker was the Rev. Carmen Fowler, a former Methodist who is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and executive editor of The Layman. There was a powerful testimony by an Iranian man who converted to Christianity from Islam. Rounding out the event was a performance by the Mary Hall House Singers, a group from a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center that is a mission project of the WOW group. The women displayed their love for the Lord and thanksgiving for their redemption through a deeply moving performance.
Another successful event was held in the beautiful Catskill Mountains in upstate New York. The first womens retreat was organized by a group of six small churches in the Mountain Valley Parish under the leadership of Carol St. John. Lisa Schmidt gave wonderful teaching on the book of Ruth and how modern women can relate to their biblical sisters by showing Amazing Love in their own lives. One attendees husband commented to his pastor that he wasnt certain what went on at the retreat but he had a different woman living with him now! What a testimony to the impact this kind of event can have on the lives of women and their families. Read more on our website.
We appreciate the prayers and support of others who have a heart for womens ministry at the local church level. We would love to hear from you.
Liza Kittle is the President of the Renew Network. In addition to visiting their website (www.renewnetwork.org ), you can write to the Renew Network at P.O. Box 16055, Augusta, GA 30919, or call them at 706-364-0166.
by Steve | Jul 28, 2009 | Archive - 2009, Magazine Articles
Archive: Imparting Rather Than Importing
By Frank Decker
When the Rev. Richard Gongwer of Indiana said goodbye to his oldest son and family, including his only grandchild at the time, he didnt realize that a parenthetical comment he made would plant a seed that would continue to bear fruit more than a decade later. His physician son Cameron, daughter-in-law Anne, and their infant daughter Caylor were leaving Indiana to serve as missionaries in West Africa. Anne explains, As we were preparing to leave, Camerons dad quietly said, You know, over the years Ive noticed that the missionaries who stay a long time are the most effective.
In the days when missionaries traveled by ship, missionary service was commonly characterized by long, even lifetime terms of service. Today, however, rapid transportation and electronic communications have made the world a smaller place, contributing to a trend of shorter missionary tenures. That is why, in todays world of quick-strike missions and the perpetual quest for increasingly efficient means of sharing the gospel, I am encouraged by the example of those who go and stay for many years.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of The Mission Society. To represent the approximately 500 missionaries whom that agency has sent out, I asked Cameron and Anne to reflect on what has enabled them to serve for eleven years in a village named Ankaase, where the Methodist Faith Healing Hospital has combined a focus on faith in Jesus Christ with medical service.
In retrospect, Cameron and Anne shared that the single most important ingredient necessary to establish a solid foundation for enduring ministry is to enter that work with the attitude of a learner. The Gongwers said that listening to their hosts was absolutely essential in beginning their service. In addition to the initial challenge of learning a new language, Cameron states that instead of inserting his opinion from the perspective of an American doctor, I simply had to listen in order to understand why they did certain things differently, whether it applied to sterilization techniques, the organization of medical files, or how they set up the accounting system for a clinic. When a problem at the hospital arose, I would often go to the Ghanaian regional health officials and ask for their counsel concerning the best way to approach the issue. Likewise, as Anne became involved in literacy worka pursuit that has resulted in the training of many literacy teachers and the establishment of the Reading Town library in Ankaase she listened and subsequently relied on wisdom from methods that had previously been proven in that African context, rather than simply import her own ideas and programs into the situation.
While initiating their missionary careers with the posture of learners provided a healthy taproot for lasting ministry, the Gongwers agree that perseverance and patience enabled them to build upon that foundation. Anne states, The Ghanaians have a common phrase, exercise patience, and that as she and Cameron witnessed their hosts abiding by that axiom, it served as a great encouragement to them. Cameron adds that remembering their initial call to serve in Africa was essential in their persistence. He references J.T. Seamands definition of a call as an inner abiding persuasion that will not let you go. Thus, while facing situations (including the scarcity of resources that even the smallest hospitals in the U.S. take for granted) that could discourage the most dedicated medical technician to the point of giving up and going home, remembering their missionary call was crucial.
The Gongwers are now planning to move to the capital, which will enable their future work to have a wider scope. In the village they leave behind what is now a highly respected hospital with 65 beds and a staff they have seen grow in number from 13 to 130, including four full-time Ghanaian doctors. As they look back on the past decade they are quick to point out that the success of this ministry has been the result of collaborative efforts from many nationals and expatriots. Indeed, Cameron and Anne emphasize the importance of the deep and trusting relationships that resulted in a synergistic quality of their ministry. Anne summarizes, It takes time for people working together to gain a vision, share a vision, and grow a vision.
It takes time. There are no shortcuts to incarnational ministry. As The Mission Society moves into the next 25 years of service there will continue to be an emphasis on sending those who, like the Gongwers, seek to impartrather then importthe life-giving message of the Kingdom of God.
by Steve | Jul 28, 2009 | Archive - 2009, Magazine Articles
News: Ministry transitions within United Methodism
By Steve Beard
It is with great confidence and humility that I pass the mantle of leadership to Jonathan Dow. I pray that God will give him a double portion of the anointing that has been upon my life as he leads this ministry into the future, said the Rev. Gary Moore as he marked the transition at Aldersgate Renewal Ministries (ARM) during a March 7 gathering. Moore had been executive director of ARM for the last 20 years. His work with ARM will continue as Networking Ambassador, as well as launching a new preaching and teaching ministry called Fan Into Flame.
I willingly take that mantle, greatly humbled by the divine mission before us, deeply grateful for the willingness of the Board to entrust the responsibilities of this role to me, said Dow. I step into this role with a passionate understanding: The empowerment of the Holy Spirit is essential to carry on the ministry of Jesus. Individuals and churches who are moment by moment filled, gifted, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit will be used by God to minister to the worldwhether right next door or across the globe. The Holy Spirit, Gods divine power, has given us everything we need to pray, to worship, to share our faith journey, and to heal the sickcarrying on the ministry of Jesus. Dow is only the third executive director in ARMs 32-year history.
The summer of 2009 has turned out to be a season of transitions for a number of United Methodist-related ministries and institutions. In addition to Good News and ARM, changes in leadership have also been announced at The Mission Society, The Institute on Religion and Democracy, The Confessing Movement, and Asbury Theological Seminary.
Mission Society: On May 19, The Mission Society Board of Directors elected the Rev. Dick McClain as the organizations next president. McClain will become the fifth president of The Mission Society since its inception in 1984. He follows in this office the Rev. Dr. Phil Granger, who has served as The Mission Societys president/CEO since December 2001, and will retire the end of this year.
Of McClains nomination, Granger commented, I firmly believe that the experience God has given him was in preparation for the challenges that lay ahead in this rapidly changing world. I am excited about the future of The Mission Society with Dick at the helm!
McClain began his career with The Mission Society in 1986 as director of missionary personnel. The son and grandson of missionaries, McClain was born in China and grew up in India and Hong Kong. An ordained United Methodist minister, he served pastorates in West Michigan for 11 years. (There will be fuller coverage about McClain and The Mission Societys 25th anniversary in our next issue.)
IRD: Mark Tooley has been appointed the new president of the Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD), an organization Tooley has been with since 1994, directing its program for United Methodists. Retiring IRD President Jim Tonkowich plans to remain with IRD as a scholar.
Tooley is a lifelong United Methodist from northern Virginia andhas been active in United Methodist renewal for over 20 years. Over the last 14 years at IRD, his commentaries have appeared in Good News, The Wall Street Journal, The Weekly Standard, and The American Spectator, among others. Previous to IRD, he was employed with the Central Intelligence Agency.
The IRD advocates that churches uphold theological orthodoxy, espouse a responsible political witness, and plead for persecuted religious believers around the world. The chair of IRDs board, Mrs. Terry Schlossberg, commented: The board of directors is pleased with Mark Tooleys acceptance of this appointment. Mark brings to the position a level of intelligence and Penergy that have been characteristic of the IRDs impact on the church and the world.
More than ever before, the IRD is needed today to continue to challenge Americas churches to be faithful to their great traditions and to shun liberal fads that always spiritually and culturally marginalize once great churches, said Tooley. The IRD will continue and expand its critique of the Religious Left while urging churches to uphold their great doctrines and to offer America a responsible social witness.
Confessing Movement: With the Rev. Rob Renfroe becoming the president and publisher of Good News, the Confessing Movement announced that the Rev. Gregory McGarvey will become President of Board of Directors of The Confessing Movement, the office that Renfroe filled. McGarvey currently serves as the 1st Vice-President of the board, having served on the Board of Directors since 1999.
Greg McGarvey has been a part of The Confessing Movement from the beginning, observed Dr. Maxie Dunnam, co-chairman of The Confessing Movement. I am excited about his leadership. He knows the issues and he loves the church. Senator Patricia Miller, Executive Director of The Confessing Movement, stated, I know Greg as a strong and compassionate leader, who is faithful to our Lord and Savior and lives out that faith in his daily life.
A six-time delegate to General Conference, McGarvey has been the Senior Pastor of Carmel United Methodist Church, Carmel, Indiana, since 2001. He was instrumental in starting the renewal movement in the South Indiana Conference and developed the Bloomington Declaration, modeled after the Houston and Memphis Declarations. Part of Gregs continuing concern for the United Methodist Church is the need for ongoing discussions of the role of the church in America in a global strategy of missions.
In the last issue of Good News, it was announced that Dr. Tim Tennent would be the new president of Asbury Theological Seminary.
Steve Beard is the editor of Good News. Information for this story was provided from assorted news sources.
UM church plants
By John Southwick
Though accurate statistics are hard to assemble, one can state with some certainty that few annual conferences in the United States have started more than 20 new churches in the last 20 years. The most active conferences may start upwards of 20 over a decade, with a very few doing better than that. Best estimates are that the entire UM Church in the United States starts between 80 and 100 per year.
In contrast, consider one United Methodist pastor working in another country who started 100 churches there in the last 8 years, with most being within the last 4 years. The Rev. Vang is a native of the noted country, but has lived most of his adult life in the United States. He has been a lifelong Christian and active UM layperson as an adult. He has served in various volunteer ministry professions over the years prior to becoming a full-time GBGM missionary in 2006. His church planting efforts began in 2001 on a short-term mission trip and continued over the years until his deployment in 2006. As of today, 77 new churches have gained official status and 38 more have been started but are not yet recognized. Approximately 6,000 people are now part of these churches. This has taken place despite restrictions on religious practice unfamiliar to the United States context, making the accomplishment all the more remarkable.
When asked how he has done this, the Rev. Vang responds in a way that does not immediately connect with a U.S. audience looking for the next model, method, or technique. In fact, he insists that he does not have any such thing to share. An outside observer, however, can see similarities with some approaches that should be familiar. One is found in Luke 10 as Jesus sent out the 70. The other finds commonality with some aspects of the early days of Methodism, both in England and America.
The Rev. Vang does share some observations about his work. He says it is essential that the planter be really called by God and that this person respond with the Here I am. Send me. This reflects his belief that this work is of God and he or she is just the tool that has had the courage to be used. While he is humble and does not expound on the personal cost of this work, circumstances are much more difficult than U.S. church planters are accustomed to. For example, he and his wife had to move very frequently over safety concerns in their field of service. They have both had severe health issues since going to the field. (As of this writing Mrs. Vang is under medical care in the U.S. Please keep her in prayer.)
Another observation the Rev. Vang makes is the need to be a leader in community involvement and in the spiritual realm. When starting a new work, a team is sent to a village and then starts by contacting officials and letting them know they are there to help needs. As they do this, they are very careful to live exemplary lives befitting the gospel of Jesus Christ. The big impact upon the community well-being opens doors on many occasions. Sometimes after churches are established, local officials will watch the new Christians to see if they are living up to the standards they claim to follow.
Additionally, quality training contributes to the church start success, notes the Rev. Vang. The planting teams sent out are grounded in Bible doctrine, since many of them have never seen a Bible before. They are also taught basics of UM structure, polity, and other disciplinary items. The Rev. Vang is also quick to point out that prayer is essential to the new church planting work. Before someone goes to a new location, they participate and are bathed in prayer.
The new congregations vary in size, from a group of families up to 400 persons. They worship in homes, under trees, and in a variety of settings. Wednesday gatherings are mainly prayer times.
The Rev. Vang describes his ministry in this way: As a missionary to my country, I sow the seed of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, sharing life with the people, church planting, training lay preachers, lay leaders, women, and youth from over 70 congregations up from the ground, organizing training programs to support poor families, self-sufficiency projects, clean water, women/children prenatal care, counseling the broken-hearted, heal the sick by Gods power, feed the hungry, and bring the lost to God, teaching Gods words and Gods love to the people. I strongly believe that Jews and Gentiles have the right to receive Gods grace through Christ, under just and equal umbrella of Gods wonderful words, and will worship God, will send out my countrys missionaries all over the land to sow the seed of the gospel, saving souls and establishing the living water, the Fresh of the Son.
One delightful work project is hand-making beautiful ties, complete with cross and flame. These are sold in the U.S to support the ministry.
The Network of Congregational Developers recently met for their annual meeting and was privileged to have the Rev. Vang speak to them. Following his presentation, the developers heard a suggestion that as their conferences started a new church, they could partner with a new start in a developing country through the GBGM. It is clear that this new church movement in the Rev. Vangs country is able to happen because the churches reproduce themselves. There is a vital DNA which is passed on. A new U.S. church start partnering with a church like this helps infuse missional DNA in the U.S. church from the very beginning and thus increasing the likelihood that it will be a reproducing church as well. This concept was well received by those present and may start a new connection that brings life and vitality to both the U.S. and abroad.
John H. Southwick is the editor of Background Data for Mission. This article was adapted with permission from the April 2009 issue of Background Data for Mission 2009. Published by the Office of Research of the General Board of Global Ministries.
by Steve | Jul 28, 2009 | Archive - 2009, Magazine Articles
By James V. Heidinger II
In 1990, a pastor wrote in a conference paper a defense of United Methodisms being a liberal denomination. He insisted the L-word was not bad. For support he cited Websters Dictionary which defined liberal as generous, openhanded, broad-minded, etc.
Such shallow thinking compels us to look again at theological liberalism to see where it came from, what it affirms, and what it does not affirm. Most certainly, the presuppositions and principles of liberalism are still present in United Methodism.
Most lay people have little interest in liberal theology. When they hear modern brands of liberalism preached they are likely to respond kindly, That sermon was profound. Im not sure I understood it though. It was over my head.
But if the last three decades have shown the mainline churches anything, it is the bankruptcy of theological liberalism. Realizing this will be an important key to mainline church renewal.
Roots of liberal faith
Liberalism began to move upon the American church scene around 1880. It brought sweeping changes to Christian churches in America during the first third of the 20th centurya period when a tide of secular thought was flooding in upon traditional American ideas.
Theological liberalism was the religious system that blended with the late 19th century, new scientific worldview. The new science claimed all events could be explained by universal laws of cause and effect, leaving no place for unique events or divine revelation. All data should be subjected to empirical tests for verification, it insisted. Liberalism was essentially, then, the movement which accommodated the Christian faith to anti-supernatural axioms.
The first step in accommodation was to qualify certain doctrines. Harvard dean Willard Sperry characterized liberalism as the Yes, but religion. It would say, Yes, I believe in the deity of Christ, but the language of Chalcedon has become meaningless. We must redefine the doctrine so as to make it intelligible to us who live in the 20th century. Yes, I believe in the Virgin Birth of Christ, but by that I mean. And on it would go.
While denying tenets basic to historic Christianity, liberalism believed itself to be helping preserve traditional Christianity by making it relevant for modern man. Kenneth Kantzer said religious liberalism was an attempt to update an old and beloved religion so it could survive in the modern world.
Tenets of theological liberalism
During the first third of the 20th century, liberalism clashed head-on with evangelicalism. We see why when we consider the basic tenets of liberal faith:
1. Gods character is one of pure benevolencewithout wrath. All persons are his children, and sin separates no one from his love.
2. There is a divine spark in every man and woman. All persons, therefore, are good at heart and need only encouragement and nurturing to allow their natural goodness to express itself.
3. Jesus Christ is Savior only in the sense that he is our perfect teacher and example. He was not divine in any unique sense. He was not born of a virgin, did not work miracles, and did not rise from the dead.
4. Just as Christ differs from other men only comparatively, not absolutely, neither does Christianity differ from other religions. It is just most prevalent among the world religions, all of which stem from the same basic source. Thus, missions should not aim to convert, but rather to promote a cross-fertilization of ideas for mutual enrichment.
5. The Bible is not a divine record of revelation, but a human record of the religious experiences of a nation. Thus few doctrinal statements or creeds are essential to Christianity. The only things unchanging about the Christian message are its moral and ethical teachings.
Negation of orthodoxy
An important characteristic of liberalisms tenets has been that they are primarily negationsthat is, statements of what liberalism disbelieves about traditional orthodoxy. Liberalism almost always defined itself over against historic Christianity.
Consider the points cited above as negations for a moment. All persons belong to God, with none to be lost. Thus, universalism is affirmed, the need for salvation denied. Men and women are basically good, not sinful (original sin denied). Jesus was only a man like other men and did not atone for our sins (Christs virgin birth, atonement, deity, and Resurrection denied). Christianity is not unique, but just a bit more developed than other religions (churchs missionary mandate denied). And the Bible is only a human record, not the revealed Word of God (authority of Scripture denied).
Impact on American Christianity
Theological liberalism was euphoric early in this century, for it believed it was riding the new intellectual wave of the futureand it was. It believed it could rid the Christian Church of its restrictive, outdated worldview and help prepare it for a new, golden era.
So as a strategy by well-meaning churchmen, liberalism set out to attract people to Christianity by accommodating the Gospel to the wisdom and worldview of secular, scientific modern man. It was determined to preserve and strengthen Christianity. Unfortunately, the impact was just the opposite as liberalism devastated the vitality of the Christian Church in America.
J.I. Packer, contemporary theologian and author, summarized liberalisms disastrous impact upon evangelical faith, saying Liberalism swept away entirely the gospel of the supernatural redemption of sinners. It reduced grace to nature, divine revelation to human reflection, faith in Christ to following his example, and receiving new life to turning over a new leaf.
Liberalism was determined to rid Christianity of its supernatural elements (miracles, the Resurrection, etc.) which just might cause a thoughtful enquirer embarrassment. And it succeeded.
What concerns me about all this is how much it sounds like modern day theology. Students at our denominational colleges and seminaries often report encountering these same negations in their classes. And several years ago our denominational journal ran an article in which the author/theologian recommended we forget the troublesome aspects of Christianity such as Jesus miracles, deity, and resurrection. The author suggested we focus only on the ethical teachings of Christianity, for they are what is most important. Alas, the present generation stands on the shoulders of the previous one.
Continued benevolence
I am sometimes amazed at how patient the Church has been toward liberalism and its subsequent offspring. (I realize there have been times of hostility, such as during the Fundamentalist/Modernist controversy of the 1920s and 1930s.) Of late, however, we seem to have become theological pacifists, no longer shocked or offended by theological distortions regardless of how bizarre they might be. We calmly, benevolently discuss liberalism or its latter-day derivatives as we would the Sermon on the Mount, not realizing that in liberalism, historic Christianity has been gutted.
And while they mean well, those who reduce the faith to make it more acceptable to the modern mind do the Church no service. Liberalism in its various shades is still a shrunken Christianitythe pathetic result of sinful men and women who, in their quests for intellectual autonomy, would make man the measure of all things. It is a halfway house from faith to unbelief, from Christianity to secularism.
One hears Dorothy Sayers imploring, You do Christ no honor by watering down his personality so he will not offend. If the mystery of the divine drama of God enfleshed in Christ shocks and offends believers, let them be offended.
As long as our society is free, we will have those who wish to improve upon Christianity by restructuring it. But lets be sure we know when this is happening.
In the meantime, let us boldly and unapologetically commend Gods revealed Word to our unbelieving world. Lets not cower from the scorn of intellectual sophisticates for whom the word of the cross is still a rebuke. Lets be workers who need not be ashamed, proclaiming the Gospel with no disguises, revisions, or scholarly addendums. And let us have the witness of his Spirit so we may, indeed, be preaching in demonstration of the Spirit and of power (I Corinthians 2:4).
On July 1, James V. Heidinger II retired as the president and publisher of Good News. This article originally appeared in the November/December 1990 issue of Good News.
