2. Liberalism
• Coming from the word “liberty”
• Has gone through two stages already and we are in the third stage
• A determined course emerged among Modernists to bring
religious thought into accord with modern knowledge and to
solve issues raised by modern culture. The study of
Christian doctrine was transformed into the psychological study
of religious experience and into the sociological study of
religious institutions and customs and the philosophical inquiry
into religious knowledge and values.
• https://www.britannica.com/topic/theological-liberalism
3. Ways it affects the Church
1. Hermenuetics
2. Approach to prophecy
3. Approach to doctrines
4. Approach to Christian Living
5. Approach to Sister White
5. • Biblical hermeneutics encompasses the science of interpretation, the
art of application of these laws to the text, and the spiritual
communication of meaning (Osborne, Hermeneutical Spiral, 22).
• Andrew R. Talbert, “Hermeneutics, History of,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).
6. Components of Hermeneutics
• Criticism
• Cultural approach
Because of the nature of biblical criticism a humanistic approach to this
delicate science will cause challenges. The belief that later discoveries
are more reliable and also the thought that more recent approaches
yield more reliable interpretations is a prominent feature of liberal
hermeneutical methods.
7. Prophecy
• The Liberal view of prophecy is directly related to the view of
Hermeneutics. Because of the excessive reliance on scientific and
humanistic methods; liberal prophecy reads like modern historical
documents. Many liberals especially the most progressive type don’t
believe in miracles and hence doubt predictive prophecy.
8. Doctrinal Beliefs
• Another effect of liberal Hermeneutics comes with the doctrinal
views. Many historical doctrines of the Adventist pioneers are
rejected by liberals
• Young earth
• Investigative Judgment
• Male headship
• Marriage
The thought process is that these various doctrines are mere culturally based
teachings that have no relevance in the modern age.
9. Christian Living
• Dress
• Make-up and Jewelry
• Music
• Movies
While traditional Adventists reject the use of these items, liberals are
open to their use. Differing degrees of liberalism will use these items to
different degrees. It should be noted that in general liberals believe
their lifestyle should be only judged by God and should have no effect
on another persons Christian experience.
10. Love
• At the heart of liberal Theology is the concept of love. Love is the
heart of the gospel and the ultimate reach of the gospel. While every
human can show love, liberal theology also believes it is impossible to
overcome sin while temptation is present and while we still have
sinful human nature. Essential we can love but we will always be
sinning and until we are changed into immortality.
11. Ellen White
• Many of Ellen White’s views seem to come out in support of
traditional Adventism hence persons of a more progressive mindset
think that her writings are merely reflections of the beliefs of her
time.
• Some liberals go as far as saying she was not really inspired merely
honestly deceived and so we need not read her writings
