Exploring Liberal vs. Conservative Views Through Biblical Passages

Liberal Vs. Conservative Exodus 25:1-9 Genesis 6:13-22 Hebrews 8:1-13

Exodus 25:1-9 1And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. 3 And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass, 4 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats hair, 5 And rams skins dyed red, and badgers skins, and shittim wood, 6 Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense, 7 Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate. 8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. 9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it. Liberal Vs. Conservative 2

Genesis 6:13-17 13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. 15 And this is the fashion ( how -NKJV) which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. 16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. 17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. Liberal Vs. Conservative 3

Genesis 6:18-22 18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. 20 Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive. 21 And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them. 22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. Liberal Vs. Conservative 4

Hebrews 8:1-6 1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. 4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: 5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. 6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises Liberal Vs. Conservative 5

Hebrews 8:7-13 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. Liberal Vs. Conservative 6

Introduction These texts shows the importance of Patterns Moses was given a pattern to build the tabernacle, it furnishings and the priest s garments - Exodus 25, 26, 27, 28 Noah was given a pattern to build the ark - Genesis 6:1-22 Naaman the leper was given a pattern for cleansing 2 Kings 5:10 - Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean King Saul given a pattern for fighting the Amalekites 1 Samuel 15:1-3 - 'Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.'" These were DIVINE patterns - mandated by God Liberal Vs. Conservative 7

N.T. Patterns - Church Origin Coming - Prophesied by Daniel - 2:44 Time - Pentecost 33 AD - Acts 2:47 Builder - Christ - Matthew 16:18; Mark 9:1 Place - Jerusalem - Acts 1:8 Liberal Vs. Conservative 8

N.T. Patterns - Salvation Hear - Romans 10:14, 17 Believe - Romans 10:9, 10 Repentance - Acts 2:38 Confession - Acts 8:37 Baptism - Acts 2:38 Faithful living - Revelation 2:10b Liberal Vs. Conservative 9

N.T. Patterns - Worship Singing - Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16 Prayer - Acts 2:42 Lord s Supper - 1 Cor. 11:23-26, Acts 20:7 Giving - 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Teaching the word of God - Acts 20:7 Liberal Vs. Conservative 10

N.T. Patterns - Organization Organization of the Church - Philippians 1:1 Saints, Bishops (elders), Deacons Sanctified - Ephesians 5:26; Gal. 3:26-27 Elders - qualified 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 3:6-9 Deacons - qualified 1 Timothy 3:8-13 Liberal Vs. Conservative 11

N.T. Patterns - Churchs Work Evangelism - 1 Thessalonians 1:8 Edification - Ephesians 4:12-16 Benevolence - Acts 11:27-30 Discipline of the Disorderly - 2 Thess. 3:6-15 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 Liberal Vs. Conservative 12

N.T. Patterns - Teaching Preach the word - 2 Timothy 4:2 in season out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort all nations - Matthew 28:19-20 all the counsel of God - Acts 20:27 sound doctrine - Titus 2:1 sound words - 2 Timothy 1:3 speak as the oracles of God - 1 Peter 4:11 speak the truth in love - Ephesians 4:15 teach no other doctrine - 1 Timothy 1:3 speak boldly, as I ought to speak - Ephesians 6:20 Liberal Vs. Conservative 13

The Two Attitudes of Mind Conservative Liberal Vs. Conservative Liberal 14

Definition of Terms Liberal Conservative tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions of views: traditional; opposed to change. broad-minded; especially: not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms, not conservative. Liberal Vs. Conservative 15

Rubel Shelly Quote First, liberalism holds that there is no way to authenticate and prove as true any one version of the Christian faith...Second, liberalism rejects the Bible as being the actual Word of God to man...Third, liberalism restates the doctrine of Christ to show his utter humanity...Fourth, liberalism denies that the Bible has any inherent moral authority over men...Fifth, liberalism denies that mankind is lost and under the condemnation of sin...Sixth, liberalism has no concern with the New Testament concept of the church. Liberal Vs. Conservative Liberalism s Threat to the Faith, Rubel Shelly 16

Characteristics of Liberals Liberals downplay the necessity of a thus saith the Lord for what they do. Scripture is either ignored, excused as being culture or gender biased, or looked upon as being subjective. Liberals tend to have an end justify the means attitude. This attitude is evident in the matter of the work and worship of the church. Lavish entertainment schemes are devised to draw them in so we can teach them later. Liberal Vs. Conservative Liberals tend to downplay the necessity of baptism for the remission of sins. Some will try to expand the definition of a Christian to anyone who has been immersed. Some of the even more radical among the liberals who claim that even those who have been sprinkled are Christians. 17

2006 ACU Annual Lectureship Report One taught, we are hypocrites when we look down our noses at the denominations, they are Christians all come to Christ through the cross They taught we are NOT saved because we are right, BUT because Jesus was right. It is just the PERSON, not the doctrine They constantly said we are saved by GRACE, not by being united in doctrine, making fun of unity in doctrine and practice Comments by brother David D. Bonner in his article entitled, ACU Lecturship-2006, Gospel Truths, April 2006, p.1. 18

Characteristics of Liberals Liberals want to fellowship those who are not in fellowship with God. Men are invited to liberal gatherings who are either denominational preachers or openly fellowship denominations. Liberals tolerate almost everything, with the exception of faithful brethren who question their false views. They exercise an irenic spirit toward those in denominations, while reacting with hatred toward conservative brethren. They often get made when asked to justify their unscriptural actions. Those who object are called right wingers, traditionalists, radicals, antis among other things. Liberal Vs. Conservative Liberals do not believe in the distinctiveness of the church. They are constantly about our fellowship and our heritage. They seek to expand the church to include many who have never even obeyed the gospel. 19

Characteristics of Liberals Liberals laugh about the restoration plea. They believe that it is impossible to restore New Testament Christianity. They have said, What church should we restore? Corinth? Ephesus? Laodicea? They talk about the restoration period as the beginning point for the church of Christ. Liberal Vs. Conservative Liberals deny that there is a pattern for the church. To them it doesn t matter how we worship, or how one becomes a Christian, or how the church functions. Many of them will declare that everything we do in life is worship. With this casting off of the pattern our present day liberals are inching toward the open use of instrumental music in the worship. Liberals always talk about grace and deny that obedience is necessary for salvation. Instead of holding a biblical view that balance both grace and obedience, they, as a whole, deny the necessity of obedience. Some have even begun to teach grace only and faith only. 20 From the article, What is a Liberal by Grady Scott, 1999, edited slightly

Liberal Vs. Conservative Have no missionary, benevolent and educational organizations to execute the work of the church. They believe the local church is God s only organization to do His work. Ephesians 3:10 Acts 14:23 Have missionary, benevolent and educational organizations to execute the work of the church. Liberal Vs. Conservative 21

Liberal Vs. Conservative Have evangelists, elders (pastors), and teachers. Ephesians 4:11-12 Have educational directors, associate ministers, youth pastors, and superintendents over their human organizations. Liberal Vs. Conservative 22

Liberal Vs. Conservative Seek to get crowds with youth meetings, rallies, carnal rewards such as trips to Sea World and all kinds of promotions (such as the bus ministry ). Engage in none of these things, but seek to draw men to Christ with the preaching of the gospel of Christ. John 6:45 Romans 1:16, 17 Roman 10:17 Liberal Vs. Conservative 23

Liberal Vs. Conservative Emphasize society and the physical man by appealing to the carnal nature with church banquets, church kitchens, church camps and fellowship halls, and all kinds of parties. Do not believe the church is to provide the social needs of man. Romans 14:17 1 Cor. 11:22, 34 John 18:36 1 Cor. 10:6, 7 Liberal Vs. Conservative 24

Liberal Vs. Conservative Elevate their preachers above the rest of the members by using such titles as doctor. Reject all such titles as unscriptural. Matthew 23:5-12 Liberal Vs. Conservative 25

Liberal Vs. Conservative Support and operate schools for secular education, beginning with kindergarten and going through schools of higher education. Do not support or operate any schools. They believe that the church is the pillar and ground of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:15 Liberal Vs. Conservative 26

Liberal Vs. Conservative Reject this arrangement as a violation of the N. T. pattern of congregational cooperation. In N. T. times one church sent relief to another church when the receiving church was in want (or need) - unable to do its own work: Acts 11:27-30 Cooperation in such work does not require a centralized sponsoring church arrangement. Do much of their work through what they call the sponsoring church arrangement - many churches pooling their funds under one eldership to do a general work all churches are equally related to. Liberal Vs. Conservative 27

Liberal Vs. Conservative Unscriptural Pattern Scriptural Pattern Local Church Local Church Brethren in Antioch Liberal Vs. Conservative Sponsoring church Needy brethren in Judea Needy Church Needy Church 28

Liberal Vs. Conservative Base many of their practices on the silence of the scriptures, and appeal to the traditions of the past. Base all their practices on the unadulterated gospel of Christ Matthew 28:18 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Liberal Vs. Conservative 29

Liberal Vs. Conservative Expect their preachers to be modern-day pastors, running after the members and visiting the hospitals on a regular basis and to be the head planner of all their projects and promotions. Do not expect their preachers to leave the work of God to serve tables (Acts 6:2). They have deacons and godly women to take care of the physical needs of the congregation and elders to do the planning (Acts 20:28). The preacher is left free to study, meditate, pray and carry on the work of preaching the gospel to the lost (2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Tim. 4:12- 16). The preacher is to visit the sick because he is a Christian (Matt. 25:36), not as a preacher duty. Liberal Vs. Conservative 30

Liberal Vs. Conservative Have special singing in the assembly - different choral groups and quartets are invited in to sing to those present. Have nothing but congregational singing. Ephesians 5:19 Colossians 3:16 Liberal Vs. Conservative 31

Liberal Vs. Conservative Have special plays and skits in the assembly, especially during the Christmas season. They eat, drink and rise up to play Worship God in Spirit and in truth and behave in the house (church) of God. John 4:22-24 1 Timothy 3:15 1 Cor. 10:6, 7 Liberal Vs. Conservative 32

Liberal Vs. Conservative Focused on the social Draws people using fleshly lusts Disrespect the authority of Christ Argues that silence permits Focused on the Spiritual Draw people with the Gospel of Christ Respect the authority of Christ Understands that silence prohibits Liberal Vs. Conservative 33

Hebrews 7:11-17 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. Liberal Vs. Conservative 34

Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein Liberal Vs. Conservative 35

Revelation 22:18, 19 18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Liberal Vs. Conservative 36