Liberal Theology: Symptoms of A Bigger Program

Researching the topic of liberal theology was, frankly, frustrating. But in that frustration lies an opportunity—to shift our focus back to what really matters: Christology—the study of the person and work of Jesus Christ. 

What is Theology? 
Theology means the “study of God.” The word comes from the Greek theos (God) and logos (word, study, or discourse). So, theology literally means “discourse about God.” 

Now, what is liberal theology?

At face value, it implies a liberal or progressive way of studying or thinking about God. But it's more than that. The term liberal is relative. Liberal theology exists in contrast to another viewpoint—conservative theology. The key questions we must ask are: Does God care about this? Which version of theology best describes who God is? 
 
Elements of Liberal Theology 

• View of Scripture: Scripture is viewed as rich in symbolism and shaped by historical context. It is not always considered inerrant or infallible. 
• Approach to Doctrine: Open to reinterpretation and doctrinal evolution over time. Traditional beliefs are not seen as static. 
  
• Understanding of Jesus: Focuses more on Jesus as a moral teacher and example rather than primarily on His divinity or atoning sacrifice. 
• Miracles and the Supernatural: Often reinterpreted as metaphorical or understood through modern scientific frameworks. 
  
• Position on Social Issues: Generally progressive—emphasizes inclusion across gender and sexuality and encourages interfaith dialogue.
• Concept of Truth: Truth is seen as evolving, influenced by culture, experience, and time. 

Elements of Conservative Theology 

• View of Scripture: Often interpreted literally and regarded as free from error—fully authoritative and trustworthy.
• Approach to Doctrine: Rooted in long-standing creeds and resistant to changes in core beliefs. 
  
• Understanding of Jesus: Jesus is central as the divine Son of God whose death and resurrection provide salvation. 
  
• Miracles and the Supernatural: Fully accepted as literal, historical events that are central to the Christian faith. 
  
• Position on Social Issues: Typically maintains traditional views on topics like marriage, gender roles, and sanctity of life. 
  
• Concept of Truth: Truth is considered absolute, unchanging, and revealed by God—not shaped by culture. 
   
  

  My Reflections

  View of Scripture 

It would be intellectually dishonest to say the Bible is entirely free from human error. It's also not a comprehensive biography of anyone except Jesus. For example, how can Abraham’s 175-year life be accurately captured in just a few chapters? It is not possible. So we don't know 99% of the life of the characters in the Scriptures. 

The Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, and has undergone extensive translation over millennia: Septuagint (Greek, c. 250–100 BCE), Latin Vulgate (c. 382–405 CE), and more. Today, it exists in over 3,600 languages. It's reasonable to conclude that some context or nuance has been lost in translation. 

Does that mean the Bible is fallible? Yes—the text itself is fallible. It didn’t fall from heaven. It was written by around 40 different human authors over 1,500 years. According to 2 Timothy 3:16–17, they were inspired by God, but not dictated to. 

And yet, here’s the miracle: these diverse authors, separated by time and culture, were all pointing to the same person—Jesus Christ. That’s why the Bible, despite its human flaws, remains the most trustworthy reference we have for knowing God. It has greater authority than visions, encounters, or religious traditions. 

Both liberal and conservative theology often miss this: the Bible is about Jesus. It must be interpreted with Him as the central figure—not debated endlessly over historical details or peripheral doctrines. 
 
Approach to Doctrine 
The central doctrine is Jesus. Everything else must be measured by Him. 
The danger of conservative theology is that it can become rigid, resistant to fresh insight about Jesus, even when it comes from Scripture. On the flip side, liberal theology often opens the door to endless reinterpretation that may drift away from Christ altogether. 

Jesus must be the absolute. Paul, Peter, David, and the others were inspired, but they are not the standard. Their teachings must be evaluated in light of Jesus’ words and actions. For example, Paul said women should be silent in church—but what would Jesus say? What was Paul’s context? 
In this sense, liberal theology is correct: we must be open to evolving. But that evolution must be anchored in Christ. 
 
Understanding of Jesus 

Liberal theology often reduces Jesus to just a great moral teacher. But the beauty of Jesus' moral teaching is that we can’t live up to it—not without Him. 
"Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees... you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven." — Matthew 5:20 

This is the entire point of grace. Jesus didn’t just teach morality—He embodied righteousness and gifted it to us through faith. This is where conservative theology is closer to the truth, though not always perfect in its expression. 
 
Miracles and the Supernatural 
If we don’t believe in miracles, we don’t believe in God. Yes, miracles can carry deeper meanings, but that doesn’t make them less real. Miracles still happen. To dismiss them is to dismiss faith itself. 
 
Position on Social Issues 

This is where things get even more complicated. Today, many Christian leaders stay silent about real atrocities—like the killing of innocent civilians by military forces (e.g., in the Israel-Palestine conflict). Historically, this isn’t new. Religion has often been used to justify violence: 

• The Crusades (1096–1291): Christians waged war in the name of reclaiming the Holy Land. 
• The Inquisition: Torture and executions of heretics, Jews, Muslims, and scientists. 
• Witch Hunts: Brutal killings of alleged witches, often without evidence. 
• Religious Wars in Europe: Millions died over denominational differences. 
• Colonial Conversions: Forced conversions in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. 

This violence was committed in God’s name, but not in God’s character. 

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." — Galatians 5:22–23 

"Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father." — John 14:9 

The character of God is revealed in the Man, Jesus, not in the political or military agendas of nations or churches. 

Hebrews 1:3 (ESV) 
"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature..." 

Colossians 1:15 (NIV) 
"The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." 

John 14:9 (NIV) 
Jesus answered: "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." 

So, while conservative theology clings to traditional moral stances, it has also—historically and presently—been weaponized.  Core elements of the fruit of the Spirit have been minimized for the illusion of doctrinal purity. Elements like love, kindness, Compassion etc. So, the debate really is which evil is more acceptable? For example, 

• Abortion or Capital punishment?  
• Gay marriage OR stoning them on the street?  
• Witchcraft or burning alive of another Human being?
• Etc. 

None of this is about Jesus. The debates are expression of self-righteousness. Jesus loves EVERYBODY. John 3:16 

 My Conclusion 

Most people fall somewhere on a spectrum between liberal and conservative theology. But God doesn’t live at the extremes of any ideology.

The Bible was written in ancient time, for ancient audiences, and in ancient languages. We must interpret it wisely, carefully, and always through the lens of Christ.

That’s why researching liberal theology was so frustrating—because the debate often misses the entire point of Christianity. The Christian faith is not about moral perfection, sinless perfection, social ideology, or doctrinal superiority. Doctrinal purity does not exist (Not even in the Bible).

It’s about restored relationship with God. 
It’s about Jesus. 
It’s about grace. 
And it’s about faith in the One who fulfilled the law so we could be free (including freedom to have an ideology). 

When liberal and conservative theologians argue, they're often just debating works. But work doesn't save. Jesus does. Good Works is a byproduct of ongoing relationship with Jesus.