First let’s sum up McLaren’s background information on the path taken by Protestant Christianity to arrive at two polarized versions of itself: Conservative Christianity and Liberal Christianity. As our world (and the church) turned a corner from medieval thinking to modern, the crucial question that would determine where to find the answers to all other questions was, “How do we know that what we know is true?” In medieval times, truth was sought from established authorities, such as the Pope, the King, ecclesiastical councils, etc. Modernism embraced self-directed discovery of truth through research, logical reasoning, etc. Within the Protestant churches, the Bible was still considered authoritative when combined with human interpretation. The question was, who could say how the Bible should be interpreted? Enter Conservativism, stage right, and Liberalism, stage left.
1. After reading McLaren’s discussion of the distinctions between liberals and conservatives, list the strengths and weaknesses he ascribes to each group.
2. Share which group (if either) you identify with. Do you agree or disagree with the list from question #1?
3. Share your thoughts on McLaren’s “parable”.
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April 9, 2010 at 11:17 am
Brenda
I truly appreciate our discussion between the political models of liberal vs. conservative and how they may be significantly different from religious or moral models. This sets my mind free in many ways in the sense that I have never been a “party line” voter and always felt the need to justify my decisions either way… Funny how we feel that need with our freedom to vote as we see fit!
I wrote-in voted for my dad, once, who is the most ethical and qualified person I know, but he obviously didn’t get enough votes to win. (I voted for God once, too, but he didn’t win either…sigh.)
See ya’all soon!