The modern historical era of liberal theology basically encompass four distinct phases of change. The Enlightenment phase extends from the seventeenth century to approximately the middle or late eighteenth century. It is followed by the Romantic phase which is prominent until the mid-nineteenth century when it fades and then rise in the form of Modernism. The final, or perhaps more appropriately, the present phase of liberalism (often referred to as Neo-liberalism) began to surface during the twentieth century.
Even though research indicate liberal thought in actuality antedates the aforementioned phases, for purposes of brevity and clarity, this article shall focus on liberal thought as it developed from the age of the enlightenment to the present.
The age of Enlightenment was characterized by the triumph of reason in religion and the evanescence of the doctrine of revelation. Rationalism stressed the a priori ability of human reason to know truth; what could be known could only be known through reason and what could not be known by reason was not truth. Revelation and authority therefore, were not only dismissed as irrelevant but totally unnecessary as well. The chief exponents of rationalism were Descartes, Spinoza and Leibniz.
Rationalism gained its first systematic philosophical formulation in the works of Descartes. He applied the mathematical method to human reasoning and argued for a priori ideas and principles. He attempted to prove God's existence by means of an ontological argument beneath which laid his geometrical method of truth. Mainly, whatever is a certainty (clear and distinct ideas) is truth.
Geisler (Christian Apologetics) believed Spinoza's rationalism was more geometric than Descartes. He felt Spinoza rationalized the absolute perfect idea of a perfect being. Man's reason is competent only up to a certain point; beyond this point man must recognize his incapacity and total dependence. It should be noted that Spinoza's rationalism resulted in pantheistic conclusions.
The basis of Leibniz's rationalism was centered on God around the sufficient idea. His approach begins with an examination of scientific findings from experience. He utilizes both ontological and cosmological arguments for the rationalistic explanation of God.
Theological rationalism then, asserts the claims of reason against authority or revelation. The fundamental principles of religion are held to be innate or self-evident. During this phase of liberal thought rationalism, orthodoxy suffered some serious secular blows. Rationalists were those who believed in reason with a profound faith. They rebelled vehemently against all authorities outside of man's reason and claimed for reason an autonomy which would enable it to examine all questions without interference.
According to Nagler, rationalisms' aim was to liberate the energies of human nature by the free and fearless use of reason. It virtually ignored all dogmas and rules that impeded freedom of scientific inquiry and the questioning of all accepted truth. The Bible, tradition, religious institutions and religious hierarchies had to submit to the rationalists' reason and experience. There was a basic mistrust of tradition and a philosophical analysis of morality and ethics. The Christian faith was reduced to mere reason with prayers playing a prominent place. It was natural then, that God became an impersonal and somewhat aloof deity. And as Nagler pointed out in The Church in History, "rationalism, thinking to explain all life and truth on the basis of pure reason soon degenerated into an intellectual fad." Nevertheless, Enlightenment theology is perceived as the forerunner and ally of liberalism in the struggle against religious intolerance.
As we continue our journey, we enter the Romantic period. Romanticism was to the nineteenth century what Rationalism was to the eighteenth. This phase of liberalism development was marked by the discovery of the uniqueness of the individual and of access to its concrete reality through individual experience. In other words, the human individual was regarded as the path-way into the vast infinite reality. Man and experience was valued over and above all other creative forms. Many believe that a great literary and artistic period was the result of Romanticism. It was a religion of culture which in many ways resembled the religion of the historical Greeks. The demand was for an all embracing concept of life. Nagler observed that one of the most important contributions made to theological thought was its conclusion that intellect was not the only road to truth. Spiritual events were considered to be the release of the individual from the bondage of coercion. Or, as Nagler puts it: "rationalism was rescued from its danger?dangerous tendencies largely by the work of the great philosopher Immanuel Kant?Kant endeavored to show the limits of pure reason in that it could neither demonstrate not overthrow the objects of belief. The latter, such as God, immortality, and freedom-in fact, all the truths and values of the supersensible world come within the realm of what he called the practical reason."
As the emphasis on the worth and dignity of man gradually permeated liberal thought; another great voice rose to champion the cause, W. E. Channing.
From my readings, Channing appears to have been a genuine seeker after a rational faith. He believed in miracles and prophecy as evidences of Christianity. He became a spokesman for American Unitarianism. The concept of a co-equal, co-existing trinity was unacceptable to him intellectually. Like Kant, Channing believed very strongly in the moral perfection of God and the autonomy of man.
(continued in Part 2)
Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, veteran social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach which can be reviewed on her site. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, is expected to be available in July.
You are welcome to visit AMEN Ministries: Your Soul's Service Station for spiritual refreshing, soul edification or to browse our newly expanded mini shopping mall.
Blessings to all!
Now that I am saved, what do I do next?... Read More
A friend of mine had asked my thoughts on how... Read More
According to the Book of Revelations, the city of Babylon... Read More
It may seem trite and naïve to suggest we can... Read More
(This is the first article in a new series on... Read More
"We desperately need to recognize that we are the guests... Read More
As a deist, Thomas Jefferson may have thought God was... Read More
After the 1000 years are up in the Millennium Kingdom,... Read More
Have you ever wondered how exactly would someone find out... Read More
In ancient Rome, the cradle of democracy, women had no... Read More
The other day I had a meeting on the web... Read More
The popularity in the past few years of the apocalyptic... Read More
DEAD SEA SCROLLS: - Dr Norman Golb is a top... Read More
One point many Christian Working Moms who have been interviewed... Read More
In part 1 of this series of end time articles,... Read More
Rebuilding society and the tax protest movement: A Biblical Opinion... Read More
Every great human movement toward freedom, whether commercial, political or... Read More
Talent is defined as: "Natural endowment or ability of a... Read More
Webster's dictionary explains majesty meaning a title used to speaking... Read More
Over the last week I have received dozens of heart-rending... Read More
Observation shows that human creative activity has a physical, a... Read More
One of the more insightful warnings Christians can receive bears... Read More
The subject of this document is so unpleasing to the... Read More
Romans 1:16-1:32. Can there be a compromise between the two:... Read More
As I was doing my studies, the Lord put something... Read More
2 Kings 9:30-9:36. How many her today believe in the... Read More
Several weeks ago, while shopping in a grocery store, my... Read More
When we think in terms of what it means for... Read More
"See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs... Read More
Over the last 10 years or so I have met... Read More
The Greek language had three words for "Love" First there... Read More
Although I've never met Supreme Court nominee John Roberts, I... Read More
What is The Big Bang Theory! What do we mean... Read More
Heaven is a bribe and hell is a punishment. Be... Read More
". . . their eyes were opened, and they recognized... Read More
I don't care how much you go to church or... Read More
You are now inside one of the top theological schools... Read More
Some may ask, why can't I have a lot of... Read More
Amos was a shepherd who lived in the region of... Read More
Isaiah 65:17-65:25In Divers Places. A Look at prophecy and today's... Read More
1 Corinthians 9:19-9:23From The Heart A Look at Christianity from... Read More
Are we doing what the word of God say to... Read More
The Caribbean is the site of another thing which some... Read More
In part 1 of this series of end time articles,... Read More
Per the miscellaneous signs listed in my previous article, Jesus... Read More
"I also say to you that you are Peter, and... Read More
These 7 judgments will more than likely occur during the... Read More
I'm the most religious guy in the Libertarian Party. At... Read More
"We desperately need to recognize that we are the guests... Read More
Divine power is so great, Paul an apostle of Christ... Read More
Why did the founding fathers of the United States consider... Read More
In a time when public scrutiny is becoming tighter and... Read More
(Channelled)Roy? this week you learned something about yourself. You learned... Read More
Welcome to the website: All about Jesus, I hope you... Read More
What is The Big Bang Theory! What do we mean... Read More
A father savagely murders his nine children. A stay at... Read More
This is the event that has already occurred. In 70... Read More
Many Christians often wonder, "How should we pray?"I'm going to... Read More
The words "rose of Sharon" comes out of the Old... Read More
The flesh is the part of us that resists our... Read More
These next 3 articles are going to be extremely HARD... Read More
Dear Readers, I received a letter this week that is... Read More
Today we are looking at one of the most beautiful... Read More
The first thing I would like to do is give... Read More
More and more today people are showing an obsession about... Read More
I was in my late teens when I first read... Read More
Religion |