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3.3 Statements of Faith
Twin Errors: Theological Liberalism & Theological Fundamentalism:
- The error of theological liberalism is a basic disrespect for biblical authority and the church’s treasury of truth. The mark of true liberalism is the refusal to admit that first-order theological issues even exist. Liberals treat first-order doctrines as if they were merely third order in importance, and doctrinal ambiguity is the inevitable result.
- Fundamentalism, on the other hand, tends toward the opposite error. The misjudgment of true fundamentalism is the belief that all disagreements concern first-order doctrines. Thus, third-order issues are raised to a first-order importance, and Christians are wrongly and harmfully divided.
How can Pentecostals guard against falling into either of these two errors? Reflect in a paragraph.
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15 Replies
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I’m heartbroken when I hear of someone who, having watched the church fight amongst itself, has decided that Christians aren’t representing Jesus Christ or worse, that Jesus isn’t who we say He is. I realize that we need to make sure the issues that pertain to salvation are clear, but after that we need to be more aligned in what we do agree with, instead of picking apart each others beliefs. Our communities are watching, and we need to be more unified in our love for Christ and each other.
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@Jenn this reminds me of Gandhi’s quote: “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
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First of all, by being aware of the Twin Errors. Knowledge and understanding of these two theological extremes help give us tools to process the theological issues we are discussing or wrestling with with greater wisdom.
Secondly, by having accountability with other believers committed to engaging with theology and not being afraid to think through theological ideas ourselves. When the Body is functioning as a whole and in their gifts that can be (although not always) a safeguard against going off into one of these extremes.
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@smythc1 thanks for sharing your response in detail! I particularly like your second answer, as most often people move away from orthodox Christianity when they are operating in isolation and choosing to remove themselves from accountability to the body.
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This is what I call the “pendulum syndrome” where one has the tendency to either go on extreme left or extreme right. In anything, my personal rule of thumb is “balance.” I need to balance myself from being too theological (anything that doesn’t look like what I perceive to be biblical is wrong), or liberal (anything is ok). We are in error if we subscribe either one of these sides.
We can guard ourselves against falling into either of these error by going back to basics: be familiarized with your Bible; keep growing, keep learning, do research. And apply love (grace) in everything.
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By first being aware of these errors and understanding why there is a first, second, third and fourth-order, Pentecostals can watch out for situations where they might slip into these errors. This course/lesson is one great way to bring such awareness and understanding, teaching believers what should be held as unchangeable and where we must agree to disagree from time to time, and be okay with it. Reading scripture and pressing into the Lord are also always great ways to guard from theological liberalism and unnecessary division for I do believe if we are close to Him the prideful heart and the spirit of disunity fall away and also the more we know God through prayer, scripture and the secret place the more likely our theology will be corrected.
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