The Making of American Liberal Theology Imagining Progressive Religion 1805-1900 (WJK 2001) is the first volume of Gary Dorrien’s magisterial three volume series on the history of American liberalism. I don’t know much about Dorrien except that when he began the series he was at Kalamazoo College and now he is at Union Theological Seminary. From what I’ve read (and I did not read every page), he is sympathetic to liberalism (hence the position at Union), but also fair and clear. I doubt that many evangelicals need to read these volumes, but some pastors and students may want to have them as reference material on their shelves.
So what is liberalism?
Like any “ism” it’s diverse and not easy to define. But certain characteristics shine through in Dorrien’s narrative. For the sake of historical accuracy and for the sake of spotting recurring themes in the contemporary church, it’s important to understand something about the basic themes of liberal theology (note: the headings are mine, all the indented text is from the book).
1. True religion is not based on external authority
What’s more, Dorrien recognizes this rejection is something new in the history of the church.
Note that Dorrien does not believe inerrancy was a Princetonian invention.
2. Christianity is a movement of social reconstruction.
3. Christianity must be credible and relevant.
4. Truth can be know only through changing symbols and forms.
5. Theological controversy is about language, not about truth.
6. The historical accuracies of biblical facts and events are not crucial, so long as we meet Jesus in the pages of Scripture.
7. The true religion is the way of Christ, not any particular doctrines about Christ.
Dorrien observes that this kind of religion was a departure from historic orthodoxy.
The new progressive religion of liberalism understood Christianity quite differently.
Liberalism is not a swear word to be thrown around. It is a diverse, but identifiable approach to Christianity, one that differs significantly from historic orthodoxy, not to mention evangelicalism and fundamentalism. Liberals believe they are making Christianity relevant, credible, beneficial, and humane. Evangelicals in the line J. Gresham Machen believe they are making something other than Christianity.
As Shakespeare put it, “Ay, there’s the rub.”
