This paper will explore why some evangelicals shift from creedal Christianity which has stood the tests of time to theological liberalism. What are the possible motivations or reasons for this move from biblical doctrine?
Throughout all my decades of teaching, I have wrestled with the question of why some evangelicals turn away from biblical truth and “go liberal,” as we say colloquially. As one of the youngest participants in the Chicago Summit on Biblical Inerrancy in 1978 while a student at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, I had a great introduction to the fact that throughout church history, much has been said in defense of creedal Christianity and against liberalism—the contradiction of historic orthodoxy.
But surprisingly, a literature review reveals that very little has been written about why some individuals turn to liberalism. This is a crucial subject, yet few have addressed it. Surely, a better understanding of possible causes and motivations would help us do a better job of teaching doctrine as well as responding to those who turn away from biblical teaching.
My research has revealed that there are a wide variety of reasons and motivations. These spring from a spectrum of factors: spiritual, psychological, social, economic, and educational.
However, even knowing the range of factors and possible motivations, it would be nearly impossible to parse out the specific reasons any particular individual went liberal. Shifting one’s theological position is usually done gradually and in secrecy and often deploys deception and nuance.
Why is it then that so many who once affirmed and even preached and taught the great doctrines of the faith then shift? Why do they directly contradict what the Bible states clearly, what the creeds carefully articulated, and what the Church has affirmed for centuries? Developing a taxonomy of potential motivations and reasons can help guard our hearts and minds against drifting from creedal Christianity and can aid as we seek to encourage others to hold on to sound doctrine.
This paper is the result of years of research which included learning much from the Early Church Fathers, leaders of the Reformation and the Wesleyan revival, early twentieth century defenders of the faith, leaders of the Chicago Inerrancy Summit era, right on up to scholars and Christian leaders of our day. I have asked a number of contemporary theologians and leaders for their perspective as well.
As I have spoken and written on this topic in Europe and the US over the past few months, I have been amazed by the intense interest in this topic, especially among young evangelical leaders.
I. Defining our terms
a. Creedal Christianity
b. Theological liberalism
c. What we’re not talking about
II. Possible motivations or reasons why some shift to theological liberalism
a. Spiritual factors
b. Psychological factors
c. Social factors
d. Economic factors
e. Educational factors
III. Conclusion. How to hold fast to truth—Learning from Athanasius, Machen, and Schaeffer