What is your definition of a liberal christian?

Answer 1

Good question.

The term "liberal" is often misunderstood. Many political conservatives (Republicans) in the U.S., for instance, hold a number of classically liberal beliefs, particularly in the area of economics - but if you told them that they were liberals they would look at you in disbelief and disgust.

"Liberal" has a specific meaning in Christianity. It refers to a trend that began in the late eighteenth century of questioning traditional Christian doctrine and recognizing the autonomy of an individual's conscience to decide on spiritual matters. Liberal Christians question authority, wrestle with their faith, test it in the fire of critical thought - and in the end come to faith in Christ, whom they believe (like all other Christians) is the Word of God made flesh and is the same God they have come to know in their ordinary, workaday lives.

It is precisely because liberal Christians recognize the autonomy of the individual that they are by definition less dogmatic, less fixated with doctrinal purity and a literal understanding of Holy Scripture. Indeed, it is difficult to generalize what a liberal Christian believes, because there are as many answers to that question as there are liberal Christians - each of them has "worked out his own salvation with fear and trembling," to paraphrase the Apostle Paul.

Answer 2

The definition of liberal is being in favor of change. This would mean that a liberal Christian would be a person who follows the Christian faith but who is less concerned with holding up Christian traditions and more concerned with finding ways to fit the basic tennets of Christianity into modern life. For instance, a conservative Christian might be against gay marriage because the Christian church has traditionally believed it to be immoral. A liberal Christian would care less about tradition and might be in favor of gay marriage because the bible teaches tolerance towards all people.

Answer 3

A liberal Christian is probably not a Fundamentalist, and may not necessarily be a Biblical literalist. They would likely be more open to a broader interpretation of Scripture than the average conservative. They might be more inclined to practice a "social gospel" (helping the poor and addressing cultural injustice) than proselytizing.

Answer 4

A person who believes in letting the people of a nation a lot of free exercise of power without a restrictive government, believes in open-mindedness and using the newest methods and ideas out there, does not like spending money in unnecessary places, and happens to be of the Christian faith.

Answer 5

A liberal Christian is one who asserts that the Bible CONTAINS the word of God, but not that every word of the bible is objectively true. They see they Bible as inspired by the holy spirit but not dictated by it. Liberal Christians weigh 4 principles in determining their faith, giving each equal weight:
1. Scripture
2. Tradition
3. Reason
4. Personal experience.

Answer 6

A liberal Christian would be someone who doesn't take the Bible literally. Oppositely, a convervative Christian would take the Bible literally.

Answer 7

A Christian that voted for Bill Clinton in the 90's.

Answer 8

Someone who has deep and strong beliefs, believes that Jesus died for their sins, but understands that we are merely human and cannot fully appreciate or understand the will of God. Therefore they act with humility to their fellow men/women and they show respect to those that disagree with them while sustaining their own faith. (i.e. Billy Graham, not Jerry Falwell)

Answer 9

One who questions their faith, does not believe every single aspect of it but still considers themselves a christian. That is the perfect description of my husband.

Answer 10

Basically it's a Christian that's free to do wrong (like killing and murder) whenever they wish, if they believe it's the will of their God. For example ...

God is the greatest mass murderer in history.

References: Genesis 6:11-17 and Genesis 7:11-24
Some examples:

GE 6:13 - And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

GE 6:17 - And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.

Seems to me that God (for you believers) is annoyed with humanity other than his buddy Noah, and decides to kill (murder) every living thing on the face of the earth, except of course Noah and his family - got to have a few friends left.