Liberal theology is a theological approach emphasizing reason and modern knowledge. It emerged in the 19th century. It was a response to the Enlightenment. It was a response to science. It was a response to historical criticism. It was a response to modernity. It sought to reconcile Christianity with modern thought. It sought to reinterpret traditional doctrines. It sought to adapt the faith to the times. It sought to make Christianity credible. It sought to make it relevant. It sought to make it reasonable. It sought to make it modern. It sought to make it liberal.

Liberal theology has many forms. Friedrich Schleiermacher is the father. He defined religion as the feeling of absolute dependence. He emphasized experience over doctrine. Albrecht Ritschl emphasized ethics and the kingdom of God. Adolf von Harnack emphasized the essence of Christianity. He reduced it to the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. Paul Tillich emphasized ultimate concern. He used existential philosophy. Rudolf Bultmann demythologized the New Testament. He removed the supernatural. He focused on the existential message. John Shelby Spong rejected theism. He called for a new Christianity. The forms vary. The spirit is the same. Reason. Experience. Modernity. Relevance. Adaptation. Liberal theology.

Liberal theology characteristics

• Reason: faith must be reasonable.
• Experience: religious experience is primary.
• Modern knowledge: science and history inform theology.
• Reinterpretation: traditional doctrines are reinterpreted.
• Ethics: moral action is central.
• Immanence: God is within the world.
• Optimism: human nature is basically good.

Liberal theology is controversial. Conservatives reject it. They say it denies the faith. They say it rejects the Bible. They say it undermines the gospel. They say it is heresy. Liberals defend it. They say it saves the faith. They say it makes the Bible relevant. They say it proclaims the gospel. They say it is faithful. They say it is honest. They say it is modern. They say it is liberal. The debate continues. It is the debate between Athens and Jerusalem. It is the debate between reason and revelation. It is the debate between modernity and tradition. It is the debate between liberalism and orthodoxy. It is the debate between faith and doubt. It is the debate between God and man. It is the debate. It is liberal theology.