In modern times, although there is a portion that has been expanded and solidified through applying 19th- and early 20th-century European documentary criticism to the Bible, from a broader perspective it can be seen as referring to a shift in approach to the faith of traditional Christianity that changed from a theocentric worldview to a human-centric worldview through the Enlightenment movement in 17th- and 18th-century Europe. Thus, it is based on reason, historical-critical research, and the value of personal experience, which the Enlightenment emphasizes.
1. Rather than biblical faith, liberalism prioritizes logic and critical inquiry.
Rational engagement: By deifying rational engagement—considered the highest value of the Enlightenment—in a modern way, [liberalism] endeavors to freely question and reinterpret traditional teachings.
Historical-critical method: Although it is very suitable as a tool to better understand the meaning of the biblical text by closely examining authorship, sources, culture, and historical context, it goes further and is used as a tool to regard and dismantle the Word of the Bible as if it were human mythology, rather than receiving it as the Word of God in faith.
2. Rather than placing importance on properly understanding and realizing the Word, liberalism prioritizes religious experience and personal conscience.
Preference for subjective over objective: Whereas traditional Christianity primarily places God’s relationship with the community at the center, liberalism dramatically individualizes faith, placing personal experience at the heart of theological reflection. Recently, due to postmodernism, there is the view that objective understanding or truth is impossible.
Conscience over doctrine: There is a tendency to prioritize personal ethical insight over any confession of faith or denominational confession.
3. Rather than belief in the supernatural power of God, liberalism places greater importance on adapting to modern knowledge.
Dialogue with science: It accepts scientific discoveries such as evolution and seeks harmony. Traditionally, God’s supernatural works have not been subsumed within a framework of natural science, but liberalism brings God into the scientific system as a natural phenomenon. Many liberal theologians and pastors are internally atheists. They believe that phenomena arising from faith are merely phenomena of the individual’s mind and body. When it comes to liberal pastors, they encode their words so that to the listener it sounds like they acknowledge God.
Progressive revelation: Liberalism believes that, due to new information, cultural changes, or the flow of time (rather than the concept of belief in God), human faith varies according to a community’s identity and its era.
4. Rather than participating in God’s work of salvation, liberalism focuses more on moral and social ethics.
Ethical core: Because liberalism considers objective understanding impossible, rather than placing top priority on a correct understanding of the Word, it emphasizes moral and ethical teachings (for example, the Sermon on the Mount) or certain life applications (for example, “do not get angry”) more than any doctrine or God’s more central Word.
Social ethics and justice: They often link the expansion of God’s kingdom to social reform, advocating issues such as social justice, civil rights, and economic equality, viewing them as an essential part of living out one’s faith.
5. Rather than emphasizing principles or precepts of the Word, liberalism places more emphasis on being inclusive and ecumenical.
Broad tolerance: (Because it considers objective understanding impossible), it generally welcomes and even takes pride in diverse perspectives and dialogue among various denominations and religions. It places greater importance on seeking common ground with other Christian denominations and sometimes other religious traditions.
Minimizing doctrinal barriers: In a spirit of openness, liberalism often weakens overly strict doctrinal boundaries, minimizing fundamental teachings or traditional elements of Christianity.
6. Liberalism reinterprets traditional doctrine.
Non-literal interpretation: Rather than accepting long-standing doctrines such as the virgin birth of Jesus, miracles, and atonement as literal historical facts, it reinterprets them metaphorically or symbolically—and often regards believers who accept these teachings traditionally or literally as holding a rather ignorant level of faith. Liberal pastors are adept at encrypting these matters in ways that do not alienate those who hear them literally.
God’s immanence: Whereas traditional theology emphasizes God’s transcendence, liberal theology seeks harmony with a modern worldview.