BEWARE OF “LIBERALISM”
Stan Paregien

It appears that “liberal” elements are finding lodging places in the Churches of Christ. It is believed that “liberals” can be found in almost every congregation. And it has been further revealed that those in this “liberal” classification are well organized: they are joining many congregations, planning to “take over” by infiltration! Brethren, beware of these people. They speak and act convincingly. They are winning many people to their “liberal” views.

You may ask: How can a “liberal” be discovered or identified? He cannot always be discerned readily, but by careful study and investigation you can learn to identify a “liberal” by certain “divisive doctrines” upon which he will build his “case.”

“Liberals” believe that the deep, significantly preeminent message of God’s new covenant is love. They believe that all of life should be interpreted in the light of love — love for God, love for fellow men. They take at face value, and believe that Jesus “said what he meant” and “meant what he said,” when He voiced the Christian’s badge of discipleship: “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, that you love . . . “ St. John, the apostle of love, is believed by “liberals” as he writes, “For the message you have heard from the beginning is this: that we should love one another.” (Well, this “love” business is all right, just so it is not run in the ground. They begin with this just to soften you up!)

“Liberals” believe that immersion has a deeper meaning than “humble obedience,” and that it is not an act of obedience comparable to Naaman’s dipping in the Jordan. They emphasize that baptism, symbolically portraying the Messiah’s death, burial, and resurrection, and the candidate’s identification with the Christ whom he confesses, points to Jesus as the Savior and Lord. Christian baptism, they claim, has beautiful symbolism and a rich relevance only as it points to the Christ, only as it becomes a confession of faith in His lordship, only as it creates for the individual and experience of dying to the old life and rising to newness of private and public life with Jesus Christ. (Of course, the apostle Paul taught similarly in Romans, chapter six; but in this overly “spiritual” (!) emphasis it is too easy to overlook the direct command — after all, Jesus commanded it!)

Brethren with “liberal” leanings also concern themselves with so-called “depth” relative to the Lord’s Supper. They believe that it is not “enough” to obediently eat crackers and juice fifty-two times annually. The emphasis, they insist, is not in consuming so much unleavened bread and wine each year. They emphasize that a communion experience with the living Christ should be realized by each Christian worshiper. They believe that communion in this Sacred Supper should occupy a principal place in the disciples’ weekly worship, that it should not be relegated to minor moments in a “preaching service.” “Participation” or “fellowship” in His sufferings through this communion experience at the Holy Table, they declare, inspires a closer union with the Christ and evokes a more effective Christian witness in daily life. (Of course, the Lord’s Supper should not be eaten perfunctorily; but devoting more time in a worship service to this?! robbing the “minister” of his precious moments dedicated to proclaiming the inadequacies of every church but our own?! stripping the “worship” service of its primary teaching medium?! This, my brethren, is drifting toward Rome and/or sectarianism!)

These “liberals” are always concerned about “spiritual” worship. We have not necessarily offered effectual worship, they say, when we have engaged in the well known “five items of worship” in the traditional Southern Church of Christ manner. There must be thought and plan to praise and prayer. Periods of true worship should be real seasons of refreshing in joyful communion with God. Worship should be a truly meaningful act because of spiritually discerning planning, spiritually directed services, spiritually sensitive worshipers. Worship, effectually experienced, should be a privilege that bespeaks a most thrilling, most satisfying, and most realistic fellowship awaiting Christians: communion with God. (We really should improve worship services, to impress the visitors, but these “liberals” are downright extreme!)

There are other areas of Christian thought which claim the attention of these “liberals” in the Churches of Christ. They emphasize the grace of God in salvation; they stress the personality and ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life and service of the disciple; they speak largely in terms of positive, life-changing Christianity — transformation by the spirit of the Master.

Beware of “liberalism.” It might take over the Churches of Christ. “And, Lord, haste the day . . . “!

— Stan Paregien, Box 843, David Lipscomb College, Nashville, Tenn.