The Widening of the Theological Gap
I have not done research on this and this is just an observation based on conversations and scanning of discussions among people on social media. It is also based on what I see within denominations.
There seems to be a growing gap among Christians with the conservatives becoming more conservatives and the liberals becoming more liberal.
As soon as I say that, I know someone will respond with: “What do you mean by conservative or liberal?”
I understand that those are slippery terms. It doesn’t help that they are used both for theology and politics and there is overlap but not equivalency in how they are used in those two areas.
For the purpose of this post, I do not need a comprehensive definition of who fits in what camp. The truth is there are conservatives who look at others in their camp and criticize them for being too conservative or not conservative enough. The same happens among liberals.
That aside, there is a growing sense of a conflict between theological conservatives and liberals. This is no doubt related to the ongoing “culture war.”
What I am seeing is an increase in the concept of “us” vs “them.” Instead of initiating conversations to understand one another, there is a growing entrenchment. There is concern about “drift” and if we don’t take a stronger stand, then we are giving too much opportunity to the enemy. This enemy being those within the Church that we disagree with.
In some ways this is leading to the rise of a new fundamentalism. Fundamentalism is not just about a belief in certain theological fundamentals. It is about the erecting of walls to protect what is inside from what is outside.
This new fundamentalism, from what I can see is happening within both conservative evangelicals and progressive Christians.
Any openness to learn from or even just listening to the other side is seen as a slippery slope to losing one’s convictions. The only way to prevent it is to create higher walls. Or so it is claimed.
We can see how this is playing out in the nature of the rhetoric. People tend to write off people with labels. Instead of interacting with different ideas and interpretations, a label is slapped on them that lets everyone know they can be safely dismissed.
Some people might rejoice in what is happening. They might see this as people finally taking a stand and refusing to compromise. If you believe you are right, you need to reject those who are wrong.
For myself, I am definitely a moderate. I am keenly aware that I am dismissed as both too conservative and too liberal by many people. It can be a lonely place.
I want to learn from my conservative and liberal brothers and sisters. But the widening gap is making it more difficult all the time.
What is the answer? I believe the Bible has much to say about this in terms of unity within the body of Christ and the embracing of diversity. The Bible calls us to be known by our love for one another rather than the way we exclude those we disagree with.
I think a great first step would be for Christians on either side to stop treating one another with contempt and to being to actually love one another and treat each other with respect.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:35)
