What Is The Difference Between Liberal, Conservative and Fundamentalist Christians?

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GodsGrace

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Here's how I understand it:

A fundamentalist Christian is one that takes every single word of the bible, OT specifically, literally.
IOW, they would believe that the earth is 6 thousand years old, the world was made in 6 literal days,
etc.

A liberal Christian, as far as I could tell, is one that states he believes but then adds his own beliefs to scripture.
IOW,,,he only accepts the scripture he agrees with.

A conservative Christian is one that makes an effort to understand what God would want from us and then does his best to live it out.
He might or might now believe in a 6 thousand year old earth, and he might or might not believe the story of Genesis is literal.

Actually, I'm not sure which is why I'm asking.
 
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GodsGrace

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In God’s eyes
Nothing


In Man’s eyes
Everything
Thanks Stash.
I agree that to God it makes no difference.

But I don't post for purposes of arguing....
I REALLY want to know what the difference is.

Would you agree with how I believe the difference to be?
(in post no. 2).

IOW,,, I think a liberal Christian is one that believes gay marriage is OK.
Or am I taking the thinking too far?
 

JohnDB

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Here's how I understand it:

A fundamentalist Christian is one that takes every single word of the bible, OT specifically, literally.
IOW, they would believe that the earth is 6 thousand years old, the world was made in 6 literal days,
etc.

A liberal Christian, as far as I could tell, is one that states he believes but then adds his own beliefs to scripture.
IOW,,,he only accepts the scripture he agrees with.

A conservative Christian is one that makes an effort to understand what God would want from us and then does his best to live it out.
He might or might now believe in a 6 thousand year old earth, and he might or might not believe the story of Genesis is literal.

Actually, I'm not sure which is why I'm asking.
The Bible (Torah) that Moses wrote is 5700 years old. (Levitical Calendar)

And I, nor anyone knows the true age of Earth because scriptures do not say as they are not a history book but a book that reveals truth which should inspire us to, and be able to, live a life pleasing to God. Which is the ONLY relevant knowledge we really need to know gleaned from scriptures.

So...whatever that makes me.
 
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GodsGrace

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The Bible (Torah) that Moses wrote is 5700 years old. (Levitical Calendar)

And I, nor anyone knows the true age of Earth because scriptures do not say as they are not a history book but a book that reveals truth which should inspire us to, and be able to, live a life pleasing to God. Which is the ONLY relevant knowledge we really need to know gleaned from scriptures.

So...whatever that makes me.
Does that make you a liberal Christian?
I don't think so.

I'm not trying to put labels on persons.
Personally, I believe the earth is billions of years old. 4.5 to be exact.
But I also don't believe I'm a liberal Christian.

Maybe more will reply to get to a good answer....
maybe not.
We'll see.
 

Dan Clarkston

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There is no such thing as a liberal Christian... those that support baby killing and sexual perversion are following doctrines of demons and are definitely not being led by the Holy Spirit

Romans 8:14
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
 

JohnDB

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Does that make you a liberal Christian?
I don't think so.

I'm not trying to put labels on persons.
Personally, I believe the earth is billions of years old. 4.5 to be exact.
But I also don't believe I'm a liberal Christian.

Maybe more will reply to get to a good answer....
maybe not.
We'll see.
Well,
Perhaps your definitions are incorrect. (I've heard those grouping names before so I dont think those are wrong at all) There are more possibilities for groupings of various types of beliefs....not too particular or narrowly defined but still broad enough to encompass a broad group.

So I'm not sure about any of this myself.

I look forward to finding good results from your inquiry.
 
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Wrangler

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Your question is invalid. Its invalid because it juxtaposes incongruent concepts, like the sound of orange.

Liberal and conservative tend to be political references. Fundamentalism tends to revolving around a literal interpretation of Scripture.

In common vernacular, Liberals tend to embrace mercy at the expense of justice. Conservatives embrace justice at the expense of mercy. Fundamentalists take a non-figurative interpretation of the Scripture to guide one’s application of justice or mercy.
 

Debp

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A fundamentalist Christian is one that takes every single word of the bible, OT specifically, literally.
I think of Fundamentalist churches being more like the following video. Or being more fire and brimstone.

 
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Taken

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What Is The Difference Between Liberal, Conservative and Fundamentalist Christians?

Like @Wrangler I also thought your question was mixing a political and a religious connotation.

Regarding Political…(IMO) in brief/basic
* Liberal…more than enough, at an others expense.
* Conservative…meet needs, at ones own expense.
* Fundamentalist…Has a fixed Objective Standard (ie. Constitution) for their own Principles of beliefs and actions.

Regarding Christianity…(IMO) basic.
* Liberal….more than enough, leaning back and forth between multiple opposite views as they hear from men believe this, no believe that…eh believe at that moment, whatever gets them what they want at that moment.
* Conservative….believe one fixed objective Standard of Principles.
* Fundamentalist…Has a fixed Objective Standard (Word of God) for their own Principles of beliefs and actions.

Glory to God,
Taken
 
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Taken

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I think of Fundamentalist churches being more like the following video. Or being more fire and brimstone.


Disagree…
I do Not see that as Fundamentalist … rather
Liberal, taunting in your face.

Glory to God
Taken
 

GodsGrace

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I don't know if they are born again. Or if they just go to church and think that makes them a Christian.

Because a Christian should believe in what the Bible teaches us.
This is also for @Dan Clarkston .....

You're both right.
There can be no such thing as a liberal Christian (although some define themselves as such).
Because they'd have to believe in ideology that is not biblical.
IE...abortion, divorce, gay marriage, etc.

That leaves Conservative and Fundamentalist....
 

GodsGrace

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In God’s eyes
Nothing


In Man’s eyes
Everything
Wait Stash.
In thinking about this and reading some replies...
it seems as though, perhaps, a liberal Christian cannot really exist.

If by liberal we mean a person that defines themselves as Christian but whose ideology
believe in gay marriage, abortion, divorce, mutilation of a body for trans reasons....
could that person still be called a Christian? I don't think so.

So we can't say, as you did, "IN GOD'S EYES, NOTHING".
I originally agreed with you but I think I was wrong.

In God's eyes a person cannot be a liberal Christian.
Because it's acceptance of sinful lives and this is not pleasing to God.
 
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GodsGrace

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The Bible (Torah) that Moses wrote is 5700 years old. (Levitical Calendar)

And I, nor anyone knows the true age of Earth because scriptures do not say as they are not a history book but a book that reveals truth which should inspire us to, and be able to, live a life pleasing to God. Which is the ONLY relevant knowledge we really need to know gleaned from scriptures.

So...whatever that makes me.
Agreed. The bible is not a history book.
But science tells us that the universe is billions of years old, about 15, and the earth is about 4.5 billion years old.
Geology could confirm the age somewhat.

I firmly believe that we have to stop pitting science against religion.
Our youth is very confused over this and there should be no confusion.

Genesis states that in the beginning God created...
EXACTLY how He created we cannot really know -- although the evidence is pointing more and more away from evolution (macro).
Which is good IMO because the young depend too much on this theory and it turns many away from God. (I know this from experience).

Science can work WITH religion.
John Lennox speaks of this all the time and also Stephen Meyer and other scientists that have faith in our God.
 

GodsGrace

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Funny how you cannot provide chapter and verse for that.... making this a moot point and one that is meaningless at that.

Christians need to stick with the Bible
See my post no. 17.

Not EVERYTHING that has happened is in the bible.

Guess YOU are a fundamentalist Christian?