Christian atheism, the emerging church, liberal Christianity

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What do people here think about these 3 groups?

Christian atheism is basically a term for atheists who uphold aspects of Christian teachings, and there are two variants of it: those who believe that God used to exist and no longer does, an example of this is Thomas Altizer who believes that God existed but died to liberate man from the oppressive weight of Him, and there are those who are basically just atheists who like Jesus and I think Jesus Seminar member Robert Price belongs to this category.

The emerging church refers to a modern theological movement based upon the idea of addressing this culture through the use of postmodern philosophy. The idea of it is based upon the value of questioning things, expressing the Christian faith through the traditions and ideas of other faiths, questioning the value of scripture and regarding it more as a narrative than a theological textbook, and basically being postmodern in a Christian context. Some major figures in this group are Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, and others.

Liberal Christianity is pretty obvious, it is Christianity that rejects the inerrancy of scripture and often to the extent that entire aspects of the scripture can be rejected such as Old Testament horrors, liberal Christian groups are known for taking on liberal christian causes, such as equalizing men and women and putting gay pastors into positions of power. Often times, the character of Jesus is considered central. A character that can be associated with this extreme is John Spong, however, there are many liberal Christians running around.

So what do people think about these theological movements? Which ones are just stupid and wrongheaded? Which ones have good perspective?

How wide should 'atheists who uphold aspects of Christian teachings' be interpreted? Thou shalt not murder?

Mostly they look at the character of Christ and uphold that as central to their beliefs. So, likely a focus upon the Sermon on the Mount and other teachings.

wiki article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_atheism

I dunno why you're considering the three together, but whatever.


I think it's safe to dismiss this group.


Meh. I'm not a fan of postmodernism.


This group seems sensible to me. This probably describes most of the people in the church I attend during the school year. The character of Jesus is emphasized a good deal, and it is quite interesting to hear Scripture quoted in support of liberal social positions when you normally hear the reverse from the evangelicals.

They go together more than Christian atheism, liberal Christianity, and radically conservative muslims.

All 3 are often considered to be more on the Christian theological left.


Sensible? Do you believe that the resurrection of the Christian God is a factually supported claim? Or do you think that the existence of a God is a philosophically proven thing and that the Christian God best matches the closest fit to this ideal philosophical God.

Also, was the denomination Episcopal? I know it is relatively liberal.

I think christian atheism actually sounds like a good idea, as western-morality has been influenced by christianity to an extent. Plus, i think kids find it easier to relate to stories and people, than they do simple rules.

With that said, it's not like christian atheism is required. It's quite easy to teach children morality by stories and examples that don't involve jesus or christ (and they'd more than likely be more relevent to modern-day life).

Presbyterian. It's PC(USA), which is one of the more liberal denominations, and this particular congregation is definitely considerably more liberal than PCUSA norms.

The concept seems rather odd to me but I have no information on the matter. Atheism is a non-belief in a deity. Do Christian atheists deny a deity? Is it merely a set of moral concepts like Ethical Culture? Do they pray? Are they rigid in following all of Jesus' preachings, some of which are distinctly non-liberal. Or do they merely pick and choose those church doctrines that fit something they feel acceptable to modern life?

Liberal theology is watered down until it's pointless.

is a conservative republican? a republican conservative?

It's not "watered down." It just shifts the focus away from homophobia and fire and brimstone and towards things like "Love thy neighbor."

If Jesus were around today, he would likely look at the evangelical/conservative Christians the same way he looked at the Pharisees.

How does a Christian atheist differ from a Jewish atheist?

oh come on just finish the joke!

Hey! I am serious. As a Jewish atheist the God I don't believe in is Jewish. Since the old and new testament are both part of Christian theology I never heard of God becoming a Christian stated in either section of the Bible so does the Christian atheist disbelieve in a Jewish God? I don't know.

The fact that a Christian atheist likes the character of Christ and focuses upon it as an example of proper morality.

Last edited by Awesomelyglorious on 01 Aug 2009, 1:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I thought you were PC(USA) but the problem was that I thought the PC(USA) was just mainline.