Should we be able to describe faithful Christians as radical, liberal, or institutional? If you have followed the writing and teaching that I have done, you will probably expect me to answer this question in the negative. After all, we are to be conservative and non-institutional, right?
When we use labels such as these, we generally use them in regard to certain erroneous positions, issues, and movements. Yet when we change the context, we can make the case from the Bible that, in certain ways, Christians are to be radical, liberal, and institutional. So let us consider some other ways we can use these terms.
Radical
A radical is one who favors drastic political, economic, or social reforms. In our society, this term could be used for a wide range of individuals – from ones wanting to transform our republic into a large-government communist state to those who want anarchy and will blow up federal building because they want no government at all. Whichever extreme we mean by the term radical, such people are generally looked down upon.
In religion, radicalism is often viewed negatively as well. There are those who practice what is labeled as radical Islam who want to destroy the infidels and will use violence to spread Islam to the whole world (though technically, this is not radical since it is what the Quran literally teaches; but many believe it is radical). Among brethren, a radical could refer to one who subscribes to the teachings of F. LaGard Smith who, in his book Radical Restoration, argued for things like turning the Lord’s Supper into a common meal (which is not restoration, but only radical since the New Testament nowhere teaches this). Radicalism is what we often want to avoid.
Yet in one sense, Christianity is radical. The apostles were described by their enemies as “men who have upset the world [turned the world upside down – KJV]” (Acts 17:6). Christians are to live far differently than the norms of the world (Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 4:3-4). A drastic change is required of us in order to become Christians – that we would become “dead to sin, but alive to God” (Romans 6:11). Jesus’ teachings were often radically different from the teachings of the religious leaders of His day. The gospel demands that we change everything to follow Christ – our actions, speech, thoughts, motivations, goals, etc. In this way, Christians are to be radical.
Liberal
The term liberal is a broadly used label that can be applied to nearly anything. We use it to refer to denominations, institutional churches, brethren who accept false teachers, or those who simply water down the gospel message. We certainly must not take a liberal (loose) approach to God’s word, but rather we are to “retain the standard of sound words” (2 Timothy 1:13) and do all things by the authority of Christ (Colossians 3:17).
Yet there is an area in which we are to be liberal – our giving. Paul spoke to the Corinthians about “the liberality of your contribution” (2 Corinthians 9:13). We have the examples of the Macedonians (2 Corinthians 8:1-5) and the poor widow (Mark 12:41-44) commended to us. They gave generously (liberally) even when most would have expected them to give little or nothing based on their circumstances.
The same attitude of generosity is required of us in the realm of helping others. Paul said, “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). He told Timothy to give the following instructions to the rich: “Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share” (1 Timothy 6:18). While there are many in our country who want the government to use other people’s money help the poor, the Bible teaches that this is the work for us as individuals. Therefore, regardless of whether or not the government endeavors to help the poor, we must still look for opportunities on our own to help others.
Institutional
When we hear the term institutional, we naturally think of the institutional issue from the mid-twentieth century. The issue then was over the church support of human institutions (such as orphan homes). This controversy was so wide-spread that even today we commonly label sound churches as non-institutional.
In the context of the debate over human institutions, we must take a non-institutional stand. We are told that all we say and do must first be authorized by Christ (Colossians 3:17). In the New Testament, God has revealed a pattern for the church to do its work. This includes instructions about the congregational use of funds, the oversight of elders, and so on. Authority for the practice of institutionalism, as the term is commonly used, cannot be found in the New Testament.
How then can we rightly claim to be institutional? We believe in the institutions that God has created. The first of these institutions is marriage. When the Pharisees asked about divorce, Jesus reminded them of God’s design for marriage. He said that “from the beginning,” God “made them male and female” and that “they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate” (Matthew 19:4-6). God’s rule of one man and one woman for life means we cannot put away our mate for just any cause with God’s approval. He gave just one exception to the no putting-away rule – fornication (Matthew 19:9). God’s design of one man and one woman also rules out same-sex marriage, which is not surprising since the Bible condemns homosexuality (Romans 1:26-27). And it is in marriage that two have the right to become “one flesh.” This precludes both premarital sex and extra-marital affairs (cf. Hebrews 13:4). We must believe in the institution of marriage as God designed it.
The other divine institution is the church. While there are many denominations in the world today, Jesus built just one church (Matthew 16:18). Because the church belongs to Him, we must do His work in the way in which He has told us. He is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23), so we must follow His guidance and direction in all things. When we look to the New Testament, we also see that the church is the only institution through which Christians work collectively to carry out the works of evangelism and edification. The church as God designed it is fully capable of carrying out these works (1 Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 4:16). If we believe in this institution, we will not be looking to establish human institutions to do these works.
Conclusion
When we hear the terms that we have discussed, we may immediately think of the negative ways in which these labels are used. But as we have seen, there are other ways in which God expects us to be radical, liberal, and institutional. Labels can be useful at times; but what is more important is that we conform our service to God to the pattern we find in His word, regardless of how others may label us.
Wow…how refreshing… it’s nice to read a like minded perspective ..Keep fighting the good fight brother.
Keith
Thanks, Keith.