I have a question. I just read Sproul's article on The Liberal Agenda in this month's Tabletalk where he describes the roots and definitions of theological liberalism. He gave a brief history of its movements. It cross the Atlantic in the 1800s making inroads into our seminaries and churches. And, we all know about the Social Gospel doctrines which became popular in the early 1900s.
Now my question. Was the establishment of Christian hospitals and other Christian institutions in years past the result of the theological liberalism influence? Which later brought out the social gospel doctrines. Instead of belief in a supernatural remedy, liberalism change the mission of the church to that of a help-works paradigm.
Or, was the establishing of these hospitals and etc driven from sincere Christian love of brother and neighbor, and along the way they became co-opted by theological liberalism?
IOW, should Christians look favorable on the beginnings of these Christian institutions, or should we realize that it was founded by those who wanted to change the course of the Church from preaching Christ Jesus as God to that of a help-works model?
John Chaney
"having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith . . ."Colossians 2:7
Spurgeon had an orphanage. I would love to read more about it. Some members of my own church are adopting, which is a wonderful thing, but a whole orphanage attached to a church that had good theology...! I ran across some material about it while working in the library, so that will be interesting.
True godliness is a sincere feeling which loves God as Father as much as it fears and reverences Him as Lord, embraces His righteousness, and dreads offending Him worse than death~ Calvin
Putting my question more bluntly. Many cities have hospitals named after a denomination. E.g, Uptown Baptist Hospital; Parkway Methodist Hospital; Cold Street Presbyterian Hospital.
I realize that most of them are completely secular now. Were they founded because of the influence of theological liberalism that started to invade America in the mid 1800s? When the gospel begin to be supplanted by making society a better place in the minds of church leaders - due to the transporting of theological liberalism including higher criticism from Europe.
John Chaney
"having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith . . ."Colossians 2:7
John_C said: Putting my question more bluntly. Many cities have hospitals named after a denomination. E.g, Uptown Baptist Hospital; Parkway Methodist Hospital; Cold Street Presbyterian Hospital.
I realize that most of them are completely secular now. Were they founded because of the influence of theological liberalism that started to invade America in the mid 1800s? When the gospel begin to be supplanted by making society a better place in the minds of church leaders - due to the transporting of theological liberalism including higher criticism from Europe.
I agree with Tom. Likely a variety of motives went into founding these institutions.
Kyle
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified.
In nineteenth century Britain, evangelicals set up a vast number of charitable organsations to improve the lot of their neighbours, and to spread the gospel. It was not as a result of liberalism.
You might enjoy the biography of one leading figure in this movement who founded Britain's first hospice, three orphanages and a mental hospital. His name was Andrew Reed and Ian Shaw has produced a biography called The Greatest Is Charity published by Evangelical Press. It's an easy and stimulating read.
