GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH A LIBERAL

We live in a world of competing ideologies.  In social matters, politics, morality and religion we  see those who are conservative and those who are liberal in their convictions and policies. Only those who know and understand the beliefs that underlie the two approaches are able to make an informed and wise decision as to which ideology they will accept. Uninformed of the doctrines, methods and goals one is vulnerable to deception and manipulation. Paul urges us to “know them that labor among” us (I Thess.  5:12).  In upwards of half a century of preaching, I have observed the following characteristic of those preachers and leaders who have embraced a liberal approach to Christianity.

	The liberal preacher will always present himself as a scholar who knows more than those poor, ignorant conservatives who prefer to hold to those traditional Biblical ways of doing things.
	The liberal brother wants to be known as a man of compassion.  He says or implies that conservatives are harsh, unloving and uncaring for others.
	He wants to gain control of a congregation and its meeting place that others have built and paid for.  It is not often that he will announce his new views, go to a new community and start a church from scratch. That is much too hard; so he works his way into an established church and gradually subverts the faith of its members.
	A liberal is evangelistic. Not necessarily for the lost, but to make converts for his cause. Like the Pharisees they compass land and sea to make proselytes...but their converts end up further from, rather than closer to God (Matt. 23:15).
	A liberal is like a chameleon. Around strong conservatives he can talk and sound like one of them, around fellow-liberals or those who are unaware, he speaks a different language.
	A liberal is usually a patient worker. He can wait for months or even years as he quietly undermines the faith of the disciples and manipulates into leadership roles those who sympathize with his theology.
	A liberal will not boldly announce his intended agenda to those he hopes to change.  While doing his destructive work, he will continue to use traditional vocabulary and expressions and identify himself  with the great heroes of the past until he has gained the confidence of the targeted audience.
	Once he has set his hook in a congregation, a liberal will not give up or walk away if a protest is raised.  He feels he is one a mission for God and will see a congregation wrecked rather than admit his wrong or abandon his effort.]

The best way for a congregation to deal with liberalism is to never allow a man of such persuasion into their pulpit; not for a meeting, a seminar, a class, or for employment.  If such a false teacher is already in your midst, the best method of saving your congregation is to immediately dismiss him and send him on his way....without recommendation. Otherwise, left undisturbed, a church will experience grief untold.