A new approach to liberal theology

This essay argues for a new approach to liberal theological tradition. A fundamental duality must be acknowledged – there are two traditions here, deeply entwined but theoretically distinct, and distinguishing them is the precondition for reviving liberal theology. One of these traditions is defined by its affinity with Enlightenment rationalism and humanism, the other is defined by its affirmation of the liberal state. The essay shows how these two traditions gained the appearance of unity from the late seventeenth century – an appearance that was perpetuated by the twentieth-century reaction against ‘liberal Protestantism’. Only when the two are distinguished can liberal theology be revived

Enlightenment · Epistemology · Humanism · Liberalism · Political science · Politics · Precondition · Protestantism · Rationalism · Sociology · State (computer science) · Theology · American Constitutional Law and Politics · Law · Philosophy · Reformation and Early Modern Christianity · Religion and Society Interactions · Religious studies