#175 – A liberal scholar critiques our liberal theology
Mar 21, 2025
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Douglas F. Ottati, a leading liberal Christian theologian, dives deep into the essence of liberal theology and its historical roots, emphasizing the interplay between modernity and religious thought. He challenges the rigid definitions of ‘orthodoxy,’ advocating for a more fluid understanding shaped by time and context. The conversation spans biblical interpretation, the evolving nature of Christian beliefs, and diverse perspectives on God’s nature, fostering a rich dialogue that bridges traditional and progressive theological views.
Liberal theology is defined as a response to modernity, emphasizing historical context and engagement with contemporary knowledge and sciences.
The concept of orthodoxy is challenged, highlighting that interpretations evolve and that multiple orthodoxies exist within diverse Christian denominations.
The Bible is presented as a historical library with varying interpretations, encouraging deeper theological exploration beyond literal meanings and traditional views.
Deep dives
The Shift from Traditional to Liberal Theology
The evolution of personal theological beliefs illustrates a significant departure from traditional conservative Christianity toward a more liberal interpretation. Hosts Luke and Scott reflect on their journey away from fundamentalist views, embracing a theology that prioritizes openness and generosity. This transformation is catalyzed by contemporary issues that challenge traditional beliefs, highlighting the need for a faith that resonates with modern sensibilities. By redefining their belief systems, they find themselves aligning with a liberal Christian framework that allows for nuanced understandings of faith and spirituality.
Defining Liberal Theology
Liberal theology emerges as a response to modernity, emphasizing historical particularity and the importance of engaging with science and contemporary knowledge. It encourages critiques of societal norms and invites discussions that recognize Islam's position throughout different cultures and periods. Examples like Walter Rauschenbusch demonstrate how liberal theologians actively connect faith with social justice and criticism of prevailing cultural norms. This approach fosters dialogues around history, current cultural practices, and the development of thought that continues to shape liberal Christianity today.
Understanding the Role of Authority in Religion
The historical context of authority within Christianity is pivotal, as questions arise about the sources of authority and the implications of revelation versus reason. Liberal theologians assert that human interpretations evolve and that different denominations possess varying orthodoxy, which can lead to doctrine development over time. The dialogue points out that orthodox beliefs can often shift and show that all religious claims are rooted in historical contexts and community interpretations. This ultimately leads to a recognition that no single interpretation can claim absolute authority over others.
Exploring the Bible as a Complex Document
The Bible serves as a multifaceted text, blending various literary genres that prompt diverse interpretations among readers. Engaging with the text requires an understanding that some passages may not be intended to convey factual or literal meanings but instead capture deeper theological themes. The guests advocate for approaching the Bible as a historical library containing different voices and perspectives rather than a singular authoritative document. By doing this, they encourage the exploration of the Bible's cultural and moral implications while fostering critical thinking about traditional interpretations.
The Nature of God and Human Experience
Debates concerning the personhood of God reveal contrasting understandings between anthropomorphic descriptions and views of God as an unfathomable entity. This complexity invites discussion on God's hiddenness and perceived intervention in human affairs, often resulting in ambiguity around divine purpose. The participants suggest that genuine relationships with God can transcend simplistic definitions and function better within a framework that acknowledges both personal connections and the vastness of divine nature. This nuanced understanding allows believers to explore their spirituality while grappling with existential issues that arise from experiences of divine silence or absence.
The book-end to our conversation last week with a conservative scholar, this time with a leading thinker on the opposite end of the spectrum.
Last week, Dr. Roger Olson — a highly-credentialed conservative Christian theologian — gave us his critique of liberal Christian theology. In that discussion and in his book, he referred often to another highly credentialed scholar from the liberal end of the theological spectrum: Dr. Douglas F. Ottati. We thought it would be good to get Dr. Ottati’s responses to Dr. Olson, as well as his comments on our theology.
We first asked him to define “liberal” theology, and where it came from. He talked about “historically particular circumstances” and “historically particular societies” … the discovery of previously unknown people groups in the Americas … the intrusion of modernity, and wanting to engage with sciences … and the re-discovery of the social gospel.
Next, the definition of “orthodoxy” and Dr. Olson’s insistence that liberal Christians are not “orthodox.” The word literally means “correct teaching,” but can also refer to adhering to a long-standing tradition. Dr. Ottati challenged both meanings: “orthodoxy develops over time” … “there are orthodoxies, plural” … “one man’s orthodoxy is another man’s heresy” … “some statements of orthodoxy are just not found in the Bible!”
We then addressed the same four points that Luke focused on when he put his own liberal theology on the table two weeks ago, and asked Dr. Olson to comment on those four points last week:
the Bible: the difference between taking the text literally and taking it seriously. It’s a “historically particular resource,” in the sense that it is written to/by ancient Jews. Luke asked if it’s being too dismissive when coming up against difficult or disturbing Bible passages to say: “that’s just ancient Jews talking.” Dr. Ottati: “it’s even ancient Jews talking in the passages you like!”
God: some people want to anthropomorphize and personify God (ascribe gender: body parts [his face; his hands] and emotions), and have a personal relationship, while others (like Luke) see God as an unfathomable cosmic force or energy. Dr. Ottati said the Bible often uses metaphors/analogies, some of them personal, some not (a burning bush). We also talked about the hiddenness of God, and whether God is interventionist (intervenes in our history or timeline). What’s the point of prayer?
the personhood of Jesus: the human Jewish Messiah versus the cosmic divine being, and his mission.
the human condition and need for salvation: Dr. Ottati spoke at length about the importance of grace. Luke also asked for specific comments on his new understanding of the human condition: that humans did NOT lose something in the Fall (perfection; sinlessness; immortality; a close relationship with the Divine), but have been evolving toward a divine image, have always been on a long search for God, and had to live by a code of ethics that we might now condemn (being selfish; stealing; killing; sexually promiscuous) in order to fulfill the FIRST divine command (to be fruitful and multiply) before we were ready for a new and better code of ethics that was best taught and modeled by Jesus Christ. Dr. Ottati said this might be labelled heterodox (rather than unorthodox) but not heretical, and that many other prominent Christian thinkers who have proposed similar things.
