LIBERAL CONSERVATISM

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,
for he who promised is faithful. – Hebrews 10:23

Conservatives are often considered roadblocks to progress. Sometimes that may be the case, but not necessarily. In fact, they may represent the most progressive elements of society. Indeed, “Christian Conservatives are linked by the Media with the much to be feared “Religious Right” as the most radical segment of the voting public today.
But the true meaning of conservatism is to preserve what is good, reliable and useful while being liberal in the extension of benefit to the largest possible number of recipients. The heart of today’s political debate is over the role of government in extending those benefits. But, at least for the church, our objective and attitude should be that of the true conservative: preserving God’s Word and its application and extending its promise to the widest possible extent.
That this conservative purpose can have much effect for positive change in the world can be shown in just two examples: the world of the Apostle Paul and the world of the great Reformer, Martin Luther. But in both of these cases, the changes first occurred within the church, before their impact on the broader scale was felt. What seems lacking in today’s religious influence is the right balance of the true conservative’s principles in the spirit of biblical and reformational Christianity. These principles may also be expressed as Law & Gospel, both the heart of Paul’s and Luther’s influence upon first the church and then the world.
In Paul’s time it was the Jewish Church that needed the Reformation and the Roman world that needed the Good News of Jesus Christ. In Luther’s day it was the Roman Church that needed the Reformation and Western Civilization that needed the Gospel preached throughout. It was the extent of commitment in their respective churches that produced the effects of their outreach. And though its primary purpose was for personal salvation and the fruits of the Spirit with those in whom the seed of God’s Word was sown, secondary civil and social benefits were clearly accrued for all people.
In our time it may be said that the Protestant Church, the church of Western Civilization, is the one needing Reformation before a more global world can be reached with the Good News and both its primary and secondary effects can be produced. But that needed reformation must be formed on the same principles of true conservatism as those advanced by Luther and Paul.
The problem with the church which Paul was Called to reform was that it had become Law centered, pushing out the refreshing spirit of the Gospel. The same is said for Luther’s church. For each of them the Gospel gained prominence, not by replacing the Law but by keeping them in their proper relationship. This is what gives Christianity its unique and overwhelming value, conserving what is good, reliable and useful; but extending its benefits to the greatest numbers of people.
Unless the Church of our period in history is able to regain the true principles of conservation, making the benefits of the Gospel our goal while keeping it in balance with the Ten Commandments, offering salvation and hope without giving up our moral values and the authority of God in our own daily lives, then we will fail in the commission we have received.
All our endeavors, political and otherwise, will accomplish nothing except further abuse and despair if we don’t take the right course. That course is: Reformation within and Gospel without. Order here is essential. Try to do it backwards, as some in the Religious Right seem to be doing, and neither the church nor the world will benefit. Rather let us be true conservatives and we can be used to change the world for Christ!