"Satan is always at the church before the preacher is in the pulpit or a member in the pew. He comes to hinder the sower, to impoverish the soil, or to corrupt the seed. He uses these tactics only when courage and faith are in the pulpit, and when zeal and prayers are in the pew. But if dead ritualism or live liberalism are in the pulpit, he does not mind because they are no danger to him."
-E.M. Bounds, "Winning The Invisible War"
What would you, or he, consider "live liberalism?"
ReplyDeleteI certainly cannot speak for Satan. Nor can I speak for the author of this quote. I think he used the term to contrast "dead ritualism" with "live liberalism." Second, I think it has a bit alliteration. Third liberalism (a relative term) does tend to be activist in tone. One or all of these three meanings could be intended. Or none.
ReplyDeleteI'll post my opinion, as interested 3rd party:
ReplyDeleteI would say "live liberalism" in this context would mean a religious faith that was active in many surface ways, but denied the authority of scripture and the need of men to receive Christ, and find forgiveness of their sin, and a restored relationship with God. Satan would gladly ignore the efforts of these theological liberal activists, as they accomplish nothing of eternal value, and merely put a "bandaid" on the greatest need of those to whom they would seek to minister. He knows that without any active opposition on his part, he will soon have them all in hell. He can focus his energies elsewhere.