Do we realize there is a problem in asking if a church is “conservative” or “liberal” when the real question should be to determine if a church is “sound?” The word “sound” is actually used in scripture when the word “conservative” is not, though there is a sense that conservative is correct.
It seems to me that clarification is needed here in that we have become accustomed to referring to churches of Christ as “conservative” or “liberal.” Often this is an example of “painting with too broad a stroke.” We all realize it is done mainly to quickly speak of the difference between churches of Christ that financially support human institutions from those who do not. Those who do not are considered “conservative.” This was originally meant by those who coined the descriptive term to mean that those who are conservative are conservative in their use of Bible authority and in this sense the word can be used correctly; conservative in that the original language of the Bible is respected without change. Further, we generally think of those churches that are “liberal” as being “institutional.” We know of folks who refer to “a sect” of “conservative churches” shortened to “N. I. churches,” or non-institutional churches of Christ. (Please see note at the end on the word liberal). All the errors of stereotyping can occur when more exact meaning is truly needed to do no harm.
Another consideration I fear is that over time our heavy use of the word conservative without being more exact in using this adjective, has served in large part to attract those who are simply conservative in all their ways generally. Incorrectly thinking this is so, a conservative church is attractive to them. This can cause congregations to be largely composed of people who have spiritual views and positions that are based solely on the fact that they do not like considering anything new or view any new idea or thought as chancy only because it is not traditional which is their actual view of being in a “conservative church.” The concept of practicing their faith by spirit alone without worrying over a financial balance sheet never occurs to such brethren. “Walking by faith” is scary to them, and it shows. They have little interest or patience with John’s admonition in 1 John 4:1, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
We truly want to be conservative in our interpretation of scripture and for good reason. Under the Old Law, Jesus said this was correct; Matthew 5:18, “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” This same spirit is heard in the New Testament in such passages as Revelation 22:18-19, “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Also, 2 Peter 3:16, “…unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”
Those who are not conservative in this way are considered “liberal” in their interpretation of the Bible, i.e. not concerned too much with scriptural authority for God’s word, mainly more the idea that “the ends justify the means” in their thinking and practice. The denominations of men were all started with the same view toward God’s word and it is no secret that “progressive” and “liberal-minded” brethren are headed on the fast track to total apostasy as well.
This somewhat reminds me of Supreme Court judges who are called liberal or progressive in their stance in interpreting law by observing the Constitution of the United States. The liberal in this case wants to re-interpret or go beyond what was originally written by the founding fathers of our nation. He wants to do certain things that are not allowable in the original document without going beyond Constitutional authority; that which was actually stated. The constitutional conservative on the other hand closely observes what was given without desiring to change it in any way. I tend to think of Christians in much the same way with regard to observing the authority of the Bible.
So, what does the New Testament mean when the word “sound” is used? The New Testament word comes from a Greek word, hugiainô:
1. The father of the prodigal son in Luke 15:27 received the son, “safe and sound” (hugiainonta). Present active participle of hugiainô from hugiês, to be in good health.
2. “Sound mind” is found in 2 Timothy 1:7 meaning a healthy mind capable of good reasoning; therefore, sound.
3. “Sound speech” is found in Titus 2:8 meaning Titus was to use words that were pure and uncorrupted, healthful words, that is words carrying the message of the gospel in its pure form able to bring salvation to the lost.
4. “Sound doctrine” found in 1 Timothy 1:10, “For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.” The meaning is, if there is anything else that is opposed to the instruction which the law of God gives. All the types of sinners mentioned in the first part of the scripture give stark contrast to sound doctrine being that which is pure and uncorrupted in nature (Also: 2 Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1 – “sound doctrine”).
Our conclusion to be drawn from these brief considerations is that the word sound can be used as an adjective giving us the right to refer to sound churches or sound congregations. These would be congregations of the Lord’s people of sound mind, who practice sound doctrine, engage in sound speech, and make up sound churches. That is, these are faithful and sound to the eternal purpose of God’s word. Let us use Bible terms in distinguishing faithful churches from those who are not.
(“Liberality” or generosity is actually commended by Paul in 1 Corinthians 16:3, “And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.” Meaning only that Christians in that case gave generously from their funds out of care for the needy brethren of Jerusalem. So, in that sense, Christians should be “liberal” but only in that sense can this be said.)
