Four Aspects of Theological Liberalism

1. Emphasis on Feelings​ – Friedrich Schleiermacher, the “Father ofTheological Liberalism,” claimed that religion is not about doctrines or dogmas, but is a “feeling of dependence upon the Infinite”
2. Social Gospel ​– Albrecht Ritschl (1822-1889), the “Father of the Social Gospel,” stressed the need for social and economic concerns rather than salvation.
3. Darwinism ​– Promoted the ideas of social, biological, and religious evolution.
4. Biblical Higher Criticism ​– Focuses more on efforts to explain the origin and development of Biblical texts than on the textual content. This approach to the study of Scripture often rejected the traditional ideas associated with the Biblical authorship, dating, and content.

Contributing Factors to Liberal Advancement in the Restoration Movement
Higher Education
​Most Restoration Movement colleges were conservative, but often considered 2nd-rate academic institutions. Bright students were encouraged to attend prominent universities with the hope that they would return to Restoration Movement schools and add credibility to these schools.
While in the major universities, many of these students were influenced by theological liberalism.

William Rainey Harper (1856-1906), President of the University of Chicago, invited Disciples to create the Disciples Divinity House at the University of Chicago’s Divinity School, which became a haven for liberalism.

Open Membership
​In the late 19th century, some churches began to accept the idea of church membership without baptism.
By the early twentieth century, Open Membership began to be accepted on the mission field. Conservatives objected to Open Membership, but Missionary Societies continued to support Open Membership.

Strong Liberal Leadership​
Several advocates of Liberalism became leading spokesmen in the Restoration Movement.

1. Charles Clayton Morrison (1874-1966)
   Editor of the ​Christian Century​, theleading magazine of liberal theology in the U.S.
2. Peter Ainslee (1867-1934)
   Prominent Baltimore preacher and ecumenist whorejected theology/doctrine in favor of unity.
3. The Chicago Liberals
   Herbert L. Willett (1864-1944) – Old Testament Scholar (rejected the miracles of the Old Testament)
   Edward Scribner Ames (1870-1955)
   Professor of Philosophy and Minister of the University Christian Church at the University of Chicago
   Winfred E. Garrison (1874-1969) – Professor of Church History at the University of Chicago