Ethics: The Source of a New Theological Liberalism?

The old liberalism had its roots in the radical biblical criticism of the 19th century. Old liberals doubted core Christian doctrines like the incarnation, Christ’s death and resurrection, his ascension and second coming, the authority of Scripture, justification by faith and the Day of Judgment.  The new liberalism is more orthodox on these things but sees ethical issues as being in the category of what Paul, in 1 Corinthian 8 & 10 and Romans 14, calls ‘disputable matters’ on which Christians can legitimately disagree but stay in fellowship. This talk evaluates and critiques the damaging influence on Christian witness and discipleship of four ‘Christian’ views on ethics including Fletcher’s ‘situation ethics’ and what Bonhoeffer called ‘cheap grace’