Universal vs Particular

Interesting article by Petter Sellick posted on Online Opinion. Interesting because it goes some way to explain the compromises churches make to secular opinion, and goes behind some of the themes so prevalent in what is sometimes called a "liberal catholic" theology (although Wikipedia sheds no light on the issue)

Quote:

The universalising of Christianity is a part of the church’s accommodation with modernism that is embarrassed by the historically particular. The product of this movement is universal morality that can be applied to any man in any situation, a God divorced from particular commands found in scripture; the imposition of a theology of creation that ignores the covenant established in the Old Testament and is directed to an explanation of nature.

Unquote.

So in your friendly local Uniting Church, for example, you will hear a great emphasis on creation, with little time for redemption. There'll be lots of talk about God's love, without hardly any reference to judgement, despite a strong emphasis on social justice. There will be lots of talk about openess, aceptance and inclusivity, and little about reforming your life or conforming it to God's word. The actual reason why Christ died is explained away as a sign of "God's love", which seems like a pretty cruel thing to do to someone you love. The cross becomes more and more divorced from mercy (i.e. as an antidote to divine judgement), and more and more about warm fuzzies. No wonder there is confusion in the pews as to the difference between sin and grace.