In Christianity, the doctrine of Christian liberty or Christian freedom states that Christians have been set free in Christ and are thus free to serve him.[1] Lester DeKoster views the two aspects of Christian liberty as "freedom from" and "freedom for" and suggests that the pivot between the two is the divine law.[2]
In the area of Christian living, liberty is often discussed in terms of what activities Christians are free to engage in. Modern-day issues concerning Christian liberty include alcohol drinking, women's head-coverings, and birth control.[3] These things are sometimes called adiaphora, or "things indifferent".[4]
Some Christian denominations who require office-bearers to subscribe to certain creeds and confessions allow liberty of opinion on non-essential matters.[5]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Liberty". Bible Gateway. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
Having been liberated by Christ from the penalty of sin, the Christian is challenged to employ this liberty properly in Christian living.
- ^ DeKoster, Lester. "Liberty, Christian". Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. p. 638.
- ^ Malone, Fred. "Christian Liberty". Founders Ministries.
- ^ Cooper, Barry. "Adiaphora". Simply Put. Ligonier Ministries. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ Hood, Jared (2019). "Give Me Liberty: Liberty of Opinion in the Presbyterian Church of Australia". Reformed Theological Review. 78 (1): 51. doi:10.53521/a228. S2CID 211468498. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
Further reading edit
- Ferguson, Sinclair. "4 Principles for the Exercise of Christian Liberty". Ligonier. Retrieved 25 April 2023.