Liberal theologians are intent on demystifying Jesus and turning him into a well-travelled sage. They fashion themselves as lifeguards tasked with the responsibility of rescuing ignorant souls from the perilous ocean of intolerant religion. They promote their writings as the life preserver that will save us, when in reality; all they have done is toss us heavy millstones and asked us to hold on tight. Thinking they are selling tickets for a theological joyride they end up handing out fast passes for the tunnel of terror. Advertising themselves as the smartest people in the church their true allegiance is revealed when, confronted by a sovereign Jesus, they declare they have no king but Caesar.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. (Mark 9: 42)

C.S. Lewis gives us some insight into the plight of the liberal theologian in his masterful work, The Great Divorce. In one particular scene, an Episcopal ghost, who had been sent to hell for being an “apostate,” is bussed up to heaven and given the opportunity to personally meet God, but instead chooses to return to hell to present a paper to a theological society.

“Of course I can’t come with you. I have to be back next Friday to read a paper. We have a little Theological Society down there [Hell]. Oh yes! there is plenty of intellectual life. Not of a very high quality, perhaps. One notices a certain lack of grip – a certain confusion of mind.” 

His paper addresses the question of how different Christianity would have been had Jesus lived a long life.

“I’m going to point out how people always forget that Jesus was a comparatively young man when he died. He would have outgrown some of his earlier views, you know, if he’d lived…What a different Christianity we might have had if only the Founder had reached his full stature! I shall end up by pointing out how this deepens the significance of the crucifixion. One feels for the first time what a disaster it was: what a tragic waste…. so much promise cut short.” 

He defiantly replaces Jesus’ atoning death with speculation about the religious thoughts of an elderly carpenter. Instead of seizing the opportunity to meet Jesus, he opts for lecturing theologically challenged people in hell.

Liberal theologians, however, are not without their own good news, but sadly find it in a “prosperity” gospel. They “defame Him and claim Him” and place Him in their briefcases like a stack of poker chips waiting to be cashed in at the publishing house teller’s window. It appears that this failed preacher who died a criminal’s death has made them quite prosperous. I suspect that behind closed doors they are saying prayers to Jesus, thanking Him for the financial blessings he has conferred upon them; His death on a cross having torn not the curtain into the Holy of Holies, but the veil into the vault of Mammon.

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. (Matthew 23: 13-15)

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