Series: Defining Conservatism

What does it mean to be “conservative”?

What does it mean to be “conservative”?

This entry is part 1 of 7 in the series Defining Conservatism You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

The term “conservative” gets thrown around a lot, but do people really know what it means? We’ve progressed to the point, even among those who have a heritage in fundamentalism, where “conservative” is considered a bad word; something extra-biblical, un-biblical, and even anti-biblical. For example, a pastor from Arizona wrote the following on September 26,… Continue Reading

Conservative Pillar I: Transcendent Absolutes

Conservative Pillar I: Transcendent Absolutes

This entry is part 2 of 7 in the series Defining Conservatism You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

I have suggested that the twin pillars of conservatism are 1) an affirmation of transcendent absolute principles of truth, goodness, and beauty; and 2) a commitment to conserve those institutions and forms that best reflect a recognition and respect for this transcendent order. In this post I will examine the first of these pillars. A… Continue Reading

Conservative Pillar II: Nurturing Tradition

Conservative Pillar II: Nurturing Tradition

This entry is part 3 of 7 in the series Defining Conservatism You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Christian conservatism stands upon two primary pillars: 1) a commitment to align one’s ideas with transcendent absolutes that are rooted in God himself; and, 2) a commitment to preserve those traditions that have best expressed those transcendent ideas. In this essay I will explore the second of these twin pillars. In order to understand the… Continue Reading

Conservative Christians will be committed to worship regulated by the Word of God

Conservative Christians will be committed to worship regulated by the Word of God

This entry is part 4 of 7 in the series Defining Conservatism You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

If, as I have suggested, Christian conservatism stands upon two primary pillars (a commitment to align one’s ideas with transcendent absolutes that are rooted in God himself and a commitment to preserve those traditions that have best expressed those transcendent ideas), then we may draw at least four very important implications for Christian worship. If you’ve wondered… Continue Reading

Conservative Christians will be committed to worship forms that foster ordinate affection toward God

Conservative Christians will be committed to worship forms that foster ordinate affection toward God

This entry is part 5 of 7 in the series Defining Conservatism You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

If we truly desire to be governed by and to preserve transcendent ideas about God, then our worship must be regulated by God’s Word. This commitment to the Regulative Principles of Worship solves the question of what we will include in our corporate worship, but it doesn’t necessarily address how we will do it. Conservatives have always recognized that… Continue Reading

Conservative Christians will be committed to worship forms that have been nurtured within the community of faith

Conservative Christians will be committed to worship forms that have been nurtured within the community of faith

This entry is part 6 of 7 in the series Defining Conservatism You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

In order to conserve transcendent ideas about God, conservatives are committed to worship regulated by God’s Word, and they are also committed to discerning between true religious affections and mere physical appetites in worship. Such discernment is difficult, however, because all of us are products of our culture. If a distinction between religious affections and… Continue Reading

Conservative Christians will be committed to transmitting these worship forms to future generations

Conservative Christians will be committed to transmitting these worship forms to future generations

This entry is part 7 of 7 in the series Defining Conservatism You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Conservative Christianity, at its heart, is committed to preserving transcendent ideas rooted in the very nature and character of God. It seeks to accomplish this goal through the conservative of a tradition that has nurtured the expression of those ideas for ages. If our goal as conservative Christians is to conserve biblical worship and continue to… Continue Reading