For those who know me, you might think you already know what I’m about to say. When determining if Jesus leans more Liberal or more Conservative, we really need to define what each of these titles really mean now, and consider what they may have meant during the years Jesus walked among men.
According to the American Heritage Dictionary:
Liberal:
- Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry.
- Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.
Conservative:
- Favoring traditional views and values; tending to oppose change.
- Traditional or restrained in style: a conservative dark suit.
I took the first two definitions of each of these views. If we were talking about the days in which Jesus lived, I would say Jesus leaned toward the liberal end. Keep in mind how the religious Pharisees were. What Jesus did was bring revolution to the legalistic community which made servitude toward God more about works than a righteous heart. He also associated with sinners, which was; I’m sure appalling to some.
Though by today’s standards, I believe Jesus would lean more conservative. I think many churches today have tried to evolve the Word of God to justify the world today. God is unchanging though (James 1:17, Psalm 102:27, Malachi 3:6). While Jesus brought clarification and correction to those who missed the point God was trying to make, He does tell us in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” Jesus is pro-life (as seen throughout the New Testament), and is pro-traditional family and modesty.
To be honest, I don’t think it’s relevant to argue whether Jesus’ views were more conservative or liberal in nature; which ever way He leaned was correct. He died for both sides and it’s clear that opinions on liberalism versus being conservative vary depending on who you speak with. What’s more important is that we are obedient to the Lord.
Scripture reference was quoted from the NKJV.