Rene de Visme Williamson

Conservatism and Liberalism in American Protestantism

American Protestantism is diverse and multiform. There is no single voice that can speak officially for it. There are, however, several currents and crosscurrents within and among the Protestant denominations. Some of these are con servative and others liberal in a theological sense. Numerous differences separate the two, but most of them can be traced back to their position with regard to the Bible, with some modifications introduced by different conceptions of the church. Protestants who are conservative or liberal theologically have a tendency to follow through politically, but there are changes taking place which are breaking down this parallelism. The neo-orthodox movement is conservative theologically but lib eral politically. The ecumenical movement is neither as yet, but, because it is international and interdenominational and draws support from both conservative and liberal theological camps, it will probably develop its own political orientation.American Protestantism is diverse and multiform. There is no single voice that can speak officially for it. There are, however, several currents and crosscurrents within and among the Protestant denominations. Some of these are con servative and others liberal in a theological sense. Numerous differences separate the two, but most of them can be traced back to their position with regard to the Bible, with some modifications introduced by different conceptions of the church. Protestants who are conservative or liberal theologically have a tendency to follow through politically, but there are changes taking place which are breaking down this parallelism. The neo-orthodox movement is conservative theologically but lib eral politically. The ecumenical movement is neither as yet, but, because it is international and interdenominational and draws support from both conservative and liberal theological camps, it will probably develop its own political orientation.