The term “conservative” often surfaces in discussions, especially within Christian circles, and it’s a word that can carry various connotations. Just recently, during a community gathering at The Birdhouse, a mentoring community I lead, a conversation highlighted the multiple interpretations of “conservative.” A student remarked that I was the first “conservative” she had met who wasn’t a cessationist. She accurately identified me as a theological conservative but was surprised by my non-cessationist stance. This sparked a discussion, revealing that another student associated “conservative” directly with cessationism, or what we might call anti-miraculous conservativism. Further into our conversation, two more understandings of “conservative” emerged: anti-worldly conservative and political conservative. It became clear that defining “conservative” was crucial for any meaningful dialogue. This article aims to clarify the different ways Christians use “conservative,” helping to navigate potential confusion.
Here are four distinct ways Christians use the word “conservative”, as observed in past conversations and highlighted in our recent discussion:
1. Theological Conservative
In the context of the last century, particularly since the fundamentalist-modernist controversy, “conservative” frequently describes Christians who uphold the Bible’s truthfulness in all its affirmations. This includes belief in historical events such as the virgin birth of Christ and the literal resurrection of Jesus. “Theological conservative” stands in contrast to “theological liberal,” a term used for those who question the Bible’s veracity and its historical claims. Theological conservatism emphasizes a commitment to traditional doctrines and interpretations of scripture.
2. Anti-Miraculous Conservative
Sometimes, “conservative” refers to Christians who believe that the miraculous events described in the Bible, such as healings, prophecies, and speaking in tongues, were specific to the apostolic age and are not meant to be common in contemporary church life. At one extreme, anti-miraculous conservatives might attribute unexplained phenomena to demonic influence, reflecting a skepticism towards ongoing miraculous activity. This viewpoint, often linked to cessationism, emphasizes the sufficiency of scripture and the completed canon.
3. Anti-Worldly Conservative
Another use of “conservative” describes Christians who strive to live lives separate from “worldly” activities. These “anti-worldly conservatives” go beyond avoiding actions explicitly prohibited in the Bible, like adultery or theft. The term, in its broader application, can include those who abstain from activities not directly condemned in scripture, such as dancing, wearing certain clothing, or watching movies. This form of conservatism focuses on maintaining distinctiveness from secular culture and values, often emphasizing personal piety and separation.
4. Political Conservative
This is where the term “conservative” becomes particularly complex for Christians. In the United States, a “political conservative” generally aligns with the right wing of the Republican Party. This usage positions “conservative” opposite to “political liberal,” who typically aligns with the left wing of the Democratic Party. Political conservatism encompasses a range of views on social, economic, and governmental issues, often prioritizing individual liberty, limited government, and traditional values in the public sphere.
The existence of these four distinct meanings of “conservative” naturally leads to confusion when the word is used in conversations. The situation becomes even more intricate because Christians are not uniformly “conservative” across all four categories. Consider these common combinations, focusing on those who identify as theological conservatives:
- Theological conservative + anti-worldly conservative + anti-miraculous conservative: This combination is frequently found among fundamentalist Christians.
- Theological conservative + anti-worldly conservative, but not anti-miraculous conservative: Many Pentecostal Christians fit this description.
- Theological conservative + anti-miraculous conservative, but not anti-worldly conservative: This combination is common among many evangelical Christians.
- Theological conservative, but neither anti-worldly conservative nor anti-miraculous conservative: Many charismatic Christians fall into this category.
While other combinations exist, particularly when theological conservatism is not the starting point, this article focuses on those rooted in a belief in the Bible’s truthfulness.
The “political conservative” category adds significant complexity and frustration to these discussions. Individuals who identify with any or all of the first three definitions of “conservative” are, in recent years in the United States, also more likely to identify as “political conservatives.” There are understandable reasons for this alignment, such as differing views on abortion and marriage, but those issues are not the primary focus here.
The question arises: should the varied uses of “conservative” in Christian contexts prompt us to reconsider using it to describe theological convictions? Theological conservatives—or those committed to the Bible’s truthfulness—need a way to articulate their beliefs. “Evangelical” once served this purpose, but now it’s broadly used, even by those who don’t fully affirm biblical truthfulness. Terms like “conservative evangelical” have emerged to specify a commitment to biblical truth, but even “conservative” itself is now laden with ambiguity.
Disentangling the theological, anti-miraculous, and anti-worldly meanings of “conservative” is challenging enough. However, the overlay of “political conservative” creates even greater hurdles, especially when theological points are intended, not political statements.
Are there better alternatives? “Bible-believing Christian” works in a church setting but lacks precision in theological discourse. “Inerrantist evangelical” is more precise, but terms like “inerrancy” (belief in the Bible’s truthfulness in all affirmations, spiritual and historical) are not widely understood.
This exploration aims to clarify the diverse ways “conservative” is used among Christians. While definitive solutions to the ambiguities are elusive, recognizing these different meanings is a crucial first step towards clearer communication.
