What both moral positions, and the theologies they are based on, have missed is that they are each only one part of a whole. Both sides are a simplification of the complex Christian moral message, as taught by Jesus. Christianity is a religious moral system, based on the life and teaching of Jesus, empowered by the death and resurrection of Jesus. Neither position is a full representation of Jesus’ moral ideal, but each is a bastard born of a union of the New Testament and modern American ideals. Both positions have been created by lopping off parts of Jesus’ body of teaching, idealizing a part and trashing the rest as "unworthy" of God.
Below are the five principles of morality that Jesus held to. Admittedly, the moral position of Jesus is not complete without the worldview and eschatology of Jesus, which is not included below. But this list is sufficient to indicate that Jesus’ moral position is only inadequately represented by the liberal or conservative moral positions. I hope this will move us toward a completely Jesus-based moral position, which could be called truly Christian.
Purity
"Evil thoughts, sexual immorality, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness—All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man." Mark 7:21-23
The one moral principle found in all the Bible—both Old and New Testaments, no matter which book you choose—is that God will judge everyone based on what they do. People’s actions can be neutral, but there are certain actions that if one does them, it negates their ability to enter into God’s presence. Among the actions that Jesus says negates one’s ability to approach God or have God listen to one’s prayer are: worship of false gods, dishonoring authority, oppression of the weak (such as abortion), sexual immorality (including sex outside of marriage and homosexuality), stealing, acts of hatred and others.
This principle is central to the conservative moral position, and it is at the heart of what they call "family values". However, we must also recognize that Jesus’ answer to one breaking this very firm moral position is not punishment or ostrization, but is repentance. Jesus commanded people to regret their sin, admit it openly to God and to do all they could to change the action, and God would forgive them and welcome them back. Repentance from sin is the center of Jesus’ teaching.
"Unless you repent, you will all perish." Luke 13:5
Love
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 19:19
"Love your enemy" Luke 6:27
In response to those who would like to take moral purity laws and use them for punishment, Jesus upheld an overall principle of love as the context of morality. Jesus definition of "love" is "to act for the benefit of the another, no matter what they have done." Jesus’ most radical statement is to apply this moral principle of beneficence to everyone, without exclusion. Thus, if one is acting in a manner to harm another, or acting in an impure way, or even acting against one’s culture or one’s personal family or life, the need to act in accordance of the benefit of all still applies.
This principle is central to the liberal moral position, and with it they see a necessity to weaken the principle of purity. They want to say that if an action does not harm another, then it is not evil. However, Jesus did not pit these two principles in opposition to each other, but sees them as being complimentary. Purity communicates the moral line over which one may not cross, or else one is excluded from a relationship with God. However, a loving human may cross the line that God might not be willing to. For Jesus, this means that representatives of God might go to the impure and draw them back to God, gently coaxing them to repent, and so be restored to God. Love is not in opposition to purity, but it is the principle in which impurity can be overcome.
"The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10
Faith
"The greatest law is this: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength." Matthew 27:37-38
The basis of all morality in Scripture is not the conscience of man, but the justice, authority and mercy of God. God is the ultimate authority, so his law is the first command above all human law. God is ultimately just, so his morality is right for everyone, in all societies. God is the most merciful, so his principles are for the benefit of all people, especially the lowly. In order to take advantage of God’s morality, one must be more devoted to God than to oneself, than any earthly authority, or than anything that might give you benefit apart from God.
The political positions of the liberals and conservatives forget the basis of faith in their moral position, and instead adopt a position of public pluralism. Even the religious moralists of these positions, however, forget that God is the one and only basis of authority. Many of them think that each person’s heart completely contains God’s will, forgetting that people are rebellious and forgetful. And others think that a greater morality than what God expresses can be gained. However, this only leads to judgmentalism and inconsistent moralities. According to Jesus, we find truth in God and we limit our morals to what God says through Jesus, bringing nothing else to it.
"You have neglected God’s command by upholding human commands." Mark 7:8
Sacrifice
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me." Mark 8:34
To be devoted to God’s morality is not just for times when it is convenient or when society is in agreement with it. Jesus recognized that his moral principles would be rejected by every society that exists in the world. And there is no one that would make it easy to live according to these principles. Thus, living according to Jesus life and teachings is a challenge that is very difficult to achieve. Thus, endurance through difficulties is an essential part of His morality.
An aspect of this challenge is forgotten by the liberal and conservative moral viewpoints. In those moralities, one must maintain ones’ own well being in order to be moral. However, in Jesus, one’s personal well-being must be set aside in order to live according to His moral principles. To do God’s will, one must set aside one’s own and society’s desires. To love others, one must sacrifice one’s own interests and even life. The ultimate act of Christian morality is that of martyrdom for the benefit of others.
"The greatest love is to lay down one’s life for his friends." John 15:13
Spirit
"The Father will send you the Holy Spirit who will teach you all things and bring to remembrance all that I have taught you." John 14:26
God’s command is not limited to the basic principles one finds in the New Testament, however. God has more to say to every person devoted to Him through Jesus. These more individualistic commands are granted through the Holy Spirit, the mystical presence of God in everyone committed to Jesus as Lord.
Christian morality is not complete without the Holy Spirit, for not only does He guide the Christian to do what is right, but he also empowers the Devoted to do even the most difficult task in obedience to God. God understands the weaknesses of human resolve and human limitation, and so offers the Spirit as the ability to act beyond one’s humanity into a fullness of God’s strength and purity and love.
The moral positions of conservatism and liberalism have little use for the mystical power of God through the Spirit, unless it has been transformed into a naturalistic process. Jesus would allow no such limitation to the power of God, commanding exorcisms, healings, meals, speaking unknown languages and unnatural boldness, only accomplished through the Spirit, not flesh.
"The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Mark 14:38
Jesus is neither conservative nor liberal, but greater than either.
Follow Him, not his bastard offspring.
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