Newman and Theological Liberalism

Abstract

[The author's point of departure is the fact that both “liberals” and “conservatives” appeal to John Henry Newman to support their positions. However, Newman's attitude towards “liberalism” was much more nuanced than either party acknowledges. His own theology was characterized by a continual struggle to maintain a tensile unity between opposing tendencies and concerns. Hence, neither liberals nor conservatives can simply claim Newman as their own. In his quest for unity, Newman can serve as a model for our theologically polarized age.]