Though both Bass' and Douthat's articles are worth a read, I believe neither asks the real question.  That question is not whether "Liberal Christianity can be saved" or whether "Liberal Churches can save Christianity"  The real question is "Should American Christianity be saved?"
We are at a point in history where adaptive change is necessary.  Both previous questions point to the need for adaptive change but stop short of actually making the claim it is needed, instead moving toward technical change.
Since the 1950's, American Christianity has become institutionalized.  The 50's brought a decade of key growth for mainline denominational churches in America.  But what happened after that is seen in both articles.  The effects of the sexual revolution and the changes in civil rights, the move to consumerism, materialism and the such pushed people to become more and more anti-institutional.  Thus the decline noted in both articles.

Douthat correctly points out that Liberal Christianity in America has seen a greater collapse than the Conservative denominations, but both have experienced decline.  Both have played a big part in the development of our Country.  But the question needs to be, "Should this American Christianity be saved?"  
If you look at Christianity globally, it is on the rise.  The center of Christianity is moving into the southern hemisphere, and is based on Gospel Christianity.  American Christianity has slowly been moving away from the faith described in the Gospel.  If you don't agree, read Radical by David Platt or the Hole in our Gospel by Richard Sterns.  You will see that at a time when American Christianity is wealthier than it has ever been, we are choosing to invest in things which bring us comfort and convenience.  

American Christianity has been thrust into a crisis, and, as pointed out by both bass and Douthat, is in need of rediscovering relevance.  The only way relevance will be found is by stripping away American Christianity and allowing the Gospel of Christ to be boldly proclaimed and lived again.  For it was that Gospel which brought Christianity to America, that Gospel which took Christianity to unreached people in Africa, South America, and the far East, and that Christianity which has been exchanged for comfort and convenience in America.
We need to ask the right questions and make the right adaptive changes to see Christianity flourish again in America, but it needs to be Biblical Christianity not American Christianity.

Rev. Robert McClelland

Arlington, Texas