Recently I was reading an article by Henry Kissinger that alluded to Islamic "Fundamentalists."
What a loaded word. It really has nothing to do with Islam. It was coined by Christians, to describe those believers who stood on the "Fundamentals" of the faith. They wanted to distill the truest, clearest, most important doctrines into bite sizes for the masses, and came up with the issues that no one should compromise.
Many years ago I had a conversation (which obviously I still remember) with one of the grandchildren of R.A. Torrey. Torrey actually wrote two large red tomes entitled "The Fundamentals." Not a theologian, I'm not sure if that was an entire summary of the whole fundamentalist movement, but it surely gave definition to some of the fundamentals of the faith.
In my conversation with his offspring I was decrying the non-Biblical views being adopted by the church, the Jesus Christ Superstar movement, and the drift away from Scripture. My friend accused me of misjudgement and legalism, making me feel I was acting superior to people who were trying to find their own spiritual path.
I don't know where he stands theologically now, but I've never forgotten that conversation, and often thought back to the acrid rejection of what I deemed to be fundamentalism at the time.
I was young. Now I am old.
Now I see the tables have turned, and how Evangelicals and Liberals look down their noses at "Fundamentalists."
Does anyone who cries for "UNITY" not see the irony in bashing the fundamentals?
Here is one place that all those who call themselves Christian could truly unite! Instead there is more theological bashing than ever. Calvinists, Arminians, Liberal Theologians, Progressive Christians, Lutherans...of so many flavors (I live in Minnesota, I know there are dozens), Methodists, Presbyterians, Catholics, on and on...
No one sees eye to eye.
I cut my spiritual teeth on C.S. Lewis and Richard Foster. It was cool back in my college days, to read John White and talk about open theology. Seminaries were rejecting the old hellfire preaching of the mid-20th century. New Calvinism was taking root. Evangelism was out-dated. We all read Henry Blackaby's book and then adopted the "Spirit Driven Church." We were in awe of Willow Creek Church. Music took on epic proportion as the "Worship Wars" ensued, driving people from church to church, some out to sea. Seeker Friendly was the new norm, never mind it was spiritual pablum, about to drive an entire generation of young church-goers away from faith.
We all watched as cousins and siblings, aunts and uncles, close friends and even parents caught onto something more alluring than the good old fundamentals. They chose alcohol (a big no-no among fundies) rock music (Oh NO!), let go and let god, and enigmatic worship styles over simple truths from Scripture.
Corrie Ten Boom wrote a book called "Common Sense Not Needed." I think there is so much common sense in mere faith. We don't need to strive for the latest trend in spirituality! We don't need to hop on the political bandwagon of the decade, but we do.
Notice something, though.
The new "Fundies" are anything but straight-laced.
They home-school, are anti-abortion, and environmentally conscious (no GMO's, buy organic--a nod to the Reformed admonition to be good stewards). They oppose the New World Order. They tend to be conservative, as the conservative platform in the past catered to the anti-abortion crowd. They believe in God's definition of marriage, i.e. Adam and Eve-style. They are wild about prophecy. After all, the Bible is really full of prophecy, and "Fundies" love the Bible.
Many come out of a checkered past. They are formerly New-Agers, Occultists, or even atheists. The new 'Fundies" believe in a young earth (no change there) and that God made it just as He said, in Seven Days. Literal Days.
They love science. Science only proves Scripture. There is nothing to fear in true science. True science never contradicts Scripture. It's an authority thing.
The new "Fundies" love the Bible. They study it with a passion of first love. They use it to direct their lives, and love others.
"Others" feel judged by the Word, and blame the '"Fundies," but oh well, that's what Jesus said would happen.
"Fundies" don't care about unity in the church. They ARE unified in faith in Christ. They are unified by their belief in the Word of God. They know each other immediately, and love each other. Yes, there are differences, but "fundies" seem to be able to quietly nod at each other in deep agreement over the fundamentals. The real meat of the Word.
That's why Satan hates them so badly, and makes their lives miserable. If you are a '"fundie" you'll recognize yourself here right away. Fundies have instant rapport.
Fundies tend to seem sort of hard-hearted. They care about everyone, but they care more about everyone's soul. As Luther wrote, "The body they may kill...God's Truth abideth still!"
Yes, it's important that you have food, water, and shelter. That you have what you need. More important is your soul. Period.
Jumping on the bus to feed and appease the world is just not necessary. God asks us to do it everyday and every way! We don't need an organization or a political mandate. FUNDIES JUST DO. They are the doctors and nurses, the pastors who give their lives to missions. They are the workers at the soup kitchens and food banks. They are the volunteers at the hospitals and nursing homes. Really. Fundies are everywhere.
Fundies see themselves as Christ followers.
Are there fakers among them? Of course. I grew up in the era of Jimmy Swaggert and Jim Bakker. Oral Roberts and ...name your adulterous TV preacher...
Another win for Satan. Those sins don't define Christianity, any more than popular trends do. They are equally distractions to true faith.
But God IS stronger. Faith IS more powerful than its lack.
Faith in the God who created us is Faith that supersedes all others. That faith is defined by the Creator of it, not what we want Him to be.
I used to ignore the parts of Christianity that I didn't like. I admit it. I certainly didn't want to be a fundamentalist! I keep wondering why so many people have such aversion to people who are known as "fundamentalists." Was it because they are judging, mean, hypocritical, un-loving? That isn't exactly fundamentalism. That's sin. Legalism is always in the eye of the beholder. What is right for me may not be right for you. Parents have a say in that (after all, God did say that we should obey our parents) but really, we impose our own "laws" on ourselves. Doesn't the Word of God speak truths to each of us? If that is considered legalism, sign me up. We order our days by our relationship with the Personal Christ through His own Word! He laid the law for righteous living! Take the argument up with HIM!
Now I'm old. I am a fundamentalist. I do believe the fundamentals of the faith, and I have found unity among the brethren. We are from all denominations, all kinds of Christian background. I align myself with the Bible and its teachings, because it is the Word of God. I accept it as it is, trying to synthesize its paradoxes, live its teachings, learn from its examples.
And such hope it gives me. Such fellowship with other "fundies!"
The Truth will set you free, and you will be free indeed!
Follow Christ. Get that fundamentally straight.
Be a "Fundie!"
Update 9/17/2013
Here's an article related to this topic:
Exposing a Fundamental Compromise
What a loaded word. It really has nothing to do with Islam. It was coined by Christians, to describe those believers who stood on the "Fundamentals" of the faith. They wanted to distill the truest, clearest, most important doctrines into bite sizes for the masses, and came up with the issues that no one should compromise.
Many years ago I had a conversation (which obviously I still remember) with one of the grandchildren of R.A. Torrey. Torrey actually wrote two large red tomes entitled "The Fundamentals." Not a theologian, I'm not sure if that was an entire summary of the whole fundamentalist movement, but it surely gave definition to some of the fundamentals of the faith.
In my conversation with his offspring I was decrying the non-Biblical views being adopted by the church, the Jesus Christ Superstar movement, and the drift away from Scripture. My friend accused me of misjudgement and legalism, making me feel I was acting superior to people who were trying to find their own spiritual path.
I don't know where he stands theologically now, but I've never forgotten that conversation, and often thought back to the acrid rejection of what I deemed to be fundamentalism at the time.
I was young. Now I am old.
Now I see the tables have turned, and how Evangelicals and Liberals look down their noses at "Fundamentalists."
Does anyone who cries for "UNITY" not see the irony in bashing the fundamentals?
Here is one place that all those who call themselves Christian could truly unite! Instead there is more theological bashing than ever. Calvinists, Arminians, Liberal Theologians, Progressive Christians, Lutherans...of so many flavors (I live in Minnesota, I know there are dozens), Methodists, Presbyterians, Catholics, on and on...
No one sees eye to eye.
I cut my spiritual teeth on C.S. Lewis and Richard Foster. It was cool back in my college days, to read John White and talk about open theology. Seminaries were rejecting the old hellfire preaching of the mid-20th century. New Calvinism was taking root. Evangelism was out-dated. We all read Henry Blackaby's book and then adopted the "Spirit Driven Church." We were in awe of Willow Creek Church. Music took on epic proportion as the "Worship Wars" ensued, driving people from church to church, some out to sea. Seeker Friendly was the new norm, never mind it was spiritual pablum, about to drive an entire generation of young church-goers away from faith.
We all watched as cousins and siblings, aunts and uncles, close friends and even parents caught onto something more alluring than the good old fundamentals. They chose alcohol (a big no-no among fundies) rock music (Oh NO!), let go and let god, and enigmatic worship styles over simple truths from Scripture.
Corrie Ten Boom wrote a book called "Common Sense Not Needed." I think there is so much common sense in mere faith. We don't need to strive for the latest trend in spirituality! We don't need to hop on the political bandwagon of the decade, but we do.
Notice something, though.
The new "Fundies" are anything but straight-laced.
They home-school, are anti-abortion, and environmentally conscious (no GMO's, buy organic--a nod to the Reformed admonition to be good stewards). They oppose the New World Order. They tend to be conservative, as the conservative platform in the past catered to the anti-abortion crowd. They believe in God's definition of marriage, i.e. Adam and Eve-style. They are wild about prophecy. After all, the Bible is really full of prophecy, and "Fundies" love the Bible.
Many come out of a checkered past. They are formerly New-Agers, Occultists, or even atheists. The new 'Fundies" believe in a young earth (no change there) and that God made it just as He said, in Seven Days. Literal Days.
They love science. Science only proves Scripture. There is nothing to fear in true science. True science never contradicts Scripture. It's an authority thing.
The new "Fundies" love the Bible. They study it with a passion of first love. They use it to direct their lives, and love others.
"Others" feel judged by the Word, and blame the '"Fundies," but oh well, that's what Jesus said would happen.
"Fundies" don't care about unity in the church. They ARE unified in faith in Christ. They are unified by their belief in the Word of God. They know each other immediately, and love each other. Yes, there are differences, but "fundies" seem to be able to quietly nod at each other in deep agreement over the fundamentals. The real meat of the Word.
That's why Satan hates them so badly, and makes their lives miserable. If you are a '"fundie" you'll recognize yourself here right away. Fundies have instant rapport.
Fundies tend to seem sort of hard-hearted. They care about everyone, but they care more about everyone's soul. As Luther wrote, "The body they may kill...God's Truth abideth still!"
Yes, it's important that you have food, water, and shelter. That you have what you need. More important is your soul. Period.
Jumping on the bus to feed and appease the world is just not necessary. God asks us to do it everyday and every way! We don't need an organization or a political mandate. FUNDIES JUST DO. They are the doctors and nurses, the pastors who give their lives to missions. They are the workers at the soup kitchens and food banks. They are the volunteers at the hospitals and nursing homes. Really. Fundies are everywhere.
Fundies see themselves as Christ followers.
Are there fakers among them? Of course. I grew up in the era of Jimmy Swaggert and Jim Bakker. Oral Roberts and ...name your adulterous TV preacher...
Another win for Satan. Those sins don't define Christianity, any more than popular trends do. They are equally distractions to true faith.
But God IS stronger. Faith IS more powerful than its lack.
Faith in the God who created us is Faith that supersedes all others. That faith is defined by the Creator of it, not what we want Him to be.
I used to ignore the parts of Christianity that I didn't like. I admit it. I certainly didn't want to be a fundamentalist! I keep wondering why so many people have such aversion to people who are known as "fundamentalists." Was it because they are judging, mean, hypocritical, un-loving? That isn't exactly fundamentalism. That's sin. Legalism is always in the eye of the beholder. What is right for me may not be right for you. Parents have a say in that (after all, God did say that we should obey our parents) but really, we impose our own "laws" on ourselves. Doesn't the Word of God speak truths to each of us? If that is considered legalism, sign me up. We order our days by our relationship with the Personal Christ through His own Word! He laid the law for righteous living! Take the argument up with HIM!
Now I'm old. I am a fundamentalist. I do believe the fundamentals of the faith, and I have found unity among the brethren. We are from all denominations, all kinds of Christian background. I align myself with the Bible and its teachings, because it is the Word of God. I accept it as it is, trying to synthesize its paradoxes, live its teachings, learn from its examples.
And such hope it gives me. Such fellowship with other "fundies!"
The Truth will set you free, and you will be free indeed!
Follow Christ. Get that fundamentally straight.
Be a "Fundie!"
Update 9/17/2013
Here's an article related to this topic:
Exposing a Fundamental Compromise
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