Here we go...
Oh Boy.... I'm not going to go there am I? Why not? Here's my question. I have been submerged in this sea of "Fundamentalism" now for the better half of a decade... Now, understand that I don't claim to have any special knowledge or insight that is unique to just me. I am in this for clarification. Do I need to be labeled a fundamentalists in order for my walk with the Lord to be pleasing in His sight? That is what I am striving for. Sure I want those around me and that I come in contact with to see a changed lifestyle that is possessed by God (Titus 2:14, 1 Peter 2:9, ESV). I want others to see Jesus Christ being manifest in me. Is that what the world sees in fundamentalists? Is the love of Christ permeating through this movement so that it is drawing men to know the gospel and to experience the change that is brings? Is the joy of the believers seen so clearly that it is unmistakable as to what their joy is about? What about the union that the believers have in Christ? Is this union seen in fundamentalism? Your thoughts?
posted by jcwhite at 3/08/2005 08:40:00 PM
3 Comments:
I have not been "in" the fundamentalist movement in the same way that others have, but one of the main things that occurs to me is that it seems that today fundamentalism is more committed to "being a fundamentalist" (with separatism, certain eschatological views, among other things as of primary importance) than really being committed to the fundamentals. There are people who proclaim the fundamentals of Christianity loud and clear who could not be considered fundamentalists.
I do think, though, that the key idea that you and Laurence both mentioned is that love must be a more integral part of Christianity. If I can't love my neighbor as myself, it doesn't matter (in the sense of living out my faith in the world) if I am more holy than him, because my faith is not producing what Jesus commanded.
It seems to me that if we focus on the true fundamentals (Jesus' fundamentals), then the other things will come into place. As someone (can't remember who, and not an exact quote) said, "In the major things, unity. In the minors, liberty. In all things, charity."
3/09/2005 02:46:00 PM
i think that christians tend to get so wrapped up in wondering whether they are living a 'fundamental' lifestyle or not they start to live by rules, regulations and restrictions placed on themselves and not by God. i've done this myself..worrying about the rules and not about the relationship. When my relationship is right with God i'm going to have a sensitive heart to His leading; my connection with God is vital for my survival.
this past summer i worked at a Christian camp that had counselors from vaious denominations w/different doctrinal views...these views weren't discussed b/c i think we knew that if they were discussed the differences would tear the unity we had built apart; reaching the unsaved or restoring a camper's relationship with Christ was more important and pressing then having a doctrinal discussion or argument with another counselor.
why is there disunity!? is it b/c we think we have interpreted scripture better then our brother in Christ...? it just seems that if we as christians focus on the big issues in the church we lose sight of the simplicity of the gospel to the lost and our testimony
3/15/2005 09:59:00 PM
Only one thing make syou pleasing to God, and that one thing is the atoning work of Christ. The Lord sees the righteousness of His Son when He looks upon you. This great truth (which stems from the doctrine of Justification by Faith in Christ) is often overlooked in Fundamentalism, and we get into "performance based" approval from God. But you are a depraved sinner. You cannot make yourself be pleasing to God. None of us can. Christ makes you pleasing to God, and He makes you entirely acceptable. (Go read Ephesians one and two if you think I'm mistaken.)
You will make mistakes in life, because we all do. Sometimes by sheer accident, sometimes through willfulness. So I can't tell you whether you should wear that label or not. You have to choose.
But your righteousness comes from Christ; yoru acceptance with God is entirely of Grace, and your only confidence is that Christ has purposed to conform you to His image.
As for Fundamentalism, it's got a huge dark side, which I document. Fundamentalist preachers are notoriously bad for majoring on the ridiculous: music, hair length, slacks on women, while ignoring the monumental sins that have destroyed lives: sexual abuse, violence against women, and certain doctrinal perversions that are so ridiculous they make the three stooges look intelligent by comparison.
I realize that the prayers offered to save Fundamentalism may be premature. Perhaps the first necessary prayer is, "Lord, what is Your will in this matter?" We have to seriously consider that God may not choose to save the movement that is called Fundamentalism. Or He may. But we have no ground to stand on when it comes to our own merits. We have to come to Him seeking Grace and mercy, never boasting. We have nothing for which to boast.
Jeri Massi
http://www.pipeline.com/~jeriwho2/blogger.htm
3/17/2005 07:22:00 PM
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