Has anyone on here been hurt by fundamentalist legalism, bully pulpits, gossip culture, pre-trib-premill-onlyism etc? I am a calvinist fundamentalist so I'm not as ruled by the outward trappings of fundamentalism as I read the Scripture in community and for myself but I've seen so many damaged and presented with a gospel with no hope, just laws, no aid in sanctification but human striving. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us gradually according to His will but certain fundies make it about outward forms.
I believe that if a "fundie makes it about outward forms" instead of the sancitfying power of the Indwelling Holy Spirit all born-again Christians receive by Grace through faith, then that "fundie" is not really a Fundamentalist at all. Instead, I believe those persons have become similar to the Pharisees that Jesus Christ preached against in the New Testament.
__________________ "If you were the only one needing Salvation from Sin, Jesus still would have died for your salvation."
I believe that if a "fundie makes it about outward forms" instead of the sancitfying power of the Indwelling Holy Spirit all born-again Christians receive by Grace through faith, then that "fundie" is not really a Fundamentalist at all. Instead, I believe those persons have become similar to the Pharisees that Jesus Christ preached against in the New Testament.
Well said.
I am a fundie, but I live in a part of the world where we don't really have any fundamentalist churches. I'm surrounded by liberalism and the charismatic. I have encountered the "pre-trib only-ism" some, but mostly because that's all that's taught around here. Most people don't even know there are any other possibilities. It's only since joining CF that I've had the opportunity to learn about some of the more legalistic churches out there, and the damage they do.
Legalism is a funny beast, and it's really so much like libertinism that it's kinda scary. One tends to be a reaction to the other, and vice versa. More recently my husband and I have developed a friendship with a wonderful Christian couple who genuinely desire God's glory in their lives. As we've gotten to know them better we have noticed some occasional tendancies towards legalism. I think it's our natural reaction to want to respond strongly against it. But as believers we need to be showing one another grace and compassion. The legalism I see in them is a direct over-correction to the very liberal lives they led as unbelievers. Better that we show them love and walk through this with them so that they can be freed from it one day, than just react badly. I mean, after all, I'm quite sure we're all legalistic in some area of our lives - and not just fundies, or even just Christians for that matter, but all people.
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True biblical fundamentalism is about adherence to the essential biblical doctrines of the Christian faith. Humanistic, legalistic fundi-ism is about conformity to man made rules of one sort of another. I want to be like Jesus and call others to rest in the life giving freedom of His saving grace. I have no interest in conforming to yet another set of man made strictures that ultimately serve to distract us from biblical obedience.
It is because I'm fundie, that I run from legalism.
There is one radio broadcast that I really love listening to when it comes to applying biblical principles to our lives. Unfortunately, I switch off as soon as it gets to the political rants. It seems that any scripture is thrown out the window at this point and the commentators talk politics instead. This is on the same level as pulpit bullying in my opinion.
I also take issue with preaching about certain events that are yet to happen and the bible does not tell us exactly how they will come to pass. Yet people are preaching thoeries as if the are absolute and fundamental. They will then try to imply that all fundamentalists should think this way or they are not really fundie.
Has anyone on here been hurt by fundamentalist legalism, bully pulpits, gossip culture, pre-trib-premill-onlyism etc? I am a calvinist fundamentalist so I'm not as ruled by the outward trappings of fundamentalism as I read the Scripture in community and for myself but I've seen so many damaged and presented with a gospel with no hope, just laws, no aid in sanctification but human striving. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us gradually according to His will but certain fundies make it about outward forms.
Wow...excuse me?
Fundamentalism = gossip culture, bully pulpits????...and what is pretrib-premil onlyism?
I am pretrib - have never belonged to a church that made everyone be pretrib to be a member. ???
It isn't just a few Fundies who make it about the outward form. Bet you can find that in every type of church.
I tend to think that legalism and true fundamentalism are opposites. Legalism comes from making up extra rules (such as KJV only, no pants/trousers on women, no TV, no contemporary or jazzy music, Republican is the only "moral" party, etc.) and calling it "holiness" when they are merely personal convictions (and they're fine if that's just how they're viewed). Now, fundamentalism is taking the whole Bible as the infallible Word of God, and following it to the best of our ability, with the realization that all Christians have different convictions, and not condemning one who just doesn't happen to view things exactly the same way. Romans 14 gives good insight on this.
__________________ "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." -- Psalm 136:1
Hi all, I'm a moderate fundamentalist. You could say I fundamentaly believe the Bible. I have been hurt in a more legalistic setting. It was man made rules, and cookie cutter Christians, get with the program or else. People who left were shunned. Not a nice thing. These things give fundamentalism a bad name. I am pre trib and believe it with all my heart, but allow for others to have differing views. I do find it sad people are not looking for the glorious appearing and can't pray come quickley Lord Jesus...because I so long for Titus 2:13
I do believe how we believe can effect our walk, but when pastor's and leaders try and do the work of the Holy Spirit in churches it gets messy and quenches the Holy Spirit. It really stole my joy being in a church that put people back under the law instead of grace living and loving. Like take an old testament passage about woman not wearing men's attire and saying ladies can't wear pants [trousers in england lol]
Like WW said if personal convictions fine, but when a spiritual baromenter not fine.
Well said. 
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