What is the difference between Fundamentalist and Conservative?

OldStudent

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Have you checked a dictionary? While that may be some help a careful "fundamentalist" may apply technical nuances to a term he is using. In the current environment it is a common subversive practice to use common words but have differing shades of meaning or alternate definitions. Opps. That was slide from your question.

I went through that because I will comment from my "feel" for the terms. There is much in common between fundamentalism and conservatism. Both intend to take Scripture as it reads. A fundamentalist is likely to be more black and white, opinionated, and his-view-is-the-right-view. He is more likely to be less patient with other perspectives. A conservative may be no less settled in his understanding of many things but be more open to tweaking, corrections and may be more tolerant in the face of disagreement or variations of expression. When he sees a choice of perspectives he will lean toward the side that best fits what a variety of appropriate passages has to say.
 
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Achilles6129

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Hello there, I am new to the boards and still trying to figure where I "belong". Can someone explain to me the difference between being a Fundamentalist and a Conservative Christian?

This is a good question. From what I can tell fundamentalism is more dedicated that conservatism. Also, a fundamentalist is a conservative even though a conservative is not necessarily a fundamentalist. Fundamentalists tend to be militant and uncompromising.

And, of course, fundamentalists believe everything God says and does in the Bible is 100% just and right. Hence they have no qualms about anything in Scripture.

But anyways, from what I can tell the two are very similar but fundamentalists are more dedicated. Hope that helps :)
 
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DeaconDean

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Conservative Christians consider traditions of men to be of equal importance as the Holy Bible. Otherwise, the beliefs are similar.

Excellent answer!

Practices or beliefs that are not taught in the Holy Bible. In other words - passed down by tradition.

Amen!

Go read the SoF for the "Conservative Christians" area, and compare it to the one here for "Fundamentalists".

You'll see.

God Bless

Till all are one.
 
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Albion

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Another way to put it is that Conservative Christian means a Christian holding to traditional beliefs and practices, whether Catholic or Protestant. Fundamentalism is distinctly Protestant and outlines in its statement of faith the particular articles that are essential. It also calls for a commitment to evangelism, which is outside the CC definition.
 
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Tellastory

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Another way to put it is that Conservative Christian means a Christian holding to traditional beliefs and practices, whether Catholic or Protestant. Fundamentalism is distinctly Protestant and outlines in its statement of faith the particular articles that are essential. It also calls for a commitment to evangelism, which is outside the CC definition.

Fundamentalist may be surprised to see that they are more conservative than they think.

One example is by a commitment to evangelism which is a boast for tomorrow and it is not scriptural, and thus it is not fundamentalism.

Proversb 27:27 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. 2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

James 4:13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

A believer's commitment is a testimony about themselves of what they are going to do and are "committed" into doing it as well as finishing it like a promise or a vow would entails.

James 5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

Matthew 5:33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

It is a yoke of bondage that I believe is the same as excusing oneself from the Marriage Supper as in a believer's commitment to do something tomorrow is the same as saying to the Lord, "Excuse me. Lord, but I have a commitment to keep and I intend to finish it."

Yeah... He is not going to wait.

Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Seems it would explain why the just are living by faith in the Son of God enabling them to follow Him & not by their commitments to Him.

May the Lord set the committed believers free and stay free to rest in His commitment to them so that they will have nothing to boast about except in the Lord at the Marriage Supper table.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Galatians 5:1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage..5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

1 Corinthians 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
 
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Albion

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Fundamentalist may be surprised to see that they are more conservative than they think.

Think so? I'd guess that they think of themselves as upholding the original meaning of Scripture and its importance. That would be conservative by any standard.

One example is by a commitment to evangelism which is a boast for tomorrow and it is not scriptural, and thus it is not fundamentalism.
How can that not be scriptural when Our Lord himself said to make disciples of all nations?
 
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FredVB

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Fundamentalist may be surprised to see that they are more conservative than they think.

One example is by a commitment to evangelism which is a boast for tomorrow and it is not scriptural, and thus it is not fundamentalism.

Proversb 27:27 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring fo
A believer's commitment is a testimony about themselves of what they are going to do and are "committed" into doing it as well as finishing it
It is a yoke of bondage that I believe is the same as excusing oneself from the Marriage Supper as in a believer's commitment to do something tomorrow is the same as saying to the Lord, "Excuse me. Lord, but I have a commitment to keep and I intend to finish it."

Yeah... He is not going to wait.
Luke 21, Seems it would explain why the just are living by faith in the Son of God enabling them to follow Him & not by their commitments to Him.

May the Lord set the committed believers free and stay free to rest in His commitment to them so that they will have nothing to boast about except in the Lord at the Marriage Supper table.

Are you really saying with this there should not be obedience to commandments from our Lord?

Think so? I'd guess that they think of themselves as upholding the original meaning of Scripture and its importance. That would be conservative by any standard. How can that not be scriptural when Our Lord himself said to make disciples of all nations?

This is true. We are to obey to be a witness of the gospel and of Christ, and beyond the commission and to baptize new believers, there are other things to obey. This is not speaking of how to be saved, but what is to be done with being saved. And I think fundamentalism involves believing what we are told from in the Bible, and seeking to be obedient to our Lord.
 
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Thefunkyfundy

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Here is multi choice question on the topic just for a laugh:

A conservative christian is:

A: All of the above. Umm...
B: A Christian who never read the bible
C: A politician seeking the Christian vote
D: Not a Christian at all
E: Similar to but not quite the same as an atheist christian.
 
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