Can we be both Fundamental and Evangelical?

[HumbleMan]

Can we adhere to the fundamentals of Christianity as described in the other threads here, and also be an evangelical church, being proactive in winning people to Christ? Or do we have to compromise in some areas because winning people over requires more than just the message, eg, flashy sermons, catchy phrases, pop culture style clothing.

My church, Church of God (Cleveland, TN) describes itself as both, and I know our local church strives to hold the balance, but as I watch more and more, churches are going either one way or the other.

Your thoughts?

 

[Grace_Alone4gives]

why not? I think I am.

 

[BarbB]

Can we adhere to the fundamentals of Christianity as described in the other threads here, and also be an evangelical church, being proactive in winning people to Christ? Or do we have to compromise in some areas because winning people over requires more than just the message, eg, flashy sermons, catchy phrases, pop culture style clothing.

My church, Church of God (Cleveland, TN) describes itself as both, and I know our local church strives to hold the balance, but as I watch more and more, churches are going either one way or the other.

Your thoughts?

Hey, brother - I am COG, Cleveland, TN also and our pastor is truly an evangelical. Teaching is mostly in SS, Sunday pm and Weds. Evangelism is at the Sunday a.m. services since that's when most non-Christians would attend. Congregation is about 600, I think, and about 1-2 per week are saved. We also have an early Sun. a.m. service for the less charismatic among us!

 

[LuxPerpetua]

I'm both, too.

 

[LuxPerpetua]

The church is there to evangelize to the people whom the Holy Spirit is calling so that the church can encourage them to receive the sacraments and become a part of the Body of Christ. I don't understand how this contradicts Fundamentalism.

 

[Marissa]

Mark 16:15

Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

Can we be fundamental and not evangelical? Only if we're hypocrits.

 

[ChrisB]

Can we adhere to the fundamentals of Christianity as described in the other threads here, and also be an evangelical church, being proactive in winning people to Christ? Or do we have to compromise in some areas because winning people over requires more than just the message, eg, flashy sermons, catchy phrases, pop culture style clothing.

Of course, intellectual dishonesty will persuade no-one. In the end it's the message that counts - modern presentation helps put the message over, that's all

 

[HumbleMan]

Thanks for your responses everyone. (Newlamb, Hi! what church do you go to?). I guess what I was wondering is with the new "popularity" of Christianity, what with the Passion, etc., is the message being watered down in general to make new converts? Do you think in this day of sound bites, music videos, and pop culture that the fundamental Word of God is being preached, and if not, do you think the same number of seekers would come out to see a fiery, old time revivalist?

 

[Shane Roach]

I think in pretty much every age there have been people who want to be in the church who do not necessarily want the whole Word of God. Not a new thing. I think a fundamentalist though more or less has to be evangelical to an extent though, as it is part of what we are taught to do.

 

[Ceris]

OP: Of course. (Sorry for the short post, just got done studying for a huge test for a religion class.... I know way too much about the 1st 17 chapeters of Matthew right now.)

 

[Joshua Howard]

...To any who would have any doubts, true evangelicalism does not mingle with the world. Evangelism that uses worldly trends as witnessing tools is not worth anything... Truly, as it was written, "BECAUSE YE ARE LUKEWARM, NEITHER COLD NOR HOT, I WILL SPEW THEE OUT OF MY MOUTH."

By all means, from Greenland's icy mountains to India's Coral Strand... waft, waft, ye winds his story, till earth remotest nation has learned Messiah's name! But do not compromise. The remnant must stand true... And if we have revival, it must be complete.

 

[aggie03]

Can one be a fundamentalist and still be a Christian? Can one be an evangelical and still be a Christian?

My Answer: Is there any other kind of Christian? A Christian ought to be fundamental in that they follow the word of God, and the word of God alone, as their sole source and guide for being able to know the will of God. A Christian also ought to be someone who preaches where ever and when ever an opportunity to talk about the glorious grace and peace of God arises. This is what Paul did, this is what Christ did. This is also what we ought to do.