question

[never alone]

What is the difference in a conservative and a fundamentalist Christian?

 

[Sketcher]

See http://www.christianforums.com/t7396152/ and http://www.christianforums.com/t7395085/.

As Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and certain other denominations do not fit the definition in the first link, the conservative forum was created to include conservative-minded people of such denominations.

 

[mandyangel]

What is the difference in a conservative and a fundamentalist Christian?

i am both

the easiest way i can explain it is fundamentalist means u believe the Bible means exactly what it says

conversative means you are more republican than democrat, particularly pro-life and pro-traditional marriage

hope that helps

 

[KWCrazy]

Fundamentalism can mean an extremely literalistic approach to Scripture that can become very dogmatic and intolerant of anyone who disagrees.

As opposed to the "tolerant" nature of those who deny the Scriptures and call those who accept God's word as "fundies?" We are supposed to be tolerant of those who pervert the text of the Bible, misrrepresent what it says and commit heresy in the name of God? We are supposed to be tolerant of false teachers who pretend to be studied in the Word and yet tell lie after lie about what is written?

I suppose you would call me a fundamentalist. I believe that God is the supreme Lord of the universe, and that His word is Law. I do not believe that blending what is written with the teachings of man results in a greater truth. Adding to the truth only makes a lie.

The scriptures mean what a fundamentalist says it means.

Your statement is nonsensical and offensive. The Scriptures mean what God intended, not what man distorts.

Often biblical scholarship is disdained.

Evidence? I've seen "biblical scholars" tell bald faced lies about what is written in the Scriptures. Does that mean I disdain true scholars, or does that mean I don't appreciate people lying about God's word and telling lies about what is written.

Some examples are:
a literal 6 days of 24 hours creation vs a more open approach that takes into account genre and what science is discovering

What do the Scriptures say? The Scriptures very explicitly describe a six day creation. The Forth Commandment mentions a six day creation. There is not a single place in the Scriptures that contradicts a six day creation. Why should we allow the theories of man to dillute the truth of God?

A virtual 'dictation' concept of inspiration, devoid of cultural or historical influences - God' sword says.." vs a belief in inspiration which also seeks to understand genre, authorial intent, time and place including historical and cultural influences

In other words, you expect Christians to take your word for the fact that the Scriptures are nothing more than the writings of "Bronze age Semites" (as described by a "Biblical Scholar) compiled into a book of folklore and superstitiously held to by ignorant people deperate to believe in a magical being? What, pray tell, was the author's intent when he wrote, "The evening and the morning were the first day?"

All we need is the bible vs discerning biblical principles against which we can assess information from any source, including literature, science, the arts etc

So the truth of God's word must be weighed against literature, the arts and science? So if What we read in Romans disagrees with what we read in MacBeth we should defer to Macbeth? What if Science tells us a man could not return from the grave? Will you then renounce your Christianity? Gues what? It does! So which is it? Is science right that a man cannot die and return from the grave, or do you believe in Christianity? It is not possible to believe in both. If you believe in science then there was no resurrection. If you believe in the resurrection, then God has dominion over science. You proclaim to believe in the resurrection. Which is it?

I belong in the conservative/moderate category, holding to basic biblical beliefs within a wide framework.

Which beliefs do you accept and which do you deny?

 

[Johnnz]

It could be my turn to take offence and become accusatory now. Certainly much of what you suggest I might believe is largely fiction as far as what my actual beliefs are. All I will say is that I am committed to the Scriptures just as avidly as you are, and have spent a lifetime advocating for them and living by them.

Bless you
John
NZ

 

[KWCrazy]

It could be my turn to take offence and become accusatory now. Certainly much of what you suggest I might believe is largely fiction as far as what my actual beliefs are. All I will say is that I am committed to the Scriptures just as avidly as you are, and have spent a lifetime advocating for them and living by them.

So why do you discount the Creation, God's greatest miracle, because some non-believer with a white coat tells you it's impossible? EVERYONE knows it's not possible. That's why it's a miracle!

Why do you need outside information to assess the Bible? All you need is God's word and the Holy Spirit to guide you.

 

[never alone]

Thanks. That helps. So being a conservative is more political in a sense. I guess I have heard of many secular conservative groups that obviously don't believe the Bible.

 

[Sketcher]

Thanks. That helps. So being a conservative is more political in a sense. I guess I have heard of many secular conservative groups that obviously don't believe the Bible.

Not really. There's a difference between a conservative Christian, and a Christian conservative. One can be both, as I am, but one does not necessitate the other.

Conservative Christian: A Christian who believes the Bible, and does not consider it outdated. One who does not amend the faith to accommodate personal feelings.

Christian conservative: A Christian who is conservative on political issues.

 

[never alone]

I agree with you and believe the same way you do. When I signed up for CF on my profile questions they asked if I were liberal, democrate, conservative, fundamentalist, ect. and in my way of thinking a conservative Christian was the same as a fundamentalist Christian. I also happen to be conservative in politics as well.

 

[WannaWitness]

It seems to me that there is a lot of confusion as to the meanings of the two terms fundamentalist and conservative. Personally, I believe "fundamentalist", in this case, refers to a Christian who believes the entire Word of God is infallible and given as a guideline for the Christian to follow and apply, to the best of one's ability, which would make me one. "Conservative" is sometimes thought to mean the same thing, but sometimes it depends on what it refers to. When it comes to my own personal values, I consider myself conservative. Politically, I feel myself to be moderate, with conservative social views but probably pretty liberal when it comes to economic matters and health care issues (and not radical either way) - not to mention the areas in which I fall pretty much in between, so what I have in my case is a mixed bag in which I don't fully match up with any party. And to tell the truth, there are times when I just don't understand politics. Moral values leave something to be desired no matter which way you slice it (which is why the government and politics all need prayer).

Now, as to whether others feel I am conservative and/or fundamentalist, that is a matter of opinion, of course, depending on the issue being discussed at any given time. I have some people who view me as a legalistic prude (just for having reasonable standards based on the Word of God), and others who view me as a 21st-century version of a hippie with an "anything-goes" philosophy just because I may not share a certain view on a particular matter (such as Bible translations, music, TV, and so on)... as well as a number of fellow believers who just see me as a sister in Christ, and nothing more nor less. But I am trying to be pleasing to the Lord, and anybody who is doing that and looking to Him for guidance in their lives, then that's the thing that matters.

 

[never alone]

God bless you Wanna Witness. The world needs to see the light of Jesus in you and in all Christians more than anything else. We should live to bring glory to God in all that we do. It does not matter that much what they call us (fundamentalist, ect). What matters is that we seek Him first and his righteousness and do His will and be ready for His return (which I hope will be very soon).
Thanks for sharing your views with me. I agree with you. I will pray for you.

 

[WannaWitness]

God bless you Wanna Witness. The world needs to see the light of Jesus in you and in all Christians more than anything else. We should live to bring glory to God in all that we do. It does not matter that much what they call us (fundamentalist, ect). What matters is that we seek Him first and his righteousness and do His will and be ready for His return (which I hope will be very soon).
Thanks for sharing your views with me. I agree with you. I will pray for you.

Thanks. Glad to have you here.

 

[Thefunkyfundy]

Fundamentalism can mean an extremely literalistic approach to Scripture that can become very dogmatic and intolerant of anyone who disagrees. The scriptures mean what a fundamentalist says it means. Often biblical scholarship is disdained.

A conservative believes in the same fundamental doctrines, but has a wider frame of reference and can see the complexities of many issues. They can challenge the fundamentalists on many issues.

Some examples are:
a literal 6 days of 24 hours creation vs a more open approach that takes into account genre and what science is discovering
A virtual 'dictation' concept of inspiration, devoid of cultural or historical influences - God' sword says.." vs a belief in inspiration which also seeks to understand genre, authorial intent, time and place including historical and cultural influences
All we need is the bible vs discerning biblical principles against which we can assess information from any source, including literature, science, the arts etc

The differences are in fact quite wide reaching and deep seated.

I belong in the conservative/moderate category, holding to basic biblical beliefs within a wide framework.

John
NZ

God is very, very dogmatic. Words like "dogmatic" fundamental" and "doctrine" are swithered out of recognition as to their real meaning by the world. I don't know why, I'm just glad I have a dictionary so I can learn what words really mean.

Oh and yeah it says six days but everyone knows it means a gazillions years coz people in white coats, carrying Bunsen burners, clip boards and test tubes tell us so. I call them liars not liberals or conservatives. Just thought I'd throw a bit of fundamental truth at ya.

 

[cubanito]

Day does not really mean day, sin does not really mean sin, and evil is whatever is not popular right now.

Most True and faithful Christians are NOT fundamentalists. How they read their Scriptures is a matter between them and God. I am not called in judgement of them.

However, THIS is the fundamentalist site. If I go on the conservative site and call those with an interpretation of early Genesis which is metaphorical compromising, accomodating and so on I would be in violation of forum rules. I assure you someone will report me and the thread closed down. Yet here we are, being insulted again and again for our beliefs by those who do not share the SoF clearly at the head of this site.

And they call us judgemental...

JR

 

[ImaginaryDay]

Day does not really mean day, sin does not really mean sin, and evil is whatever is not popular right now.

Most True and faithful Christians are NOT fundamentalists. How they read their Scriptures is a matter between them and God. I am not called in judgement of them.

However, THIS is the fundamentalist site. If I go on the conservative site and call those with an interpretation of early Genesis which is metaphorical compromising, accomodating and so on I would be in violation of forum rules. I assure you someone will report me and the thread closed down. Yet here we are, being insulted again and again for our beliefs by those who do not share the SoF clearly at the head of this site.

And they call us judgemental...

JR

I would suggest reading the SOF again. It's pretty open to anyone who agrees with them can post. I agree with them wholeheartedly, yet it says NOTHING about agreeing with a literal 7 24-hour day creation view. Yet I hold to the Bible as the basis for my worldview, which IS in the SOF. So I (and anyone else who accepts the SOF) can post. God bless!

 

[Criada]

Mod Hat On

​

This thread has been cleaned.
Members who are not fundamentalists may post in fellowship here,
but may not debate.
Thanks

Mod Hat Off​

 

[BluesLamb]

A Fundamentalist should believe what the bible says. A conservative should believe that government should follow the bible.

There are folks who might be neither, both, or one but not the other.

I believe both.

 

[never alone]

So do I. I believe that Jesus, our creator, is the way, the truth and the light of world and without Him we are in darkness. I believe if people would obey His Word the world would be a much better place. Can you imagine a world in which everyone loves one another and loves God and only does what is right and good? I am waiting on such a place. In 1 Peter 1 it says "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade." I love the Bible. I would be lost without it. Thank God for showing us the path that leads to life. God bless you and thanks for your comments.