What is a Fundamentalist?

[leothelioness]

When you say you are a Fundamentalist, what exactly do you mean? Why do you think some people are so reluctant to associate themselves with Fundamentalism?

 

[Daxen]

i think a fundie is someone who takes the Bible seriously
like if the Bible says adultery is evil they dont try to justify it as tho it aint so bad because 'everyone' does it
what the Bible says is wrong, is wrong
what the Bible says is good, is good

a fundie is someone who doesnt pick and chose which scripture they like and toss out eveerything they dont like, they read it and believe it

 

[Daxen]

most likely reason people are reluctant to associate themselves with a Fundie is because Fundies tell it like it is, gently if needed but straight shooting and Fundies dont sway to and fro in their theology

 

[Hupomone10]

most likely reason people are reluctant to associate themselves with a Fundie is because Fundies tell it like it is, gently if needed but straight shooting and Fundies dont sway to and fro in their theology

Actually, that's only it after they get into a discussion with a fundamentalist. I think most of it is just because of the bad rap; the world has made "fundamentalist" into a dirty word; and it's like being a liberal - even those who are, don't want to admit it even though they believe all the tenets.

 

[nChrist]

Fundamentalist Christians Statement Of Faith is an excellent representation and is already posted for this area to give people a good idea about what a Fundamentalist is.

There is nothing wild or unreasonable about being a Fundamentalist. I must add that a Fundamentalist is not a Legalist, and this is contrary to the opinion of many.

Let me be blunt: many calling themselves Christians are more conformed to the world than they are to God's Word. This is a very broad statement, but for one, involves the teachings and traditions of men versus what the Bible clearly teaches. Going back to the Bible as the Sole Authority is uncomfortable for many, so they use making fun of fundamentalists as a defensive mechanism. Men wanting to be the authority instead of God is at the root of the problem.

Many are so used to adding to or taking away from the Bible that they don't want to be reminded about what the Bible teaches. So, it's more handy to call fundamentalist names or disassociate themselves from fundamentalists. I must add that some of the posts in this area bear little or no resemblance to fundamentalism. Many people have a preconceived notion of what a fundamentalist is based on stereotypical junk. If one really wants to know what a fundamentalist is, read Fundamentalist Christians Statement Of Faith.

 

[NorrinRadd]

When you say you are a Fundamentalist, what exactly do you mean?

I mainly mean that I am in agreement with the "Five Fundamentals."

Why do you think some people are so reluctant to associate themselves with Fundamentalism?

Because the actions of some -- hopefully only a relatively small percentage -- have understandably given people the idea that fundies are hyper-literalist legalistic wing-nuts.

 

[WannaWitness]

i think a fundie is someone who takes the Bible seriously
like if the Bible says adultery is evil they dont try to justify it as tho it aint so bad because 'everyone' does it
what the Bible says is wrong, is wrong
what the Bible says is good, is good

a fundie is someone who doesnt pick and chose which scripture they like and toss out eveerything they dont like, they read it and believe it

That's right on target!

So many people (even some Christians) confuse fundamentalism with legalism. True legalists depend on man-made rules for their personal brand of holiness, taking their own personal convictions and rituals thinking that's what makes them Godly. "Don't listen to CCM, don't read any other translation besides King James, don't wear pants if you're a lady, don't watch TV, don't vote anything other than Republican, don't eat meat, don't joke around, don't use slang, don't do this, don't do that, and so on". A true fundamentalist knows this is not the case, but also knows that we as believers should have standards and follow God's Word with every fiber of our being without compromise. That isn't legalism; that's obedience.

Note: If any (or even all) of the above things I mentioned happen to be anyone's own personal convictions or point of view, please don't take offense, as I know that they can be true convictions. But everyone draws the line in different places on these widely debated matters discussed among mainly fellow believers, and Romans 14 is a good Scripture to look at when it comes to these (as described in verse 1) "doubtful things".

 

[VCViking]

Fundamentalist Christians Statement Of Faith is an excellent representation and is already posted for this area to give people a good idea about what a Fundamentalist is.

There is nothing wild or unreasonable about being a Fundamentalist. I must add that a Fundamentalist is not a Legalist, and this is contrary to the opinion of many.

Let me be blunt: many calling themselves Christians are more conformed to the world than they are to God's Word. This is a very broad statement, but for one, involves the teachings and traditions of men versus what the Bible clearly teaches. Going back to the Bible as the Sole Authority is uncomfortable for many, so they use making fun of fundamentalists as a defensive mechanism. Men wanting to be the authority instead of God is at the root of the problem.

Many are so used to adding to or taking away from the Bible that they don't want to be reminded about what the Bible teaches. So, it's more handy to call fundamentalist names or disassociate themselves from fundamentalists. I must add that some of the posts in this area bear little or no resemblance to fundamentalism. Many people have a preconceived notion of what a fundamentalist is based on stereotypical junk. If one really wants to know what a fundamentalist is, read Fundamentalist Christians Statement Of Faith.

 

[VCViking]

I like what Leonard Ravenhill says about legalism:

[FONT=Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]“When there’s something in the Bible that churches don’t like, they call it ‘legalism.’”[/SIZE][/FONT]
[SIZE=-1][FONT=Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif,sans-serif]Leonard Ravenhill[/FONT][/SIZE]
​

 

[Unashamed Jesus Freak]

Ha! I like that quote!

 

[NorrinRadd]

Fundamentalist Christians Statement Of Faith is an excellent representation and is already posted for this area to give people a good idea about what a Fundamentalist is.

I'm fine with the SoF. I also liked the previous one that explicitly cited the Five Fundamentals.

There is nothing wild or unreasonable about being a Fundamentalist. I must add that a Fundamentalist is not a Legalist, and this is contrary to the opinion of many.

Let me be blunt: many calling themselves Christians are more conformed to the world than they are to God's Word. This is a very broad statement, but for one, involves the teachings and traditions of men versus what the Bible clearly teaches. Going back to the Bible as the Sole Authority is uncomfortable for many, so they use making fun of fundamentalists as a defensive mechanism. Men wanting to be the authority instead of God is at the root of the problem.

Many are so used to adding to or taking away from the Bible that they don't want to be reminded about what the Bible teaches. So, it's more handy to call fundamentalist names or disassociate themselves from fundamentalists. I must add that some of the posts in this area bear little or no resemblance to fundamentalism. Many people have a preconceived notion of what a fundamentalist is based on stereotypical junk. If one really wants to know what a fundamentalist is, read Fundamentalist Christians Statement Of Faith.

There is a problem in that self-avowed Fundamentalists are also not immune to intellectual inconsistency regarding Sola Scriptura, and to adding to / taking away from Scripture.

I participated for a short while at a site run by some of my fundy friends and acquaintances from here at CF. The SoF made a big deal about how Sola Scriptura they are. But when it comes down to it, they are really more committed to the wording of some of the Creeds than to what is actually, provably "Scriptural."

I still do participate at another fundy site. Plenty of them believe Scripture "clearly" teaches: NO alcohol; church attendance is mandatory every time there is a service; at church, people should "dress their best for God"; short hair on women is wrong; long hair on men is wrong; women may not be pastors; Pentecostal beliefs are unbiblical.

While I agree with the SoF here, and the Five Fundamentals, I consider ALL of those "fundy" beliefs listed above to be unsupportable by the whole of Scripture.

 

[Hupomone10]

To me, legalism is living by commands, standards, principles by our own personal strength or ability, in order to have a right relationship with God - whether eternal relationship or temporal (day to day) relationship.

Therefore, legalism is trying to achieve salvation or sanctification by works.

 

[jpcedotal]

Christian Conservative Fundamentalist

"God commands that..., not I think that..."

Everything I believe, every point of view I have, is backed up in the Word of God. If it is not, then my point of view is wrong....endof discussion. I don't have to tweak, omit or rewrite the Word to fit in today's world, I just read it, interpret it in the context it was written, and try (and fail daily) to obey it.

Learn How to Interpret the Bible - An explanation of applying biblical hermeneutics

 

[desmalia]

I participated for a short while at a site run by some of my fundy friends and acquaintances from here at CF. The SoF made a big deal about how Sola Scriptura they are. But when it comes down to it, they are really more committed to the wording of some of the Creeds than to what is actually, provably "Scriptural."

I assume you're talking about my forum. And in that case I suspect the problem was nothing more than either a misunderstanding on your part or maybe just a desire to try and create some controversy. You chose to disagree with a basic long-standing creed (though you pretended to agree with it when you signed up) on probably a misinterpretation or perhaps just your personal aversion to creeds in general. In the end all your fancy footwork only made sure that no one could even decipher what specific issue you actually disagreed with. The only thing you made clear was that you lied. I don't get the sense that you wanted to work things out, but rather joined to just try and stir up some trouble. When you couldn't get any further with that you requested to have your account removed. I told you we would be happy to discuss it further and try and work it out. But what fun would there be in that, huh?

 

[ReformedChapin]

I assume you're talking about my forum. And in that case I suspect the problem was nothing more than either a misunderstanding on your part or maybe just a desire to try and create some controversy. You chose to disagree with a basic long-standing creed (though you pretended to agree with it when you signed up) on probably a misinterpretation or perhaps just your personal aversion to creeds in general. In the end all your fancy footwork only made sure that no one could even decipher what specific issue you actually disagreed with. The only thing you made clear was that you lied. I don't get the sense that you wanted to work things out, but rather joined to just try and stir up some trouble. When you couldn't get any further with that you requested to have your account removed. I told you we would be happy to discuss it further and try and work it out. But what fun would there be in that, huh?

Yep, checkmate.

 

[Hupomone10]

Maybe here are some suggestions for Fundamentalist statement of Faith:

1 Pet 3:15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

James 3:13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

2 Tim 2:25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,

I say that as much to myself as to others...

 

[VCViking]

I assume you're talking about my forum.

If I may ask, what forum is that?

Thank you.

 

[desmalia]

If I may ask, what forum is that?

Thank you.

It's listed in my contact info on my profile.

 

[graceskr]

So many people (even some Christians) confuse fundamentalism with legalism. True legalists depend on man-made rules for their personal brand of holiness, taking their own personal convictions and rituals thinking that's what makes them Godly.

Unfortunately, that was what I observed growing up in a fundamentalist church (not to say every church was like mine, but know of many others like it). I'm saved despite of it but know lots of people who grew up fundamentalist who have abandoned their faith or are ineffective Christians because they've not yet worked through the scars from their backgrounds.

 

[jacobs well]

Like the Pharisees in the Bible