What is a Fundamentalist?

[VCViking]

Like the Pharisees in the Bible

Or actually those that follow the Bible.

 

[healingrainbow]

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

I thought that Fundamentalist Christians strictly go by 'religious rules' whether the bible says so or not.

 

[Hupomone10]

I thought that Fundamentalist Christians strictly go by 'religious rules' whether the bible says so or not.

No, that is a legalist.

Oddly enough, in my experience of the last 30 years, there are more legalists in the faith than one would imagine. If you are not walking by faith then you're probably walking by feelings, or walking by rules & standards; and the latter makes a person a legalist. Most of the Christians we know are unfortunately legalists.
H.

 

[Easystreet]

If you ask most believers what a fundamentalist is the general answer is a legalist. Now, exactly what that means to each responder can vary. For me as a result of my personal experience it represents hypocrisy, yet this is not to be applied across the board because I know in reality this in not the case, reminding the reader that I am speaking to my personal experience not the whole of the question.

As well when speaking of fundamentalism if we preface it with qualifying terms such as, "What are the fundamentals of the faith?", then a new set of agreements and disagreements come into play such as "Calvinism vs. Arminianism" or "liberalism vs. conservatism" and other such divisions. Take for instance in the SBC churches the fundamentals are represented in the "Baptist Faith and Message Doctrinal Statement". Now, it takes its fare share of critical hits. The intent of the Doctrinal statement is to establish a set of fundamentals that are "specific and yet general". The general, using two doctrines as an example, is that of "salvation" and "the end times". The wording is of such that all can agree and once agreement is accomplished then each independent local church within the SBC sprouts their own wings and they take on their separate identities. In some movements the individual churches are to conform to a set of understood grouping of agreed fundamentals and any local church stepping outside them will find they are in trouble.

So when speaking of fundamentals perhaps we need to clarify what area we would like it to target by qualifying that area in the statement or question.

 

[nChrist]

I, for one, don't really need a tag, label, or denomination name, but I do agree with the Statement of Faith listed here for "Fundamentalist".

There are NO tags, labels, or denominational names in the BODY OF CHRIST, and all members are SAVED. All members of the BODY OF CHRIST will leave the tags and labels of men behind for Eternity. The members will all have one thing in common: faith in Jesus Christ, who He was, and what He did on the Cross. Salvation is simple enough for a child to understand, and I give thanks for the simplicity of the only means to Salvation.

Romans 12:5 KJV So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Galatians 6:10 KJV As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Ephesians 5:18-21 KJV And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Colossians 3:15-17 KJV And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

 

[Bob in Shumway]

"quote 357magnum I, for one, don't really need a tag, label, or denomination name, but I do agree with the Statement of Faith listed here for "Fundamentalist".

There are NO tags, labels, or denominational names in the BODY OF CHRIST, and all members are SAVED. All members of the BODY OF CHRIST will leave the tags and labels of men behind for Eternity. The members will all have one thing in common: faith in Jesus Christ, who He was, and what He did on the Cross. Salvation is simple enough for a child to understand, and I give thanks for the simplicity of the only means to Salvation.

Romans 12:5 KJV So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Galatians 6:10 KJV As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Ephesians 5:18-21 KJV And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Colossians 3:15-17 KJV And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

You will get no disagreement from me!! All I can say is !!

Bob
Mark 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

 

[WannaWitness]

I feel my personal standards and convictions are reasonable in that they are based solely on the Bible, therefore I consider myself to be a fundamentalist (with so-called "evangelical" tendencies). I don't quite fit in with true legalists who would think I'm not strict enough (I listen to a variety of music styles, read NKJV, and am politically moderate), but they seem to be a little more accepting of me than those who are truly lukewarm (most of whom don't understand my convictions, calling me "intolerant" and "bigoted"). Although I am far from perfect (and have even pointed that out to people), this only shows that I (and others who can relate) am probably doing something right.

Therefore, if someone calls me a "fundie", and are meaning it as a slam (due in part to confusing it with legalism, which is not the same), I think maybe I should take it as a compliment.

 

[razeontherock]

Pentecostal beliefs are unbiblical.

I don't mean to stir trouble, but what does this mean?

 

[NorrinRadd]

I don't mean to stir trouble, but what does this mean?

I was referencing what a lot of "hard-core" fundies at another site believe. They believe Scripture "clearly" teaches several things that I listed, including the idea that Pentecostal (and Charismatic, to a slightly lesser extent) beliefs are unbiblical.

I disagree.

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

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




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.

Ditto that, both sections!