Are You a Fundamentalist?

[Rollo Tamasi]

I guess by the definition in the OP I am fundamentalist, but I prefer not to consider myself that because of the image it brings to mind. And I have also seen fundamentalists and others say there is more to being fundamentalist than simply believing the five fundamentals....

I do believe that the Bible certainly contains sections that are not meant to be taken literally--like the parables, yes--and that this can be derived from the narrative and context. But I believe everything in there definitely is there for our learning and benefit and is true, even if often misinterpreted and also misused by those with an agenda.

How many fundamentals do you believe?
I didn't know there were 5.

 

[evenifigoalone]

How many fundamentals do you believe?
I didn't know there were 5.

Yah, those five are:
Inerrancy of Scripture
Literal nature of Biblical accounts
Virgin birth of Christ
Bodily ressurection and physical return of Christ
Christ's sacrifice atonement for sin

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

Yah, those five are:
Inerrancy of Scripture
Literal nature of Biblical accounts
Virgin birth of Christ
Bodily ressurection and physical return of Christ
Christ's sacrifice atonement for sin

Sounds good.
I'll take them.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Hm...am I still following the "inerrancy of Scripture" one if I acknowledge that some of the manuscripts contain (mostly minor) errors and thus, so do our Bible versions and that no translation in existence is perfect, but also acknowledge that none of the errors affect important doctrine? And that it's quite incredible that the manuscripts and versions contain fewer differences than the manuscripts of Homer's Illiad and Odyssey?

 

[Free]

Yah, those five are:
Inerrancy of Scripture
Literal nature of Biblical accounts
Virgin birth of Christ
Bodily ressurection and physical return of Christ
Christ's sacrifice atonement for sin

What about having a biblical view of God (he is spirit, uncreated, monotheism, etc.), the deity of Jesus, and the sinful nature of man?

 

[evenifigoalone]

What about having a biblical view of God (he is spirit, uncreated, monotheism, etc.), the deity of Jesus, and the sinful nature of man?

I'm pretty sure those are included, too, because they're just as essential, but this list is what I've always seen as what the fundamentalists claim to be defining of their beliefs/doctrine.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

What about having a biblical view of God (he is spirit, uncreated, monotheism, etc.), the deity of Jesus, and the sinful nature of man?

That's 8.
I'll take all 8, amen!

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

How about the Trinity, is that fundamental?

 

[evenifigoalone]

What about having a biblical view of God (he is spirit, uncreated, monotheism, etc.), the deity of Jesus, and the sinful nature of man?

See, it is my understanding that the fundamental movement was started while stating those five as a definition.

That's 8.
I'll take all 8, amen!

Same. Unless the inerrancy thing means I literally think all of the manuscripts and translations are literally perfect in every minute detail...then I guess it's just 7 for me.

How about the Trinity, is that fundamental?

I'm not sure, but those who call themselves fundamentalists seem to believe it is important. So, probably?

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

See, it is my understanding that the fundamental movement was started while stating those five as a definition.


Same. Unless the inerrancy thing means I literally think all of the manuscripts and translations are literally perfect in every minute detail...then I guess it's just 7 for me.


I'm not sure, but those who call themselves fundamentalists seem to believe it is important. So, probably?

You mean I added a fundamental to the fundamental list?
Wow!
I'm really fundamental.
Do I get a gold star on my forehead or something?

 

[KevinK]

Does someone who isn't a fundamentalist Christian, but still a Christian, belong on a site like this?

 

[Corn Pop]

Literal?. Like someone who is waiting for a big ugly 10 headed beast to rise from the sea and a red dragon. Or the worlds strongest man to lift up a mountain. lol.

 

[Corn Pop]

Somewhere in the world there most probably is a Christian who has been literaly asking the same mountain to move everyday for about the last 50 years.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Does someone who isn't a fundamentalist Christian, but still a Christian, belong on a site like this?

It wouldn't matter if you were fundy or not to belong with this group of Christians, or any other group, if they make this the center and focus of their relationship with God:

"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23 NASB)

"17 the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men." (Romans 14:17-18 NASB)


So, what you and I, and everybody else, has to decide is if the group of Christians we're hanging out with is leading us to that, or are they only being careful to make sure I have correct doctrine. When we stand before God he will not be looking to see whether we believed correctly about whether this or that was literal or not, but whether or not we produced the fruit of the kingdom.

 

[Deborah13]

It wouldn't matter if you were fundy or not to belong with this group of Christians, or any other group, if they make this the center and focus of their relationship with God:

"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23 NASB)

"17 the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men." (Romans 14:17-18 NASB)


So, what you and I, and everybody else, has to decide is if the group of Christians we're hanging out with is leading us to that, or are they only being careful to make sure I have correct doctrine. When we stand before God he will not be looking to see whether we believed correctly about whether this or that was literal or not, but whether or not we produced the fruit of the kingdom.

This is true.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Does someone who isn't a fundamentalist Christian, but still a Christian, belong on a site like this?

Why not? We have a statement of faith ("our beliefs" above) and some minimal stuff the ToS prohibits, but people aren't required to believe those to be members.

 

[smaller]

Does someone who isn't a fundamentalist Christian, but still a Christian, belong on a site like this?

There is a SoF here that should be read and understood to determine what any person might agree with or not.

I agree with the SoF here. That doesn't mean that errant sights will see everything therein perfectly, but it is a close enough measure of "christian" legitimacy, from my sights anyway.

 

[turnorburn]

Mike, could you go into more explanation about some of your points?

The word was not originally "camel", it was a Greek word that may have meant camel in English.

You mentioned a misquote of Scripture to fit my understanding. First of all, I hate when people do this, so if you think I did it, what part was misquoted? Was it the word "gate"? Right, Jesus didn't say "gate", but does that matter per the discussion? I might add that the reason I started the thread was to draw upon the considerable knowledge resident at this forum. I don't know all the answers, and wished to gain a higher understanding by asking the right people.

I agree that it is the mentality of a rich person that is the main hindrance to entering the kingdom of Heaven, as it is so much more difficult to realize how much we need the Lord. I think we're in major agreement here.

I have already read the entire chapter in question, including the part highlighted in red. I'm missing the pertinence. My original point was that this scripture *may* be subject to a basic translational error (in "camel"). Yes, God could just think it and camels would be falling through needle-eyes and lost souls flying up to Heaven en masse. How does that relate to a translation error?

That's all I have for now, but do you think your syntax is bordering on the ad hominem? You appear to be addressing me directly vs. the ideas I put forth. I think the TOS makes specific reference to this.

If you want a higher understanding go to the highest the Lord Jesus Christ..

tob

 

[smaller]

You mean I added a fundamental to the fundamental list?
Wow!
I'm really fundamental.
Do I get a gold star on my forehead or something?

Ya gotta love the "closer" baptists. Always pitching the deal, and closing the deal. I appreciate their spiels and intentions, to some extents.

I think Paul had a "whatever it takes" approach himself.

 

[Free]

See, it is my understanding that the fundamental movement was started while stating those five as a definition.

Sorry, I misunderstood. I thought you were listing those fundamental beliefs of Christianity, although most fundamentalists are likely to believe them as well. Not to mention it seems that many fundamentalists subscribe to the error of KJVOism.