What is a Christian fundamentalist ?

[Dave...]

I found this on another forum and thought it would be interesting to post here. Expand on your answer or give one that was not listed above.

 

[Nocturnal_Principal_X]

A rather interesting topic indeed. I also find it interesting how much the word “fundamentalist†is used. Take for instance what happened in the Southern Baptist Convention during the late 1970’s and up till 2000, of which has been called many different things. The Liberals in the SBC term the events as the "Fundamentalist Takeover," while the Conservatives in the SBC termed it the "Conservative Resurgence."
Fore more information on that particular subject please click the link given below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_B ... roversy.22

In any event my understanding of the term Fundamentalist comes from my study in both Church history (in College) and Baptist History (In Seminary). Another key factor in my understanding of the term of course comes from my various searches on the internet.

As I understand it during the late 19th century and early 20th century there was quite an influx in Liberal Theology. In reaction to that influx many Conservative Christians ‘“…actively affirmed a "fundamental" set of Christian beliefs: the inerrancy of the Bible, the virgin birth of Christ, the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, the bodily resurrection of Jesus, and the authenticity of his miracles.â€Â’
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamenta ... ristianity)

Also note worth is the following form Wikipedia.com:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamenta ... ristianity
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The original formulation of American fundamentalist beliefs can be traced to the Niagara Bible Conference (1878–1897) and, in 1910, to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church which distilled these into what became known as the "five fundamentals":
Inerrancy of the Scriptures
The virgin birth and the deity of Jesus
The doctrine of substitutionary atonement through God's grace and human faith
The bodily resurrection of Jesus
The authenticity of Christ's miracles (or, alternatively, his premillennial second coming)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Of course I’m also aware of the current usage of the term. As I understand it the current usage of the term is often applied to those who are viewed as very legalistic.

So is a Christian Fundamentalist a:

Person who accepts the “five fundamentalsâ€Â
Conservative Christian
“Someone with extreme right political viewâ€Â
“A judgemental, bigoted Christianâ€Â
“Someone who forces the faith on othersâ€Â

To be honest I don’t know how to answer that question. Like beauty I think it is in the eye of the beholder.

By the way I agree with the “five fundamentals,†so does that make me a Christian Fundamentalist? I also could be consider a Conservative Christianâ€â€so does that make me a Christian Fundamentalist†On the other hand I don’t have “extreme right political views,†and I neither force my faith on others or am judgmental and a bigoted Cristian (Of course, in reference to “bigoted Christian,†the fact that I don’t condone homosexuality and consider it a sin may make someone think other wise).

 

[gingercat]

I was not sure what fundamentalist is, so I just guessed the first one.

 

[Dave...]

I think that the word 'fundamentalist' is being redefined these days. I often hear 'fundamentalist' used in a negative light. To the best of my memory, this negative definition really started to take hold as new age Charismatic/Pentecostal churches were being challenged on their teachings, they called any challenge as coming from 'fundamentalists' who didn't love...

Now I see this negative meaning filtering into political talk. Many times we hear the words "extreme right" with 'fundamentalist'. I can only assume that when many people hear the word fundamentalist today they think of terrorists, cults etc.

Dave

 

[English]

A fundamentalist is someone who thinks... it's fun being mental.. :smt101

 

[lovely]

I picked number one for two reasons.

1. I prefer fundamentalist to conservative, or right-wing. The last two seem political. However, I do know that now fundamentalist has a negative spin on it when we are discussing anything with religion. People in this culture prefer balance, and they see a fundamentalists as off balance because they are not more middle of the road. They offend people because they pick a side, the side of Christ, and because they say He is the only way. The thing is, if we are speaking of a muslim who is a fundamentalist, or one who is a liberal, are they not both still lost? I do not want to be known as a moderate christian, or a liberal christian. I want to be a fundamentalist believer, and love the Lord my God with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind. As far as those who are calling themselves christians, and then justifying their hate...like kkk, and the like. Those people are not following Christ at all, and I do not consider them fundamentalist believers whatsoever...they distort the teachings of Christ, and are not believers at all. There is no fundamental truth of God in anything they say at all. Perhaps they are fundamental fools.

2. Growing up I was always a big fan of Ozzie Smith (Best short stop that ever existed in baseball) who played for the Cardinals. I had many opportunities to watch him play, and he was very good at the sport in general, and exceptional as a short stop. I commented to my dad once that Ozzie must have more talent in more areas of the game than any other player. My dad corrected me, and it made a lasting impression. No, honey, It's a combination. He's talented, but he also has practiced the fundamentals of the game till they have become second nature, and there is no effort to apply them when the game gets heated.

I know a baseball analogy is very midwestern of me, and not fitting for a girl, but I felt like this statement from my dad was sort of an object lesson on life from him. He may not have intended it at the time, but it has always helped me in many areas, and my walk with Christ the most. Practice the fundamentals, keep them forefront, and make them my second nature. Being a fundamentalist to me means taking to heart the simple Word of God, and trusting in it's truth when life gets difficult, or heated.

The Lord bless you all.

 

[jgredline]

A rather interesting topic indeed. I also find it interesting how much the word “fundamentalist†is used. Take for instance what happened in the Southern Baptist Convention during the late 1970’s and up till 2000, of which has been called many different things. The Liberals in the SBC term the events as the "Fundamentalist Takeover," while the Conservatives in the SBC termed it the "Conservative Resurgence."
Fore more information on that particular subject please click the link given below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_B ... roversy.22

In any event my understanding of the term Fundamentalist comes from my study in both Church history (in College) and Baptist History (In Seminary). Another key factor in my understanding of the term of course comes from my various searches on the internet.

As I understand it during the late 19th century and early 20th century there was quite an influx in Liberal Theology. In reaction to that influx many Conservative Christians ‘“…actively affirmed a "fundamental" set of Christian beliefs: the inerrancy of the Bible, the virgin birth of Christ, the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, the bodily resurrection of Jesus, and the authenticity of his miracles.â€Â’
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamenta ... ristianity)

Also note worth is the following form Wikipedia.com:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamenta ... ristianity
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The original formulation of American fundamentalist beliefs can be traced to the Niagara Bible Conference (1878–1897) and, in 1910, to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church which distilled these into what became known as the "five fundamentals":
Inerrancy of the Scriptures
The virgin birth and the deity of Jesus
The doctrine of substitutionary atonement through God's grace and human faith
The bodily resurrection of Jesus
The authenticity of Christ's miracles (or, alternatively, his premillennial second coming)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Of course I’m also aware of the current usage of the term. As I understand it the current usage of the term is often applied to those who are viewed as very legalistic.

So is a Christian Fundamentalist a:

Person who accepts the “five fundamentalsâ€Â
Conservative Christian
“Someone with extreme right political viewâ€Â
“A judgemental, bigoted Christianâ€Â
“Someone who forces the faith on othersâ€Â

To be honest I don’t know how to answer that question. Like beauty I think it is in the eye of the beholder.

By the way I agree with the “five fundamentals,†so does that make me a Christian Fundamentalist? I also could be consider a Conservative Christianâ€â€so does that make me a Christian Fundamentalist†On the other hand I don’t have “extreme right political views,†and I neither force my faith on others or am judgmental and a bigoted Christian (Of course, in rference to “bigoted Christian,†the fact that I don’t condone homosexuality and consider it a sin may make someone think other wise).

Pretty cool

 

[Guest]

I HATE the term "Christian fundamentalist".

Josh McDowell, in his new book, makes extensive use of the term "foundational Christianity".

It it is a much better term to describe Biblical literalists.