Why are we Fundamentalists?

[Daughter of God]

Hello, I am searching for an answer. Why are we Fundamentalists...when Hebrews 6:1-5 says that we should break away from fundamental teachings?

[TwinCrier]

Those verses do not imply we should abandon the fundamental teachings of Christ. It simply says we should not continue to dwell in those things we have accomplished. There is no need to "get saved" on a daily basis, or repeatedly get baptised, those things are done and then we move on, to grow in grace and develop our relationship with God.

[arunma]

Hello, I am searching for an answer. Why are we Fundamentalists...when Hebrews 6:1-5 says that we should break away from fundamental teachings?

Hmm, I'm not really sure. Personally I consider myself to be orthodox (in other words, I believe in the infalliblity of Scripture), but not fundamentalist. There is the pesky issue of my belief that all unbelievers will go to hell apart from faith in Jesus Christ, which causes me to sometimes be labelled as a fundamentalist. I guess that's why I have an affinity for the posters here.

[twistedsketch]

That's totally out of context. What the author is talking about is that those he is writing to really ought to have grown in Christ more by now. They hadn't mastered those foundational teachings yet. You don't build on top of a bad foundation if you're smart, and the "building project" that was their faith was lagging. He's saying, "come on guys, let's get on with it."

Fundamentalists are those that refuse to settle for a cracked, weak, or missing foundation. Humanists were doing away with these essentials, and fundamentalists countered by holding onto them.

[TwinCrier]

Good illustration Twisted. In the verse, they had a good foundation, but weren't building on it. :thumbsup:

[desmalia]

There is the pesky issue of my belief that all unbelievers will go to hell apart from faith in Jesus Christ, which causes me to sometimes be labelled as a fundamentalist.
Yep, that is often the very core issue that gets me named a fundamentalist as well.

Fundamentalists are those that refuse to settle for a cracked, weak, or missing foundation. Humanists were doing away with these essentials, and fundamentalists countered by holding onto them.Very well said. There are so many organizations out there that now take the Word of God as "interpretive" or "out dated" that their beliefs end up qualifying as a whole new religion (or cult, really), completely lacking in the real truth of Christ. They think they are worshiping Christ, but in fact they are worshiping an altered, man-made image of Him. I think being fundamentalist means primarily sourcing God's unchanging truth in our lives, which keeps our paths strait and protects us from the ever changing winds and temptations of culture.

[cubanito]

Hmm, I'm not really sure... I guess that's why I have an affinity for the posters here.

C'mon Arumna, you know it's because you can't get enough of Jesus:hug:

JR (AKA; Jesus Ramon Rodriguez, firtsborn of Jose and Maria Rodriguez)

[cubanito]

I can't say why you're a fundamentalist, Desmalia, though I'm honored to have your reasoned presence.

As for me, I was an agnostic who had read translations of many ancient texts, and more modern philosophies, in an earnest search for Truth (as earnest as a darkened mind can). Then someone challenged me to prove to MYSELF the Bible was full of errors and contradictions. I began to read the Bible in a very simplistic, woodenly lietral way, looking for the errors of science and the contradictions that had been so obvious to me in so many other books.

I couldn't find any.

Instead I found one amazing statement after another, from the very beginning (most religions teach an eternal universe, not one with an actual starting point) through such details as "...the seed of the woman..." which was clearly inimical to the cultural mileu and not discovered until the 1880's, and so many more through to the end where such details as a cashless society, armies of hundred million men and statues being made to have the APPEARANCE of coming to life. And so many, many more...

Thus, having come to belief by a straightforward reading of Scripture, why should I now re-interpret them to suit my particular societal taste?

I have always been rather prone to the "take it or leave it" attitude.

So, I'm a Fundi.

JR

[LittleladyinChrist]

Im a fundamentalist because I love the Lord and what He did for me. I know that the Bible is truth, whether an angel from heaven came and told me any different or my mind starts to stray, I know that indeed I am wrong, and the Bible is right. We strive to stick to the old paths, and do what is right, pure and holy in God's sight. Fundamental Christians are portrayed as cult members through hollywood and mainstream media. But that doesnt change us, because the world may change but God's Word never does. Keep contending for the faith once delivered to the saints, if you/I dont who will...

[arunma]

C'mon Arumna, you know it's because you can't get enough of Jesus:hug:

JR (AKA; Jesus Ramon Rodriguez, firtsborn of Jose and Maria Rodriguez)

OK, twelve days after you have made this post, I shall admit it. I stick around because I'd miss you too much if I left. ^_^

[1057]

Because proof-texting is a good thing.

Yes, "A text without a context is a pretext for a proof-text". But you still have to provide a text. I respect posters who make an attempt to show Biblical warrant.

Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

[LittleladyinChrist]

Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

This is an amazing verse, and I am unsure as to why I havnt seen it before. As well, I respect when someone uses the Bible to support their claim. I try to do this, as what is my word more then any other, but if it is God's Word, why would you refute it? hrm...

[kobuk]

No label is a perfect thing. They become meaningless over time. For instance. Anyone can call themselves anything.

What is the main defining characteristic of true fundamentalist doctrine, is the accuracy of it's interpretation of Scripture. And the follow through in living according to the truth.

Contrary to what many think, there is only one correct interpretation of any verse in Scripture. Where there is a tough verse, honest men who are skilled in using the required tools and rules of interpretation, will engage in honest discourse.

Over time, a Church Congregation can be lead by the Holy Spirit into enough truth and elimination of error to establish a solid reputation as a place of excellent learning.

I've been burned far to many times to just believe the label of "fundamentalist" associated with any person, Denomination, individual church or ministry.

Here's what i do believe. If you love truth and equip yourself properly and make good progress with the Holy Spirit as your guide you will move towards what is a pure fundamentalist position on all the cardinal doctrines that are the most critical.

[desmalia]

No label is a perfect thing. They become meaningless over time. For instance. Anyone can call themselves anything.

What is the main defining characteristic of true fundamentalist doctrine, is the accuracy of it's interpretation of Scripture. And the follow through in living according to the truth.

Contrary to what many think, there is only one correct interpretation of any verse in Scripture. Where there is a tough verse, honest men who are skilled in using the required tools and rules of interpretation, will engage in honest discourse.

Over time, a Church Congregation can be lead by the Holy Spirit into enough truth and elimination of error to establish a solid reputation as a place of excellent learning.

I've been burned far to many times to just believe the label of "fundamentalist" associated with any person, Denomination, individual church or ministry.

Here's what i do believe. If you love truth and equip yourself properly and make good progress with the Holy Spirit as your guide you will move towards what is a pure fundamentalist position on all the cardinal doctrines that are the most critical.

:amen: