what is a fundamental christian?

[pippa]

whats involved in being a fundamentalist christian?

[FreeinChrist]

This is from the guidelines:


For the purposes of this sub-forum, we adopt the Definition by the World Congress of Fundamentalists in 1976, to wit:

A born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ who

Maintains an immovable allegiance to the inerrant, infallible, and verbally Inspired Bible;
Believes whatever the Bible says is so;
Judges all things by the Bible, and is judged only by the Bible, aka - "Sola Scriptura";
Affirms the foundational truths of the historic Christian Faith:
The doctrine of the Trinity
The incarnation, virgin birth, substitutionary atonement, bodily resurrection, ascension into Heaven, and Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ
The new birth through regeneration of the Holy Spirit
The resurrection of saints to life eternal
The resurrection of the ungodly to final judgment and eternal death
The fellowship of the saints, who are the body of Christ;
Practices fidelity to that faith, and endeavors to preach it to every creature;
Exposes and separates from all ecclesiastical denial of that Faith, compromise with error, and apostasy from the Truth; and
Earnestly contends for the Faith once delivered.Therefore, Fundamentalism is a militant orthodoxy with a soulwinning zeal. While Fundamentalists may differ on certain interpretations of Scripture, we join in unity of heart and common purpose for the defense of the Faith and the preaching of the Gospel, without compromise or division.

Thus a Fundamentalist can be from quite a few Protestant denominations, even nondenominational. Those that defer to a view that sacred tradition is equal to scripture (not sola scriptura) would not.

[pippa]

is there anything about doctrine of everlasting torment in hell? (it says there, eternal death)?

[WannaWitness]

In short, a fundamentalist believes the whole Word of God for what it is - complete and infallible. Which is what I believe.

[BigNorsk]

is there anything about doctrine of everlasting torment in hell? (it says there, eternal death)?

They would be equivalent terms. For being caste into the Lake of Fire is called the second death. Hell can actually get to be a bit confusing because some take it as the place before the judgement, some the lake of fire and some don't think about it much. So eternal death isn't a statement that you cease to exist, but that you spend eternity in the lake of fire.

Marv

[SILVERNAME]

How are fundamentalist Christians regarding the Culture war?

Are Fundamentalist Christians pro-life pro-marriage pro-family pro-public expression of belief in the God of the Bible?

In short are fundamentalist Christians socially conservative?

Are fundamentalist Christians economically conservative?

Let me give an example, im Catholic, and the Catholic Church is socially conservative ( except with regards to the right to bear arms and the death penalty)
But the Catholic Church is not economically conservative.

How about Fundamentalist Christianity?

Even though i am a Catholic i have always had great respect for Fundamentalist Christians as i have always had the impression that you people are socially conservative and economically conservative.

Is my impression correct?

[BigNorsk]

I don't even have an idea how you are using the word conservative. Do you mean it in terms of less government power is conservative? Do you mean it in relation to an authority that agreeing with that authority is conservative but taking away or adding is conservative. Or do you mean the sources or standards that one uses makes one conservative.

Generally fundamentalists would see being a conservative as sticking to the bible.

It gets to be a very confusing word because it is so often used in so many different ways. Like for instance the classic use of conservative concerning government would be less government power is conservative. But many use it to mean to basically support the status quo. Or people follow politics and basically take one side to be conservative, even if it conficts with the basic ideas.

For instance, under the classic meaning, not prohibiting drugs woud be conservative. It limits government. But many would see making drugs illegal, increasing the power of the government as conservative.

So unless you define it almost sentence by sentence, it's amost impossible to understand what you mean.

Marv

[FundamentalistJohn]

whats involved in being a fundamentalist christian?
Hi Pippa!

I hope those who have been here longer than I (everyone I believe) wont mind my throwing in my two cents.

In the United States, what is called Fundamentalist Christianity emerged as a response to a style of Hermeneutics called "Higher Criticism". (Look it up it is an interesting study) As part of this response a series of essays was compiled which attempted to get to the Fundamental Beliefs of Christianity. For sometime some referred to Fundamentalist Christianity as Barebones Christianity. One of the most important if not the most important unifying doctrines of Fundamentalist is a belief in the inerrant and infallible scriptures.

I hope that helps to answer your question.

FJ

[FundamentalistJohn]

How are fundamentalist Christians regarding the Culture war?

Are Fundamentalist Christians pro-life pro-marriage pro-family pro-public expression of belief in the God of the Bible?

In short are fundamentalist Christians socially conservative?

Are fundamentalist Christians economically conservative?

Let me give an example, im Catholic, and the Catholic Church is socially conservative ( except with regards to the right to bear arms and the death penalty)
But the Catholic Church is not economically conservative.

How about Fundamentalist Christianity?

Even though i am a Catholic i have always had great respect for Fundamentalist Christians as i have always had the impression that you people are socially conservative and economically conservative.

Is my impression correct?
Hi Silvername;

I am Fundamentalist both by my own self identification and according to the definition quoted above. I am socially and fiscally conservative with one exception. I am undecided about my stance on the death pentalty. I find convincing Scriptural arguments on each side of this issue and have decided that I would rather err on the side of mercy. (This is not meant to imply that those who support the death penalty are unmerciful)

FJ

[MrPolo]

Hi, I'm Catholic. With regard to the World Congress of Fundamentalists definition:
2. Believes whatever the Bible says is so;
Does this involve interpreting all Scripture literally? Or does it involve identifying the cultural influence of the human author in determining what the author was trying to communicate? Or something else! :wave:

[BigNorsk]

Well, actually probably the best statement on that would be the Chicago statement on Biblical Inerrancy.

http://www.reformed.org/documents/index.html?mainframe=http://www.reformed.org/documents/icbi.html

A wooden literalist reading would not give an proper understanding of scripture. For instance the apocalyptic literature type of Revelation is quite different than one of the Gospels. Try reading Song of Solomon in a literalist fashion and it gets pretty strange.

Marv

[MrPolo]

Well, actually probably the best statement on that would be the Chicago statement on Biblical Inerrancy.

http://www.reformed.org/documents/index.html?mainframe=http://www.reformed.org/documents/icbi.html

A wooden literalist reading would not give an proper understanding of scripture. For instance the apocalyptic literature type of Revelation is quite different than one of the Gospels. Try reading Song of Solomon in a literalist fashion and it gets pretty strange.

Marv

Super! Is "Reformed" the same as "Fundamentalist" then?

[BigNorsk]

People can be both.

[MrPolo]

People can be both.

Are the people that are both actually a 3rd religion?

[FundamentalistJohn]

A Fundamentalist can be Reformed, (I am Reformed in doctrine) but a strict interpretation of the definition of Fundamentalist that is used here does not require it. Indeed while I believe them to be theologically incorrect I would argue that those in the Holiness Churches (Church of God Anderson Indiana, Churches of Christ in Christian Union and the like) are Fundamentalist. They would agree that the Bible is inerrant and verbally inspired, where we differ is in how we understand what the Scriptures actually say.

I hope this helps FJ

[MrPolo]

A Fundamentalist can be Reformed, (I am Reformed in doctrine) but a strict interpretation of the definition of Fundamentalist that is used here does not require it. Indeed while I believe them to be theologically incorrect I would argue that those in the Holiness Churches (Church of God Anderson Indiana, Churches of Christ in Christian Union and the like) are Fundamentalist. They would agree that the Bible is inerrant and verbally inspired, where we differ is in how we understand what the Scriptures actually say.

I hope this helps FJ

So a partial communion with Fundamentalism still imparts a person with that faith?

[dmhforJesus]

I am new to this forum - however I am definately a fundamentalist and hope no-one here minds me responding to the comment about the bible being written by humans.

Believing the Bible is Believing God - "God said I am the word" - I believe alot of people forget that although the words of the bible were written down by humans the words of the bible were all inspired by God. That is what makes it infallible. If it were "written" by men then it would NOT be infallible. It was only "written down" by men. Hope this helps.

[FundamentalistJohn]

So a partial communion with Fundamentalism still imparts a person with that faith?
I'm sorry I don't understand your question my friend perhaps you can ask it a different way?

FJ

[FundamentalistJohn]

I am new to this forum - however I am definately a fundamentalist and hope no-one here minds me responding to the comment about the bible being written by humans.

Believing the Bible is Believing God - "God said I am the word" - I believe alot of people forget that although the words of the bible were written down by humans the words of the bible were all inspired by God. That is what makes it infallible. If it were "written" by men then it would NOT be infallible. It was only "written down" by men. Hope this helps.
Can we call you dmh for short?

Welcome to CF!

[dmhforJesus]

Can we call you dmh for short?

Welcome to CF!
Thank you for the welcome & absolutely you can call me DMH

[MrPolo]

I'm sorry I don't understand your question my friend perhaps you can ask it a different way?

FJ

You said in post 15 that a Fundamentalist can be Reformed. Yet some Fundamentalist churches you say you have a problem with theologically. So what I am saying is can you still be Fundamentalist if only in partial agreement with them? Or Reformed if only in partial agreement with them?

[NewGuy101]

You said in post 15 that a Fundamentalist can be Reformed. Yet some Fundamentalist churches you say you have a problem with theologically. So what I am saying is can you still be Fundamentalist if only in partial agreement with them? Or Reformed if only in partial agreement with them?
Not all fundies agree with every single issue. All reformed people are fundies but not all fundies are reformed. That's because fundies only focus on certain broader issues regarding doctrine, for more specific views several fundies branch off.

[FundamentalistJohn]

You said in post 15 that a Fundamentalist can be Reformed. Yet some Fundamentalist churches you say you have a problem with theologically. So what I am saying is can you still be Fundamentalist if only in partial agreement with them? Or Reformed if only in partial agreement with them?
Thanks for the clarification. The answer is yes to both questions. I can disagree with Fundamentalists on some doctrinal issues and I can disagree with some Reformed over some issues and be both. I have some wonderful Holiness friends who are indeed Fundamentalists however we disagree on some issues.

[FundamentalistJohn]

Thank you for the welcome & absolutely you can call me DMH
Thank you and once again welcome!

[iwillnotstumble]

i just read through that and realized I'm a fundamentalist Christian........ but Christian is fine :P

[cubanito]

Most Reformed Christians are not fundamentalists.
ex: the PC-USA
Most fundamentalist Christians are not Reformed.
ex: Southern Baptists

Some Ref. are fundys, and some fundys are Reformed (I count myself both).

Before we confuse Polo, who is asking very politely, we ought be clear on our answers.

Reformed is usu meant as those who follow after Calvin ect. I don't like this def, as I find it somewhat insultive of Lutherans (I am not Lutheran). After all, their founder is at minimum the spark of the Reformation, with such as Zwingly and Calvin coming afterwards.

Still, these are the gen. accepted definitions.

Polo, if u are still with us, your confusion comes in part because you are trying to use the wrong categories. Fundamentalism is NOT an institution. It is a set of beliefs. Thus some institutions are fundamentalists, others not, and many start out as fundy and over time lose their commitment to scriptural innerancy.

It is fair to say that the "solas" of the Reformation are virtually synonymous with fundamentalism. Unfortunately some institutions who claim to believe in such as "sola scriptura" are streching truth....a lot. Many "mainline" (older established institutions" with names like "Lutheran" and "Reformed" have replaced "sola scriptura" with "sola convenient" and have replaced the REAL Gospel with a watered down, "seeker sensitive" mishmash of whatever will offend people the least.

I don't know of ANY fundy that would be pro-abortion, deny that homosexuality is a sin, or accept leeting people die from starvation/dehydration wether they be poor or simply functioning at a low mental capacity.

HOWEVER, on economic issues it IS quite possible to be a fundy and yet a socialist. Most fundys are very set against socialism, but there are some that find the Bible's clear concern for the poor incompatible with capitalism. Again, on capital punishment, while most are for it, some fundys are against it (as the RC Church is also against it), again from their honest reading of Scripture. Ditto war, with most fundys accepting a "just war" approach, but some as full pacifists.

Fundamentalism means that the INDIVIDUAL is responsible for reading and interpreting the Scriptures. They can certainly obtain help, but ultimately the person himself/herself is responsible to learn God's Will, not only for themselves, but for society in general. It is accepted that individuals will vary.

In a sense, the accusation that we are each "our own Pope" is correct.

JR

[LivingWordUnity]

So a partial communion with Fundamentalism still imparts a person with that faith?I think that the answer would be "yes" if one is a Protestant and "no" if one is a Catholic. It's a Protestants only club, and if nothing else, that's what Fundamentalists all share in common with each other.

[DeaconDean]

Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?

Yes Brain, but if our knees bent the other way, how would we ride a bicycle?

Pardon the interuption, but it is here I need to remind some here of the rules.

This is the "Ask a Fundamentalist" section. Therefore, discussion and debate will limited to Fundamentalists only.

"Congregational Forums wishing to remain safe havens may choose to limit debate to members of their own denomination, insist that all posts conform to their creed etc."

http://christianforums.com/t6915498-fsgs-forum-specific-guidelines-for-fundamentalist-christian-forum.html

Ergo:


We adopt the Definition by the World Congress of Fundamentalists in 1976, to wit:



A born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ who

Maintains an immovable allegiance to the inerrant, infallible, and verbally Inspired Bible;
Believes whatever the Bible says is so;
Judges all things by the Bible, and is judged only by the Bible, aka - "Sola Scriptura";
Affirms the foundational truths of the historic Christian Faith:
The doctrine of the Trinity
The incarnation, virgin birth, substitutionary atonement, bodily resurrection, ascension into Heaven, and Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ
The new birth through regeneration of the Holy Spirit
The resurrection of saints to life eternal
The resurrection of the ungodly to final judgment and eternal death
The fellowship of the saints, who are the body of Christ;
Practices fidelity to that faith, and endeavors to preach it to every creature;


Exposes and separates from all ecclesiastical denial of that Faith, compromise with error, and apostasy from the Truth; and
Earnestly contends for the Faith once delivered.
Therefore, Fundamentalism is a militant orthodoxy with a soulwinning zeal. While Fundamentalists may differ on certain interpretations of Scripture, we join in unity of heart and common purpose for the defense of the Faith and the preaching of the Gospel, without compromise or division.



Thus a Fundamentalist can be from quite a few Protestant denominations, even nondenominational. Those that defer to a view that sacred tradition is equal to scripture (not sola scriptura) would not.









http://christianforums.com/t6915498-fsgs-forum-specific-guidelines-for-fundamentalist-christian-forum.html

So I respectfully ask that if you are not a Fundamentalist as defined above, please refrain from presuming to tell us what we believe and please do not debate in this area.

God Bless

Till all are one.

[cubanito]

"What is a Fundamentalist?"

Hmmmm.....

Is my toaster is a fundamentalist? (reference to the new "Battlestar Galactica" fully implied).

Does my toaster think? Some physicists think so because some experiments in quantum mechanics suggest that all matter is sensitive to being observed. And if not now, with enough processor power, maybe someday we will see a "thinking" toaster? Will it ever be elected to the governorship of "Caaahhlifohrnia"? Was tthe terminator trilogy prophetic?


I am not very good at grammar but, should it be

"Whom (Who?) is a Fundamentalist?

OK, free association is over.

To the Mod, aw come on man, we should be a little loser w the "non-debate" rules in the "ask a Fundi" side.

I know, I know, u can't win being a Mod....

OK, I shut up now.

JR

[FundamentalistJohn]

Not sure I agree with you my friend JR but what would be wrong with sending the thread to the debate a fundamentalist subforum in order to allow our guests to further explore their ideas?

FJ

[cubanito]

Agree, sending to debate area is probably best.

[Artificial Intelligence]

is there anything about doctrine of everlasting torment in hell? (it says there, eternal death)?
I think the correct wording would be eternal damnation. I'm not sure why they put death, that can be misleading in light of some views on the subject, such as the annihilation heresy. I figure the writer just wanted to avoid a hot topic word here at CF.

How are fundamentalist Christians regarding the Culture war?
Loosing battle. But then the bible said it would be that way. In the end though, it gets straightened out, at the physical second coming of Christ.

Are Fundamentalist Christians pro-life pro-marriage pro-family pro-public expression of belief in the God of the Bible? Believe so.

In short are fundamentalist Christians socially conservative? I guess, though I consider myself ultraconservative. To me the word "conservative" has taken on a different meaning in this age, it's more in line with old liberalism, then mainly moderate conservatives being more modern liberalism/socialism. So you get a lot of people that proclaim conservative ideas, but in action it is a different matter. Such as one can say they will be like the good Samaritan, but really they just walk by.

Are fundamentalist Christians economically conservative?
No application. Really, what is posted as the base for fundamentalism, is all there is. Anything else is just extra stuff, what ever you would want to believe, as long as it does not conflict with the base points. So I guess one could be some type of communist (not Godless) and still be fundamentalist.

2. Believes whatever the Bible says is so;
Does this involve interpreting all Scripture literally? Or does it involve identifying the cultural influence of the human author in determining what the author was trying to communicate? Or something else!
Literal, biblical and systematic study of the bible, imo. Generally literal unless it screams out that it is not. Much of it has to do with writers perspective, and to exactly whom the message was written to, often plainly. So like sections that were written directly to the children of Israel, they must be kept in such context and not suddenly redirected to the church by some spiritual sense. Of course this is more of a fundamentalist dispensationalist view (which is common), but the literal, biblical and systematic approach is still usually there.

[LovebirdsFlying]

Therefore, Fundamentalism is a militant orthodoxy with a soulwinning zeal.


I'm fine on everything else, but I have trouble with the word "militant." Can someone please elaborate?

[Artificial Intelligence]

I'm fine on everything else, but I have trouble with the word "militant." Can someone please elaborate?
Websters:

MILITANT:

Militant /Mil´i·tant/ (?), a. [L. militans, -antis, p. pr. of militare to be soldier: cf. F. militant. See Militate.] Engaged in warfare; fighting; combating; serving as a soldier. -- Mil"i*tant*ly, adv.
At which command the powers militant . . .
Moved on in silence. Milton.
Church militant, the Christian church on earth, which is supposed to be engaged in a constant warfare against its enemies, and is thus distinguished from the church triumphant, in heaven.

This I believe is a calling to spiritual warfare as opposed to carnal warfare. Also may refer to one who contends for the faith, diligently.