A simple explanation of fundamentalism may be: “We believe in Bible truth, the whole Bible truth and nothing but the Bible truth.”
Fundamentalism is claimed by many, but practiced by few. Many know how to sound like a fundamentalist, inspire a sense of pride about being a fundamentalist and raise support, supposedly for fundamentalism. But when it comes to operating like a fundamentalist, well, that’s fundamentally another story.
A practicing fundamentalist is accused of being too narrow minded and ugly spirited. But the attacks against fundamentalism are not coming from true fundamentalists. They are rather coming from those who consider it to be “more Christian” to compromise the truth for the sake of pleasing men, than to uphold the truth in order to remain faithful to God’s Word.
However much we believe in fundamentalism, we also must humble ourselves before God, lest we pollute it. It must remain a practice of unfeigned faith, rather than become a sense of self-righteous pride. We must not become more interested in marking one another’s faults than we are in doing the work of the Lord.
I recently read an article that stated: “Doctrine is basic and if we have no sure, clear message from the Lord, there is no point in our approaching others. It is utter folly to cry, ‘Forget about our differences and get on with the work!’ It is only as we grasp the truth of God and as it lays hold upon us, that we can be used in gospel work.” End quote.
Let us also discern the difference between earnestly contending for the faith once delivered to the saints, from becoming of a contentious and hard spirit. God’s truths are to clear our hearts and minds about our mission. They are not intended to make us bitter and resentful against doing God’s work.
Another good rule of Christian faith is that unless we have the inspiration within ourselves to really do what we claim to be contending for, we are simply entertaining ourselves with our religion instead of living by faith. While we may denounce as false doctrine that which says there is no literal hell, we ourselves may not be doing anything in support of the truth that people need to be witnessed unto, lest they come to that awful place of torment. It has been stated that our protest against error should be equaled and surpassed by our positive and practical devotion to the truth.
Fundamentalism is bred by repentance and saving faith. It is the true spirit behind submission and obedient faith. It is the principle that allows consecrated, separated Christian living. It grounds us in God’s plan and purpose. It teaches us accountability to God’s Word in all we do. It fills us with expectant joy in God’s promises.
SHARING
