Culture assigns meaning to words according to the ways those words are represented in a given society. Words such as “Christian” and “Fundamentalism” are two examples. In the early 21st century, both of these terms have been tainted by the purposes for which they are employed. What is Christian Fundamentalism supposed to be, and how is it perceived? Are they the same?
Meaning of Christian
The suffix “ian” indicates belonging, home, association, and origin. A Canadian comes from Canada, for example. A Christian is one who associates as a Christ-follower; at least, this was the meaning it was intended to supply. “In Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. They were known as Christ-people,” supplied Kevin DeYoung.
Today’s Christian might not actually be a “Christ-follower.” The term has become conflated with a more spiritual idea of God as a distant deity; with pantheism; or even “secular humanism,” a term which means someone chooses not to do bad things; perhaps even tries to do good things, but not as a reflection of love for any deity. Their framework comes from a given society’s moral ideals.
As for so-called Christ-following believers, many have created a problem with the term “Christian” through their actions and inactions, especially those whose choices have become infamous.
Thanks to any number of Bible-waving politicians, celebrities, and even pastors who have preached Christ while committing acts of fraud or sexual abuse, the unbelieving majority thinks twice whenever someone labels himself or herself “Christian,” even if they meet genuine and intelligent Christ-followers.
What Is Fundamentalism?
“Fundamental” means “forming the base, from which everything else develops.” There is a fundament, a root, and a core to every set of beliefs. That includes atheism, Judaism, Hinduism, and Feminism, for example. The fundamentals of Christianity are the core tenets such as:
- The Triune Nature of God
- Christ’s virgin birth
- His sinless life
- His death for our sins
- His resurrection.
A fundamentalist from any belief system, whether that is a feminist, an LGBQT+ ally, a Sikh, or a Christian, is often perceived as an oppressor. This person attacks the other point of view with angry intolerance.
He or she employs rhetoric and sarcasm to insult the other side as a means of indicating that a given set of beliefs is more reasonable than someone else’s. In the eyes of society, fundamentalists do not want to hear what you have to say or why you say it.
But in reality, a fundamentalist is an authentic believer in a cause, belief, or stance. Instead of adapting the belief to suit an agenda, this individual believes because the fundamentals are convincing.
They are not a list of rules but a series of convictions arrived at in response to compelling evidence. To follow only those fundamentals which are convenient or appealing is disingenuous, even hypocritical.
What Is Christian Fundamentalism
In order to say that one is a Christian, he or she is proclaiming the fundamental tenets above. These and more are essential beliefs of the Christian faith.
To believe otherwise is to imagine that God will permit his people to define who he is and what he wants instead of listening to his Word about himself and following his directions.
Essentially, Christian Fundamentalism is a redundant title because those who do not believe in the core tenets of the faith are not Christians; they are something else.
Thomas Kidd wrote that “I am likely to be perceived by some as a ‘fundamentalist’ because of my evangelical commitments in doctrine and cultural issues.”
But he recognizes the negative connotations associated with this term. There are Christians who have stained the reputation of sincere Evangelicals who love Jesus.
The term is often a reference to individuals who are legalistic in their approach to the gospel and who use Scripture out of context in a way designed to control and shame people.
Kidd argues that “part of the difficulty is that, save for those who self-identify as fundamentalists, ‘fundamentalist’ is most often an epithet [...] for those whose views on politics, theology, or church life seem more rigid than yours.”
In that case, then a “fundamentalist” is not merely someone who believes in the inerrant Word of God but proclaims that belief in such a way as to make others feel oppressed by it. “The ‘spirit’ of fundamentalism tells us that no difference, politically or theologically, is tolerable and that our enemies must be destroyed. The spirit of Christ offers a better way: robust truth and robust kindness” (Ibid.).
If one follows Christ’s way, the “better way” Kidd talks about, then Christian Fundamentalists simply love their neighbor, love Jesus, and try to obey him.
They know they are sinners in need of a Savior. They recognize that every person was made in the image of God and believe Scripture is as relevant today as ever.
Make Peace with the Title
What can a person do if he or she is labeled a “Christian Fundamentalist” as though this is derogatory? Here are a few suggestions:
1. Ask the other person what he or she means. There will be clues in this person’s assumptions which give some insight into what he or she has endured at the hands of the church. Listen with empathy, and don’t try to correct how they feel.
2. Address any misinformation. If someone’s assumptions include obvious theological problems, you can easily correct them and then call those out. You might also discover that someone was taught incorrectly and point them to what Jesus actually said.
3. Address any truths in their perspective, whether out loud with them or privately, depending on how safe you feel. It might take some time to digest these truths anyway, especially if repentance is needed.
Yes, sometimes church people are snobs who reject new people; sometimes Christians preach one thing and do another; they sin — but these same people, if they love Jesus, yearn to be sanctified by him.
If you are convicted of a sin, confess, and repent privately. If it seems appropriate, apologize to this person for what your brothers and sisters in the faith have done to them. This can have a profound effect.
4. If someone calls you a Christian Fundamentalist because you believe the Bible is true, then own the title if it applies. Christians can expect to be misunderstood and even reviled because they obey God and Scripture is precious to them. But while you are at it, make sure you are reflecting Christ by the way you live.
If you are doing this, then there is the chance that someone will see not only that a real Christian believes God’s Word but that a Christian can look like a caring, empathetic, authentic, and intelligent person. If loving your neighbor is an element of fundamentalism, then own it.
Why Does This Matter?
Seen culturally, the term Christian Fundamentalist is a bit like being called Baptist or Church of England: it’s a title that divides the church, but Christ has called for unity.
“The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me” (John 17:22-23).
If the thing that people remember most about your faith is that you were “fundamentalist,” “Presbyterian,” or “Anglican,” then you might not have been sharing Good News.
For further reading:
What Is Christian Fundamentalism? History and Meaning
What Should Christians Know about IBLP and Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets?
How Should Christians View the Quiverfull Movement? Part 1
How Should Christians View the Quiverfull Movement? Part 2
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