Are YOU a Fundamentalist?
To be titled a “Fundamentalist” these days carries the connotation of being fanatical, crazy or some kind of fringe lunatic out to kill or destroy all those who don’t agree.
(QUICK FUN FACT: Some folks don’t like using the energy to say all the syllables, they use the word, “Fundy”.)
Whenever we hear about Islamic terrorists, the adjective “fundamentalist” is often applied. Also, conservative Christians are called “fundies” because they dare to have standards and acknowledge “right and wrong”. Are folks misusing this word OR are fundamentalists really lunatics?
To begin with, a fundamentalist is one who simply holds to the "fundamentals". So this begs the question, what does the word "fundamental" mean?
a) serving as a basis supporting existence or determining essential structure or function : BASIC
b) of or relating to essential structure, function, or facts
c) of central importance
[*Definitions taken from Merriam-Webster Online (www.m-w.com)]
We can see that a person who is a fundamentalist is one who simply holds to the "basics" of their religion. This person would believe in the "essentials". What is "fanatical" about that? What would be the point in believing anything less?
THE FACT is that folks have “assigned” a new meaning to this word. Basically, anyone that takes thier religion seriously is now labeled a “fundy”. Anyone who would dare believe in absolute truth is a “fundy”. In other words, to actually take what Jesus said seriously is unthinkable. What Jesus said is reduced to some kind of "good advice" equivalent to a message found in a fortune cookie. Cute stories that one piously gives lip service to but has no intention of applying to ones life.
What is the point of being a Christian and not believing in the fundamentals of the Christian faith? What would be the point in calling oneself a Christian but not taking seriously what the Bible says? Seems like a colossal waste of time to confess a faith that one doesn't really believe. Would you call yourself a baseball player if you didn't even own a glove?
Personally I have no respect for anyone who is a so-called Christian that is not a fundamentalist. How could anyone say they are a REAL and TRUE Christian and not believe the basic and essential truths that the Bible sets forth? How could one reduce the importance in believing essential doctrines like the virgin birth, salvation by faith alone, the deity of Christ, the Trinity, the second coming of Jesus, Jesus' sinless life, His death, burial and resurrection, et al, and still dare be called a Christian? What would be the point?
Finally, we live in a world where most folks just want to "do their own thing". The Burger King doctrine, "my way, right away". Many people are content calling themselves Christians without showing one ounce of it in their lives. If I did not believe the Bible was the one and only, true, real, living Word of God... I would burn it and flush the ashes down the toilet. Why? If the Bible is not the Word of God, if it's claims cannot be taken seriously, then it is histories biggest fraud. Ironically, some who would be offended by the "burn and flush" statement are the ones who actually do the same in the way they live their lives.
(QUICK FUN FACT: Some folks don’t like using the energy to say all the syllables, they use the word, “Fundy”.)
Whenever we hear about Islamic terrorists, the adjective “fundamentalist” is often applied. Also, conservative Christians are called “fundies” because they dare to have standards and acknowledge “right and wrong”. Are folks misusing this word OR are fundamentalists really lunatics?
To begin with, a fundamentalist is one who simply holds to the "fundamentals". So this begs the question, what does the word "fundamental" mean?
a) serving as a basis supporting existence or determining essential structure or function : BASIC
b) of or relating to essential structure, function, or facts
c) of central importance
[*Definitions taken from Merriam-Webster Online (www.m-w.com)]
We can see that a person who is a fundamentalist is one who simply holds to the "basics" of their religion. This person would believe in the "essentials". What is "fanatical" about that? What would be the point in believing anything less?
THE FACT is that folks have “assigned” a new meaning to this word. Basically, anyone that takes thier religion seriously is now labeled a “fundy”. Anyone who would dare believe in absolute truth is a “fundy”. In other words, to actually take what Jesus said seriously is unthinkable. What Jesus said is reduced to some kind of "good advice" equivalent to a message found in a fortune cookie. Cute stories that one piously gives lip service to but has no intention of applying to ones life.
What is the point of being a Christian and not believing in the fundamentals of the Christian faith? What would be the point in calling oneself a Christian but not taking seriously what the Bible says? Seems like a colossal waste of time to confess a faith that one doesn't really believe. Would you call yourself a baseball player if you didn't even own a glove?
Personally I have no respect for anyone who is a so-called Christian that is not a fundamentalist. How could anyone say they are a REAL and TRUE Christian and not believe the basic and essential truths that the Bible sets forth? How could one reduce the importance in believing essential doctrines like the virgin birth, salvation by faith alone, the deity of Christ, the Trinity, the second coming of Jesus, Jesus' sinless life, His death, burial and resurrection, et al, and still dare be called a Christian? What would be the point?
Finally, we live in a world where most folks just want to "do their own thing". The Burger King doctrine, "my way, right away". Many people are content calling themselves Christians without showing one ounce of it in their lives. If I did not believe the Bible was the one and only, true, real, living Word of God... I would burn it and flush the ashes down the toilet. Why? If the Bible is not the Word of God, if it's claims cannot be taken seriously, then it is histories biggest fraud. Ironically, some who would be offended by the "burn and flush" statement are the ones who actually do the same in the way they live their lives.
posted by I say, I say... at 7:13 PM
3 Comments:
Let's face it, most people don't even know what they belive, because they don't really believe anything. The reason; they are lost, in the flesh, spiritually dead. Even if they claim to believe something, they couldn't back it up with scripture. They might go as far as saying "It says somewhere in the Bible..."
So they take their standards and thoughts from someone else. Most school graduates today don't know how to use reason and analytical thought, so they let others do their thinking. That is why they take the world definition of fundamentalist.
thought-provoking, mootable pv. just my thoughts, well anyways gl & be chipper is what i say
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