This term has really been coming up a lot lately in the media and
in conversations. I think I mentioned earlier that until recently
I didn't even know I was considered a fundamentalist. I also mentioned
that I hate labels, and I believe labeling a person is a way for others
to distance themselves from them without really taking the time to get
to know the person and what they believe. So I decided I wanted to
clarify what I believe a fundamentalist is and give you the opportunity
to tell me what you think a fundamentalist is.
First of all, the only label that really fits me and that I accept
is the one of Christian. By Christian I simply mean I believe in
Jesus Christ and live my life in a way I hope is pleasing to him.
As a Christian, I also believe in the fundamentals of the Bible.
I believe there is a God, that he is the Creator of all, that he came to
earth in the form of a man, Jesus, lived a perfect life, died as the supreme
sacrifice for my sin, and then rose again and now sits on the throne beside
his Father, God. To be accepted in His kingdom, I only need to acknowledge
that I am a sinner in need of his grace and mercy, repent for my wrongdoings,
accept the forgiveness he has already provided for me, and walk in
relationship with him. I'm sure others can say this much better,
but to me this is the fundamentals of the Bible and the ones I believe
in and live by. I also believe that the Bible is where the line is
drawn. There are many beliefs that different Christians adhere
to that the Bible is silent on, or can be interpreted differently.
But where the Bible is clear on an issue, that is where I will stand in
my beliefs.
I've heard it said that fundamentalists are out to force their beliefs
on everyone else. Not so. Christ doesn't force himself on anyone.
The choice lies with each individual. I share my beliefs with others
because I see many people whose lives can be enriched if they knew Christ.
Living for Christ is a healthy way to live. Living with morals, learning
to love others where they are, having a relationship with someone who promises
never to leave or forsake us, having the comfort, strength, courage, etc.,
that comes from God doesn't hurt anyone. It helps. But that
doesn't mean I reject the person who doesn't accept Christ. Sharing
my faith doesn't mean I am out to force everyone to believe as I do.
I know everyone is not going to believe as I do. But just as
anyone else who believes in something, whether God, Amway, GTE, Microsoft,
or whatever and wants to share it with their friends and let them in on
it, I want to share the answers and the life I've found in Christ.
To try to force anyone to believe as I do, would be to try to take away
the very thing God gave us...our free will. And I want to point
out that many of the accusations I've heard pinned on Fundamentalists,
can be applied to many other faiths and peoples. You don't have to
be a Fundamentalist to be against murder, sex outside of marriage whether
that is same-sex relationships or not, abortions, etc. As I've said
earlier, I know people who don't lay any claim to being a Christian, and
certainly not a Fundamentalist, who are against some of the same things
and can be very vocal and militant about it, too.
So my challenge to you is to think through the labels you give to
people. Define what you mean and then check it out. Get to
know them. Ask them questions. Then form your opinion about
a person based on that individual, not a generic label.
Please write and tell us what your definition of a Fundamentalist
is.

From Our Readers:
The term fundamentalist means different things to different people. The definition I was taught in a Christian high school years ago was that a fundamentalist is someone who:
1) Believes in the word-for-word inspiration and accuracy of the Bible
2) Believes in the virgin birth and deity of Jesus Christ
3) Believes that Jesus died in our place (substitutionary atonement)
4) Believes that Jesus rose bodily from the dead
5) Believes that will physically return to this earth (Second Coming).
I'm finding that many of the people who would have called themselves
fundamentalists 25 years or more ago now use the word "evangelical." This is partly due to a controversy over the exact nature of the inspiration of the Bible and also because the term "fundamentalist" carries so many negative
connotations with so many people.
Actually, we aren't all mean-spirited and small. It's too bad so many people
see it that way. I agree, labels are by and large harmful.
David in Wisconsin
I agree 100% with your comments. It may help you to know that others see this rejection and negative labeling of Christian values and believers in our society too. Too many do not realize that they may be diluting their beliefs by not speaking God's truths and that this rejection ingredient is the cause of their silence.
A fundamentalist is one who ignores the fundamentals.
You have identified matters close to the fundamentals, but neither hitting
the nail squarely on the head nor entirely missing it, so you cannot possibly
be a true fundamentalist, who would have missed it completely. Jesus was
a true fundamentalist, identifying two prime commandments and that all
righteousness flowed from these.
A fundamentalist is a Pharisee. His hands are
clean and he accuses the Messiah of being possessed by the devil.
A fundamentalist uses easy and shallow interpretations,
the literal for what is spiritual and the spiritual for what is literal,
in order to accomplish his own ends. He may burn witches and homosexuals,
condemn heretics to death, compel agreement, and, ideally, live from the
fruit of others labours, or death as the case may be.
A fundamentalist is supremely self-righteous,
intellectually and spiritually dull, bound to burn in Hell and will take
as many others with him as possible.
Of course, this is not a true fundamentalist.
A true fundamentalist is a holy man who thirsts and seeks and is given
wisdom by God, but does not call himself a fundamentalist, realizing that
this is the Tower of Babel, and not wishing to be caught up in vain discussion..Jim
Short
Hey Annie, you know, it felt so good to have someone
speaking my heart out for me......I cannot agree with what you wrote more,
but you're so much more eloquent.
Well, just wanted to let you know I appreciate
your website very much - I came across it by searching for Philip Yancey,
as I've just finished reading 2 of his books - What's so amazing about
grace and The Jesus I Never Knew.
I'll definitely spend more time browsing through
your web.
In Christ, Cindy (from Hong Kong)