Continuing my “table talk” discussion of the landscape of fundamentalism today, as seen through the eyes of this aged pastor who has been privileged to serve churches in the latter part of the 20th century and the first couple of decades of the 21st century, I want to speak to a few other subjects that are significant in any discussion of the subject.
Cultural considerations: Of course, over a period of 60 years there are bound to be many cultural drifts, some gradual, some not so subtle. When I was a young pastor in the early 70’s, long hair on men and short skirts on women began to surface, and for people who had grown up in the 1940’s and 50’s, these outward breaks with past norms were problematic. Standards that were not negotiable in fundamental churches became issues to debate. Women would never wear “pants” or slacks to church in the 60’s, or some even in the 70’s. Today, in almost any independent Baptist church, most of those externals have been pretty much laid to rest and one might see any or all of the above in any assembly on any given Lord’s day. No longer are they “issues.” Cycling through those years with changes that people had decided opinions on was a challenge to most pastors. Some who majored on the theme of “grace” were considered not to be fundamental, and others who homed in on the old standards were considered to be legalistic. Today these old battles have been for the most part put to rest, but at the apex of the evolving attitudes, there was a climate that sometimes was unattractive in our fundamental circles.
Versions and translations: Also, the past half-century has witnessed debate and division amongst those who are known as fundamentalists over issues surrounding the plethora of modern Bible versions and translations. When I was a child, I remember in our home there was a copy of the “Amplified” version of the Bible. No thought was given to the idea that it was not a legitimate copy of God’s Word. But today, beginning in the early 70’s with Kenneth Taylor’s paraphrase The Living Bible, the market has been flooded with all sorts of translations and versions of the Holy writ. Of course, there have been sometimes raging debates over the validity of the newer translations, as opposed to the “authorized” King James (TR) Version that was first published in 1611. The debate is not roiling as much today, but it still simmers, and there are those both for and against new versions that would go to the stake defending their position. People have called those who differ with them all sorts of bad names, written them off as unbelievers, severed any kind of fellowship with them and considered them anathema. It was, at times, ugly. But it is part of the history of fundamentalism today and cannot be ignored.
Pastoral/Ministry Ethics. I have witnessed an erosion of basic ministerial ethics in the course of the time that I have pastored. Like divorce, moving from one Bible-preaching church to another used to be rare. Not so much now. As one member once said, with no accompanying explanation following a Sunday morning service, “We’ll be moving on now”— meaning it would be his last Sunday at the church. Many leave at the drop of a hat, over any issue or no issue. In our city, you can drive 10 minutes from our church and pass by more than one fundamental church. The options are almost limitless; thus the “musical church hopping.” What’s more depressing: Many pastors seem not to discourage it and fail to even initiate a courtesy call to the pastor of the visitors who are “church hopping.”
Sectarianism in fundamentalism. To be honest, the landscape of what we call fundamentalism is so broken up that “tip-toeing through the tulips” has taken on new meaning. A missionary, evangelist, or pastoral candidate has to line up squarely with the right version of scripture, the right Bible college, the right dress standard, the right song book, the right mission board—ad nauseum—if he is to be accepted. Independent churches and pastors too often have become “islands” to themselves and their flock, all in the name of biblical separation, “bless God!” It is a 21st century scandal in ministry, and it answers the question: “Why do we not experience revival today?”
Well, I think I have said (maybe more than) enough. That’s how I see things as I look out on today’s fundamentalism. Who’s to blame? No one (except Satan). It’s a sign of the times, and so much the more as we see the day approaching. So, be encouraged. Keep on keeping on. Practice brotherly kindness and charity. (II Pet.1: 7) And, look up, for our redemption draweth nigh!
(Comments, pro and con, of course are welcomed. I do not pretend to “know it all” or even to have the best perspective on the subject. Share your thoughts if you care to. I may do a part 3, and if so it will focus on corporate worship and a few doctrinal issues. Stay tuned.)
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude, v. 3)
YOU and GOD 