The Church of the Fundamentalists

It looks like this deals with the ecclesiology in the broader context of Fundamentalism, and isn't just about Fundamental Baptists. Is that right?

Thanks.

 

I am curious how they define and measure Purity. What metrics is used and how do quantify purity.

Lastly, how do you emphasize a physical presence when there is no local presence? And are there default churches if the Fundi brand is nowhere to be found.

 

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Read the introduction by Dr. Oates. The first champion referenced is Roger Williams. There is a lot of evidence that Roger Williams was never a Real Baptist. See "Was Roger Williams a Baptist?" by M. R. Ellis, 1928.

One account of Baptist history in the Colonies in the 17th century has The First Baptist Church in America being founded by Roger Williams. There is a lot of evidence to the contrary. A lot of folk seem to want to make Puritans and Baptists in the same camp. That just is not so.

This is a pivotal point in the real history of Real Baptists.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James

 

As regards the book itself, if Oats is following fundamentalists as opposed to just Baptists, there would be no particular concern whether Williams was a Baptist as long as he was fundamentalist.

The Williams as a Baptist question is an interesting one, though. From what I've read I'd say he only experimented with being Baptist for a brief period before becoming a Seeker. It's interesting how much he is historically connected to Baptists in the minds of most people compared to how little time he might have been a Baptist. W. H. Whitsitt, who was by no means a promoter of Baptist continuity or perpetuity, thought that the Baptist Church in Providence then existing was not even the same one that Williams was briefly part of. Josh Davenport wrote an interesting book a few years back on primacy of the Newport Church over the Providence Church.
Baptist History Vindicated, a Book Review

 

Contrary to what I wrote above, I notice at Reformed Reader, the man who baptized me and a careful historian, concluded that "In spite of an abundance of historical acumen alleging that Roger Williams was the first Baptist pastor in America, he was not a Baptist at all!"
Was Roger Williams Really a Baptist?

That is an interesting topic which I have enjoyed considering in the past and the present. But if Oats is citing Roger Williams as a proponent of the "pure church" that is certainly relevant to his book -- but Williams certainly was that. Sadly, it appears that Williams was never satisfied that he found one.

 

no

 

then you are part of the tribe....congratulations.