The promotion of false doctrines against the truth is the enemy of fundamental Christianity. The elevation of opinions, feelings, sentiments, and traditions to the level of doctrinal truth destroys just as surely as the introduction of new activities does.Originally posted by Maverick:
... dropping the KJV and accepting the polluted texts.
KJVOnlyism is far more dangerous to fundamental, biblical Christianity than Christian rap or homosexual preachers will ever be. Those who raise heresies on the outside aren't very dangerous. It is those willing to call the Word of God "polluted" that will bring the house crashing down.
With respect to the old ways, the altar call is an invention of the last 200 years but how many ol' time religionists would go nuts if the pastor didn't give one?
I in no way approve of the non-sense being promoted in churches today. John MacArthur's "Ashamed of the Gospel" is a examination of the recent religions as entertainment phenomenon. Interestingly, he relates this movement back to the same era as you do. Rather than blaming the liberals and higher critics as you do, he demonstrates that Charles Finney (credited with popularizing the altar call) worked off of the same basic principles; weak on doctrine, strong on flesh pleasing entertainment.
Legalism and traditionalism are more subtle and therefore more dangerous than the obvious affronts to godly doctrines and practices.