Is Fundamentalism Merely a Belief in “The Five Fundamentals”?

[Covenanter]

The British "Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches" - FIEC - holds this as a basis of faith to be accepted by all memeber churches annually:

Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches
​

It was formed in 1922 to provide a fellowship for groups that were separating from the denominations because of the departure from the Biblical faith.

Individual churches are free to add to these doctrines provided they adhere to the Basis. A careful study will show that the Basis allows both believers & infant baptism, without specifying the mode. Also various approaches to the interpretation of prophecy are accepted.

 

[Covenanter]

Continued:

At the 1886 conference the original affirmations were expanded to include:

1. A strict literalism in interpreting the bible, particularly its prophecies.
2. An all-consuming interest in the coming of the Lord and His Kingdom to be established on the earth.
3. A clear-cut picture of the enemies of prophecy in schools of spiritualizers, postmillenarians, and figurative interpreters.
4. A continuing exposure of Romanism as the great enemy of the Truth and the true Church, setting the stage for the coming of Babylon the Great.
5. The central place of Israel in the future Kingdom.
6. Increasing wickedness, with all the world heading toward the period of the Great Tribulation.
7. Judgments and rewards awaiting Christians.
8. A special study of the activities of Antichrist.
9. The peculiar delusions of the present day.
10. A constant rejection of men's opinions in all matters of truth and practice and constant reliance on plain scriptures.

On the last day of the conference these new affirmations were passed as a resolution in the following form:

1. Absolute authority of the word on doctrine and duty.
2. The literal fulfillment of the prophetic words about His second coming.
3. The second coming is "everywhere in the Scriptures represented as imminent and may occur at any moment."
4. The world will not be converted nor become a reign of peace before His coming but "only at and by His coming in power and glory will the prophecies concerning the progress of evil and the development of Antichrist, the times of the Gentiles, the ingathering of Israel, the resurrection of the dead in Christ, and the transfiguration of His living saints, receive their fulfillment, and the period of millennial blessedness its inauguration."
5. The duty of the church is to watch and pray, work and wait, to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature and thus hasten the coming of the day of the Lord.
6. "The doctrine of our Lord's premillennial advent, instead of paralyzing evangelistic and missionary effort, is one of the mightiest incentives to earnestness in preaching the Gospel to every creature until He comes.

(A History of Fundamentalism in America, Dr. George W. Dollar, BJU Press, 1973, page 44-46)

These Affirmations continued to be expanded year after year finally resulting in the 90 essays published by BIOLA.

So it is not improper to list 5 or 7 fundamentals as long as it is kept in mind that "The Fundamentals" did not limit the fundamentals of the faith to 5 or 7 or even 14.

And not all Christians who are "fundamental" would accept all of that which is expounded upon in "The Fundamentals."

More to come.

That emphasis on literal fulfilment of prophecy in a Futurist premillennial sense is unnecessary & divisive. See the FIEC point 9. The NT writers did not interpret OT prophecy in that way - seems they were not Fundamentalists.

Spiritual interpretation thread No. 9 will be starting soon.

 

[Yeshua1]

That emphasis on literal fulfilment of prophecy in a Futurist premillennial sense is unnecessary & divisive. See the FIEC point 9. The NT writers did not interpret OT prophecy in that way - seems they were not Fundamentalists.

Spiritual interpretation thread No. 9 will be starting soon.

The Futurist position is still part of prophecy though, as we still await the Second Coming. correct?

 

[Covenanter]

The Futurist position is still part of prophecy though, as we still await the Second Coming. correct?

NO! The futurist position puts a complex eschatology in place of the Scriptural teaching of Jesus coming for resurrection & judgment of living & dead, & a new heaven & new earth.

Fundamentalist doctrine:

4. The world will not be converted nor become a reign of peace before His coming but "only at and by His coming in power and glory will the prophecies concerning the progress of evil and the development of Antichrist, the times of the Gentiles, the ingathering of Israel, the resurrection of the dead in Christ, and the transfiguration of His living saints, receive their fulfillment, and the period of millennial blessedness its inauguration."​

Scripture:

John 5:26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

2 Thes. 1: 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

2 Peter 3:11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.​

 

[Yeshua1]

NO! The futurist position puts a complex eschatology in place of the Scriptural teaching of Jesus coming for resurrection & judgment of living & dead, & a new heaven & new earth.

Fundamentalist doctrine:

4. The world will not be converted nor become a reign of peace before His coming but "only at and by His coming in power and glory will the prophecies concerning the progress of evil and the development of Antichrist, the times of the Gentiles, the ingathering of Israel, the resurrection of the dead in Christ, and the transfiguration of His living saints, receive their fulfillment, and the period of millennial blessedness its inauguration."​

Scripture:

John 5:26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

2 Thes. 1: 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

2 Peter 3:11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.​

This world system is still under the God allowed dominion of satan, and that will fully change only at the Second Coming! When that Great Rock daniel foreaw then crushes all Kingdoms of this earth...

 

[HankD]

This world system is still under the God allowed dominion of satan, and that will fully change only at the Second Coming! When that Great Rock daniel foreaw then crushes all Kingdoms of this earth...

AMEN!

HankD

 

[Yeshua1]

AMEN!

HankD

If this is the Messianic Age as foretold in the OT by the prophets, this is really not that great a reign by the King!
That is why cannot see this present Age yet being under the direct reign of the Messiah...

 

[HankD]

If this is the Messianic Age as foretold in the OT by the prophets, this is really not that great a reign by the King!
That is why cannot see this present Age yet being under the direct reign of the Messiah...

Psalm 96:13 For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth.

HankD

 

[John of Japan]

It is that, and usually also a spirit of being seperate from others!

Not a "spirit" of separation. A Bible doctrine of separation.

 

[John of Japan]

It is absolutely a contrast...one I'm proud of.

I shudder to think that I would be called a brother to those who are so focused on behavior and works that the cross of Christ finds barely a mention.

Around these parts, that's a Fundamentalist. And that's not Christian. Not my brethren.

Since this forum on the BB is for fundamentalists, and was created to give us our own forum where we are not attacked, please refrain from posting on this thread or any other on this forum.

I have no authority to ask this, except to ask that you be ethical, and obey the rules of the BB. In other words, please take your venom elsewhere.

Oh, and by the way, your attack that fundamentalists neglect the cross of Christ is absolutely wrong.

 

[Yeshua1]

Not a "spirit" of separation. A Bible doctrine of separation.

Good point, and my experience has been that some practice that separation to a greater extent than others do.

 

[HankD]

I have said since day 1(or closely thereof) here at the BB being a former Catholic that personally I do not protest the Church of Rome, I reject it and have separated from it.

HankD

 

[thatbrian]

and usually also a spirit of being separate from others!

, and also practices a policy of separating!

"Real" Fundamentalists would see being separate from all ofter not "likeminded", who would be into worldly activities, drinking. movies etc!

The term, "fundamentalist" has undergone changes since it was first used to describe the 5 fundamentals of the faith, in an effort to distinguish what we would later call, "evangelicals", from Protestant Liberals. What happened was that some "fundamentalists" added to the list, and their additions did demonstrate their separatist inclinations. These folks who, "don't drink, don't chew, and don't go with girls who do" are now referred to as fundamentalists.

The trouble with words is that their meaning changes with time. I'm old enough to remember when cool meant cold, and bad was not good.

 

[Yeshua1]

Does your denomination? Is the NABC Fundamentalist?

Is every denomination that could honor the PCUSA Five, or can fiddle with it into another Five as HankD describes, to be considered Fundamentalist?

Not Fundamental in regards to practicing separation, but in the theology.

 

[Yeshua1]

The term, "fundamentalist" has undergone changes since it was first used to describe the 5 fundamentals of the faith, in an effort to distinguish what we would later call, "evangelicals", from Protestant Liberals. What happened was that some "fundamentalists" added to the list, and their additions did demonstrate their separatist inclinations. These folks who, "don't drink, don't chew, and don't go with girls who do" are now referred to as fundamentalists.

The trouble with words is that their meaning changes with time. I'm old enough to remember when cool meant cold, and bad was not good.

The Fundamentals that were edited by RA Torrey are what I would consider to be essential doctrines of the faith!

 

[thatbrian]

The Fundamentals that were edited by RA Torrey are what I would consider to be essential doctrines of the faith!

There is a doctrinal fundamentalist and a cultural fundamentalist. The latter are errant, at best, and heretical, at worst.

 

[Yeshua1]

There is a doctrinal fundamentalist and a cultural fundamentalist. The latter are errant, at best, and heretical, at worst.

I am speaking towards the theology of the essential of the faith, and not as to how it has been applied in lifestyle!

 

[thatbrian]

I am speaking towards the theology of the essential of the faith, and not as to how it has been applied in lifestyle!

Yes. I know. I was agreeing with you.

 

[HankD]

There is a doctrinal fundamentalist and a cultural fundamentalist. The latter are errant, at best, and heretical, at worst.

Yes if you mean KJVO and one considers the dogma of Peter Ruckman (double inspiration, advanced revelation) heresy - which I do.

Shortly after being saved my wife and I got involved with a KJVO local church and our lifestyle was indeed impacted with many rules (no movies, cards, dancing, alcohol, tobacco, etc, etc...) as well as the King James Only position.

Later in Bible College I became TR preferred - a big disappointment to the KJVO folks.
SEE! His education ruined him!

I do miss the camaraderie.

HankD

 

[thatbrian]

Yes if you mean KJVO and one considers the dogma of Peter Ruckman (double inspiration, advanced revelation) heresy - which I do.

Shortly after being saved my wife and I got involved with a KJVO local church and our lifestyle was indeed impacted with many rules (no movies, cards, dancing, alcohol, tobacco, etc, etc...) as well as the King James Only position.

Later in Bible College I became TR preferred - a big disappointment to the KJVO folks.
SEE! His education ruined him!

I do miss the camaraderie.

HankD

If I were to post my true feeling about the type of churches you've described, I would likely be banned, for I have no love for "that old time religion" or those who practice it.