What exactly is a Fund. Baptist?

Welllllll

some concentrate on the FUN

some have the simple faith of just looking at the plain meaning and saying "DUH, that's clear to me!" and God bless them for that simple faith.

and some are stuck being MENTAL

It is obviously late at night and I'm better off babbling to myself in the corner....

[ November 30, 2002, 03:06 AM: Message edited by: Helen ]

 

A believer and a do'er of what the bible teaches.

 

I have no idea the meaning, but I do know I like what Jeremiah 6:16 has to say "Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein..."

 

A fundamentalist is one who holds to the fundamental truths of the bible.

 

Helen

 

A fundamentalist is one who believes in the inerrancy and thus, the authority of Scripture. They practice biblical obedience regarding those who do not by separating from them. Fundamentalism has therefore two ideas: holding and obeying to true doctrine and separating from those who do not hold or obey Scripture.

 

Great description, Pator Larry. Do you know why some would describe fundamental Baptists as cult members? I have heard the description of a cult member from a theologian whom I respect deeply. He said, "A cult is group who teaches that you must add anything to Jesus' work on the cross." Is this a good definition or is there more?

 

HCL, several of us got together a few years ago and spent some time going over cult material and exposes of cult material and books on cults, etc., in an effort to define a cult, Christian or non-Christian, in a way that drew from all these sources and would form some kind of a measuring rod. Here is what we came up with:

===========

In general, the following points can be used to define a cult as related to any religion.

1. A cult is a group that has differentiated itself from a main religious
body in terms of doctrine.

2. A cult is governed by a strong authority, either in the form of one
person or an authoritative hierarchy, or both.

3. A cult generally establishes its own set of laws by which the lives of
its members are run.

4. A cult will establish itself as the sole repository either of the truth
or of the whole truth, in opposition to the group separated from.

5. The cult authority is presented as the only way a true understanding of
the cult's Scriptures can be taught. Individual interpretation is either strongly discouraged or altogether forbidden.

6. A cult requires either tithing of some kind or the entire transfer of the
person's worldly goods into the hands of the cult authority.

7. A cult will control its members through fear. Disobedience of various
degrees will cause the member to be either disciplined or disenfranchised, the latter action in effect telling the member that the cult's aims (salvation, a higher reincarnation, exaltation, etc.) are then barred from the disobedient member and no longer achievable by him or her.

8. Cults often present themselves to their members as being persecuted.
This can lead to anywhere from a general feeling of defensiveness to the actual caching of arms and training for warfare or "defense."

9. Cults are generally bound by a series of cult experiences not available
to those outside the cult. These can be physical, mental, or spiritual.

10. Cults often separate themselves geographically, especially when they are
starting or if they remain small.

The understanding is here that a cult cannot be defined by simply one of the points, but by at least a majority of them.

--

If the cult is to be defined as a Christian cult, the following will additionally apply:

1. There are writings considered to be as necessary as the Bible which are either used to "explain" the Bible or added to it as additional Scriptures.*

2. Christian terminology will be used.

3. One or more of the following will be denied:
-- A. The physical incarnation of Jesus Christ
-- B. The full deity of Jesus Christ - that He is the Creator God and lived a sinless life.
-- C. The completion of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross; the sufficiency of the atonement so gained.
-- D. The physical and true death of Jesus Christ
-- E. The physical and true resurrection of Jesus Christ
-- F. The physical and true ascension of Jesus Christ
-- G. The reality of the Trinity as presented in the Bible: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are three Persons but one God.
-- H. The intrinsic sin nature of man and therefore his utter helplessness to save himself or help with his salvation.
-- I. The reality of resurrection as opposed to reincarnation.
-- J. The absolute and eternal difference between God and man; the difference between Creator and created.
-- K. The absolute holiness, goodness, justice, mercy, and love of the ONE God.
-- L. The eternal and changeless nature of God.
-- M. Salvation by grace alone, through faith alone.

4. Regarding the denials of point number 3, there will be explanations and additional doctrines not found in the Bible and usually directly contradictory to it.

5. God will be considered not accessible to worshipers without some kind of mediator or representative aside from Jesus Christ himself.

6. Certain rituals and/or works are required for the saving or exaltation of the worshiper.

7. The Bible is re-defined as being, in one way or another, not the inerrant word of God in the original signatures. It is instead put in the realm of mythologies which express various truths or said to be corrupted and in need of some kind of help.

* What is being pointed out here is that the simple doctrines and truth of the Bible are available to everyone who comes in contact with them, without need of any kind of interpretation. This is not to deny, however, that studies of the culture, language, idioms, etc., of the ancient peoples cannot add a great deal to our deeper understanding of many of the facts and teachings in the Bible.

Note: Although a Christian cult might not find every point above applicable, most will be.

 

Thank you Helen and Pastor Larry for those definitions.

 

Click here for a link to another thread in which this question was answered.

 

What is a fundamental Baptist?

Anyone who agrees exactly like me. If you don't believe Melchizadek was the preincarnate Christ, I will exercise 37th degree separation from you.

 

Preach do you mean to say that some don't believe this?
Murph

 

Murph, everyone does not believe it.

 

Ever read something that appears to be English but makes no sense whatsoever? Your making my brain hurt.... Ow!

 

I seem to that get alot? Wish knew I why.

 

What about a literal creation - 7 day week?

What about accepting both OT and NT as God's inspired infallible Word - and the Bible (and the Bible only ) as the standard/rule/measure of all faith and practice?

What about Salvation by grace through faith? Baptism of believers by Immersion.

The Virgin birth, the literal and physical death, burial and resurrection of Christ, the trinity, and the literal second coming?

I am assuming that all these are included in the definition of "fundamentalist" or do you consider these to simply be "orthodoxy" with other added criteria for "fundamentalist"?

In Christ,

Bob

[ December 04, 2002, 10:44 PM: Message edited by: BobRyan ]

 

Consider these things also:

They did that which was right in the eyes of God.

And not that which was right in their own eyes.

Not compromising the Word of God.

Not looking for a way to sin with out sinning.

We are a new creature.

Come out from among them.

Enjoy the blessings of the Lord, and not looking at them as cursings.

Don't sit on the fence, pick your yard and stand in it.

In everything give thanks, whether you like it or not.

 

Promise? (Only Kidding!)

[ December 18, 2002, 02:07 AM: Message edited by: Anthony J Lanius ]

 

bump