Fundamentalism Explained

[@draydanobryant3983]

I just started watching your channel, and man as a non Calvinist, middle of the road baptist, this is such a refreshing take (and channel as a whole) for me. Core issues cannot be disagreed upon, but we’re all in different points in our walk with Christ and have different interpretations on those secondary issues and we need to be gracious to one another! Love the video brother 👍

[@markstevens7838]

I agree with your definition/explanation of Fundyism. The confusing part for many is that historically, Fundamentalism started with the 5 core fundamentals of the Faith which really was the start of modern day Evangelicalism. I would call today’s fundamentalism as nothing more than legalism, which should be shunned by grace filled believers. Thanks again, man.

[@thomasparker9638]

@@markstevens7838 I call walkin' that tightrope for Jesus!

[@ThisisPam]

Great video. The term “fundamentalist” cannot be reclaimed. It has changed in it’s definition, particularly in terms of the connotation. When people hear the word fundie or fundamentalist they usually picture a legalistic, rigid, very judgmental church goer who holds tightly to extra-biblical ideas but thinks these are the core of the faith.

[@Star-dj1kw]

I agree! There is too much baggage attached. Most religions have fundamentalists too and they aren’t the people I want as neighbors. I notice that these fundies do have much in common whether they’re FLDS, old order Amish, or the strict Islam is that men do all the talking. Women must be silent and abuse runs rampant.

[@susieqds7351]

Thanks Dean, great explanation! I'm new to your channel so haven't commented before. In the past I've also heard terms like lukewarm, worldly, carnal, or backslidden Christians used to describe those who would do things in the 3rd tier like watching certain movies or TV shows. There's so much confusion about this.

[@crisgon9552]

I am Catholic but enjoy your commentary on this. I had a really good conversation with a Baptist brother with this also. We have way more in common then we realize. We must do everything in love

[@Wukles]

What keeps you in the Catholic Church friend?

[@stephentalas1940]

My American boss in the UK used to define Fundamentalism as "Orthodoxy with a cult mentality'.

[@donnaoscolaighlange]

I think that’s what Answers- in Genesis does-tries to make their interpretation of Genesis a first tier issue and calling out others as”unfaithful “ or “compromising”.

[@Star-dj1kw]

Exactly. God gives us humans info are on a need to know basis. If He had a project going with planet Earth prior to Adam, that’s His business. It does not diminish the truth of God’s word or my faith in him. The main point of the OT is to point to Jesus anyway.

[@brockburgi994]

“But in order to have a right view of the OT, you gotta have a right view of Genesis” - AIG, most likely

[@priestap]

Thank you - this is a helpful distinction.

[@cruzaderawaken9600]

Hi fundamentalist here, love your channel, keep up the good work

[@Orquet-qj2nf]

I'm a four point Calvinist who grew up in a five point Calvinistic church that frequently had a Presbyterian pastor and who goes to a Baptist church and listens to a Lutheran pastor and a Charismatic pastor on KZbin. While I appreciate the sincere devotion of my Baptist church, they have KJVs in the pews and already, the pastor has made an error about the Bible actually says because Ye Olde Englifh hasn't aged well. It was only the connotation of one word, but if that happens to the wrong word, the implications could be quite serious. There comes a time when loosening up is a good thing. That rigidity sounds very dangerous, like brick wall on a ski hill. All kinds of no, thank you.

[@davidroeder6592]

Good clarification! I was waiting for you to add music, lol. We recently interviewed a pastoral applicant who would have placed music in the 2nd tier, which perfectly illustrates your expansion of core doctrines by fundamentalists. He would not have any Getty, Sovereign Grace or City Alight music in his church. WHAT?! WHY?! Dangerous bridge to theological error.

[@anajoy87]

I've just started reading Gavin Ortland's book, Finding the Right Hills to Die On & it's been helpful! (I hadn't really heard of the 4th tier before reading this book.)

[@Star-dj1kw]

❤ EXCELLENT and SO IMPORTANT ⭐️⭐️

[@JosiahR1]

While I’m here as well (hoping you read this), it would be awesome if you took the audio from these and released them on Apple Podcasts. I know there is a lot that you may have to cut out as it relies on the video aspect, but a lot of it would be cool to listen to while I’m at work 🤷🏻‍♂️ just a suggestion

[@maxboucher86]

Im a leaky fundamentalist id say to borrow from macarthur... evengelicalism has alot of issues fellowshipping with liberalism and neo evamgelicals.. fundies are too rigid so its hard where u should stand.

[@nathanbrown3544]

Than you Dean. Very helpful and clear. Realizing I've been more fundie than I'd like to admit. What would you say is the best way to guard ourselves against being 'fundie'?

[@Underdogtheology]

Excellent question, I’ll have to think on that and make another video.

[@nathanbrown3544]

@@Underdogtheology appreciate it! Yeah, cause I didn't grow up in church, started my Christian life in a more Charismatic environment, and then moved to more reformed churches and this whole 'fundamentalism' topic is new to me. I want to be careful in choosing the books I read and sermons I listen to

[@JhutaNabi]

Great and concise explanation @DeanLentini. IMO, fundamentalism is legalism… the stuff that Paul chided the Galatians for.

[@JosiahR1]

The only pushback I’d give is if this was a conversation between us, I’d try and draw more out about signs of spiritual maturity with you. But overall I agree and think you’re dead on the money. For me personally, it’s weird hearing people speak about ‘my camp’ with that language, I mean even ‘your camp’.. the Reformed world isn’t (or at least hasn’t in my experience) typically put in the same pool as our Independent and openly Fundamentalist Baptist brethren. My reactions to you labelling things like G3 as fundamentalist has largely been a knee jerk reaction. As a side note, even if I disagreed with EVERYTHING you have your say, these backgrounds you use keep bringing me back haha they look so dope! And if I had the money I’d invest it in building you a studio exactly like it 🤙🏻

[@spankydave7758]

Well done , Dean.

[@CCiPencil]

Thank you for your explanation. I would leave a church that operated the way you explained it and also, I think I might have gone to a fundy church as a kid.

[@geographicaloddity2]

Grace plus anything isn't grace. It's works. Fundamentalism like what you described is works righteousness and is heretical. RA Torry's book The Fundamentals was the definition of what it meant to be a Fundamentalist but the indy, KJV only, Baptists hate JMac because of lordship and calvinism and the both hate Bill Gothard and they may all agree with Torry.

[@TheLastAndFutureDay]

Being charismatic is not the same as being a continuationist

[@smt0202]

Which tier would the question of LGBT fall into?

[@julianbirke]

If you believe the Bible is the word of God does it not seem off for you to sit here and rank what you find more or less important? "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" 2 Tim. 3:16

[@Star-dj1kw]

Jesus says there are some matters of MORE importance than others of less importance to the rule police of his day in Matthew 23: [23] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Dean is following the heart of Jesus in this passage IMO.

[@shawnharrison4994]

Great video Dean! Thank you 😁

[@maxboucher86]

Alot of fundies believe many evangelicals to be saved by the way even steven anderson believes that

[@dano41788]

We should reclaim the term fundamentalism to its original intent in the modernism debate in the early 20th century.

[@christopherhempstead7185]

You should check out the chart that the podcast Do Theology has on their website. They are definitely fundamentalists (pretty sure both of their churches are actually in the IFCA), but the chart is actually very similar to what you have here. Currently the IFCA is trying to reclaim the word "fundamentalism" because it's definitely strayed from what it historically meant. I agree with you that most churches and Christians that would describe themselves as a "fundamentalist" fit into the categories you've described (and that's my church background as well). But I think that the word "fundamentalism" has a very different connotation now than it did 100 years ago. I would love to hear your thoughts on the chart, the IFCA, and the history of fundamentalism. I really enjoy the show btw. I first heard you on Doc and Devo, and ever since they stopped posting in the summer I've been listening to your show very consistently.

[@Underdogtheology]

Never heard of those guys but just checking out the chart id be pretty concerned. Not with he first section but the second image has a lot of practice on it as primary. Maybe ill do a deep dive into different fundamentalist sects one day. Thanks.

[@christopherhempstead7185]

@@Underdogtheology I definitely see what you mean about the "practice" in the primary section. I'm not sure how they'd flesh some of those concepts out because the chart has no nuance lol. I probably wouldn't have included most of the stuff they included in the practices as primary. They define primary as: "Not every doctrine here is an aspect of the gospel, but each one is clearly articulated in Scripture, transcending hermeneutics." Which is similar to what you critiqued MacArthur on, but at least the chart lists what they believe transcends hermeneutics.

[@pastorcharleslowry]

I appreciate the clarity. I have called myself a fundamentalist but I would not align with that definition at all. I have always defined it as being committed to things like. 1. The innerancy of scripture. 2. The virgin birth of Christ. 3. Subsitutionary atonement of Christ. 4. The bodily resurrection of Christ. 5. The reality of the miracles of Christ. All 5 are more of a "historic" description of fundamentalism. I think the fundies like Hyles ect... have corrupted the historic meaning of the word Fundamentalist. A lot of what you described I would define as pure legalism.

[@Star-dj1kw]

Sure. There are folks like you who use the word fundamentalist where I might say biblically Conservative.

[@pastorcharleslowry]

@Star-dj1kw You're right I just need to say I'm conservative.

[@Iamvictormaria]

You left out Penal Substitutionary Atonement Theory as how God saves us.

[@LateToTheGame27]

I think you are confusing fundamentalist’s core beliefs and a fundamentalist’s preferences or convictions. You are right about the core beliefs. When you say the secondary issues are essential for salvation for fundamentalists you are grossly misunderstanding their preferences or convictions. 😎

[@Star-dj1kw]

😳 don’t think the Pentecostals are just spending their 8 hour services screaming and rolling in the floor! Spiritual Pride and Law pushing DEFINITELY thrives in many Penecostal churches. They talk like they’ve got a blessing the Baptist, the Methodist, the so and so just wouldn’t understand…. I have attended in both places. I never understood the Pentecostals speaking with that arrogant tone; they didn’t earn spiritual gifts. That’s the whole point of grace. The majority of the people were kind and humble though. On the other side, I don’t understand how people can make arguments for cessationism when they haven’t experienced a move of the spirit FOR THEMSELVES. My policy has been to keep my mouth shut on anything I didn’t fully understand (which is most things 😂).

[@Iamvictormaria]

I think your stated “God’s word is sufficient our interpretation isn’t” is just a description of the problem and offers no solution. If it’s God’s word then why did God make it so confusing? You’ve got 1500 different stripes of Christians primarily based on differing interpretations of a variety of scripture. IMHO you are already playing a losing game.

[@Iamvictormaria]

Just allow fundamentalists to claim Christianity as their own. The rest of us can become/remain followers of Jesus and no longer identify as Christians. Then you don’t have to argue about such theological meaningless bs and focus on loving God with everything you are and loving your neighbor as yourself.