How to Spot a Fundamentalist

Fundamentalism is damaging. Today it seems like fundamentalism is on the rise and sometimes it's hard to identify fundamentalists until it's too late. So how can we identify fundamentalists? Are there markers that can help us avoid fundamentalist churches and pastors? Today, we'll be talking about what exactly is a fundamentalist and how to identify them.
#fundamentalism #Theology #podcast
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[@shawnlusby1538]

I'm not a Calvinist in any way shape and form Dean and we would probably have some strong disagreements if we discussed the subject. However, I will give you 100 percent credit for holding Johnny Mac morally accountable and for calling him out as a Fundamentalist. There are so many "discernment" channels that attack Pentecostals and Charismatics non stop that will never say one word about Johnny Mac and I am done with them. I respect you greatly Dean for not being one of them

[@Underdogtheology]

I really appreciate that.

[@carljacobs1260]

My daughter pointed me at your channel today and said I should start with this video. I really appreciated the effort. My own understanding is that fundamentalism is an anti-intellectual response to modernity. That response is rooted in withdrawal and legalism is the wall.

[@Underdogtheology]

Cool! Thanks for checking the channel out.

[@josephbenzjr.2849]

Hey brother- I grew up going to a fundamentalist church. Realizing now that it was legalism and not biblical. I was told when I was 7 or 8 that I was going to hell. Very hurtful. Had to learn to get over certain things over the last couple years. It’s hard. But, the Lord is the only one who brings Freedom with hurt. Grateful for all you do for the Kingdom!

[@Underdogtheology]

Appreciate that Joseph!

[@JhutaNabi]

@Joseph Benz Jr. Nailed it! Legalism, pop culture theology (interpreting biblical doctrine through the lens of a group’s paradigm) and being overly dogmatic (differ with me and you’re a “heretic” 🫵🏽).

[@TheMaineSurveyor]

I’m just over an hour through this. A topic you touched on is very important: we tend to have “heroes” among living preachers today. I’m starting to be aware that I do this. I don’t want to ever give the impression that John MacArthur, or Alistair Begg, or Jon Moffit is infallible. I might like many of the things each of them says, but I want to make sure I’m not putting any of these men on a pedestal.

[@catlover129]

Love what you said about talking about hypotheticals. I've heard a lot of folks talk about the slippery slope instead of engaging the argument. It seems to me that to argue the slippery slope you have to go beyond scripture in many cases. (Ex. Anything related to woman in the church is immediately go to lead to feminism and women pastors.)

[@joeg9208]

Great video, would love to see a follow up video on how to spot a Christian Liberal. Keep up the great work.

[@Underdogtheology]

That’s a good idea!

[@quadcannon95]

You could argue that Fundamentalism is a form of “liberalism”. Divorce yourself almost entirely from church tradition. Cling to the Bible alone (not really the “Bible alone”, but a narrow understanding thereof), and label anyone who doesn’t believe the same ways as you as a heretic, which is hilarious, because Fundamentalists have very modern understandings of the scripture. All that “old time religion” talk is so modern. They are the contemporary Christians of just a few years ago - in the grand scheme of church history. PS love your videos Dean. And I love the challenging, yet humanizing spirit of these conversations.

[@scottosattin7079]

I know that your background is not in Pentecostalism, but you are speaking to some of the issues I dealt with when I first attended bible college in 98/99. It feels like you understand where I am coming from even though our backgrounds are a little different.

[@Underdogtheology]

Yeah Scott, I think a lot of these attitudes of fundamentalism are reaching far beyond denominational lines. It’s something anyone can fall prey to.

[@justpeachy4393]

Dang that music at the beginning is catchy!

[@nothingfancyfishing2174]

Dean, I’m complaining resources on fundamentalism - the history (in America), how it works out practically (liberty of conscience, etc.), even similar to this video, how to spot a fundy. Can you hit me back with good resources on the topic?

[@tommywitte9916]

Who's a good book ,and author for fundalmentalism.

[@shawnlusby1538]

I do find it ironic, and I promise this will be my last comment, that many fundamentalists would call me worldly looking because I have long hair and a full beard (plus I love rock and roll. Most fundies hate rock and roll, yes even Christian rock.) The irony is that they are judging on appearance, which is exactly what the World does. God sees what's in the heart ❤ of a man

[@Underdogtheology]

10000%

[@kimber_]

Rejection of monolithic exceptions aside, I think two common traits in fundamental thought/writing/culture are arrogance and a lack of compassion. There’s a Canadian blogger who comes to mind-the writing on Slow to Write says all the truthful things without love … in the name of being loving (?). Tweets full of punch-downs and the like. Generally, it’s those secondary and tertiary ‘absolutes’ that show arrogance, which allows for no wiggle room to love people in ideological gaps. Didn’t Christ love us from across the biggest gap?! (Romans 5:8).

[@AmosAAnderson]

There's a podcast called Theologically Driven and they have an episode from March 10th called Theological Triage that I think you should listen to because they discuss what you've discussed here about what circles are most important in doctrine and what we can disagree on and still fellowship. I believe the hosts are teachers at Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary so it's well informed. You might enjoy it.

[@Underdogtheology]

Thanks for rec, I’ll have to check it out!

[@MrPaulmark19]

The Biblical Confessional and Creedal Reformed folks think that being Reformed and Charismatic is impossible. Well I accepted that because in the first place, in order for you to become truly Reformed, you have to be familiar with the Confessions and Creeds of the Reformed Church. " I may not be part of the Biblical, Creedal Confessional Reformed Church in general but as a Calvinist, I let those Confessions shape my Calvinistic Perspective. My Theology is actually shaped by Desiring God, Adrian Warnock, The Gospel Coalition, Sam Storms, Matt Chandler, David Platt, RT Kendall, Jack Deere.

[@rachelcg2352]

I love your channel. Recently I’ve studied hell a bit more deeply and currently have been reading the fire that consumes by Edward Fudge (would highly recommend, it is very thorough). I’m currently (with an open hand) convinced that conditional immortality is what the Bible teaches. Counter arguments sometimes accuse Christian conditionalists of twisting scripture to appease emotions and even that if we don’t change our mind are going to eternal torment. Also, it’s association with JWs. Even though Muslims believe in an ECT type hell for those who reject their religion, I wouldn’t assume that Christians who think hell functions differently than I do are Muslims. The Gospel unites us. Thanks for your kind & charitable attitude. I’ve found your videos really encouraging.

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

Have you checked out the views of people such as Robin Parry, Thomas Talbot or George Sarris concerning hell.

[@Underdogtheology]

Appreciate the kind words. To be clear, i whole heartedly believe in a literal eternal hell, I was just saying that someone doesn’t need to fully understand or see hell the exact same way as me in order to be saved. Cheers!

[@rachelcg2352]

@@TheHumbuckerboy i have not. Something I think could be an error with both universalism and eternal conscious torment is that they depend on the assumption that human beings intrinsically possess immortal souls. I’ve been struggling to find this is scripture. Thank you for the suggestion though.

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

@@Underdogtheology Hi Dean, I am a subscriber to your channel and I am a regular viewer . A utube video titled 'Growing Up in Fundamentalism _ Thomas Talbott ' which lasts under 14 mins is an interesting interview IMO.

[@chrisfrenette1978]

Would you say Johny Mac and them are 'sophisticated' fundamentalists? It seems like your description fit the likes of Steven Anderson, David Cloud and some others, but not Grace to You, Phil Johnson etc. I'm not a macarthur fan but I wasn't totally sold that they fit the classic definition of fundies. Although I do see the legalism and narrow -mindedness coming from that circle for sure. Great video! Keep up the awesome work

[@Underdogtheology]

Thanks Chris, I would defintely categorize GCC and all it’s pastors as fundamentalists. I would even say they fit the more traditional definition, as they have a very militant attitude toward their strictly literal interpretations and have separated from brothers due to third tier issues. There’s a reason almost all fundies still looooove Johnny Mac.

[@rubysanchez132]

❤👏👏👏

[@briankhor4800]

If I may ask, who was the last guy in the thumbnail? I can recognise all 7 others (JMac, Tim Keller, Mark Driscoll, Matt Chandler, John Piper, Todd Friel, and Alistair Begg). Having listened to all of them (with the exception of Mark Driscoll and the last guy I did not recognise), I wholeheartedly agree with that classification (definitely not a JMac fan for his trash talking of against non-dispensationalist in his sermons and his Shepherd's conference bashing of Tim Keller). 🤣 Strangely I like to listen to all the non-fundamentalists you have listed above and find them much more gracious and just nicer/kinder Christians in general.

[@Underdogtheology]

Tom Ascol.

[@shawnlusby1538]

Those paintings at fairs are called caricatures.

[@Underdogtheology]

Talking live sometimes is difficult. Haha

[@louisduplessis2075]

How do KJ only people deal with people who read Bibles that are....German...Dutch...Croatian....fill in the blanks?

[@JC-gu2rn]

More so Hebrew Bibles?

[@TheMaineSurveyor]

I’m not sure I understand the meaning of “fundamentalism,” but I went to a couple very legalistic Christian schools as a kid. One was based in an independent Baptist church, the other was based in a Pentecostal church. One school prohibited “music with a beat” (as a musician, even as a child, I knew this was insane). The other taught losing your salvation was a constant danger, so kids got saved again every week in chapel. Both schools were King James Only. My parents were careful to point out the error in each school’s teachings; they just wanted me to get a good three-Rs education. (The Pentecostal school was an Abeka school, which was an excellent education.) I don’t mind the King James (1599 Geneva is very similar), but prefer the New King James. But if someone likes NASB, ESV, CSB, or NIV, I see no reason to raise a stink. Everyone has translation preferences. I would advise someone that Zondervan’s study notes are not the best, but it’s not a hill worth dying on. I would also caution someone to avoid paraphrases, but again, I see no reason to beat someone down about it.

[@DB-ug3nf]

55:50 Kinda 'prophetic' of you. For a second I thought you were talking about Mike Bickel.

[@TitusCastiglione1503]

Would Ken Ham and Paul Washer count as fundamentalists?

[@Underdogtheology]

Ham, absolutely. Washer? I don’t really know enough, but from his company I’d assume so.

[@TitusCastiglione1503]

@@Underdogtheology I thought as much. On that note, I recommend Ben Stanhope’s video on Paul Washer and purity culture. It’s insightful and I admit it’s kind of put me off of Paul Washer in general

[@debunkingthefundamentalist]

I spot them very easily. No matter what environment whether social, college, work or even if you bump into them at the market. I tell all my own people in my vids that it is very clear whether someone is a fundamentalist--they just can't leave you alone. Really, how many Episcopalians want to redirect you in your beliefs? I've never had one. But the fundamentalist will flat out tell you it is their duty to harass you "for your own good." That sort of thinking led to the Spanish Inquisition. All the fundamentalists can't even accept each other. I have heard an Evangelical say the Jehovah Witness was a cult member. As if the Evangelical isn't. It all comes down to high control religion and suppression of thought--the heartbeat of the fundamentalist. Cheers, DCF

[@redeemedcoops]

How do you spot a fundamentalist? White new balance shoes

[@Underdogtheology]

You’re not wrong.

[@shawnlusby1538]

Don't forget the beehive hairdos too. And no make up

[@The5150lady]

Dean, if the Holy Spirit's presence within us enables us to understand and interpret God's Word, why are there so many interpretations of the Word?

[@Underdogtheology]

Interesting question. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide us into truth not tell us every truth possible within Scripture. 😎

[@ethanmanley4594]

Why did you count Mark Driscoll as a fundamentalist in the thumbnail ? He's obviously problematic but he doesn't strike me as a fundamentalist. Not a critique, I honestly would like to know.

[@Underdogtheology]

Good question, I would call him a fundamentalist over his politics becoming so clearly his markers for orthodoxy. See his stuff on CRT. Also his militant and evenabusive stances on gender as seen in The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill.

[@ethanmanley4594]

@@Underdogtheology Good to know, Thanks

[@shawnlusby1538]

I'm a Conservative, Born Again Bible believing Christian ✝️, but I don't consider myself a Fundamentalist. To me at least, Fundamentalists are legalistic and basically modern day Pharisees. I try to stay from both of the "L" words, legalism and liberalism. Both "L" words can be equally deceptive. One is all truth and no love and the other is all love and no truth. I believe in speaking the truth in love. That balances out the extremes

[@timturnage576]

So you say there's no fun in fundamental.

[@Underdogtheology]

Haha, basically!

[@HellerVali]

I was born pentecostal. It was horroble.