Fundamentalism & Evangelicalism

Ninety years ago we gave ourselves a name: Fundamentalists.

“We suggest that those who still cling to the great fundamentals and who mean to do battle royal for the great fundamentals shall be called ‘Fundamentalists,’” wrote Curtis Lee Laws in the July 1, 1920 issue of the Watchman-Examiner, a Baptist newspaper with loose ties to the Northern Baptist Convention.

And 90 years later, we still discuss the implications of the Fundamentalist label. Back then, the issues seemed crystal clear: either you believed the Bible was true, or you didn’t. Simple to articulate and easy to defend, the idea of Fundamentalism was expressed as core doctrinal beliefs. Lines were drawn. Positions were staked. Ink was spilt, often.

But language is elastic, meaning is elusive, and sometimes words just wear out.

Read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.

Legalism and Worldliness

Over the decades, fundamentalists and other evangelicals have played a kind of game. It is a contest of mutual recrimination. To fundamentalists, evangelicals have often said, “You are legalists.” Fundamentalists have generally replied, “You are worldly.” Both parties seem to find pleasure in this game, though neither has ever really won it.

Of course, most evangelicals are not conservative evangelicals. In common with other evangelicals, however, conservative evangelicals still tend to view fundamentalists as unnecessarily legalistic. For their part, many fundamentalists are not even willing to recognize a difference between conservative evangelicalism and other branches of non-fundamentalistic evangelicalism (usually classed under the broad label, “neo-evangelical”). These fundamentalists believe that any evangelical who is not a fundamentalist is a new evangelical and simply must be worldly.

An uninformed observer might wonder what all the fuss is about. One group observes some strictures that the other does not. Why worry about it?

The answer is that Christianity is more than a set of doctrines. Christianity is also a life lived for the love and to the glory of God. Just as some doctrinal affirmations or denials are not compatible with the gospel, so also some ways of living are not compatible with the gospel.

On Wednesday, the association passed a resolution on the subject of Fundamentalism and its future and the association’s relationships with respect to Fundamentalism. The resolution is especially interesting in light of the two “non GARBC” keynote speakers this year, Tim Jordan and Dan Davey. Look for an article soon including the text of the resolution as well some perspective from Jordan, Davey and others.

Responsive Scripture Reading: Psalm 96:2-3, 7a-10

Songs: Holy, Holy, Holy; You Are Holy

Oral Interpretation of the Scriptures – Talent for Christ winner Emily Wiedemeir (First Baptist Church, Carroll, IA)

Male Voice – Talent for Christ winner Zac Singletary (First Baptist Church, Wellington, OH)

Invitation to 2011 Conference in Denver, CO

Offertory: Piano – Talent for Christ winner Sarah Parsons (Youngs Corners Fellowship Church, Wadsworth, OH)

Service Awards for Youth – presented by Lance Augsburger and John Greening

Today, the schedule included two morning general sessions rather than a general session and a workshop period. So we heard two more speakers from the book of Daniel, covering chapters 8 and 9. The first was chaplain Bill Gesser, and the 9 AM general session had a chaplaincy focus.

Could two guys be any more different than Dan Davey and Tim Jordan? Yes and no.

Scripture Reading: Daniel 7:13-14

Songs: Great is the Lord Almighty; Ancient of Days; A Mighty Fortress is Our God

Recognition of New Churches into the GARBC

Baptist Church Planters Check Presentations

Offertory by Larry Kauffman “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

Psalm 97, Dr. David Harris, “The Lord Reigns”

Songs: No Other Name; Crown Him with Many Crowns

Daniel 7—Dr. Dan Davey

Introductory Comments: (v.1)

Daniel 6 - Tim Jordan

Introductory Comments:

• The simplest things are often the hardest to explain to our children.
• Over the years we learn clichés and repeat them.
• This simple Sunday School story contains a perfect illustration of the truth that we exist for God’s glory.

Notes from the Body of the Message:

1. What did the people around Daniel end up saying about Daniel’s God?

Daniel 5 - Pastor Joe Earle, Iowa

Introductory Remarks:

• Darius is coming and Belshazzar’s soul will soon be required of him.
• God is seeking vindication for his sovereign might.
• He is seeking His glory, and Daniel is the proof of it.
• Belshazzar is a man of pride.

1. He spurned God’s holiness (vv. 1-4).

Photos from the exhibitors display area, conference center halls, “The Quest” (young baptist leaders) workshop and (later) pizza dinner, and evening general session.