How Bob Jones University and Sovereign Grace Ministries are alike

Very interesting article about local church/para church matters. Enjoy :-)

http://rickthomas.net/When-a-para-Church-ministry-tries-to-run-the-chur…

Discussion

This odd relationship between individual churches and the larger movement is one reason (among others) why I think it’s been so easy for many young fundamentalists to transition to SGM churches. The authority structure and high value placed on those in leadership is very, very similar to BJU and other fundamentalist groups.

Also I think that SGM’s emphasis on the Holy Spirit is not in fact much different than the emphasis I experienced at revival meetings and camps while growing up within fundamentalism. The funniest thing to me has been watching my generation embrace SGM and truly believe that they are embracing a Christianity that is totally different from what they grew up in. Certainly some of the external things are different—contemporary music, casual dress, more clearly defined experience of spiritual gifts—but as far as overarching philosophy and approach, I haven’t seen that much difference. (I imagine both SGers and Type A fundamentalists would likely dispute this.)