What is a Fundamentalist?

This term is one of derision and misunderstanding in today's world for it is devoid of an accurate meaning. In the early part of the 20th Century many theologians and preachers were challenging the authority and accuracy of the Bible. As science gained ground in American schools and seminaries the Bible was assumed to be less reliable by some leaders.

This view naturally led doubts about Creation, Jonah and the whale, the Virgin Birth and the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Those who held a "High View" of scripture reacted by reaffirming that there are certain "FUNDAMENTALS" of the Christian faith. One writer who vigorously presented these views was Curtis Lee Laws who coined the term "Fundamentalism" and spread its meaning around the nation.

A broad spectrum of Christian leaders like the term and joined in a wide group who promoted the fundamentals and fought against "Modernist/Liberal" ideas that attacked the Bible and historic Christian doctrines such as salvation by faith in Jesus' death and resurrection. Modernist leaders called the cross a "Bloody religion" and rejected it in favor of "Caring and peace".

These folks also rejected modernist tendencies among Christians such as movies, smoking make up on women, dancing, drinking, etc.

In England a Fundamentalist is described not on anti-modernist views but solely about one's commitment to the fundamentals of the faith. In America, this would be called an Evangelical. So, fundamentalists and Evangelicals will agree on theology but may disagree on social issues.

At this time in our history we are very confused about the differences because both Evangelicals and Fundamentalists are together on some social and political issues such as gay marriage and prayer in school. We neeed to carefull describe who we are and what we want to promote and/or restrict lest we become ensnared in political issues at the cost of our evangelistic success.

The term Evangelical means more than someone who "evangelizes" or shares his faith. It describes a group that agrees with certain theological commitments. My doctoral dissertation was on the topic of developing a pastoral care and counseling system for Evangelical churches. I describe an Evangelical as one who subscribes to the historic faith found in supernatural Christianity and a search for truth that includes scientific inquiry.