Wanna Know the Kind of Fundamentalism I Embrace?

Read this insightful and thought-provoking article by Dr. Stephen Davis over at SharperIron.

Here is the article:

Fundamentalism is an idea with competing movements that arose in a particular North American context in the battle for truth and which God has blessed in spite of the shortcomings it shares with all movements. Many of the fundamentalists I know are godly people with a passion for truth and a commitment to the authority of the Word of God. Even many of Fundamentalism’s detractors would acknowledge that. Yet in my opinion and observation, Fundamentalism’s commitment to the authority of Scripture often attaches itself to interpretations and positions on issues to which scriptural authority cannot be legitimately attached. In no way would I suggest that Fundamentalism is monolithic. In fact, one finds great diversity due in part to the level of certainty that is accorded to the application of Scripture to issues that are far removed from the fundamentals of the faith. These applications on a host of issues—from standards to music to Bible versions to eschatological distinctives—have helped create a fractured Fundamentalism.

In this writer’s view, Fundamentalism was an appropriate and descriptive name for a movement and its subsequent movements created in response to early twentieth century attacks on biblical authority and other fundamentals of the faith. It remains to be seen which, if any, of its present forms are viable and effective in a multicultural, pluralistic society and in a globalized world. Fundamentalism is faced with serious challenges to its existence, and the viability of movements within Fundamentalism in the twenty-first century is in question. Some have suggested re-branding or repackaging Fundamentalism to make it gentler or more authentic. Others have proposed substantive change or a cosmetic makeover with a name change.

Continue reading HERE.