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Fundamentalist Christianity – My Way of the Past

August 4, 2018 by DoneWithReligion

by Jim Gordon

We hear the word fundamentalism a lot in the christian world. I actually grew up as a fundamentalist but never realized that was what I was because I never put much thought into all the different terms and labels. I just loved God and went to church because that was the way I thought we lived the christian life.

When I looked up the word fundamentalism in the dictionary I found the following definitions: 1. a conservative movement in theology among nineteenth and twentieth-century Christians. Fundamentalists believe that the statements in the Bible are literally true. 2. in Christianity the belief that every word of the Bible is divinely inspired and therefore true. 3. a religious movement characterized by a strict belief in the literal interpretation of religious texts, especially within American Protestantism and Islam; the beliefs held by those in this movement; strict adherence to any set of basic ideas or principles.

Fundamentalism

Now that I know what fundamentalist means, I no longer believe I would be considered one. My views, beliefs and interpretations have changed so much over the years, especially since leaving the organized church. For some reason I never felt comfortable asking questions while in the organization. I just took what the pastor said as gospel truth and never questioned anything. Being outside the walls of religion I am letting all those questions come out and seeking truth from the Spirit of God rather than from a pastor.

I believe fundamentalism leads more to separation, condemnation and being judgmental. It seems to me being so set on specific doctrines, beliefs and interpretations can prevent us from asking questions, learning, accepting and loving others.

Are my thoughts a popular way of looking at the christian life? Of course not! I grew up in the organized church from a very young age and spent nearly sixty years in it. I also used to think everything depended on my works such as attending church, tithing, doing good works and reading the bible and believing it was perfect, completely literal and the only way God spoke to us today. There are many people still doing all this and they sincerely love God and think this is the way we are to serve God. Yet being outside of this setting, I have seen what is for me a better way. A way of depending on the Spirit within to teach and guide us. A way that loves and accepts others even when they do not see things the same.

Today the term fundamentalist christian seems to have more of a meaning of being hateful and not being accepting of others views. Completely different from what Jesus taught and what God is like.

Jesus was not a fundamentalist, he was not even a christian. Jesus was the personification of the Father who is a God of love. Even those writings from the old testament where men wrote from their beliefs, ideas, interpretations and what they thought about God were shown to be wrong when Jesus arrived. He showed us that God is not a god of vengeance, hatred and murder but a God who loves all of us.

We are to love God and love one another. Loving our neighbor does not mean just loving those who live next door, or loving those who believe like we believe. Our neighbor is everyone else in the world. Seems to me most fundamentalist reject those who see things differently and prefer to stay away from those who do not believe the same.

I would rather be known as a follower of Jesus rather than a fundamentalist christian. The way of the law and following rules and set doctrines of men have come to an end. The way of loving one another because of the grace of Christ is the new covenant way. I have actually become quite tired of using labels at all. We are all human beings who are loved by God. We should all be treated with love, respect, acceptance and have the same rights as everyone else. God did not create some people better than others, we are all created in His likeness and are loved by Him.

There are so many topics and beliefs I grew up learning in the fundamentalist church that I no longer accept. I certainly have not lost my belief in or love for God, yet the many interpretations that were taught by men and women in the institution I now find wrong and not like Christ.

Rather than adhere to a set of rules and institutional-taught beliefs we are to submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit that lives within us. Learn to hear his voice and let your life be a daily communication of his love to others.

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Posted in Acceptance of Others, christian living, Community, Jesus follower, Love of God, Scoop.it, The church | Tagged Bible, christian living, doctrine, fundamentalism, Holy Spirit, institutional church, Love of God | 12 Comments

12 Responses

  1. on August 9, 2018 at 1:46 PM Jayne

    This is tremendous. Thank you for speaking my heart.

    LikeLike


    • on August 9, 2018 at 2:04 PM DoneWithReligion

      Thank you Jayne.

      LikeLike


  2. on August 5, 2018 at 5:48 AM Jem

    Very good. Love it. Thank you.

    LikeLike


    • on August 5, 2018 at 11:39 AM DoneWithReligion

      Thanks again Jem.

      LikeLike


  3. on August 5, 2018 at 2:15 AM Gavin Cox

    Hi. I’m still walking with Jesus within what you’d consider to be institutional religion, although, that said, our autonomous local church is about as organic as one can go without dismantling the entity. Tim Keller helped my thinking on this issue enormously, by observing that those who adhere to the Gospel are regarded as fundamentalists by liberals, as they still adhere to core absolutes, and as liberals by fundamentalists, because they reject legalism. Blessings on ya!

    LikeLike


    • on August 5, 2018 at 11:38 AM DoneWithReligion

      Sounds like you have a good place to go. I agree, labels will be applied by some no matter what. Either way we continue to follow Jesus and love others regardless of the label. Thanks for the comment.

      LikeLike


  4. on August 4, 2018 at 4:12 PM Sonny

    You are singing my song, or stealing my thoughts. I could not improve on this essay. After 50 years of ministry in organized “Church” as a pastor, elder, teacher and so forth I know the Way does not lead to a building or anything man-made. In the last part of my journey, I will love my neighbor, forgive my enemy, and follow Jesus! Amen! Jesus is my Savior, never religion.

    LikeLike


    • on August 4, 2018 at 9:25 PM DoneWithReligion

      Thank you for the kind words Sonny. I am always encouraged when I hear comments such as yours. Thanks for posting.

      LikeLiked by 1 person


  5. on August 4, 2018 at 1:54 PM What God May Really Be Like

    Love this post Jim. I think you are on to something. Something just isn’t right with religion or Christianity today. I prefer too to be called a Jesus or God follower.

    LikeLiked by 1 person


    • on August 4, 2018 at 9:29 PM DoneWithReligion

      Thank you Mike. I appreciate your kind words. I agree, Christianity and the church are off base from what God intended.

      LikeLiked by 1 person


  6. on August 4, 2018 at 1:18 PM JOSE L. BOSQUE

    Excellent & honest?

    LikeLiked by 1 person


    • on August 4, 2018 at 9:22 PM DoneWithReligion

      Thanks Jose. Was that question mark a question?

      LikeLike



Comments are closed.

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