5 Things To Keep When You Leave Ultra-Fundamentalism

[GoldenEagle]

My wife shared this with me. The author grew up in ultra-fundamentalist and legalistic systems. This is a cry out not to abandon the walk with Christ due to being hurt by other Christian people. I believe there have been several hurt people on this site by churches and Christians. Hope this helps keep perspective.

From: http://rachelheldeva...-fundamentalism

5 Things You Don’t Have to Leave Behind When You Leave {Ultra} Fundamentalism

By: Rachel Held Evans

…although sometimes you have to rediscover them:

1. Love for the Bible

{Ultra} Fundamentalists often treat the Bible as a set of propositional statements designed to conform to modern, enlightenment-influenced expectations. It is flattened out and simplified, used as a weapon against other people and a prop for pet political and theological positions. And so I see a lot of people leaving their Bibles behind on the bookshelf when they leave {ultra} fundamentalism. This is understandable, but heartbreaking and unnecessary.

Leaving {ultra} fundamentalism means learning to accept the Bible on its own terms, loving it for what it is, not what we want it to be. It has been such a joy to rediscover the Bible in a way that respects the cultures and contexts in which it was written and assembled. For example, the creation account of Genesis 1 is arguably more meaningful and more profound when we understand it, not as a modern science text, but as an ancient Near Eastern temple text that honors Elohim as ruler over creation. Similarly, it will not do to simply shrug off as irrelevant those sections of the epistles that seem to relegate women to certain roles. Instead, we have to get a better sense of their context and purpose, which in my experience has revealed them to be radically progressive and Christ-centered, meaning quite the opposite of what they are often said to mean. Of course, there are still those text that trouble me profoundly—the genocidal conquests of Canaan, for example—but I’ve come to believe that wrestling with the Bible is better than ignoring it. To those willing to keep digging, the Bible will not disappoint.

2. Church

This one has been a real struggle for me, and I know it’s a struggle for others as well. One of the hardest things for a recovering {ultra} fundamentalist to find is a community of faith where they feel safe yet challenged, included yet taught. I don't know about you, but sometimes it seems like cynicism follows me through every church door, nipping at my heels like a pesky dog as I find my place in the pews. If you’re like me, you’re a little bit scared, a little bit picky, a little bit tired. You’re rolling your eyes about the American flag in the corner, or the special music, or the building fund, or the lack of diversity. Sometimes it’s just easier to stay in bed. (Okay, often it’s just easier to stay in bed.) But we have to be careful of applying the same {ultra} fundamentalist attitude we’re trying to leave behind to our thoughts and reactions to church. It’s not about finding the perfect community; it’s about helping to build the right community. …Now if someone could tell me exactly how to do that, I’d love to know.

3. Discipline

There’s legalism, and then there’s discipline. One is practiced out of guilt and fear; the other out of love. One sucks all the grace out of faith; the other nurtures grace and helps it grow. I know a lot of people who, after leaving a more legalistic church environment, go through a period of detox in which they avoid any sort of spiritual discipline—prayer, fasting, tithing, etc.— altogether, as these things had always been used as measures by which Christians judged one another. This detox period is understandable and perhaps even necessary. But it can be helpful to reintroduce these disciplines into your life when you’re ready, when they can be practiced out of love and commitment to Christ rather than guilt.

4. Friendships

It can be tricky navigating relationships with old friends after you’ve left {ultra} fundamentalism. Some will inevitably be changed; others will be lost. Often, in an effort to get a new start, folks will cut off all their connections to a certain faith community. In some extreme cases, this may actually be the only healthy thing to do. But most of the time, it’s worth putting in the extra effort to maintain relationships with friends and family with whom you disagree. This may mean some uncomfortable moments over coffee or at the dinner table, but as much as it depends on you, look to Christ as your example and try to live peaceably with the people around you, even when they start yelling about Barack Obama being the anti-Christ.

5. Holiness

This is a scary word because it can be easily manipulated and lorded over people to require submission and conformity. But I’ve known many people to leave {ultra} fundamentalism only to make a string of bad choices that alienate them from God, themselves, and other people. Folks who had once been forbidden from drinking any alcohol at all find themselves getting drunk every weekend. Those who had once been forced to find their identity in their virginity end up swinging the opposite direction by growing reckless with their sexuality. Those who had once been made to feel guilty for each purchase end up succumbing to materialism. Perhaps the hardest part of being released from prison is knowing what to do with your freedom. But leaving {ultra} fundamentalism doesn’t mean leaving behind your self-respect or your commitment to imitating Christ. It means pursuing holiness out of love, not fear or guilt.

So what would you add to this list? What have you struggled with leaving behind as your faith has changed and evolved?

Anyone else felt this way at some point? Any thoughts/Scripture/insights to share?

God bless,

GE

[GoldenEagle]

What is your definition of a fundamentalist?

That is an interesting question what is your definition Chuck?

God bless,

GE

[Steve_S]

I have a base detestation of the fact that the word "fundamentalist" has been hijacked by the enemy and summarily applied to the what are considered to be the most judgmental and hypocritical segments of Christianity. This in and of itself is an improper use of the word. Being fundamentally sound is important in virtually everything you undertake in life. In your faith, in your job, in your marriage.

When I was in high school our football coaches used the word "fundamentals" and derivatives/synonyms thereof probably more than anything else. You can't run a play if everyone involved in that play doesn't have a solid understanding of what their job on that play is going to be and, on a more basic level, understanding of solid technique. Repetition and study leads to fundamentals becoming instinctive with the goal being not having to think about it all for it to happen, which allows you to focus on other things. As you build fundamental soundness then you have to think less and less about small things and can focus more and more on bigger things. But, you can't ever get to those bigger things without having those functional reactions become nearly inherent. For example a quarterback may have a cannon for an arm, might be able to drop a pass right over the shoulder of a receiver 50 yards down the field on every single attempt, may know every play in the playbook inside and out, but if he fumbles the exchange on every snap (the start of the play), then all of that's pretty much a moot isn't it?

My point here is that when we use the word fundamentalist with a negative connotation, as has been applied in our modern vernacular by the enemy, then we allow our thinking to be clouded subconsciously, in my opinion. Things that are associated with fundamentalism then become seen as negative across the board, even some things that are right. We may let those who are extremely legalistic and controlling be labeled as "fundamentalists." Those outside the church may not entirely understand the inherent difference in legalism and spiritual discernment of a Spirit filled believer, though. So if you do anything that society believes to be "intolerant" (say show up at a pro-life rally, oppose gay marriage, etc.) then you're labeled with a fundamentalist tag. Then what happens? Entire churches that don't deserve the negative connotation that comes with that get labeled with it. Perhaps they start to lose membership? Perhaps they start to reconsider their stances on the fundamental tenets of our faith. Perhaps they panic and, in an effort to be socially accepted, in hopes of having that tag removed, they start allowing disreputable things within their congregation. Perhaps they fully accept 21st century social gospel and declare the Bible a guide, a good book, yes, but antiquated. Good ideas? Yes. Completely true? Maybe not? Maybe some in those churches doubt what's going on but are silent about it for fear of social ostracization. Maybe some cease fellowship with believers all together for it?

This is the inherent danger with tags such as this, with broad generalizations like "fundamentalist." The tacit implication here is in the negative insofar as we've let the enemy outwardly define what our "fundamentals" are for us, in this case namely legalism. It's barely more than easy to go from the Bible being God breathed, infallible, inerrant, and not at all bound by time to a good guide that we should follow, but not something we're to take literally in most cases, if we allow outsiders to define what our true fundamentalism is.

I realize that this isn't the only reason that the social gospel has infiltrated the church in the west on such a grand and staggering scale. It may not even be the main reason, but things like this are certainly key contributors.

[GoldenEagle]

What is your definition of a fundamentalist?

That is an interesting question what is your definition Chuck?

God bless,

GE

Jude 3.

Jude 3

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

Based on this definition I'm a fundamentalist. I believe in the fundamentals of the Christian faith.

I've edited the OP to reflect the term "ultra" fundamnetalism.

God bless,

GE

[GoldenEagle]

I have a base detestation of the fact that the word "fundamentalist" has been hijacked by the enemy and summarily applied to the what are considered to be the most judgmental and hypocritical segments of Christianity. This in and of itself is an improper use of the word. Being fundamentally sound is important in virtually everything you undertake in life. In your faith, in your job, in your marriage.

<snip>

I agree Steve that the terms "fundamentalist" and "fundamentalism" has been hijacked. The fundamentals of the Christian faith are esential to the Christian walk. We're to stand firm for the Bible and it's truths.

Perhaps I was trying to address some of the other extra-Biblical teachings that some hold to.

God bless,

GE

[Steve_S]

I have a base detestation of the fact that the word "fundamentalist" has been hijacked by the enemy and summarily applied to the what are considered to be the most judgmental and hypocritical segments of Christianity. This in and of itself is an improper use of the word. Being fundamentally sound is important in virtually everything you undertake in life. In your faith, in your job, in your marriage.

<snip>

I agree Steve that the terms "fundamentalist" and "fundamentalism" has been hijacked. The fundamentals of the Christian faith are esential to the Christian walk. We're to stand firm for the Bible and it's truths.

Perhaps I was trying to address some of the other extra-Biblical teachings that some hold to.

God bless,

GE

I don't doubt you brother, I was just soap boxing on a pet peeve. It's entirely ingrained in our vernacular at this point. It's not strictly religious and it's not always misapplied outside of this particular topic (take Islamic fundamentalism for example, that has a socially negative connotation and it very well should).

It was more a commentary on the fact that we need to stand up and define ourselves as a Church. I seriously doubt that there were dark room meetings with shadowy figures discussing the manner in which they'd like to socially define the term "fundamentalism." I think that what happens in situations such as these is that the enemy throws as much stuff as possible towards the wall and seizes upon what sticks, so to speak. This just happens to be one of the things that stuck. What I was saying wasn't an indictment of what you posted or anything such as that, as right now the legalists in the church are pretty much universally defined by that term. I was more lamenting the fact that something so simple and fundamental as indeed the word fundamental can be so easily taken and used in a manner that can get completely out of control before we realize it.

[GoldenEagle]

What is ultra-fundamentalism?

Now first let me say that I believe God’s Word is inerrant, inspired, and infallible. I believe Jesus Christ is the only way to God – salvation is God’s free gift. I believe Jesus died and rose again on the third day. I believe Jesus sits at the right hand of God and will return to judge the nations.

I believe that homosexuality is sin. I believe that abortions are murder.

I’m still trying to work through all this myself re: sorting out what is ultra-fundamentalism and what is Biblical truth.

I don’t have all the answers therefore the reasons for the questions. I'm not sure how others would define it but I consider "ultra-fundamentalism" as extra-Biblical teaching.

Some examples of what I consider "ultra-fundamentalism":

1. Virtue – A dress code that makes the Christian people in the group holier than others. Women should all wear skirts and not pants. Shorts and swimwear is out of the question. Men should always have short hair and wear suits/ties (or at the minimum business casual). Jeans are evil.

2. Outrage and Superiority – that others in the Church would not conform to a leader’s groups standards that are not labeled in the Bible.

3. The Bible – The KJV is the only Bible one should use as a Christian – it (KJV 1611) is inerrant above and beyond the original translations in the original languages of Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. Anyone who believes otherwise is decieved.

4. Isolation – Limited access to the outside world and a prevalent sense of fear.

5. Loyalty – Unquestionable loyalty to leadership. Even when leaders do not follow their own rules and specifically go against Scripture.

Thoughts?

God bless,

GE

[Guest]

I have a base detestation of the fact that the word "fundamentalist" has been hijacked by the enemy and summarily applied to the what are considered to be the most judgmental and hypocritical segments of Christianity. This in and of itself is an improper use of the word. Being fundamentally sound is important in virtually everything you undertake in life. In your faith, in your job, in your marriage.

<snip>

I agree Steve that the terms "fundamentalist" and "fundamentalism" has been hijacked. The fundamentals of the Christian faith are esential to the Christian walk. We're to stand firm for the Bible and it's truths.

Perhaps I was trying to address some of the other extra-Biblical teachings that some hold to.

Amen~! Perhaps The Problem Is Not With The Fundamentalist

Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. Psalms 119:160

Or Even With The Ultra-Fundamentalist

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14

Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. John 13:36

But With The Double Minded

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8

And With Their Half-Brother (?), The Mocker And The Scorner

Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding? Isaiah 29:16

~

Interesting Thread Beloved, Fundamentally Speaking

Love, Your Brother Joe

[GoldenEagle]

Interesting Thread Beloved, Fundamentally Speaking

Love, Your Brother Joe

You are great Joe.

[Steve_S]

Now first let me say that I believe God’s Word is inerrant, inspired, and infallible. I believe Jesus Christ is the only way to God – salvation is God’s free gift. I believe Jesus died and rose again on the third day. I believe Jesus sits at the right hand of God and will return to judge the nations.

I believe that homosexuality is sin. I believe that abortions are murder.

I’m still trying to work through all this myself re: sorting out what is ultra-fundamentalism and what is Biblical truth.

I don’t have all the answers therefore the reasons for the questions. I'm not sure how others would define it but I consider "ultra-fundamentalism" as extra-Biblical teaching.

Some examples of what I consider "ultra-fundamentalism":

1. Virtue – A dress code that makes the Christian people in the group holier than others. Women should all wear skirts and not pants. Shorts and swimwear is out of the question. Men should always have short hair and wear suits/ties (or at the minimum business casual). Jeans are evil.

2. Outrage and Superiority – that others in the Church would not conform to a leader’s groups standards that are not labeled in the Bible.

3. The Bible – The KJV is the only Bible one should use as a Christian – it (KJV 1611) is inerrant above and beyond the original translations in the original languages of Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. Anyone who believes otherwise is decieved.

4. Isolation – Limited access to the outside world and a prevalent sense of fear.

5. Loyalty – Unquestionable loyalty to leadership. Even when leaders do not follow their own rules and specifically go against Scripture.

Thoughts?

God bless,

GE

1. Virtue – A dress code that makes the Christian people in the group holier than others. Women should all wear skirts and not pants. Shorts and swimwear is out of the question. Men should always have short hair and wear suits/ties (or at the minimum business casual). Jeans are evil.

Agree. I believe this to be a control mechanism used by those in power in certain churches to maintain extra-biblical conformity, which greatly assists leadership in those churches with fomenting the attitude that leads to number 2 below.

2. Outrage and Superiority – that others in the Church would not conform to a leader’s groups standards that are not labeled in the Bible.

Agree. This is another step in a direction that starts with things that are akin to the situation from number 1 above and ultimately culminates with number 5 below, in my opinion.

3. The Bible – The KJV is the only Bible one should use as a Christian – it (KJV 1611) is inerrant above and beyond the original translations in the original languages of Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. Anyone who believes otherwise is decieved.

Agree. This is with the caveat that I believe that the root texts for the KJV and that line of modern translations is probably more legitimate (majority text/textus receptus). I used to use the KJV and now use the NKJV, though I have used an NIV in the past and don't disparage anyone who uses similar translations. Where I do draw a line is when it's clear that modern social norms have crept into the translators methodology, i.e. gender neutral Bibles and Bibles that attempt to subtly reword text to fit other more modern extra-Biblical social standards.

4. Isolation – Limited access to the outside world and a prevalent sense of fear.

Agree. These are generally the early characteristics of a cult, but certainly can be fit into certain congregations that aren't traditional cults. The problem with this, aside from potentiality for cultism, is that we are to be a light unto the world. It's difficult to do that if we're completely hidden from it.

5. Loyalty – Unquestionable loyalty to leadership. Even when leaders do not follow their own rules and specifically go against Scripture.

Agree. This leads to all sorts of problems which I won't go into, but the most base and insidious one is that the eyes of any congregation enduring this are almost solely fixed on the figurehead, not on Jesus. I would even be so bold as to say that any congregational leader that demands unquestionable loyalty to himself is dangerous even if he is teaching accurate doctrine. Anytime we can't have open, honest, brotherly, loving discourse between congregants amongst themselves and from the congregants to the pastor/deacons within a congregation (I would even say especially from the congregants to the pastor/deacons) there's a problem. At the very least a leader such as this isn't following the example of Jesus, who, as God on earth, washed the feet of his own disciples. They also aren't conforming to the evangelical and pastoral precedents that Paul set, who greatly encouraged discourse and doctrinal fact checking, as when he praised the bereans for their efforts at self study to determine whether the things which he was preaching to them were true. Study such as this is largely discouraged by the men who run their church in this manner.