Some people argue that fundamentalists Christians take the Bible too literally and that makes them exclusivist jerks. I would argue that most fundamentalists don't take the Bible literally enough, and that is why everyone thinks they're jerks. If not one single fundamentalist stored for himself riches and instead lived his life in service of the poor and oppressed, then I don't think anyone could really hate them for what they believe.
In fact, if I'm allowed to define what I mean by the term fundamentalist, then I hope to be one someday; someone who takes action as a result of believing in the literal truth of what Jesus said.
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18 comments:
Hey Tim,
Thank you for answering one of my questions on your other posts. I love AILD as much as ever! I'll just respond to your post because I think it's meaningful. I also feel that after I respond to this question, I'll be in a better to mood to finish my 5-page nightmare paper. These discussions stimulate my thinking skills quite a bit..
Well, on the topic of fundamentalism, I'm in high school and I can tell you that I've noticed that some of the kids I know think fundamentalism is some sort of joke. Among my peers, a lot of people associate fundamentalism with "Bible thumping". I'm a Christian too, but one of my friends is an atheist and she says that since fundamentalism is unrealistic or extreme or whatever, she just incorporates bits of other religions she likes into her personal philosophy/ daily life. I agree that fundamentalists that act hostile to non-Christians can turn them away from Christianity altogether. Or believe false concepts about Christianity. I know another girl that is very "intellectual" or whatever who read "The Da Vinci Code" (not trying to pick on da Vinci Code fans) and was trying to enlighten me by commenting that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and other things like that. Even though even Dan Brown admited the story was fictional. It seems like people who were hurt by Christians in the past can come up with some pretty wild stuff in retaliation. Sometimes, I myself loathe going to church because I know that once I leave the building, some people are going to act the same as they always do. I have to admit, I don't nearly donate as much money to the poor of the world as I should. In this area, I guess I make Christian charity look hypocritical. I'm working on that. Thanks for the awesome post, reflecting on it sort of reminds me all the unsavory stuff I've done that I need to fix...
Tim, God bless you, Phil, Jordan, Nick, Josh...
-Katie from California
hey tim,
this was one of best posts from you i think. here in germany, a lot of people think that the christian life we live is a kind of sect or fundamentalistic but they never informated themselves about it. this prejudices making me very sad, but i think at the end god himself decides if it were "fundamentalistic"
thank you for your very reassuring blogs. i hope i will see you in germany with austrian death machine or as i lay dying this year.
Greetz
Felix
Haha your so right....I've said this to people before myself. Fundamentalists get bashed alot...."Bible' Thumpers" ect. ect. Christians just need to relax, stand up for what we believe (and why) and calmly and respectfully address issues other's may have without resorting to some sort of disrespectful behavior that will only blemish Christs name.
Your post reminded me of a story I read a while back, about an atheist who believes, through the actions of sincere missionaries, that his country needs God. I'll let the article speak for itself.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/
columnists/matthew_parris/article5400568.ece
We may be the only Jesus that people ever see... Make it count.
Tom from Ohio
Tim! I know exactly what you mean!! Too many people these days are trying to say they are "christ followers" instead of christians, just so they don't have to follow everything in the Bible. It gives all of us who love the Lord a bad name. I agree with you 100% on this blog and hope to read more of your take on christianity to come! Love the music too!
Tim, not blunt at all...very truthful and very honest. I agree totally. We as Christians must change the view/definitions that has been created of us. Thanks for sharing. BTW..what happend to your FaceBook page?
Dude.
I encourage you to be blunt as often as possible.
This generation needs people who aren't afraid to say the things that most people just push aside and think about "later."
Very interesting point of view, and it makes so much sense.
Keep it up man.
-Marklar
A pastor I knew once said the following words:
"Give up your good Christian life and follow Christ."
A lot of what people know as "fundamentalists" today are perhaps taking the Bible too literally in SOME places (a lot of them being the wrong places that DO lead them to be intolerant), but what they're really putting too much stock in is other people. Other "fundamentalists," the church, and this "Christian club system" we kind of have going on. They're conforming to what religious society tells them a good Christian life is, instead of really following Christ.
uuh.
you speak the truth. i couldnt say it better.
.nathanael
Word!!
If being a fundamentalist means loving Jesus whole heartedly and following him then sign me up.
A lot of the prosperity teachings have been taken way too far. Our cup is supposed to run over, but not into an offshore bank account.
Wow, I agree. I'm not much of a Christian but you sort of changed my view of people who take the bible literally.
As an evangelical Christian, it's big for me to take the Bible as truth and the only authority. This, however, has only led me to more conservative doctrine rather than fundamentalism. I agree with you on this one; I just can't see how any form of extremist fundamentalism can be said to be bible based when it often contradicts the core of the Bible message.
People, the government, the church, basically the world has been trying for years to dilute the truth of the Word. What is meant to be literal is said to be figurative and vice versa. It is getting harder and harder to use the Bible as a sword when its words have been twisted into whatever is convenient at the time. I am with you in that Jesus didn't waste any words. What was said and written was deliberate and had meaning...every single word. Its nice to see that there really are other Christians who still want to believe in what Jesus said and live accordingly. With your position as a public icon, I can't imagine how much you endure for your devotion to God and your attempts to spread apologetics. Finding this blog picked me up. Thanks.
Finding this blog picked me up too! I don't think you're being too blunt at all. Jesus said (Mark 12) "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul and all your mind... And love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these" - and yet, as perplexing as it is, those two commandants seem forgotten among many vocal Christians! Rather than focusing on judgmental criticism or fanaticism - we must follow the word and practice our faith by what Jesus said and did. That Christians would known for their grace and compassion than their exclusivity and dogmatism...
Blessings to you and yours!
From an outside perspective, it seems like the so-called "fundamentalists" are really the opposite of fundamentalists because they take the fundamental principles of Christianity for granted and get caught up in all the eccentricities (if you can call them that) of it. But, I also think that the eccentricities are what separate each individual religion from one another, because in reality, almost every major religion is based on principles of peace, love for friends/partners and family(etc), kindness, and charity. The other stuff is trivial. So on the other hand fundamentalists are just doing what is fundamental to Christianity and Christianity only. In my own opinion, whether a religion teaches god and creation like Judeo-Christian religions or Nirvana/eternity like others is unimportant if we don't follow the principles that all religions share.
I am waiting for the day people will feel shame and feel stupid to proclaim that they once were religious. It's 21st Century dammit! And you have Christian IQ btw. Austrian Death Machine is kinda funny also.
What does the century have to do with stupidity or shame? Can you explain what you mean?
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