A while back, Dr. Kevin Bauder of Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Minneapolis, penned an important article critiquing how fundamentalists typically view conservative evangelicals. Readers of my blog will readily agree that fundamentalists tend to view conservative evangelicals as combatants or even opponents. Fundamentalists justify their existence, it seems, on showing just how different conservative evangelicals like John MacArthur, Al Mohler or John Piper are from the fundamentalist ideal.
I praised Dr. Bauder’s effort at offering a fundamentalist self-critique on that negative perception. But now, Dr. Bauder flips the coin and approaches the issue from a different vantage point. Now he is spelling out exactly what the “substantial differences” which he had said “continue to distinguish conservative evangelicals from fundamentalists” really are.
Again, Bauder’s efforts at making things very clear, are to be commended. In the first three parts of a series entitled: “Now, About Those Differences”, he has laid the groundwork for what promises to be a fruitful survey of the major sticking points that separate conservative evangelicals form the fundamentalist movement. In part 1, he introduces the series and parts two and three discuss the Gospel as a boundary marker for Christian fellowship, and a multi-layered approach to fellowship/unity and separation which most conservative evangelicals would readily agree with. The rubber will meet the road in his next installment and I’ll be sure to update you.
For now, I would encourage you to read the first three parts of the series as I feel this has promise to provide an extended case study which will help people on both sides of the aisle really appreciate what the issues are that divide us. I hope this will lead to clarity and a rapprochement of both parties as much as is humanly possible.
I didn’t enjoy the series as much as you did, Bob.
The series does nothing more for me that underline one annoying characteristic of Fundamentalists – to be compulsively analyzing the faith of other to determine who is and who is not on my team. I’m not for joining up with unbelievers, heretics, those with serious doctrinal problems, etc., but neither do I have an obsession with analyzing every new false teacher that comes around the block. I used to be a big fan of David Cloud’s ministry, but eventually I reached a point where I wondered if the guy ever bothered to study the Bible at all, all of his materials seem to be squarely aimed at attacking someone and drawing lines. Eventually you ask yourself, are we FOR anything or only against other people.
I’m happy to know there are RE:Fundamentalists who are attempting to be FOR something. Promoting Christ and His glory is a far more worthy endeavor than ‘dishing the latest scoop’ on the big mega church down the block.
Thanks Andrew. I thought it was helpful in seeing how the Gospel shapes our fellowship, and I’m still waiting to see what the differences are that he maintains are so important.
I’m like you, I would rather be for something and unite around the Gospel rather than view it as dividing over the Gospel. I think we minimize the importance of the Gospel when we treat much less important matters as issues of extreme importance that define us and our fellowship.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’ll get you added to the blog network soon, too.
Thanks again,
Bob
Thanks, Bob.
Sorry about the grammatical errors.
Keep up the good work!