Defining Terms

Many Christians today refer to themselves as “fundamentalists,” presumably for the sake of clarity.  Unfortunately, the term does not provide the desired clarity because it’s used inconsistently, and rarely used accurately.

The term is often intended to communicate that the one being described believes the Bible to be literally true.  This is, indeed, part of fundamentalism.  The term is perhaps even more frequently applied to non-pants-wearing, non-makeup-wearing Christians who will not read any translation other than the King James version.  Some of these things may be fine, but this list is not a description of fundamentalism!

A true fundamentalist is one who agrees with the doctrines set forth in a series of volumes, originally published in 1917, called The Fundamentals. There are many articles in these volumes, and I recommend reading them, if you can get your hands on them, but I will attempt to summarize them as best I can.  (Some of the articles are instructive in nature, rather than asserting the standards of orthodoxy.  I have skipped over these.)  I’ve bolded certain portions here; these indicate beliefs which are commonly not held by those calling themselves “Fundamentalists” today.

Higher Criticism

The first volume of The Fundamentals is a collection of articles about “Higher Criticism” (the study of the literary structure of various books of the Bible). The article teaches that “Higher Criticism” is not inherently anti-Biblical and this type of study doesn’t  necessarily imply that the student does not believe in the supernatural nature of the Scriptures. However, the group of people historically known as “Higher Critics” is a biblically liberal bunch. The articles here uphold — and make cases for — the specifics in the following paragraph:

The Pentateuch was, indeed, penned by Moses (with the obvious exception of his own death account). The Bible is a supernatural book. The Old Testament historical accounts are literally true. The patriarchs were real people. The tabernacle in the wilderness actually existed. The miracles in the Bible did actually take place. Archaeology supports the Scriptural account. The Universe was created by God, and the Scriptures were inspired by Him. Christ is God. The Bible is the repository of a true revelation from God, and is an infallible guide to the true knowledge of God and the way of salvation. The Scriptures are the ultimate authority on the matters of which they speak.

What the Fundamentals Teach

• The original autographs of the Scriptures are inspired by God, inerrant and infallible. These writings are inspired in their words; not just in their “gist.” There is no translation absolutely without error, but the Bible as we know it today is, in all material points, the same as when it was first penned.
• The Bible is authoritative and living. No other book is inspired in the same manner. (In other words, no other book carries the same authority.)
• God exists.
• Jesus Christ is God and is the revelation of His Fatherhood.
• Jesus Christ was born of a virgin.
• Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man.
• Jesus was a real, historical person.
• Jesus was, indeed, physically, bodily resurrected from the dead.
• The Holy Spirit is God. He is a person, infinitely wise and holy (as opposed to a “thing” to be used).
• The Holy Spirit is given at once on the remission of sins.
• Christianity is true.

*****

• Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God. It is a quality or condition of soul which exists in every child born of woman. It affects every part of an individual – understanding, heart, will, etc. — and makes him unable to appreciate spiritual things, without supernatural illumination. Sin entered the human race through one man. Each is responsible for his own sin and owes the just penalty — death. God is merciful and has made provision for sin.
• Hell is real, and is a fundamental part of the Gospel message.
• Christ died as a substitute for sinners. His sacrifice was planned from eternity and effectual with God from eternity. It was the purpose of His incarnation.
• Grace is unmerited, unrecompensed favor. Salvation is entirely by grace. Salvation is through faith, but even our faith is a divine gift. Grace is permanent, and keeps us to the end.  Water baptism is not a part of salvation.
• Regeneration is a real, thorough, change, whereby the man is made a new creature. It is a supernatural change of disposition, into the likeness of God, and affects the whole man.
• Justification is a legal term, having to do with acquittal. We are justified by faith. However, justification and regeneration are not the same thing.
• Preachers are to preach the Word, not man’s philosophy or rhetoric, but the Word of God. Among other things, this will ensure that he is himself a diligent student of the Word, and will teach his people how to handle the Word.
• Romanism is not Christianity. It is a corrupt and corrupting system of falsehood and idolatry.
• The one true Church is composed of all believers in the Lord Jesus. All members have the same marks — born of the Spirit, having repentance toward God, faith toward Jesus, and holiness of life. It is certain to endure to the end.
• The incarnation took place to reveal the Father, to take away sins, to destroy the works of the devil (1 Jn. 3:8), and to prepare for a second coming.

What the Fundamentals Teach Against

The compendium condemns a number of modern belief systems:

• Modern philosophy (that is, “attempting to devise, by the exercise of the human reason, an explanation of the universe”)
• Darwinism
• the doctrine of Evolution
• Socialism as being the same as Christianity (It does not argue for or against a Christian’s preferring the socialist economic structure, but denies that socialism is Christianity and denies that socialism as a religious substitute is sufficient.)
• Millenial Dawn (writings of the Watch Tower and Tract Society — Jehovah’s Witnesses)
• Mormonism
• Eddyism (Christian Science)
• Modern Spiritualism (This is not clearly defined, but seems to be referring to spiritualism in the sense of mediums, tarot card readers, etc.)