Three Definitions of “Neo-Fundamentalist”
One of the problems with the descriptors “fundamentalist” and ”neofundamentalism” is that they carry different meanings among different groups. This causes confusion when such things are discussed. Below, I propose three different definitions of neo-fundamenalism, depending on who’s asking.
A Culture of Criticism
Yesterday I had lunch with NeoFundamentalist, who is actually a pastor here in my area. We talked about the history of fundamentalism and evangelicalism, modernism, and the mistakes made in each camp. Discussion also turned to how to fix these doctrinal and practical mistakes, and NF has obviously thought about this more than me. Today, I see that he has put some of it into writing in a good post entitled NeoFundamentalist, Remonstrans, and the Culture of Criticism. I’ve excerpted a few main points below, but you can also just go read the thing yourself.
What’s wrong with modern fundamentalists?
I’m sure I’m sounding like a broken record, but as long as I get significant feedback and engagement on this issue, I will address it, because I believe that neo-fundamentalists, while carrying the excellent traditions of their forefathers, are also carrying over their errors, and I don’t want these errors to re-infect the ‘growing’ part of the church (evangelicalism and charismatic/pentecostal churches). I’ll be responding to the comments of Jim, from the post Why do I even visit hyperfundy sites?
10 Principles of Biblical Discernment – Part II
This is the second of two posts – here’s Part I if you missed it. I agree with jmb when he says in Ennui in the Evangelical Blogosphere that the following things bug him (and me), which is why I am adding this two part series:
- The hand-wringing attacks on the new flavor-of-the-month theological crushes.
- All the self-appointed watchmen who are alarmed by … everything.
- Willful ignorance parading around as discernment.
Here’s the rest of my treatise.
10 Principles of Biblical Discernment – Part I
Since I recently laid into Slice of Laodicea for being uncareful about condemning rock music out of hand, I found a couple of excellent critiques of “watchblog” sites, and their limits and foibles (Jim of SOL, this is for you, since SOL instigated the following chain of response articles).
After reading the anti-clown (I don’t like clowns either ;) SOL post, and the chain of response posts, including Guilt By Association, Regarding Guilt by Association (HT challies), and Diss Isn’t Discernment (great title, HT prosthesis), I have collated and distilled the following principles around the deeds and misdeeds of watchblogs.
Fundamentalists reconsidering their ire at Rick Warren
In What I Like About Rick Warren, New City Press has really done a nice job of reconsidering the overly negative, critical approach that many reformed and fundamentalist sites take to Rick Warren, author of the heinously successful Purpose Driven Life.
Of course, I entered the fray, and I decided to post my last comment here as content, since I put some effort into it.
My Two Cents #98
Here’s a bunch of interesting stuff I don’t have time to write about.
1. Books: Creation and the Courts: Eighty Years of Conflict in the Classroom and the Courtroom
In Creation and the Courts, Norman Geisler traces the 80-year history of creation vs. evolution court cases, beginning with the famous Scopes “Monkey Trial” in 1925 and continuing to the Dover “Intelligent Design” (ID) case decided in 2005.
2. Books: Reformed Theology blog has a nice list of Top Ten Books on Piety, Sanctification, Spiritual Growth
3. Health: Who is sick?
gives you an idea of how many people are sick in your area, and with
what symptoms. Feel free to add your own sickness. Cool idea.
NeoFundamentalism and the doctrine of Separation
What would make a fundamentalist reject or reclassify some of his fundamental brethren as "neo" fundamentalist, and why would they want to discuss separating from them?
Let me begin by saying that the doctrine of separation could fill
books, and this is an introduction according to my neophyte
understanding of the matter. For some more depth, visit my friend Neofundametalist.
There are at least four ways to describe or view the doctrine of separation, and this may clear up why, how, and when we should separate from certain people. These scriptures and doctrines definitely apply to the scores of Episcopalians leaving the mainline church because of it’s pro-homosexual stance.
Hyperfundy Watchdog Site Goes Away
I found out today that one of my "favorite" neo-fundy whipping boys, Slice of Laodecia, has closed it’s doors. I must say, in one sense, I am relieved when such unhealthy watchdog sites disappear, of course, but like a hydra, there are ten more to step in it’s place. So in case you are interested in getting your fill of unadulterated negativism masquerading as service to God, you can always check out Old Truth, Apprising Ministries, and Sharper Iron. Of course, I can’t give a total thumbs down to these guys, but both have been writers for Slice, and in some of their work, make the same grave errors I have discussed previously.
If you want to read some healthy watchdog or fundy sites, try checking out John Ankerburg (creepy plastic white hair, but good interviews and materials), Spiritual Counterfeits Project, Fundamentally Reformed, and Neo-Fundamenalist.
Remnant Theology – How Narrow is Cultic?
As someone who has recovered (mostly ;) from a spiritually controlling Christian organization, I know what it is like to become a judgmental legalist, and what it is like to have been abused by such. I also know that there is a healthy faith outside of such sicknesses.
One of the symptoms of an unhealthy spiritual organization is a doctrinal narrowness that excludes all or most other Christians with the claim of being "God’s elite" – those who are more committed, more doctrinally pure, or just plain specifically chosen by God to be his true precious darlings. I see this symptom in the current fundamentalist emphasis on "Remnant Theology."
Why do I even visit hyperfundy sites?
Why do I torture myself reading the santimonious crap that Slice spews daily? Looking for some hope of real discernment, all I see is a stream of nonsense interspersed with a few grains of truth. It’s like looking for a needle in a pile of manure. The fact that they won’t even engage in discussion, but filter comments, means I need to just take them off of my blogroll. This judgmental post of the culturally relevant and vibrant efforts at Ed Young’s church sent me over the edge, and I posted a comment there that I know will never see the light. But it will here.
Fundies Condemning Nativity Movie
In their ongoing ministry of condemnation discernment, Slice is railing against Christians who recommend seeing The Nativity Story (which BTW, isn’t getting great reviews – "An effective pitch for Christianity as the dullest religion ever.")
But I digress. Slice says:
God has never promised to bless movies. He promises to bless the preaching of the Word.
Neo-fundy Doctrines?
Recently, I wrote a piece on various issues, and where various groups stand on them – I outlined the far left, left, right, and far right positions. I also outlined what I thought were the characteristics of my new whipping boy, neofundamentalism. However, today, after a stimulating lunch with NeoFundy, it has become clear to me that more moderate evangelicals like me consider most to the RIGHT of us "neo-fundamentalists", but the true old-school fundamentalists consider those to the LEFT of them "neo-fundamentalists" because they reject plenary inspiration, among other doctrines. Clear?
I thought to map some issues to various Christian camps. What do you think? Click on the image to get the big pic. Note that GREEN is where I am (and where I think we should all be ;), YELLOW is acceptable but edgy, ORANGE is dangerous or unhealthy, and RED is probably apostate or cultish extremism.
Finding Cool Stuff By Reading Anti-sites
There is an aphorism which I agree with, which goes like this:
In every criticism, even from your most hateful detractors, there is often a grain of truth.
This, of course, means that if we are critically reflective, we should pay attention to our critics, and determine if there is anything that we can improve upon. However, I’ve found a new use for the Religious left and neo-fundie sites, that often spew criticism – finding cool stuff that I like! For instance, a bunch of conservative sites and new Christian House Music.
My Two Cents (09/14)
- Creation/Evolution: On Friday, Michael Medved’s radio show will host Jonathan Wells, author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Darwinism and Intelligent Design, and Chris Mooney, author of The Republican War on Science. They will debate the science behind Darwinism and intelligent design. I’m gonna listen to it live on KNTS radio in LA.
- Prideful? The Reformed Evangelist has a test for you. Ask God to reprove you and see what happens. Ouch!
- Attacking Rick Warren: Leadership Mag blog has a nice article on the whole hubub about PDL spilitting churches – they don’t answer any questions, but they ask all of the right ones.
The Rise of Neo-fundamentalism
On challies.com, one of my favorite evangelical sites, I have recently been defending Rick Warren – it seems that many of the readers think his approach unbiblical, echoing the sentiments often shared on neofundie site Slice. A few people bristle at my slinging use of the term neo-fundie, and want to know exactly what I mean by it. However, Jesus Creed recently ran a nice two-part series called The Rise of Neo-fundamentalism (Part II), which I want to quote, since Scot did a good job of it.
Prayer for a Healthy Church
The neo-fundies at Slice of Laodecia (I should start being nicer to them ;) have provided a nice publican’s prayer (Luke 18:9-11) – they mean well, but I’d like to add my own prayer for the church. And I mean it just as much as they. I have reproduced their prayer next to mine so that you may compare them. Perhaps we should pray them both.
Neo-fundies and Contemplative Prayer
In my further investigations of neo-fundamentalism, I am coming to see how narrow it is, and which demons it is chasing. Chief of these is "contemplative prayer." It seems that promoting such evils is one of Rick Warren’s chief mistakes, and neofundies continue show their mistrust for anything but intellectual meditation. I’m not much for chanting or focusing on a word to enter an altered state, but yoga and mindful meditation are fantastic tools. The NFs seem to hate guys like Dallas Willard, too, who has written about spiritual formation. I’ll report back with more soon.
