In the last century, “fundamentalism” was born out of the controversy over the inerrancy of the Bible. Fundamentalism was perceived as narrow-minded and judgmental. In the last two decades, conservative churches have distanced themselves from fundamentalism. For example, most conservative Baptist churches have abandoned the name ‘Baptist’ for more neutral sounding names, like “Fellowship” or “Community.” One San Jose church names itself after the local mall.
In our culture of political correctness and conflict avoidance, anyone who embraces the inerrancy of Scripture and its claims to exclusivity is perceived as judgmental. But then wouldn't Jesus have to be called judgmental for exposing sin and hypocrisy, calling for repentance, warning of false teachers? How do we comply with Jesus' command to “judge not”? (Matt 7:1)
Well, Jesus also said, “Judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24). The Greek word for judge meaning, “to call into question.” As Biblical people, we must question all things in relation to truth, judging false teachers and their false doctrine, and when necessary, “rebuking them sharply” (Titus 1:13). If we succumb to political correctness, the truth will suffer. May it not be said, as it was in Isaiah's day, "truth has stumbled in the streets" (59:14).
In response to an editorial in USA Today last week (“The Truth about Evangelicals”), a retired United Methodist minister wrote the following to the editor:
“I am a Christian and consider myself an evangelical—if you mean someone who believes in propagating the Christian faith. But I don’t believe that Christianity holds all the keys to the kingdom of God. It is more appropriate to use the term “fundamentalist” rather than “evangelical” in speaking of those who think that Christianity is the only way to the kingdom of God and that the bible is infallible. Since two-thirds of the people on our planet are non-Christian, the fundamentalist would say these two-thirds will spend eternity in the fiery flames of hell. Many fine people are fundamentalists… But their philosophy of religion is extremely judgmental and exclusive.”
Would Jesus be called judgmental and exclusive today? Let His words answer that question. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me… Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (John 14:6; Matthew 7:13-14). In our 21st century, anyone who dares to have an exclusive claim on religious truth will be labeled judgmental and exclusive and narrow-minded. Count me in.
