 The Standpoint Conference urges all Young Fundamentalists to carefully consider this section. The swinging pendulum is a terrible way to find truth. Our reactions to the abuses of Fundamentalism listed in part 1 must not arise from bitterness or indignation. Far better to allow our ministries and values to be defined by the positive affirmations of Scripture than by the effort to distance ourselves from a movement of which we do not approve.
What Should Young Fundamentalists Be Doing Part 2 – Commissions to "Young Fundamentalists"
-- Pastor Christian Markle (contributed article)
Part 1 is here.
Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
The previous article was an attempt to explore some of the concerns of the Young Fundamentalists. I believe there are some important Biblical truths related to each of these concerns and these were briefly mentioned. However, too often these concerns have been communicated in unbiblical ways (Colossians 4:6; Ephesians 4:29). If it were not so serious, it would almost be amusing how effective our flesh is at expressing a valid concern in an unbiblical manner. I propose then that we not only become concerned about the sinful actions of others in Fundamentalism, but become even more aware of our own ungodly responses to these concerns.
It is my observation that much energy is being put into controversy between factions instead of both sides seeking to be conformed to the image of Christ. Ministries that are watchdogs for fundamentalism have a tendency to become witch hunters and gossips. Young fundamentalists who have developed support groups for themselves and others who have been "hurt" seem simply to be nursing their bitterness, and now treat their old fundamentalist friends with similar contempt as they used to treat evangelicals. The missing ingredient is what our Lord called the greatest commandment which fulfills the whole law (cf. Romans 13:8-10).
· All "young fundamentalists" are called to love God supremely (Matthew 22:37-38).
o Failure in this area is the seed bed for all other failures.
o This greatest command, when parsed out thoughtfully, demands both a unity with all the God's loves and a rejection (yea, even separation) from all that God hates.
§ This supreme love will motivate a passion for Biblical truth and a commitment to unity with those who believe and practice this truth.
§ One may not supremely love God and at the same time embrace sin or false doctrine. A supreme love for God includes a passion for His holiness which demands separation from sin (worldliness1) as well as from those who believe and act contrary to the character of God (1 Timothy 6:1-5).
· All "young fundamentalists" are called to love others similarly to how they love themselves (Matthew 22:39).
o How real it is that we are quick to excuse our own behavior while accusing someone else (Matthew 7:1-5).
o We probably ought to be more ready to excuse others and accuse ourselves (James 1:19-20; Proverbs 18:13)
o This need applies to both ends of the spectrum: Much damage is done when we are not concerned about weeding our own garden. The golden rule is too often the missing "rule" in the Fundamentalist's "rule book" (Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31). Those reacting to Fundamentalists should not be guilty of the same.
· All "young fundamentalists" are called to love God and others specially through the great commission.
o Discipleship begins with evangelism of all peoples (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8) and concludes with perfect Christ-likeness (Ephesians 4:13).
o Discipleship is both diverse in its ethnicity (Matthew 28:19) and universal in its outreach (Mark 16:15). This means that we do not have isolated targets for our ministries; we minister to all and everyone. Diversity of methods may be necessary to accomplish this, but refusal to minister to a certain type, race, or lifestyle is to neglect the great commission.
o Discipleship is also comprehensive. We are called to obey and teach others to obey all that Christ has taught us. Is it possible that certain groups effectively obey certain commands of Christ to the neglect of other commands? Is it possible that we might need to mutually disciple each other to balance these strengths and weaknesses?
· All "young fundamentalists" are called to love God and others significantly through personal and corporate growth towards Christ-likeness (Ephesians 4:12-16; 2 Peter 1:2-9).
o This demands that we give constant attention to our own growth toward Christ-likeness.
o This demands that we admit that we have not yet apprehended that for which we have been apprehended (Philippians 3:12-13) and presses toward the mark of the high calling of God (vs. 14).
o This means we will delight in the law of God and reject the advice, activities and attitudes of the ungodly thereby producing fruitful, stable, faithful success (Psalm 1:1-3).
o This means we will dedicate ourselves to assisting others to grow into Christ-likeness.
· All "young fundamentalists" are called to love God and others by being solidly committed to Christ's church.
o This means church ministry over para-church ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16).
§ Consider that abandoning church is abandoning God's plan.
§ Consider also that being consumed with extra-curricular spiritual activity that does not contribute to, or refuses to be accountable to the church is an assumption of more wisdom than God.
o This means working under a man and in a ministry that is not yet perfect (Ephesians 4:13).
o This means being passionate about God's program even when the manifestation of it is flawed (Acts 20:28).
o This means being faithful to assemble with the saints even when it is difficult (Hebrews 10:25); it furthermore is committed to provoking others to love and good works (vs. 24).
· All "young fundamentalists" are called to love God and others solely through the truth of Scripture.
o Where Scripture lays out clear boundaries, these must be adhered to (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
o Where Scripture is silent we must tread very carefully (Deuteronomy 29:29).
o Where Scripture answers with principles (as it often does), we must apply these accurately and consistently.
o Where any man disregards, misrepresents, or in any other way does not match up to Scripture, he is wrong--there must be no equivocation on this point (Isaiah 8:20).
· All "young fundamentalists" are called to love God and others specifically in heart attitude and communication
o This means we must speak the truth in love.
o This means our speaking must be always with grace (Colossians 4:6).
o This means we may never allow corrupt communication to proceed from our mouths (Ephesians 4:29).
o This means that we must treat older men in ministry with respect they are due (Hebrews 13:7; 1 Timothy 5:1).
o This means that we must confront error with gracious mercy instead of vehement anger. (1 Timothy 5:1; 2 Timothy 2:24-26).
It may be that an outline such as this needs to be more personal with anecdotes and stories; however, it may also be that it is these specifics that conflagrate the discourse into the proverbial too-much-heat-but-too-little-light scenario. It is the estimation of this author that much could be written both anecdotally as well as applicationally to the points above and one day maybe that will be done, but for now it seems best to examine just one example and seek to emulate it. That example is Christ, and the story is the Gospel.
The Gospel ought not to be simply our test for fellowship or even our rallying cry; it ought to be our pattern for life. No aspect of the Gospel sacrifices any one of the divine attributes of God. The holiness of God, the just wrath of God, the judgment of God, the mercy, love, and grace of God, as well as the wisdom and power of God are all displayed with clarity and enormity at the cross and in our Lord's resurrection. This is "the faith" we are called to defend (Jude 1:6), but our behavior in defending it must not desecrate it (Titus 2:1). Lets admit it we all know a leader who has desecrated Gospel truth while claiming to defend it -- this happens every time mercy and truth do not meet (Psalm 25:8-14). Frankly, honesty demands that we admit that we too have been guilty of such Gospel desecration in the midst of our "defense".
It would behoove us to reset our sights on Christ instead of consuming our lives with complaints about those around us. Let us all strive instead for obedience to the truth we defend. May we go out and follow the example of our Lord without compromise (Romans 5:6-10, Philippians 2:5-13); may we become so busy with the grand tasks of loving God and our neighbor through obedience to the Great Commission (including the discipleship of the saints) that we have only time for the absolutely necessary contending for the faith (cf. 1 Timothy 1:4; 4:7; 6:3-5, 20; 2 Timothy 2:14-16, 23; Titus 1:10-16; 3:8-11). May we refuse to take revenge on those who have hurt us, or react in any retributive way--because that is the way of Christ. May we rejoice in our justification and peace with God and have the grace of God to joy in tribulation knowing what it produces (Romans 5:1-5). May we seek to be right when it comes to our own faith and redemptive when it comes to that of others. In all of this there will be times when we will need to sever relationships or withdraw our fellowship, but when it is done out of a pursuit of Christ-likeness in ourselves and for the sake of all the other parties involved, our Lord will be glorified and the Gospel will be furthered.
If there must be a shift in fundamentalism, may that shift be more towards Christ-likeness rather than just change for the sake of change or some reaction to wrongs of the past. Maybe it is necessary for the younger generation to lead the charge toward that kind of change. Only to the extent that we are seeking to conform to the image of our Savior are we ever making change in the right direction.
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1Worldliness: a definition of this may be in order. Loving and participating in the lusts of the flesh, lusts of the eyes and the pride of life. These things are pervasive in much of what has been termed "worldly", but sadly it exists in excessive amounts in activities and responses that many Christians assume are "Christian" (1 John 2:15-17; James 4:4)
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