Confessions of a PC(USA) Fundamentalist, Part One. Why a fundamentalist?

The most important moment of my life was when I realized that Jesus Christ was my Savior. But second to that is when I realized that the Bible was true--compellingly and assuredly true in all that it teaches. It was a dazzling moment in my life. It happened five years ago and I will never forget the day that I saw God's Word for what it really is.

Now to some people who read this blog, it will sound strange for me to separate the two points of my conversion process. Many Christians think that a true conversion automatically brings one to the second part of my conversion story--to a singular honoring of the truth of God's Word. But it didn't happen that way with me.

I'm starting a new series this week. For my own process of reflection, introspection and cathartic self-analysis, it's time I wrote about why I believe what I believe and why I believe it. In this time of confusion and doubt in our denomination perhaps God will use something of my efforts here to comfort His saints and call some to a similar public affirmation of the faith once delivered.

In this first part of the series I must defend my choice to use what is a troubling term for some people. So, why use such a misunderstood and maligned word for myself like 'fundamentalist'? Aren't I putting myself into mainline purgatory for admitting it in public? (Like I'm not there already...)

First I will define the term as I understand it. Perhaps it will help people understand where I am coming from. By 'fundamentalist', I use this term to mean one who holds to the essentialness of certain affirmations for the Christian Faith. They are the sine qua non of what it means to be a Christian who holds to the apostolic faith that all Christians are called to affirm and teach, what Jude calls, "the faith once for all, delivered to the saints." (Jude 3) )For further reflections on this topic, go and read Will Spotts' blog here.)

Yes you read me right. I actually believe that the Christian faith has a content that is easily understood, that is clearly set out for us in Scripture and that all who claim the name of Christ must believe and publicly affirm in the presence of others.

In this sense, as I define it above, I am a fundamentalist. I further believe that all Christians are fundamentalists. There are certain bedrock affirmations about God, God's activity in the world and God's Son Jesus Christ that define Christianity. Without these foundational, fundamental ideas Christianity as a religion ceases to have any meaning.

It's not that hard to understand really. Everyone knows themselves to be fundamental on non-religious issues that we deal with in everyday life. An example--

You go to the bank and ask how much you have in your account. The teller informs you that you have about 300 dollars. You again ask the teller for the exact amount. The teller says that they do not know the exact amount, but that it is around 300 dollars. You are rightly upset and you move your money to another bank. Congratulations, you're a fundamentalist when it comes to your money!

Another example--

You are signing up your son for a little league soccer team. You ask the coach when practices start. The coach tells you that the kids show up for the first game in a week. You incredulously ask the coach how these young children will learn how to play, how to follow the rules and how to work as a team. The coach informs you that this is a new form of soccer that has no rules, no requirements and that allows each team to play as they see fit. You take your son over to the tee-ball league instead. Congratulations, you're a sports fundamentalist!

On some level, we all are fundamentalists. Rules, guidelines and doctrines make our common life together possible. Anarchy has yet to work in the human community.

So then, what I claim is that it is disingenuous to state that one can hold to fundamentals in the everyday world but then assert that one cannot do the same in Christianity. It's dishonest and untrue to make that claim.

You don't believe me? Then that means that somehow on some level this post has violated one of your own fundamentals of belief.

So now you all want to know: What are the fundamental beliefs that make one Christian? They are the beliefs that the church has affirmed in all times and in all ages that are given in Scripture:

1. The Bible is God's Word and is fully trustworthy.

2. Jesus Christ is divine as the Son of God and was born of the virgin Mary.

3. Jesus Christ actually performed the miracles ascribed to him in Scripture.

4. Jesus Christ died on the cross as our substitute, to atone for the sins of His people.

5. Jesus Christ was truly, bodily raised from the dead in His resurrection.

These teachings are not all that Christianity asserts, certainly. But notice how they can cross denominational lines as being essential. Roman Catholics can affirm them, as can Orthodox and Pentecostal Christians. Traditionally known as the Five Fundamentals, they lead us to the heart of our faith which is expressed in the great Creeds of Christendom, the Nicene and Apostles' Creeds.

I would further argue that the Nicene and Apostles' Creeds formulate the essentials of the faith as well as any document ever written. The only further thing that needs to be said that they do not explicitly say is about the Bible. But certainly all of their doctrines are right out of Scripture and this affirms point one above.

There is not a single pastor, elder or deacon in the universal catholic Church of Jesus Christ who can deny these doctrines and the ecumenical creeds and who can still claim the name of Christian.

Here I stand. And I'm not alone. Two thousand years of a line of precious saints stand right beside me in these teachings. They were not invented, they were given by God in His Word.

I will wrap up this post with an inspiring quote from the Prince of Preachers himself:

"It is a great thing to begin the Christian life by believing good solid doctrine. Some people have received twenty different "gospels" in as many years; how many more they will accept before they get to their journey's end, it would be difficult to predict. I thank God that He early taught me the gospel, and I have been so perfectly satisfied with it, that I do not want to know any other. Constant change of creed is sure loss. If a tree has to be taken up two or three times a year, you will not need to build a very large loft in which to store the apples. When people are always shifting their doctrinal principles, they are not likely to bring forth much fruit to the glory of God. It is good for young believers to begin with a firm hold upon those great fundamental doctrines which the Lord has taught in His Word."
--Charles H. Spurgeon

I may have come later than my youth to the sound gospel faith of the catholic church, but by grace I shall remain in the Truth until my life is ended and I see God face to face.