The Fundamentals
FrontLine | May/June 2019 | VOLUME 29 | NUMBER 3
As the twentieth century dawned, a battle for the gospel broke out in the United States and around the world. The battle was not confined to any particular denominational group. The early fundamentalists understood that the very soul of New Testament Christianity was at stake— along with the millions of individual souls that might be doomed by the false gospel of theological liberalism. One major foray into that battle was the (then) twelve publications called The Fundamentals, funded by generous private donors and sent to pastors and religious leaders across the country.
Please remember that when we use the terms “fundamental” and “fundamentalist,” we are referring to biblical fundamentalism. We are not using the term as it is so often bandied about in the media, meaning extremists and terrorists of every kind. We are using the term in its historical and theological sense, referring to those who are committed to believe and defend fundamentals of the Christian faith found in the Scriptures.
On the eve of the hundredth anniversary of the Fundamentalist Fellowship (now the FBFI), we also find ourselves involved in a battle for the gospel today. Some of the issues are the same as they were in 1920, and some are troubles that the early fundamentalists never considered. We are often criticized for talking too much about the fundamental doctrines of the faith and the biblical commands to not only battle for them but eventually separate from those who deny them in word or action. However, the gospel itself is core to our mission. If we do not defend it as well as proclaim it, we will have failed in our earthly responsibility.
This issue introduces our supplement to the original publication called The Fundamentals.1 There is no way to treat this subject matter without being significantly theological in nature. We make no apology for that—theology matters! This theology is important to every church member, and we have an obligation to teach it to our church members and leaders. We will try to make our case in way that is comprehendible for all.
In this issue we have first published a glossary of terms that will be used. This should be helpful for those who read the articles that follow. Ken Rathbun (Faith Baptist Theological Seminary) will lay out the list of doctrines considered the fundamentals of the faith. Kevin Bauder (Central Seminary) explains the historic context of fundamentalism and how fundamentalists became separatists. Dave Shumate follows that up with an explanation of why present- day conservative evangelicals would not consider themselves fundamentalists. Steve Hankins explains why fundamentalism is not the same thing as denominationalism. And Larry Oats presents two articles explaining both the history and priorities of the original publications called The Fundamentals.
This publication should serve as a brief introduction to the twentieth-century movement we call biblical fundamentalism and set the stage for us to discuss in future issues of FrontLine the dangers that we have ahead of us in our quest to remain faithful to the faith and the Word of God.
Kevin Schaal
Features
Glossary of Biblical Fundamentalism
Here is a helpful overview of terms used in this issue.
What Are the Fundamental Doctrines of the Faith?
Ken Rathbun
Dr. Ken Rathbun examines five of the fundamentals of the faith.
How Fundamentalists Became Separatists
Kevin Bauder
Wherever they failed to evict the liberals, the only way for fundamentalists to break fellowship with them was to leave their organizations.
Fences or Fenceposts? The Difference between Fundamentalism and Conservative Evangelicalism
David Shumate
What is conservative evangelicalism, and how does it compare to and contrast with biblical fundamentalism?
Fundamentalism and Denominationalism: They Are Not the Same Thing
Stephen J. Hankins
Can we hold to denominational divisions and the fundamentals?
History of The Fundamentals
Larry R. Oats
It all started when two brothers committed funds to publish a series of books that would set forth the fundamentals of the Christian faith.
Priorities of The Fundamentals
Larry R. Oats
How many articles were devoted to various topics in The Fundamentals?
Several leaders in fundamentalism recently gathered online to discuss The Fundamentals and the problems we face today.
Mom
Stephen Jones
A son remembers the godly influence of his mother, Beneth Jones.
Departments
Mail Bag & News from All Over
On the Home Front
Notable Quotes
Robert Condict
Regional Reports
Wit & Wisdom
David Atkinson
On Language & Scripture
Mark L. Ward Jr.
At a Glance — The Church: An In-House Discussion, Part 3
Layton Talbert
By Grace Alone through Faith Alone in Christ Alon Mark Sarhan with Daniel Llorente
Successful Leadership
Jerry Sivnksty
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- Although they were originally distributed in twelve volumes, they have been combined and are available from Moody Press today in four volumes. [↩]