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Biblical Christians Will Never Fit into Polite Society!
CSTNEWS ^ | March 2, 2013 | Don Boys, Ph.D.

Posted on 03/02/2013 7:16:33 PM PST by John Leland 1789

Evangelicals are usually very sensitive as to what people say and think about them whereas the driving force for Fundamentalists generally is not their perception by others, but their faithfulness to Scripture. Many years ago Evangelicals sold their souls for respectability. However, genuine Christians will always be persecuted and scorned as Paul wrote in I Cor. 4:13, “We are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.” Evangelicals will polish all the liberal apples and “make a deal with the devil” to gain the favor and acceptance of polite society, seeking to fit in rather than follow the Scriptures.

In the late 40s, pastors who rejected strict Bible teaching associated with other pastors of the same opinion and began to disavow the term, “Fundamentalist.” Some felt fundamentalism was a term of honor, but others decided it had become an embarrassment. These men, given the New Evangelical label, went their own way, started their own schools and journals, and moved to the top of Mount Olympus away from uncouth Fundamentalists. It started in 1947 with Carl F. Henry’s book, The Uneasy Conscience of Modern Fundamentalism which strongly criticized Fundamentalist separation from unbelievers, so Evangelicals separated from Fundamentalists!

Soft Fundamentalists, called “New Evangelicals,” got as uncomfortable as a dog in hot ashes when preachers or authors demanded separation from the world and from religious unbelief. Fundamentalists taught, “Come on out” while the New Evangelicals taught, “Stay in and fight.” Two problems with that: it is disobedience to the Word and they didn’t do any fighting. They talked but refused to fight. Compromising Evangelicals seldom barked and never bit anyone. Most Evangelical leaders are not toothless but they are spineless.

Dr. Harold Ockenga started the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) in 1947 as dissatisfaction was simmering throughout fundamental churches. Desiring to be known as “intellectuals,” New Evangelicals ended up with pseudo-intellectualism. They started Fuller Seminary taking the name and reputation of old time Fundamentalist Charles E. Fuller; however, the seminary was a poor imitation of historic Christianity. It is even more so today.

R.C. Sproul, Jr. (himself an Evangelical) said that an Evangelical is a Fundamentalist who wants the respect of Modernists, and sells his soul to get it. Some wags would say that Evangelicals are better at selling souls than saving souls. Sproul added, “We evangelicals are they who cut this deal with the Modernists, ‘We will call you brother, if you will call us scholar.’” Ah, yes, “scholar.” That is the driving desire of most Evangelicals–intellectual respectability.

Sometimes, the strict Fundamentalists were not very intellectual plus they sometimes wore shiny vinyl shoes and white socks with a blue suit and clip-on tie! Gasp! We were told that the alleged anti-intellectualism of Fundamentalists made it impossible to win Modernist preachers; however, the problem with the Modernist was not his self-professed intellectualism but his unspoken, unacknowledged, and unconfessed sin. This intellectualism argument is one of the main strings Evangelicals pluck ad nauseam and it smacks of arrogance and elitism.

Evangelical leader Billy Graham hit the big time in his Los Angeles Tent Crusade in 1949. In 1956, Graham, his father-in-law Nelson Bell, and Harold Ockenga started the magazine Christianity Today. Since that time, CT has been the obedient and reliable mouthpiece for loosey-goosey Evangelicalism.

Graham was the most successful promoter of “ecumenical evangelism” or “cooperative evangelism.” Few Fundamentalists would object to cooperative evangelism but see compromise, compliance, and corruption in ecumenical evangelism. Billy Graham, in order to reach the masses, decided that he would cooperate with unbelieving religious leaders, contrary to his former assurances to Bob Jones, John R. Rice, William B. Riley and others. He decided that he would preach anywhere under any sponsorship as long as there were no strings attached. At first blush that may sound noble and desirable but it is the anteroom to compromise.

After 1949, in Graham’s crusades the leading unbelieving pastors were in control, making decisions, leading in prayer, while the few Fundamentalists sat in the shadows. Often Billy sneered at Fundamentalists and refused to be called one, although it is a fact that Fundamentalists educated him and gave him his start in evangelism.

Thousands of times, Fundamentalist pastors in various cities served faithfully preaching the Word, and then Graham came to town insisting on cooperating with unbelieving religious leaders for his crusade. That compromise is the most visible difference in fundamentalism and evangelicalism. It is a fact that many Christians who defend Graham would never put up with their pastor calling lost pastors, even Catholic priests, their brothers and recommending their work.

One can discuss and debate whether ecumenical evangelism is scriptural or not but if II John 10-11 is right then such compromise is sinful. However, it is not debatable that Graham has colluded and compromised, but has never challenged unbelievers who supported his crusades. His cooperation with these pastors endorsed their false ministries. The fact that some people trusted Christ in the crusades is no justification for clear disobedience to Scripture.

I have often noticed the defensive, defiant, and distasteful attitude that many Evangelicals have toward Fundamentalists. Not sure, but I think they are guilt-ridden over their cowardice in facing the truth and making amends for a lifetime of compromise. I invite the guilt-stricken Evangelicals to “come home” to the roots of their fathers. All will be forgiven and I for one will personally kill, dress, and barbeque the fatted calf, wash off the stink of the pigpen, put a ring on their finger, shoes on their feet and may even dance a jig (solo, of course) upon their return.

The split should not have happened in midcentury and the breach can be healed. The last sixty plus years were summed up by R. C. Sproul, Jr. in “Our Fundamentalist Betters.” “The fundamentalists of the last century were laughed at and scorned. And for that they earned the praise of Jesus. May we find the courage not only to affirm the fundamentals, but may we be given a double portion of the spirit of the fundamentalists. They fought the good fight, while we collaborated. They kept the faith, while we merely kept our positions in our communities. May we learn to fear no man, and to fear God. For such is the beginning of wisdom.”

That says it all. Are you fitting or following?

(Dr. Don Boys is a former member of the Indiana House of Representatives, author of 14 books, frequent guest on television and radio talk shows, and wrote columns for USA Today for 8 years. Three years ago, the second edition of ISLAM: America's Trojan Horse! was published, and his new eBook, The God Haters is available for $9.99 from www.thegodhaters.com. These columns go to newspapers, magazines, television, and radio stations. His other web sites are www.cstnews.com and www.Muslimfact.com. Contact Don for an interview or talk show.)

Copyright 2013, Don Boys, Ph.D.

"Like" Dr. Boys on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CSTNews?ref=hl and http://www.facebook.com/TheGodHaters?ref=hl Follow Dr. Boys on Twitter at https://twitter.com/CSTNews


TOPICS: Apologetics; Ecumenism; Evangelical Christian; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: biblical; boys; christians; donboys; politesociety; rcsprouljr; sproul
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1 posted on 03/02/2013 7:16:40 PM PST by John Leland 1789
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To: John Leland 1789

Some good observations here. I think we’re all reaching the point where there will be no other choice but to be “All offensive, all the time,” unless we deny Christ. And gosh, we Southern church ladies don’t like to give offense, but one could get into it, with practice ...

I for one have a lot of suppressed hostility looking for a suitable outlet ...


2 posted on 03/02/2013 7:19:43 PM PST by Tax-chick (We don't like original material, unless it's been done before.)
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To: John Leland 1789
Fundamentalists taught, “Come on out” while the New Evangelicals taught, “Stay in and fight.”

I think it cuts both ways. You don't necessarily have to compromise your beliefs to try to work in the world and make it a better place. One of the key issues is, simply, voting. Under this definition, Fundamentalists simply stay home on election day, whereas the new Evangelical way of thinking is that if Christians stay home, that simply hands the country over to the enemy.

I'll grant that with the RINO establishment doing its work, there often isn't much choice in who to vote for. But, when that's the case, I think that simply means that all good Christians need to try to fix that, too. On whatever level they can.

It's an imperfect world, and a disappointing one. But it won't get better if the Christians all retreat from the world and let it go to hell. Maybe it will go to hell, anyway, but they should make every effort to fight the growth of evil in the world.

3 posted on 03/02/2013 7:28:17 PM PST by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: John Leland 1789

Couple of weekends I went to a church that had a tagline something like “Church for people who don’t do church”.

I don’t even know how to describe it but in 75 minutes they never cracked a Bible and only fleetingly referenced a couple passages with out reading them.

I want the truth, not a secular story with some Jesus added to make it sound good. How about a biblical story with some real like sprinkled in it?


4 posted on 03/02/2013 7:34:26 PM PST by pennyfarmer (Your socialist beat our liberal AGAIN.)
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To: John Leland 1789

makes sense. bookmark.


5 posted on 03/02/2013 7:51:30 PM PST by dadfly
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To: John Leland 1789

Don’t most Christians believe they’re Biblical?


6 posted on 03/02/2013 7:54:22 PM PST by Invincibly Ignorant
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To: John Leland 1789

So do these people not believe in Christ’s words:
“Love one another as I have loved you.”


7 posted on 03/02/2013 7:57:46 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: John Leland 1789
You might want to take a look at Darryl Hart's Deconstructing Evangelicalism
8 posted on 03/02/2013 8:12:20 PM PST by Lee N. Field ("You keep using that verse, but I do not think it means what you think it means." --I. Montoya)
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To: John Leland 1789

Bump for later


9 posted on 03/02/2013 8:41:58 PM PST by right way right (What's it gonna take? (guillotines?))
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To: Cicero
Some believe that when God says for us to come out from the world that they need to take the extreme measure that Jim Jones did and moved to South America.
It has nothing to do with being hermits or isolationism.

It's a mentality, when God calls us to " COME OUT " he means for us to not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of you mind by the word of God.... the greek word for this is metanoia, to have a change of mind, repent, that's what repentance means, to have a change of mind.
You can be on a mountain top as a Christian but still think, act, and do the things of this world.
To not be conformed to this world is to not think like this world thinks, act like this world acts.
The number one influence in this world on our culture is the main stream media and Follywood.
The main stream media and Hollywood is a cult.
God is calling us not to be like them, just as God told Israel not to be influenced by the Philistines.
God tells us Christians not to act like the world does, not to think like man kind does, we are to be different, set apart..... if needs be ? outcasts.

10 posted on 03/02/2013 10:10:16 PM PST by American Constitutionalist
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To: pennyfarmer
Without Jesus Christ as front and center then ? it's a cult.

11 posted on 03/02/2013 10:12:08 PM PST by American Constitutionalist
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To: Salvation
When Jesus told us to love one another he meant for Christians to love one another, in that way the world may know that we are his.
God never told us to love this world and all that is in it.
12 posted on 03/02/2013 10:14:06 PM PST by American Constitutionalist
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To: American Constitutionalist

Excellent points. One can talk about Evangelicals vs. Fundamentalists all day and never get around to talking about The Lord Jesus. He is the point, not any of the labelled schools of faith.

God’s creativity is limitless. He can use a fire breathing brimstone type and a gentle dove type with aplomb. “Consider, therefore, the kindness and the sternness of God.” Sometimes sternness is just the right kind of medicine needed to attack unbelief. Let the attack commence! Once the “patient” breaks, let the doves do their gentle work.

I cannot be alone in being sick to death of Christian camps of thought that try to cut the Living God down to human size. “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and harden whom I choose to harden”. The Lord is not asking for Baptist, Pentecostal, Reformed, Catholic, or other permission to show mercy or harden. Period.

He decides. So call on His name, people! He is rich in mercy.


13 posted on 03/03/2013 3:00:28 AM PST by avenir (I'm pessimistic about man, but I'm optimistic about GOD!)
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To: John Leland 1789

oh, I like this article! :)


14 posted on 03/03/2013 3:31:10 AM PST by RaceBannon (When Chuck Norris goes to bed, he checks under it for Clint Eastwood!)
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To: avenir
God knows and uses the correct measure to correct his children, and rebuke the world.
However, the bible tells us that God is not willing that any should parish, but is so patient with us, now ? that should make us more fearful with God than his sternness.

It is God's goodness, kindness that leads us to repentance, and all repentance is, is to stop being stubborn, doing it your way and have a change of mind.
When God brought Israel to the verge, threshold of entering the promised land ? they were stiff necked and stubborn in their unbelief.
They didn't mix their faith with believing.
The book of Hebrews talks much about this.
The writer of the book of Hebrews tells us to only be fearful of this one thing, that we don't forfeit and that we won't enter into God's rest for us because of unbelief.
That we don't forfeit, enter into salvation in Jesus Christ and eternal life because of unbelief.
Doubt is a matter of the mind, and unbelief is a matter of the will and heart.
15 posted on 03/03/2013 3:36:32 AM PST by American Constitutionalist
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To: Tax-chick

I first heard of this Dr. Ockenga (pronounced `Ocking-gay’, no joke) in college from my fundamentalist roommate who regarded him as the devil incarnate.

In my humble view, separating oneself from this corrupt world begins with the TV remote. Simplistic, but true. And when bored, reach for your Bible, not the remote.

Not familiar with this divide between Evangelicals as I’m not really Christian, I’m Catholic. Unless the divide is Sola Scriptura versus Crystal Cathedral. Maybe, JMHO.


16 posted on 03/03/2013 5:48:31 AM PST by elcid1970 ("The Second Amendment is more important than Islam.")
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To: elcid1970
In my humble view, separating oneself from this corrupt world begins with the TV remote.

There's a lot to be said for that.

17 posted on 03/03/2013 6:27:33 AM PST by Tax-chick (We don't like original material, unless it's been done before.)
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To: Tax-chick
Southern church ladies don’t like to give offense

Southern ladies are extremely well versed in offensive dialog. The reason it often goes unnoticed is that they have such a lovely delivery. No matter how offensive or downright vile the verbiage they always conclude with “bless their heart” and that makes it all palatable.

18 posted on 03/03/2013 6:44:50 AM PST by MosesKnows
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To: American Constitutionalist

Yes. As I said, it cut both ways. But there was a time when many Evangelicals simply stayed home on election day, and a moment when they got together and decided that they would try to get out the vote, even if none of the candidates were real Christians. But a right-to-lifer was better than an abortion lover.

Regretably, the RINO GOPe has done its best to mock and suppress that movement. It got Bush into office twice, yet Rove persuaded him to turn his back on his base after the second time. Still, I think that was a positive step.

I agree that, in the old phrase, Christians should be in the world but not of the world.


19 posted on 03/03/2013 7:12:33 AM PST by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: John Leland 1789

I guess I don’t know what an Evangelical is. I just read the bible a lot and believe it completely.


20 posted on 03/03/2013 7:27:25 AM PST by DungeonMaster (Low information Christians are turning the USA into Europe.)
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