Why I am a fundamentalist

by Henry J. Reyenga, Guest Writer

Here in the halls of Calvin Theological Seminary, we are constantly educated about being pastoral in every situation. That includes being careful about the words we use about others. And while all of us can make mistakes in this area, I notice that one group of people are fair game for ridicule: fundamentalists.

Now, to be certain, there are many views held by “some” fundamentalists that are just plain old un-Reformed and worthy of critique. But “fundamentalists” are a huge group; furthermore, many fundamentalists now go by the name “evangelical” to avoid the sneers of the “fundamentalist” label. In the original fundamentalist-modernist controversy, however, it was the fundamentalists who defended such doctrines as the inerrancy of scripture, the virgin birth of Christ, the physical truthfulness of the resurrection, etc.

What about this does the general population of Calvin Seminary disagree with? We are taught all of these doctrines in our systematic theology classes here at the seminary. Are we not classic fundamentalists?

Now, you would be correct to say that fundamentalism has evolved into something broader. Today the term 'fundamentalist' has been rejected, even by most fundamentalists, because of what that term has come to mean. The popular culture around us calls all extreme forms of religion fundamentalism. And the fundamentalists have a penchant for being very fervent in their religious opinions. (As do we at Calvin Seminary, but everything is called “Reformed” here.)

It is for this trait that fundamentalists, I believe, get the most of their ridicule. It isn’t the predominating presence of dispensationalism, or the high incidence of legalism that motivates most people to dislike fundamentalists; it is their ability to just say what they believe unflinchingly and often times in an untactful manner. And obviously what they believe stands in contrast with someone else, who typically doesn’t appreciate the fundamentalist’s religious concern for them.

This flaw of what gets called fundamentalism is a valid problem. Sharing your religious convictions is an important part of evangelism, when it gets unproductive is when it gets more angry than instructive. When the truth gets separated from any sense of love and concern for the person they are talking to, people gain nothing from a lecture. Unfortunately, at Calvin Seminary our dislike of the fundamentalist’s ability to say what they think with no “pastoral” tact, has made our criticism of them very un-pastoral and at times very cruel towards our brothers and sisters in Christ who own this label.

I am concerned that in our high minded view that we are not like those poor fundamentalists (does the story of the Pharisee come to mind?) that we have hurt our ability to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with people who have been affected by the excesses of fundamentalism. I am also concerned that our ability to share our religious beliefs boldly, and dare I say it a bit, riskily (like the fundamentalists do) has also been compromised.

The gospel is something that just isn’t “pastoral” all the time. The gospel confronts our sin and offers us hope through faith in Christ as Lord. It doesn’t sugarcoat the matter: humans need a savior. Being “pastoral” is very important in our ministry; however, it cannot be an excuse for refusing to speak the truth. The Ten Commandments tell Reformed Christians that rules aren’t exactly popular. The Bible says things that don’t mix well with the world we live in. Sometimes being Christian means we have to stick our necks out and say, “This is what God wants in his Word.”

So I consider myself Reformed and fundamentalist. I hope that my urgency to proclaim the truth is fundamentalistic, and I hope that my treatment of fellow believers is pastoral, and my theology is Reformed. This is what I would like the CTS community to consider. Let’s not be afraid of stating our positions - and even arguing over them at times - and let’s not be afraid to just speak the gospel and its full implications. In doing so, let’s be a tad more pastoral in our treatment of our poor friends the fundamentalists.

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