Here is another definition that is similar:
Definition of FUNDAMENTALISM
So it can refer specifically to Christian fundamentalism where the Bible is interpreted literally and that is fundamental the Christian way of life. The word fundamentalism can be used more generally applied to other religions such as Islam or beyond that political movements.
The reference to twentieth century Protestantism is very relevant here as it is applicable to both my acquaintances beliefs and the Jehovah Witnesses belief. Interestingly, although both these belief systems could rightly be described as fundamentalist, both would reject the other outright. See the problem?
Actually I don't see a problem at all. If God is doing the choosing, then no matter what belief system we have chosen, it will either meet with God's approval or it won't. We choose the belief that appeals to our heart....but if it fails to be the one approved by God...it won't matter. We will not get the reward offered for our obedience to God's laws and our agreement to do his will.
The issue isn't about whether or not we apply principles from our respective faiths wholeheartedly. Rather its about how we arrive at such beliefs in the first place.
Yes I agree. Why we accept one set of religious values over another is what tells God all about us. We show him who we really are....but in many cases this will not result in an expected outcome. Unless we are "doing the will of the Father" the judge of all, Jesus Christ will not recognize us as ever having belonged to him. (Matthew 7:21-23)
Its not so much doubting what it says, as doubting what it means. Christianity has thousands of different sects. Most would see the Bible as authoritative and authentic. Most would also disagree with the interpretation of a sizebale number of believers within differing sects. So Christianity has developed a kind of tribalism where many sects not only see themselves possessing the one truth compared to other religions, but also compared to other groups within Christendom. Consequently, Christianity as a whole looks contradictory, weak and divided.
From the scriptures, it is evident that God feels the same way. Jesus gave us the parable about "the wheat and the weeds".....both growing together in the same world.....one sown by Jesus and the other sown by the devil. One is a poor imitation of the other. Since "few" are on the' cramped and narrow road to life'....that means that the majority of those "Christians" are weedy imitations. (Matthew 7:13-14)
Early Christianity relied to a large extent on outstanding orators or preachers like Paul. This tradition remains very important to my acquiantance who upholds Billy Graham as the standard bearer of the Christian Faith. The Mega-Churches take this approach too. What is required now are more participatory approaches that empower people at the grass roots. Christianity is now rapidly losing ground in the West.
All Christians are under obligation to preach the Kingdom message. It was not dependent upon just itinerant preachers like Paul, but on all who carried Christ's message to their neighbors.
He commanded his disciples.....
“Into whatever city or village you enter, search out who in it is deserving, and stay there until you leave. 12 When you enter the house, greet the household. 13 If the house is deserving, let the peace you wish it come upon it; but if it is not deserving, let the peace from you return upon you. 14 Wherever anyone does not receive you or listen to your words, on going out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I say to you, it will be more endurable for the land of Sodʹom and Go·morʹrah on Judgment Day than for that city." (Matthew 10:11-15, Luke 10:1-3)
Their ministry was conducted "house to house" (Acts 5:42; Acts 20:20) This was a personal message taken directly to the people in their own homes.
What worked two thousand years ago is not necessarily applicable today and that is the whole problem with Biblical literalism. The world has changed and Christanity is confused and in disarray. Many Christians often struggle to have the world embracing view required for the current age.
Because this situation was foretold, we have an expected outcome....one that is NOT all embracing.
I do not believe that God accepts all religions as mere expressions of his will in different time periods. He kept his own people screened off from the world so that they would not "embrace" other ways of religious thinking. When they did, he punished them. If he was 'all embracing', why would he do that?
So as Jesus enabled His followers to build on what had gone on before and established a new Covenant, so the Baha'i Faith builds on religious traditions of the past. Baha'u'llah has reframed the message of the Prophets of Old and adapted it for our current age.
Baha'u'llah may be your prophet but he is nothing to me. His words are meaningless to those taught by Christ Jesus.....but you are as free as I am to choose your belief system for whatever reason you need to.
Therein lies another problem. Other Christians will make the similar claims to have studied the Bible for years, yet come to very different conclusions.
Again, I see no problem. The choice of who is a "sheep" and who is a "goat" is not mine to make. Jesus is the one who determines such things. Whatever conclusions people come to is their affair. Jesus knows who are "doing the will of of the Father" and those who just think they are. (Matthew 7:21-23)
What sets the JWs apart from other Christians is their insistence on being the sole possessor and arbitrator of religious truth.
That set Jesus and his disciples apart too. There is only one truth and we either have it or we don't. God reveals his truth to those who have a heart in agreement with his own. No matter how much we protest about any of it...it won't change the end result. We are at this moment choosing our own destiny.
Over the last two years I have seen you make better attempts to engage with those of different faiths and that is a positive thing. I do think you struggle to properly appreciate and understand other religions and in that regard your JW faith does you a disservice.
You will forgive me if I disagree....I understand other faiths very well.....it is part of the process of elimination that we all must make when determining the right path to follow. According to Jesus, there are only two roads.....one leads to life...the other leads to death. It isn't rocket science.....we are all on either one path or the other....only the judge knows which one. All we have to distinguish them is that one is cramped and difficult...the other is easy and imposes no restrictions. We choose the path...so we choose the destination.
