Unbounded Words

My family is in a time of transition. We really don’t know what we should call ourselves. We have long been associated with a movement. The Independent Fundamental Baptist movement. That really doesn’t say a lot about us, because there are so many unique “camps” that call them selves such. Most all of them in our area are associated with King James Onlyism.

There are numerous other “convictions” which the various independent churches hold to. These “convictions” vary from one extreme to the other among these churches. Many times when one church holds a “conviction” that another church does not, the church holding the “conviction” will feel it necessary to separate from the other church declaring it as “worldly.”

Examples of these “convictions” are things like: women wearing pants; Christians attending movie theaters; listening to Contemporary Christian Music; listening to Bluegrass; listening to Southern Gospel; owning a television; owning a computer; and many other such things.

The reason I put the word conviction in quotes was because I do not see them as true convictions. If they are convictions, I do not believe they are from either the Scripture or the Holy Spirit. Thus, in my opinion, they are just preferences.

But if they are preferences, why would they be reason for one group to separate from another? What do I mean by separate? I mean, not cooperate; not support evangelistic meetings; not support missionaries supported by another; and such. So why is this? I could give you their reasoning, but it doesn’t even make sense to me, and I was one of them for years.

There are also legitimate doctrinal issues which the different “camps” split over. These are things such as the interpretation of the word “repentance;” the doctrine of “Lordship Salvation;” the differing views of eschatology; the views on creation; views of soteriology; the meaning of “husband of one wife;” and a host of other things which one might think to be better left to the individual believer.

Anyway, we lived by many of the “convictions” of our camp because that is what was expected. In order to be a “good Christian” you had to do this, this, and that. No problem. It wasn’t that big of a deal, and in many cases it was also my preference. Then one day all that changed. We went public with our belief on the KJV. Once we did, we were no longer welcome in any of those camps. That was the one thing that most all of them had in common. The KJV was God’s Word for English speaking people, and people who support modern versions aren’t welcome. So, we no longer held to that position. We left our church. Still believing the same on all the fundamental doctrines, we had to decide what we would now be.

What are we? That is something I am still trying to figure out. I know that I am Baptist. I believe in local church government. I believe in a pastor(s), deacons, and voting congregation. I believe in Baptism by immersion of Believers. I believe in the observance of the Lord’s Supper by believers. But there are so many different types of Baptist. Who do we belong to?

Since the only thing that really drove me out was the KJV issue, maybe I should just find an exact replica that doesn’t teach Onlyism. That’s not the easiest thing to do where we’re from. Besides, why not find one that is more like us in other ways? A church that doesn’t have personal “convictions” which aren’t found in the Bible. (At least ones which we don’t find there.)

Finding that church will be impossible. All churches have standards, and believe their standards are based on a proper interpretation of the Scriptures. All I am asking for here is honesty. If the Bible is not specific in this area, don’t be so dogmatic. Just call it a standard, and give the individual believer the liberty which he or she has in Christ. There is no need to break fellowship. And please, get out of this second and third degree separation crap. It reeks of Pharisaism.

So what am I?

Here is what I believe.

1. I believe in the inspiration and total innerancy of the Scriptures.
2. I believe in one God who exists in three distinct persons. The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit.
3. I believe God literally created the universe and man, without any mix of evolution.
4. I believe Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified on a cross, placed in tomb (fully dead), and raised again on the third day.
5. I believe that all humankind is born in sin, guilty before God, and can do nothing of themselves to improve their state.
6. I believe that salvation is by the grace of God, with no mix of anything.
7. I believe in a literal burning Hell for all people who die without being born again, and a literal heaven for all those who pass on from this life and have been born again.
8. I believe Jesus is literally coming again and will set up His kingdom on earth.

What do these beliefs make me?

A Bible Believing Fundamentalist

These above beliefs are what I consider fundamental to the Christian faith. I believe that anyone who holds to these core doctrines and has been born-again can be called brother or sister in Christ. I believe these are the core doctrines required for fellowship and cooperation in evangelistic efforts.

But for joining a church I need to be a little bit more specific. The following are areas which I do not believe disqualify an individual from fellowship, but are based on my personal interpretation of scripture, and that the church I join must hold to.

1. I do not agree with the charismatic movement
2. I do not believe in modern day speaking in tongues
3. I do believe in eternal security of believers
4. I do not believe in a Limited Atonement
5. I do believe in man’s ability to accept or reject the Gospel
6. I believe in a Dispensational interpretation of Scripture
7. I believe in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church
8. I believe in a literal 1000 year earthly reign of Christ
9. I do believe in the Baptist Distinctives as I stated above
10. I do not believe that women are to hold the position of pastor or deacon
11. I do believe that believers should be separate from the world
12. I do believe that believers should be relevant in the world
13. I believe in the Great Commission

So what does this list make me?

A Bible Believing Baptist Fundamentalist

So why am I so confused?