Yes, I expect that if I was in administration, they’d be singing “Leaving on a Jet Plane” over a few of these attitudes.

Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

I’m amazed at some of the NBBC students comments over at Pensees. I guess we can’t take them as representative, but it looks like trouble to me.

Hi Chris

Yes, that is correct. Thinking on these themes led me to start reading some articles in the Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary Journal. It is probably the best writing on fundamentalism and fundamentalist topics in the last ten years, I’d say. Not to say I agree with everything there, but I think they have done some very good work there.

The first article in the first edition of the Journal by Roland McCune got me thinking in particular about the essential defining mark of fundamentalism. That mark is militancy directed against false doctrine and compromise with false doctrine. The militancy amongst a good deal of this crowd is directed towards fundamentalists (who are legalistic and mean), but not toward men who make serious doctrinal or associational compromises.

However…

We just carry on.

Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

There is a segment of the young fundamentalist population that is itching to tear down historical fundamentalism and defend new evangelicalism. While they embrace the fundamentals, they also despise the perceived “legalistic” leanings of their forebears. i.e: Criticism of liberal preachers makes them “uncomfortable”, but criticism of the “hellfire and brimstone types” makes them feel “sophisticated”.

You were wise to point out that many of these same people have an axe to grind on Calvinism. This is a connection I have recognized, but not fully understood. They have two favorite sports: nailing the old fuddy-duddy fundamentalists and splitting hairs on Calvinism, Ultra-Calvinism, Uber-Calvinism or whatever they may be calling it this week.

Honestly, the whole thing is tiresome.

Chris