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Christian Fundamentalist’ - a Distortion of the Truth
Like just about everyone else, I am appalled at the recent tragedy in Norway. I am not eloquent at expressing my feelings on such occasions and would have preferred to leave this task to others who can say it so much better. But my heart and prayers go out to all those people and families affected, irrespective of their religious and political persuasions, or lack of them.
But there is one issue that I feel I can and should address: and that is the assertion that the perpetrator was a ‘Christian Fundamentalist.’
I don’t deny there is an extremist, hate-filled minority that call themselves ‘Christian Fundamentalists’ in an attempt to justify their actions: but to do so displays a ‘fundamental’ lack of understanding of both words. And if we don’t challenge it, we will let the idea that this behaviour is consistent with Christianity gain ground and stain the reputation of the millions of true Christian Fundamentalists worldwide.
A Fundamentalist is one who seeks to go back to the basic, original concepts of a thing; and a Christian is one who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ. Few people in history have suffered as much at the hands of their opponents and yet so consistently rejected hatred or the use of force or violence as a means of persuasion. “Love your enemies…” he said, “…do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.” And even while being nailed to the cross, his prayer was, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
So, to call oneself a ‘Christian Fundamentalist’ whilst engaging in acts of hatred and violence is a straight contradiction of terms.
You may say, “Haven’t Christians been guilty of many such acts over the last 2,000 years?” Yes, sadly, that is true: but it is the result of drifting away from the fundamentals of Jesus’ own teaching and practice: not of following Christ. Others may say: “Is that supposed to mean that the use of force is never justified?” Arguably, there are times when even Christians may feel obliged to use force to prevent even worse acts of violence and hatred. Christians have different opinions about this: but it’s an argument about exceptional circumstances, not about the basics of Jesus’ teaching – it is not fundamentalism.
If only there were more Christian Fundamentalists, the world would be a safer, more peaceful and more love-filled planet!
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Kevin King, 26/07/2011 |
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Items in this Section:
| True story of a girl dying of meningitis complications in a remote hospital. Unable to save her, a doctor prays... |
| | Katherine, one of our members, shares her testimony of God's miraculous healing. |
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| Was the Norway massacre the work of a 'Christian Fundamentalist'? |
| | The moving aftermath when a youngster is knocked down by a car in Mexico... |
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| Wheelchair bound no more! Ex-dancer Julie Sheldon's story of the healing power of Jesus. |
| | A story that tells how God took Jez from the "cider bench" to become the Man of God he is now. |
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Quote
"The willing heart of those who are ready to listen and obey prompts and draws speech out of God."
Wynn James, 16/10/11
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