Recently, I was part of a FB discussion regarding Stephen Furtick, pastor of the Elevation Church, who is in the process of building a 1.4 million dollar home. I was fascinated, shocked and moved by the visceral discussion that encompassed what I think was well over 140 posts. That discussion/debate, along with numerous other conversations in the past have led me to the following observations...
Note: No one person or group fits all of the criteria or descriptions below, but I do believe broadly speaking it is a fair comparison and analysis.
Contemporary Fundamentalism: The New Christian "Holiness" as the Ardent Practice of Social Justice.
In the 1980's Christian FUNDAMENTALISM distinguished itself by demanding that everyone rigorously practice a list of avoidance behaviors, often described as "Biblical Morality." To be "HOLY" meant that one's life was clearly separated and distinct from the world by the obvious absence (as well as condemnation) of "immoral" sins such as fornication/adultery, use of alcohol, abortion and affirmation of homosexuality to name a few.
Christian Fundamentalism was primarily informed by the Epistles of the New Testament. Christian Fundamentalists were largely theocratic, placed heavy emphasis on "Biblical TRUTH," (read also "Judgmental") and believed a nation would (avoid the judgment of...) be blessed by God if they did not practice the sins of Israel in the Old Testament (See Major Prophets). To be like Holy like Jesus meant to be "Biblically moral." Their message was an attempt to speak from the Bible to an increasingly depraved World, that it might be warned and thus saved before the final Judgment.
In our contemporary society there has emerged a new kind of Christian FUNDAMENTALISM that is distinguished by a rigorous critique of Capitalism, minimalist living and uniform acceptance equity for ALL; known otherwise as "Social Justice," (to name a few). To be "Holy" means that one's life is clearly separated and distinct from the world by the obvious and universal absence (but condemnation) of the gross possession of material goods, the flat rejection of "alienation" or "marginalization" of any one person or ideological group and the demonization of the business corporate institution.
This new kind of Fundamentalism is primarily informed by the Synoptic Gospels, more specifically the Beatitudes of Jesus Christ. Social Justice Christians tend to be more autocratic, placing heavy emphasis on "Biblical "GRACE," (read also never "Judgmental" towards non-Believers) and believe the nation would be blessed by God if we did not practice the sins of oppression in the Old Testament (See Minor Prophets). To be Holy like Jesus means to be committed to the whole of "Social Justice" issues. Their attempt is to speak on behalf of a broken world, from the Bible, in order to fulfill humankind's great and emerging potential without fear of Judgment.
In short, particularly among many Younger Evangelicals, the new and emerging Fundamentalism, is Christian Holiness as the practice of Social Justice.
Note: There are many other correlations that could be outlined, but for the sake of time and space I opted to omit them.
Addendum:
The 1980's Fundamentalist and Contemporary Social Justice Fundamentalists can all fit the criteria below, which basically describes the nature of "Fundamentalism" as a whole:
1. Specific FUNDAMENTAL tenets, or the principles of the faith, have been identified as true and non-negotiable for all believers.
2. Supportive Biblical exegesis, connected to the life and teachings of Jesus, are identified and highlighted for believers to zealously embrace and follow - in order to answer: "If you really want to be like Jesus, you must do..." (A Mishnah of sorts!)
3. Certain, obvious behaviors, attitudes and values are identified as being (biblical) like Jesus, while others are clearly identified as being unlike Jesus... This usually manifests itself in some form of black and white thinking... Even as (counter) culturally redemptive.
4. The emergence of certain popular "prophetic voices" ("thus saith The Lord!") emerge within the culture to bring direction and clarity to the masses through their books and seminars etc. resulting in GROUPTHINK.
5. Certain people/groups develop WE Vs. THEM social constructs that can often manifest itself in various forms of judgmentalism and self-righteousness.
6. Eventually, on some level, this kind type of fundamentalism becomes institutionalized on some level/place within the culture.
7. Ideological fundamentalist (often delusionally) can at times see themselves as uniquely and courageously living in a counter cultural manner (me/us against the world), believing that their rare lifestyle can be viewed as a social critique.
Note: No one person or group fits all of the criteria or descriptions below, but I do believe broadly speaking it is a fair comparison and analysis.
Contemporary Fundamentalism: The New Christian "Holiness" as the Ardent Practice of Social Justice.
In the 1980's Christian FUNDAMENTALISM distinguished itself by demanding that everyone rigorously practice a list of avoidance behaviors, often described as "Biblical Morality." To be "HOLY" meant that one's life was clearly separated and distinct from the world by the obvious absence (as well as condemnation) of "immoral" sins such as fornication/adultery, use of alcohol, abortion and affirmation of homosexuality to name a few.
Christian Fundamentalism was primarily informed by the Epistles of the New Testament. Christian Fundamentalists were largely theocratic, placed heavy emphasis on "Biblical TRUTH," (read also "Judgmental") and believed a nation would (avoid the judgment of...) be blessed by God if they did not practice the sins of Israel in the Old Testament (See Major Prophets). To be like Holy like Jesus meant to be "Biblically moral." Their message was an attempt to speak from the Bible to an increasingly depraved World, that it might be warned and thus saved before the final Judgment.
In our contemporary society there has emerged a new kind of Christian FUNDAMENTALISM that is distinguished by a rigorous critique of Capitalism, minimalist living and uniform acceptance equity for ALL; known otherwise as "Social Justice," (to name a few). To be "Holy" means that one's life is clearly separated and distinct from the world by the obvious and universal absence (but condemnation) of the gross possession of material goods, the flat rejection of "alienation" or "marginalization" of any one person or ideological group and the demonization of the business corporate institution.
This new kind of Fundamentalism is primarily informed by the Synoptic Gospels, more specifically the Beatitudes of Jesus Christ. Social Justice Christians tend to be more autocratic, placing heavy emphasis on "Biblical "GRACE," (read also never "Judgmental" towards non-Believers) and believe the nation would be blessed by God if we did not practice the sins of oppression in the Old Testament (See Minor Prophets). To be Holy like Jesus means to be committed to the whole of "Social Justice" issues. Their attempt is to speak on behalf of a broken world, from the Bible, in order to fulfill humankind's great and emerging potential without fear of Judgment.
In short, particularly among many Younger Evangelicals, the new and emerging Fundamentalism, is Christian Holiness as the practice of Social Justice.
Note: There are many other correlations that could be outlined, but for the sake of time and space I opted to omit them.
Addendum:
The 1980's Fundamentalist and Contemporary Social Justice Fundamentalists can all fit the criteria below, which basically describes the nature of "Fundamentalism" as a whole:
1. Specific FUNDAMENTAL tenets, or the principles of the faith, have been identified as true and non-negotiable for all believers.
2. Supportive Biblical exegesis, connected to the life and teachings of Jesus, are identified and highlighted for believers to zealously embrace and follow - in order to answer: "If you really want to be like Jesus, you must do..." (A Mishnah of sorts!)
3. Certain, obvious behaviors, attitudes and values are identified as being (biblical) like Jesus, while others are clearly identified as being unlike Jesus... This usually manifests itself in some form of black and white thinking... Even as (counter) culturally redemptive.
4. The emergence of certain popular "prophetic voices" ("thus saith The Lord!") emerge within the culture to bring direction and clarity to the masses through their books and seminars etc. resulting in GROUPTHINK.
5. Certain people/groups develop WE Vs. THEM social constructs that can often manifest itself in various forms of judgmentalism and self-righteousness.
6. Eventually, on some level, this kind type of fundamentalism becomes institutionalized on some level/place within the culture.
7. Ideological fundamentalist (often delusionally) can at times see themselves as uniquely and courageously living in a counter cultural manner (me/us against the world), believing that their rare lifestyle can be viewed as a social critique.
