Christian fundamentalism

Christian fundamentalism is a religious movement that emphasizes the exact, literal meaning of the Bible and the idea that miracles and prophecies stopped after the time of the apostles. It began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries among British and American Protestants as a response to changes in religious and cultural thinking. Fundamentalists believed that modern theologians were misunderstanding or rejecting key parts of Christian faith, especially the idea that the Bible is completely without error.

People who follow Christian fundamentalism usually hold strong beliefs about the Bible being totally accurate and trustworthy. They often focus on five main ideas, called the "Five Fundamentals," which include the historical truth of the Bible and the return of Jesus Christ. This movement appeared in various church groups rather than just one specific church. It became more organized in the 1920s in the United States, especially among Presbyterians, Baptists, and Methodists. Many of these churches were very passionate about protecting their core beliefs.

Terminology

The word fundamentalism started being used in English in 1922, and it is sometimes written with a capital F when talking about a special group of people with strong religious beliefs. Over time, by the end of the 20th century, the word fundamentalism began to have a negative meaning. Some people started using it to describe religious fanaticism or extremism, even for groups that weren’t part of the original movement.

Some people who share many of the same beliefs as the original fundamentalist movement don’t like the word fundamentalism because it has this negative meaning. Others are proud to use it. In parts of the United Kingdom, saying someone is a fundamentalist with the purpose of causing religious anger can break the Racial and Religious Hatred Act from 2006.

History

The Christian fundamentalist movement began in 1878 during a meeting called the "Believers' Meeting for Bible Study" in the United States, where leaders agreed on 14 important beliefs.

The movement grew from traditions in British and American religious thinking during the 1800s. After the Civil War, some leaders began to question parts of the Bible because of new scientific ideas, while others strongly believed the Bible was completely true. These disagreements became bigger after World War I, leading to what is called the fundamentalist/modernist split.

From 1910 to 1915, a series of essays called The Fundamentals: A Testimony to the Truth was published. In 1910, a church group listed five key beliefs: that the Bible was inspired by God, that Jesus was born to a virgin, that his death forgave sins, that he rose from the dead, and that his miracles really happened.

During this time, many believed the Bible should be read exactly as written and that modern ideas could lead people away from the truth. Schools and churches trained many leaders who helped spread these beliefs, especially in the southern United States. In the 1940s, some Christian groups chose to separate from modern culture, while others wanted to engage with it.

Changing interpretations

People have thought about Christian fundamentalism in different ways over time. In the 1930s, some believed it was a reaction from people in smaller towns against big city changes. By the 1950s, others saw it as a way of thinking that did not like new ideas.

Starting in the late 1960s, many began to see it as a strong religious movement all on its own. Some said that fundamentalists were just as smart as others, but they thought differently. In the 1970s, others linked it to old ideas about the end times.

In 1980, George Marsden described it as a strong protest against modern ideas in religion and culture. Some today separate fundamentalists from other Christians called evangelicals, saying fundamentalists were more forceful and less willing to work with modern groups. By the 1940s, some of these strong believers started calling themselves evangelicals instead, showing they were less forceful.

By region

North America

Fundamentalist movements grew in most North American Protestant groups by 1919, especially after debates about modern ideas in groups like the Presbyterians and Baptists. These movements were most active in Canada and the United States.

Canada

In 1892, Peter Wiley Philpott started the United Christian Workers in Hamilton, Ontario. This group later became the Associated Gospel Churches of Canada. In 1919, Philpott spoke at a meeting in Philadelphia, saying that personal faith in God cannot be argued against.

Another leader was Thomas Todhunter Shields, who led many Baptist churches in Ontario to form a new group in 1927. He also started a newspaper that reached many readers around the world.

Oswald J. Smith started The Peoples Church in Toronto in 1928. He wrote many books and did mission work everywhere. Billy Graham called him a great leader.

United States

William Bell Riley was a key leader in the United States. He started schools and, in 1919, helped create the World Christian Fundamentals Association. This group became important for fundamentalist Christians in the 1920s.

Many fundamentalist schools and colleges grew from this movement, especially in the South. By the 1970s, most fundamentalist Christians lived in the southern states like Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Evolution

In the 1920s, fundamentalist Christians disagreed on how to understand the creation story in the Bible, but they all believed God created the world and humans. Some thought the Earth was old, while others believed it was young. Many fought against teaching evolution in schools.

One big event was the 1925 Scopes Trial, where William Bell Riley helped bring attention to the debate. After this, fundamentalists had less success in changing laws about evolution. Some tried new ways to challenge evolution, like using ideas about "intelligent design," but courts said these were not science.

Christian right

In the late 20th century, many fundamentalist Christians became active in politics. They supported Israel and were concerned about laws about prayer and Bible reading in schools. Groups like the Moral Majority and the Christian Coalition helped elect leaders who shared their views.

Australia

In Australia, one major group of fundamentalist churches is the International Network of Churches. Earlier, the Logos Foundation was influential but disbanded after problems in the 1990s.

Russia

In Russia, fundamentalist Christianity is often linked with the Russian Orthodox Church. Some groups, like the Sorok Sorokov Movement, formed in reaction to protests and social changes. These groups sometimes support strong national leaders and have been involved in political activities.

By denomination

Independent Baptist Churches

Main article: Independent Baptist

Independent Baptist Churches focus on studying the Bible by taking each story as it is written. They believe the Bible is completely true and never wrong. They often use only one specific version of the Bible and do not work closely with other church groups that have different beliefs.

Methodism

Further information: Conservative Holiness Movement

Some Methodist churches follow very strict rules and believe in staying separate from the world and other church groups. They focus on living in a way that shows respect and holiness in everyday life.

Nondenominationalism

In many churches that do not belong to a larger group, the words "biblical" or "independent" are often used in their name. These churches usually do not join with other church groups, even though some groups share similar beliefs.

Reformed fundamentalism

Main article: Reformed fundamentalism

Reformed fundamentalism includes churches in the Reformed tradition, such as Continental Reformed, Presbyterian, Reformed Anglican, and Reformed Baptist Churches. These churches believe the Bible is completely true and follow old statements of faith very closely.

Examples include the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster.

Criticism

Some people believe that reading the Bible word for word, as Christian fundamentalists do, can miss the real meaning the stories were meant to share. They also think this approach can make God seem strict and punishing instead of loving and kind.

Researchers have noticed that some who strongly follow these beliefs may also believe in unusual ideas, like modern flat Earth beliefs. They have tried to teach ideas such as intelligent design instead of evolution in schools, which has led to legal cases like Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District. Courts have said these teachings cannot be used in public schools because they are based on religion.