The Fundamental Church

It makes me utterly sad that I must make the distinction, but many are fallen and not all who claim Christianity believe in the Jesus of the Bible or the foundational beliefs of the faith.

Nearly all beliefs are under attack today. Heaven, hell, angels, demons, miracles, the crucifixion, the existence of Jesus, Jesus’ claim to deity, Jesus’ birth, man’s sin, the trustworthiness of the Bible.... the list goes on and on. 

Now I am not talking about these beliefs being attacked by the world, it is no surprise that those who do not believe would not believe in such things. Neither am I speaking of mere church-goers, for going to church does not necessitate belief, but I am speaking of a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a thief in shepherd’s garments. I am speaking of preachers and leaders of churches, revivals, and in many cases large groups of people in sometimes blatant sometimes subtle un-christian beliefs. 

Now granted I am defining Christian here as per fundamental, biblical principles, but even then, it was not unforeseen that perversions of these biblical principles would arise...

Mark 13:22 - “For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”

2 Peter 2:1 - “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them...”

These factions of ‘heresies’ are numerous and multiplicitious. They also range from new to old. To list a few, there are the Gnostic, the Unitarian, the gospel of wealth, and some are so drastic in their differences that many Christian denominations (contrary to their self-perception) deem them to be cults such as the Church of the Latter-Day Saints (Mormons), and Jehovah’s Witnesses. 

But under this tab, as the distinction is necessary, will be Christian principles based upon the precept of Biblical accuracy.

It makes me sad, that such a distinction must be made. I think back to a story I heard of a man who went to Christian seminary. One of his seminary professors in front of class in essence asked, ‘who here truly believes this stuff?’ Nary a hand was raised. In a seminary training pastors to lead people to Christ and nearly a hand was raised when asked if any of them believed in Christ. The professor continued to plant and grow seeds of doubt about the Christian faith. The student turned to the man on his left and on his right and asked them... ‘If you don’t believe, then why are you here?’

Jared Williams