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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2015-10-01, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015. By Pastor Ernest Dow Living Water Christian Fellowship, Blyth A Sept. 24 news headline reads, “Pope Francis warns against fundamentalism in historic speech to joint session of Congress.” Move over, mobsters and drug dealers: apparently “fundamentalists” are the new ‘bad guys’. But what exactly is a ‘fundamentalist’? How would we recognize one if we met them on the street? Let’s see if we can understand first what the pontiff means by the term. Here’s a quote from his address to Congress, to provide some context: “All of us are quite aware of, and deeply worried by, the disturbing social and political situation of the world today... Our world is increasingly a place of violent conflict, hatred and brutal atrocities, committed even in the name of God and of religion. We know that no religion is immune from forms of individual delusion or ideological extremism. This means that we must be especially attentive to every type of fundamentalism, whether religious or of any other kind. A delicate balance is required to combat violence perpetrated in the name of a religion, an ideology or an economic system, while also safeguarding religious freedom, intellectual freedom and individual freedoms.” So, in view of this context, it seems the Pope has particularly in mind violent fundamentalists; those who spring from religious (or other) convictions to deadly forms of action that endanger or threaten the lives of others. In recent years, bombings by radicalized Islamic extremists would be one example; though there have also been incidents of deadly Hindu mobs in India terrorizing religious minorities, or the conflict between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland decades back, or fanatic cult leaders such as Jim Jones and the ensuing massacre. One would hardly take umbrage at the pontiff for criticizing such deadly deeds and their perpetrators. But is fundamentalism in itself bad, or just the violence which results when some tenets are pushed to the extreme? Who exactly classifies as a ‘fundamentalist’? Could you or I be one, perhaps without knowing it? How does the dictionary define the term? The New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (1993) defines “fundamentalism” as: “The strict maintenance of traditional orthodox religious beliefs or doctrines...” Hmm; by that definition, would not the Pope himself classify as a “fundamentalist”? Along with most of his associated cardinals and bishops, if not the entire Vatican? Somehow I don’t think that’s quite what Pope Francis intended by his remarks. The definition continues, “esp. belief in the inerrancy of Scripture and literal acceptance of the creeds as fundamentals of Protestant Christianity.” Again, I doubt whether the Pope or the cardinals would quibble with the essentials of the Apostle’s Creed, Nicene Creed, etc. – although they are definitely not Protestants. I don’t know too many Protestants who believe Jesus’ parables actually involved a widow who banged relentlessly on a hard-hearted judge’s door, or a priest and Levite who, on a certain day, bypassed a fellow Jew who’d been mercilessly beaten up before being rescued by - of all people - a Samaritan. We, like Jesus and His hearers, understand parables are word pictures that convey truth without having to be ‘literally’ true – without having to have taken place historically at a certain time and place. Let’s back up a bit to the root of the word: “fundamental”. That same dictionary defines this as, “1. Of or pertaining to the basis or groundwork; going to the root of the matter. 2. Serving as the base or foundation; essential or indispensable.” The same authority describes “fundament” as “The ground, base, or principle on which anything is founded” (from the foundation or base of a wall, building, etc.). In some respects, our culture – which is predominantly secular, pluralistic, diversity-affirming, politically correct, and relativistic – is somewhat allergic to people who cling rigidly to a particular set of beliefs and assumptions as essential, indispensable, basic and non- negotiable. Such points of view can seem as awkward and irritating when voiced in a public forum as a bit of ragweed pollen lodged in the nose of a hay fever sufferer. One example: this weekend my wife and I and hundreds of others across the country plan to again take part in “LifeChain”, a peaceful protest in which we stand at the side of a street holding signs that maintain abortion is wrong and that Jesus heals and forgives. We’re not being violent in any way, or threatening anyone’s safety, but probably some folks will find our actions troubling and offensive. Does this make me a “fundamentalist” – having and expressing an opinion on something that seems foundational or basic? What about the apostles? Could they not as well potentially be labelled “fundamentalists”? Paul wrote to one church, “Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.” (1Corinthians 15:1-5) Sounds like he wants them to “take a stand” and “hold firmly” to some key facts that are “of first importance” – foundational, basic. Was even Jesus a “fundamentalist”? As for inerrancy, He affirmed, “the Scripture cannot be broken.” (John 10:35) He held that “not the least stroke of a pen” would disappear from the Law until all was accomplished. (Matthew 5:18) He decreed his movement would exhibit a single basic criterion: “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) Sounds pretty non-negotiable to me! So, before labelling and dismissing someone as a “fundamentalist”, perhaps it’s important to determine more precisely the nature of their foundational beliefs, and discern whether these actually lead necessarily to violence and destruction, or if perhaps there are some fundamentals that may actually prove helpful in the long run. And, who knows... perhaps even true! getlivingwater.org Living Water Christian Fellowship 10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School at 308 Blyth Rd. (former Church of God) Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848 Oct. 4: Matt. 4:18-22 LWCF’s 14th ANNIVERSARY! (POTLUCK) “What We Are Learning from Followers of Jesus in Other Parts of the World” Evangelical Missionary Church This Sunday 2 pm “LifeChain” in Wingham & Goderich Tues. 7:30 pm Wingham Small Group Wed. 10 am “Coffee Break” Women’s Bible Study Guest speaker — Regional Minister Claran Martin From the Minister’s Study What makes a fundamentalist? Dow asks BRUSSELS WORSHIP SERVICE AND SUNDAY SCHOOL 11:00 am All Welcome United Church Minister: Rev. Gary Clark, BA, M.Div. Bulletin notices: 519-523-4224 blythunited@tcc.on.ca Church bookings: 519-887-6377 Other concerns: 226-963-1175 MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Rev. Elwin Garland SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4 Nursery care available 519-887-9017 Worship & Sunday School - 10 am Coffee & Snacks - 11 am We invite you to join our church family in: Fridays 11:30 am - 1:00 pm ~ Soup & More 2 - a free community meal held in Melville’s basement, and made possible by the Brussels churches working together. THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO ATTEND HOLY MASS. OUR SUNDAY LITURGIES ARE AS FOLLOWS: Brussels: St. Ambrose Saturday 6:00 p.m. 17 Flora Street Wingham: Sacred Heart Sunday 9:00 a.m. 220 Carling Terrace Listowel: St. Joseph’s Sunday 11:00 a.m. 1025 Wallace Avenue N. SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00 am Evening Service 7:30 pm Hwy. 4, Blyth www.blythcrc.ca 519-523-4743 Minister: Pastor Gary van Leeuwen You’re Invited To Join Us In Worship BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Youre Invited to come worship with us Sunday, October 4 Brussels Business & Cultural Centre at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday School for children 4 to 12 years of age at 9:30 a.m. Childcare provided for infants and preschoolers during the sermon. Coffee & cookies after the morning service. For additional details please contact Pastor Andrew Versteeg 519.887.8621 Steve Klumpenhower 519.292.0965 Rick Packer 519.527.0173 CORNER OF DINSLEY & MILL STREETS MINISTER Rev. Gary Clark, BA, M. Div. All Welcome MUSIC DIRECTOR Floyd Herman, BA, M. Ed.OFFICE: 519-523-4224 Sunday, October 4 We’ve Saved You A Place At The Table Sunday, October 11 Thanksgiving Sunday Worship Service & Sunday School at 10 a.m. MUSIC DIRECTOR Floyd Herman, BA, M. Ed. Children Welcome