HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe 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