BOOK REVIEWS
“Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed.”
Francis Bacon (d. 1626).

Reviewed by Darold Morgan, Richardson, TX

Fundamentalism
Fisher Humphries and Philip Wise, Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys, 2005.

Here is a small book, which deals wisely, compassionately, and forcefully with one of the most insidious and widespread issues of our day—worldwide Fundamentalism! Not only will this infectious disease of most religions refuse to go away, it is increasing with a ferocity that is incredibly difficult to deal with. People around the world and from practically every religious persuasion and cultural perspective need with a severe urgency to develop insights into this surprising phenomenon. This book is brimming with practical insights.

The authors write with a non-technical approach, making the study easy to understand. The gist of the book is presented with genuine warmth, free from judgmentalism that is refreshing and somewhat surprising when you consider the themes that are involved. Additionally, they help the serious student with an array of resources in their footnotes. American Christianity is the target of this writing, with a specific focus on Baptist practice and tradition in particular. A major strength is seen early as the authors differentiate between the “fundamentals” of the Christian faith and “Fundamentalism,” whose authoritarian style is based on faulty foundations. This extremely important distinction comes in a brief review of the history of these divergent movements, which have colored much of current American religious life.

We have a welcomed emphasis on the fundamentals of the Christian faith. Both in historical settings as well as contemporary usage, the authors do us a great service with these truths. The key doctrines are the inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures, the deity of Jesus Christ as it relates to His death and resurrection and return which, of course, form the basis both for the forgiveness of sins and the assurance of eternal life. There is a substantive list of what Christianity has affirmed through the centuries. (p. 96)

One has to take seriously some of the on-going challenges to New Testament Christianity, challenges of great import to the Fundamentalists—biblical criticism, evolution, and liberal theology among others. The authors deal bluntly with these issues, which often shift in their priorities, especially as these relate to their emphasis on their belief in the inerrancy of Bible’s original manuscripts. The comments of the authors on inerrancy makes this part of their book quite valuable and helpful. How often in the SBC takeover did one hear this subject trumpeted as the touchstone of basic doctrine! For many of us the best way to affirm the truthfulness of the biblical message is the way the church has always done it, namely to affirm that the Bible as we now have it—texts and translations—is the Word of God and as such is the authority by which the church is to order its life and faith. (p. 47)

Perhaps the severest indictment of Fundamentalism comes in their chapter on the attitudes of the proponents of this position. There are multiple victims literally around the world who have experienced the suspicion, fear, anger, and separatism of Fundamentalism. Authoritarism in the name of doctrinal disputes have often degenerated into personal vendettas. There is a lengthy quote from President Jimmy Carter (pp. 63-64), which speaks to Christian love and forgiveness as the basic antidote to this savagery in the name of religion.

For progressive Baptists there is exceptional value in the chapter on “Fundamentalism and Southern Baptists.” Since 1979 Southern Baptists have experienced trauma, tragedy, divisiveness as new leadership, often elected questionably, has taken the historic SBC in obvious directions away from its time-honored heritage. Political maneuverings, selective use of traditions, a heavy-handed control of all agencies, directives to churches, reservations about the time-honored views on separation church and state, and an emerging creedalism which sadly forced a number of missionaries into resignations and early retirements—are some of the results apparent in the SBC since that date.

Can progressive Baptists relate to Fundamentalism? Surely all sides in this on-going conflict should be concerned about the unity and harmony of the churches as collectively we face an increasingly hostile world both at home and abroad. All Christians need to find some distinct middle ground. Kindness, forgiveness, healing, dialogue, and above all, brotherly love need to mark Christians everywhere, regardless of denominations and theological stances.

The concluding chapter deals with “A Better Way.” All of us must resist secularism as well as seeking balanced responses to the problems of biblical criticism and liberal theology. The authors’ evaluations about these demanding and provocative positions merit reflection and debate. The two theologians close their book with a restatement about the importance of “the Fundamentals of the Faith,” instead of a rigid, unyielding Fundamentalism. Their final word is worth quoting: “We believe trust in God is the most wonderful thing that can happen to a person, and Jesus has made this good news a living reality in our experience, and our trust in God is nurtured and challenged in the fellowship of the Christian Church. The Church possesses a confident hope that the future belongs to God just as the past and present do” (p. 98).

Updated Monday, January 23, 2006