Over the past five to six years the internet has been abuzz with various self-identified fundamentalists decrying various “problems” within fundamentalism, past and present, perceived and real, and casting a pleasant look over the fence at evangelicals, particularly those closer to the fence. Allusions have been made that a “converging” of fundamentalists and these “conservative” evangelicals would be a good and necessary corrective to those above mentioned “problems.” Those who have articulated on this vein have been really rather quiet about the real doctrinal differences with those on the other side of the fence (see Dr. Bauder’s series starting here, warning there are 24 parts in this series; for full disclosure, Dr. Bauder does seem to retreat a bit here). Instead they have sought to downplay those doctrines and seemingly relegate them to some “step-child,” insubordinate status in things Biblical. Now we have some who are indeed actually calling for a “converging” of these two groups as recently posted at SI (link here). Still others have taken the plunge and engaged having evangelicals into their institution (links here and here and here and here).
But is this really a “converging”? Since the fundamentalist/new evangelical split of the 40’s and 50’s, the pronounced marker for their differences has been the fundamentalist’s militant adherence to the doctrine of separation and the evangelical’s repudiation of said doctrine or at best inconsistent application. With that said, this is not a “converging” but a “departure.” Those fundamentalists who wish to engage these evangelicals on an equal plain are not “converging” but “departing” from historic fundamentalism and a clear, Biblical view of the doctrine of separation just like the original new evangelicals of a generation ago did.
To those who desire to “depart,” I say, bye. It is time for some “house cleaning.” It is time for some robust trumpet notes of a certain sound. Will this be pleasant? By no means! Like the previous departure, friend will be leaving friend, partnerships will be severed, fellowships will be torn. This is necessary, though it may be hard. Paul told Timothy in II Timothy 4 to “preach the Word” and then tells him that there will be those who “will not endure sound doctrine.” This departing from sound doctrine has been ongoing since Paul’s day and has particularly raged and ravaged the church since the 1800’s.
For those who may wonder about “historic fundamentalism” and “the doctrine of separation,” I refer you to several books which form the basis for my understanding. First, and foremost, the Bible, then; Biblical Separation: The Struggle for a Pure Church, by Dr. Ernest Pickering; Contending for the Faith, by Dr. Fred Moritz; Be ye Holy: The Call to Christian Separation, by Dr. Fred Moritz. For the historical context, A History of Fundamentalism in America, by Dr. George W. Dollar; In Pursuit of Purity: American Fundamentalism Since 1850, by Dr. David Beale; The Tragedy of Compromise: The Origin and Impact of the New Evangelicalism, by Dr. Ernest Pickering, and Promise Unfulfilled: The Failed Strategy of Modern Evangelicalism, by Dr. Rolland McCune.
