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Fundamentalist? Evangelical? Is there a difference? You bet Date published: 5/31/2007
THE MEDIA POSTMORTEMS Fundamentalists--so self-named because they cleave to the "fundamentals" of the faith rather than following its seductive tangents--form but one part of evangelical America. They are known for interpreting the Bible--every chapter, verse, and passage--literally (except, as one wag noted, the part where Jesus drank "wine," which they deem a mistranslation of "grape-ade"). Dioramas at the new Creation Museum in Petersburg, Ky., show human beings mingling with dinosaurs because the museum's fundamentalist founders believe that the Genesis account limits the planet's age to about 6,000 years. Fundamentalists also bridle at allying with other kinds of believers, much less non-Christians, even in a good cause, and they often look askance at non-fundamentalists' lifestyle laxities, from drinking alcohol to going to the movies. Fundamentalists' politics are normally very conservative. Many would merge faith (theirs) with state policy, mandating, for example, the recitation of Christian prayers and the teaching of Creationism in public schools. Many are ardent anti-internationalists who believe that the anti-Christ (for which post the pope is the traditional leading candidate) will one day hold the reins of power in a world government. Evangelicals share much theology with fundamentalists, including such beliefs as the virgin birth of Christ and the Resurrection, Jesus' exclusive role as the rescuer of mankind, salvation by grace (rather than by good works), and the inerrancy of the Bible. However, as John Green, an expert on American religion at the University of Akron, told PBS' "Frontline" series, "Many evangelicals don't actually read it literally [but] understand that there's metaphor and poetry in the Bible, and it's just that the truth expressed in that metaphor and poetry is without error."
"savedbygracealone" is a paraphrased abridged version of Ephesians Chapter 8 Verse 2 "For it is by Grace we are saved, not by works, lest we should boast". I am a "recovering Catholic. I was raised under the doctrine that I had to EARN my way to Heaven, when the Bible clearly states the opposite. I do not believe one can lose Salvation. I believe there are people that think they are Saved when in reality they are not. It's not my place to judge them or prove their Salvation. God takes care of that just fine
Saved by grace is the Catholic position out of the Catechism. How one receives grace is in dipute. James says not by faith alone, and Jesus says that also in the gospel of the sheep and goats in Matthew. The goats call Him Lord but because their faith had no works they were cast out. SAlvation can be lost if one does not follow Jesus's command to love one another whcih is anactive faith following all the commandments.
Your llegalistic description of Fundamentalist more accurately describes a Reconstructionist. Those are the folks who are trying to create God's Kingdom here on earth by taking over the government. A true Fundamentalist isn't using government's influence to make us behave, but through a personal decision to live as Christ would have us life. Traditionally, Evangelical goals are to bring as many as possible to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Compassion is usually the best way to accomplish this goal.
nuff said. Thanks. Mine's "D" BTW ........only fair.
As for the ACLU, like Evangelism, it started out with a purpose and has been defiled by the extremist. Nothing stays pure and innocent for long in this world.
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