If you’ve never read “The History of Fundamentalism in America” by George Dollar (BJU Press 1973) you should try to find a copy. There’s a chapter in that book called “The Prima Donnas of Fundamentalism” of which the most famous was J.Frank Norris. It wasn’t very long after the Niagra Falls Conferences that fundamentalism began to fracture over personality struggles and college rivalries. A new generation of fundamentalists needs to embrace the dynamic of ideas not celebrity. It’s man’s nature to look for a hero to lead the way. This is what we have in fundamentalism today – several men with mega churches and colleges who make thier ministries the hub or headquarters of certain fragementations of fundamentalism. Would it be possible to abandon the celebrity driven type of leadership and embrace ideas as our leading force?
There’s no way we are going to be able to change any of the current institutions. They are what they are. It will have to be us youngsters who buck the system, and work together without anyone having to be in the spotlight to forge a movement that stands for truth. We need to rebel against the political cronyism that dominates the current state of fundamentalism. Wouldn’t it be great if a new generation of fundamentalism was known for it’s humility instead of its sectarianism? Pride is the pathway to failure in any person, church, movement or institution. I believe that pride has been the distinguishing trademark of fundamentalism in the last century. If as a new generation we could realize that it’s all about Jesus and not about any of us, we could make a big difference that may influence evangelicalism and the rest of the world. When you look at the 1800′s men like D.L. Moody were leading the way, but he was an incredibly humble man. We would do well to learn from their humility as we learn from our forefathers’ theology as well.
JasonS
May 18, 2010
Will,
Thanks for the reminder. I am one of the most arrogant people in the world.
Humility is a must for all of us.