The Parchment and Pen guys have published an interesting article on fundamentalism and modern legalism. Here is an excerpt.
Remember the rigid Fundamentalism of the 60’s and early 70’s? Or, more specifically, do you recall the Baptist Fundamentalism that was prevalent during this particular era of intense cultural upheaval? I sure do…
The advent of the 60’s introduced us to the Beatles, the hippies, the rock & roll revolution, Viet Nam War protests, promiscuous sex, drug abuse, etc., etc., ad nauseam.
But, in Fundamentalist circles the 60’s precipitated something altogether different…..”The list.” Surely you remember “The List.” While pulpiteers gave lip service to the Age of Grace and extolled the virtue of our freedom from the shackles of the Law, in reality, we found that the Decalogue had simply been supplanted by other unwritten regulations, i.e. “The List.”
While hair length, dress code, and music were the chief constituents of this unwritten list of stipulations, this trio was often accompanied by other rules, some of which found their way into church covenants and were therefore codified in written form.
Find the entire article here.
[ht:P&P]
Dear Jeff,
Thank you for giving my blog added exposure on your website. The article on Fundamentalism began as an actual letter to my Pastor. I consider it a written extension of my own personal testimony.
There was a bit of fear and trepidation on my part upon mailing this letter to the senior pastor of FBC. I assumed a measure of risk in sending it. I wasn’t sure how he would react. Thirty years ago, this same church would NOT have been receptive to this letter… But, there is a happy ending to this story. FBC has invited me to teach a seminary level theology curriculum beginning in September, ’08. The curriculum is entitled “THE THEOLOGY PROGRAM” (aka TTP). TTP is a ministry of RECLAIMING THE MIND MINISTRIES which also produces “PARCHMENT AND PEN.”
Forgive the typo’s in the blog. They were not in the original script. For instance, “Noeticeffects” should be “Noetic effects.” Spoken like a true perfectionist, right?
Blessings,
Greg Eby
Local Church Representative
Reclaiming the Mind Ministries
By: Greg Eby on July 24, 2008
at 11:52 pm
Greg,
Thanks for the blog. As a FBC pastor, I found much of what you said familiar to my own thoughts.
Contribute to SoCalTheologica anytime.
Jeff Mooney
By: jeffmooney on July 25, 2008
at 10:11 am