100 years ago, this discussion would have called for many authors and many presentations. The voices would need clout, degrees, scholarship, and money. In fact, that is exactly what we find. "The Fundamentals" were 90 essays written by 64 different authors, initially published in 12 volumes.
Those men were fighting significant errors in the church. Modernists were skeptical of everything biblical. No foundational Christian doctrine was safe from the malignant tentacles of modernism.
The battles were fought and won. Not that those in error were convinced to convert, necessarily. And certainly, if anything, the errors of the last century have only morphed and multiplied, becoming even more accepted by mainline denominations and by the unregenerate majority of Christendom.
Meanwhile, the offspring and proselytes of the original fundament Christians began infighting. Noble separation from heresy degraded to ignoble separation based on preferences; or worse, on personality.
So today the discussion among "our brand" of Christians is not about the deity of Christ or the authority of the Scripture. It's about what clothes we wear to church, what style of music we play, which version of the Bible we use, or even some less obvious tradition.
Of course there is a current modern philosophy and perspective that is absolutely incompatible with biblical Christianity. However, that does not mean that everything modern is evil.
In this episode, David and Patrick are joined by Pastor Woody Bates in a kind conversation reflecting on our experiences with the schisms that have molded and marred our journey as Independent Baptists. Although the likes and dislikes of the average American Christian can be unbelievably distracting, in this conversation you will hear us yearning for a deeper and more significant faith that holds to foundational truths unapologetically, but which also shows more grace and avoids selfish pride.
