What if the Fundies Are Right?

When liberalism took over after Darwin's theory, conservatives responded by forming fundamentalism. Fundamentalists believed in a literal interpretation of the Bible. It tended to believe in separation from worldly activities. Over time, the less rigid, but still Biblical, conservative branch popped up. They referred themselves as evangelical. Today fundamentalists are a small fraction who are separatists. They do not listen to contemporary Christian music and use the King James Version. Today the biggest conservative wing is the evangelicals. Have you ever wondered, what if the fundies are right?

Many have said that fundamentalists are legalists. They say they go too far. It is believed that they make rules that are not Biblical. Let's start with separatism. The Bible commands believers to be in the world and not of it.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." (Romans 12:1)

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15)

"To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?" (2 Corinthians 2:16)

The Bible does teach separatism. Sometimes this even requires Christians to withdraw from other Christians. (Matthew 18:15-22; Revelation 2:2; Revelation 2:14-15) This should be done in a careful, thoughtful way. On the issue of separatism, what if the fundies are right?

The Bible stresses holiness. (Leviticus 11:44; 1 Peter 1:16) Being holy is to confirm to who God is. It is adopting the character of God. Fundamentalists does not like to listen to CCM because it is adopting the world. Should we be more like the world or like Christ? They believe that you should dress nice to show the importance of going to church. What if the fundies are right?

There is an argument that fundies are legalist. Could it not be argued that the Bible is legalist? There is no requirement to being saved. All that is required is to believe. The holiness is a requirement in sanctification. Should we not err on the side of legalism? So I ask again, what if the fundies are right?