What is a Christian Fundamentalist?

I was recently ridiculed for being a "fundamentalist." Interestingly enough, just one week later, I was blasted for not being one. That encounter reminded me that the term "fundamentalist" means different things to different people in today's world. I did an Internet search for the word "fundamentalist" and found, "fundamentalist" Christians, Mormons, Socialists, Islamic extremists, and more. One site even blamed the behavior of canabalistic murderer, Jeffrey Dahmer, on his "fundamentalist" Church of Christ upbringing. The truth is that most people in our present day have equated the term "fundamentalist" with those who are militant, combative, and mean spirited.

"Fundamentalist" churches are too often those who are irrelevant to the culture and view themselves as the last great defenders of the faith. They rarely reach out and make little if any eternal impact, but they stand proud of their militant positions and mean spirits. This group of "Christian" fundamentalists can be compared to the Islamic fundamentalists in the sense that they believe they are the only ones who have the truth and no one can get to heaven unless they adopt their position.

I personally hold to the belief that a fundamentalist is simply a person who believes in the basic Fundamentals of the Christian faith. Those fundamentals are non-negotiable and include 1) The virgin birth, 2) The deity of Christ, 3) The substitutionary death of Christ, 4) The vicarious sufferings of Christ, 5) The bodily resurrection of Jesus, 6) The inerrancy of Scripture, and 7) The imminent return of Christ. Those are the ONLY non-negotiables of the Christian faith and by that definition, yes... I am a fundamentalist.

Where do I differ from other "fundamentalists?" When people begin to put the King James Version of the Bible on the same level as the deity of Christ...I disagree. When people place particular dress standards on the same level as the virgin birth...I disagree. When people place denominational titles on the same level as the inerrancy of the Scriptures...I disagree. When people place personal preferences on the same level as the bodily resurrection of Christ... I disagree. When non-essentials are listed among the basic, fundamental essentials of the Christian faith and practice...I disagree. Those beliefs are not fundamental, they are foolish!

To be a "fundamentalist" is a good thing, when it means you adhere to the Fundamentals of the Christian Faith. The problem arises when those who call themselves "fundamentalists" dislike and militantly oppose everyone whose opinion differs from theirs. Are you a fundamentalist? Do you believe in the basic tenets of the Christian faith? Can you back your position with Scripture or is it based on personal preferences? This is a great time to do some introspection.