Reclaiming Authentic Fundamentalism

by Douglas R. McLachlan, Les Ollila (Foreword)

The price of the new paperback when you can have one a little less new but for much less money seems a good buy to me!

Genres: Theology

166 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone relatively new to the realm of "fundamentalism" (a little over five years), I thought this was helpful in establishing a biblical foundation. Some of the admonitions seem directed to those who have been established in fundamentalism for quite some time and may be (intentionally or unwittingly) contributing to error in one way or another.

The author starts with a chapter outlining the hinderances to a balanced fundamentalism which I thought was good and helpful. He then discusses fives areas that he considers to be vital to the health of this movement: true leadership, authentic evangelism, authentic proclamation, authentic separation and spiritual vitality.

Each topic has some great thoughts and teaching. I especially appreciated the chapter on evangelism and thought the chapter on proclamation was very relevant to today. The chapter on separation was a good overview and it sought to walk a delicate balance - cautioning against going overboard on either side of the issue.

I didn't agree with everything (although it will be good to consider these things more in depth) and I thought there were some sections that needed scriptural support to be cited. In other sections, I would have appreciated the referenced scripture being written out when it was the main argument so that it was right there to read instead of just having the chapter and verse.

The book is well-written but it's almost structured more like a very detailed outline than a book. Each chapter is a series of well-ordered lists of arguments. It's very easy to follow but it felt a little dry and hard to really get into.

I really loved Dr. McLachlan's heart for genuine, humble, biblical fundamentalism and his desire to confront the sinful imbalances with which we so often struggle as individual and corporate theologians. It is clear that he is very knowledgable about the Bible and has a strong desire to apply it rightly and encourage others to do the same (even at the cost of being disliked by his fellow fundamentalists). It is a call from within the movement, not as a criticism from without. There were lots of nuggets in each chapter that were helpful and encouraging to me.

Some of my favorite thoughts:

1. "Fundamentalists hold to a set of beliefs which transcend all cultures and all times because those beliefs are sourced in the eternal Word of God."

2. "We are too often better known for caustic criticisms or perceived error than for careful defenses of revealed truth."

3. "Love is not merely the accompaniment of truth, it is its atmosphere."

4. "Boldness in Scripture never means harshness...Biblically, boldness is genuineness or fullness of communication, the courage to tell the whole truth both comprehensively and compassionately."

5. "It will do neither us nor the cause of Christ any good to feign the defense of the Bible while we are at the same moment denying the integrity of the Bible by violating its ethical principles...doctrinal correctness is never a justification for ethical corruption."

6. "To express holiness and love simultaneously requires sacrifice. How do we know this? The supreme demonstration of holiness and love expressed simultaneously is the cross of Christ, the place of ultimate sacrifice. It was there that both holiness and love were satisfied. The penalty holiness demanded was paid, and the pardon love desired was purchased."

7. "What I know and understand about God's integrity gives me confidence regarding what I don't know or understand about God's sovereignty."

8. "Me-first in time will lead to me-alone in eternity."

9. We need to be "sharing with the lost the way, with the learned the truth, and with the longing the life, which can only mean sharing with them Jesus Christ."

10. "Christians are not to have contempt for the world but compassion for its needy people."

This book is helpful in introducing believers to the true goals of fundamentalism and in inspiring those who have been with it for years (or even decades) to evaluate themselves against scripture and guard against the errors that may be more easily accepted/ignored under this umbrella. It brings each reader back to what the Bible says and to a greater understanding of who God is, how he acts and what he desires.

[Scott Petty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why have I not heard of this book until recently? It, along with Schizophrenic by Tom Brennan, should be in the library of every fundamentalist pastor. Well balanced between pointing out problems and providing biblical solutions without the bitterness so common today. Highly recommended.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A biblical book on Christianity. This is one that I will want to reread every couple of years.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Douglas McLachlan offers an objective, helpful self-analysis of the Fundamentalist movement as it stood at the turn of the century. He identifies the danger of developing a reactionary mindset focused on behavioral patterns, a focus on the superstructure of Fundamentalism. Instead McLachlan urges for a return to the biblical foundation for authentic, historic Fundamentalism. Topics discussed include the view of leadership, evangelism, preaching, and separation. His concerns are helpful and insightful, though not perhaps original. Still, they help to solidify my own thinking as a younger, Bible-focused Fundamentalist.

[Andy]

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