Marie Komar (17 Jan 2005)
"The 'New' Christians"

The Omega Letter Intelligence Digest
Vol: 40 Issue: 16 - Sunday, January 16, 2005

The 'New' Christians
Christianity has been really taking it on the chin so far in 2005, seemingly more so than last year, which ended on the rather overly-optimistic Red States = JesusLand formula.
Attacks on organized Christianity are softening as the Left comes to grips with the reality that, if it hopes to regain power, it will need to adopt a more 'faith-based' philosophy -- albeit a faith-based philosophy that can incorporate abortion, gay rights, homosexual unions and a God Who doesn't mind His Power being limited by the US court system.
A January 9 New York Times article entitled "More Religion, But Not the Old Time Kind" outlined the left's proposal for a kindler, gentler faith-based system.
Writing about the new 'religiosity' in the previously undiscovered country of 'JesusLand', Laurie Goodstein asks, "What does all this rising religiosity add up to?" No good, obviously.
In answering her own question, she telegraphs her worldview, writing, "It is easy to assume that a more religious world means a more fractious world, where violent conflict is fueled by violent fundamentalist movements."
In this worldview, the danger of religion is a rise in 'fundamentalism' but she assures us that, "some religion experts say that while it is clear that religiosity is on the rise, it is not at all clear that fundamentalism is."
Then comes the setup for the one-two punch: "Indeed, there may be a rising backlash against violent fundamentalism of ANY FAITH."
What is 'fundamentalism' if it is not the fundamental teachings of a particular faith? The Islamic fundamentalists are following the fundamental teachings of the Koran. Islam has a basic doctrine, just as does Christianity.
First, a look at the Christian fundamental teaching-- the Great Commission. Christianity's doctrine, at its most fundamental, is that all men are sinners who need a Savior and that God has provided for salvation by faith in Jesus Christ as the only way to heaven.
It is the fundamental duty of the Christian to tell others the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The Islamic fundamental teaching has a similar goal, but a different method. Islam's fundamental doctrine is the overspreading of Islam throughout the Dar al Haram [Zone of War] until all the infidels have been converted to Islam by whatever means necessary -- including at the point of a sword.
It is the fundamental duty of a Muslim, according to the Koran, to die, if necessary in that goal. In Islam, martyrdom in a declared jihad is a guarantee of Islamic 'salvation.'
An Islamic apologist might argue that my definition is of 'militant fundamentalism', but what is 'militant fundamentalism' but the willingness to be martyred rather than compromise on the fundamentals as practiced by the first adherents to the faith?
That is what Goodstein was telegraphing in her headline, 'More Religion, but Not the Old Fashioned Kind' -- "Old Time Religion" = "Militant Fundamentalism".
Early Islam practiced the fundamentals of its faith, expanding the Islamic Empire in its Golden Age until it eventually conquered the Middle East, North Africa and half of Europe before being stopped at the Battle of Tours in 732.
That is 'militant Islamic fundamentalism' -- the core teachings from which modern Islam emerged.
Early Christianity practiced the fundamentals of its faith by being martyred in the millions for refusing to reject Jesus and stop spreading the message of Good News to the world.
And THAT is 'militant Christianity' -- core teachings from which Christianity emerged.
To the Left, being a Christian fundamentalist or an Islamic fundamentalist is a distinction without a difference -- "a rose by any other name" to borrow from Shakespeare. A fundamentalist is a fundamentalist and the more fundamental one is, the more 'militant' one is.
To prove the point, Goodstein quotes a definition offered by Professor Martin E. Marty, professor emeritus of the history of Christianity at the University of Chicago Divinity School.
She writes, "Professor Marty defines fundamentalism as essentially a backlash against secularism and modernity." If Professor Marty says so, it must therefore be true.
Goodstein explains that a 'fundamentalist' is different than an 'evangelical', saying, "most of the Protestants who make up what some call the Christian right are not fundamentalists, who are more prone to create separatist enclaves, but evangelicals, who engage the culture and share their faith."
Let's stop here for a second and untangle things. Most of us choose to identify ourselves, I would hazard a guess, as 'evangelicals' rather than 'fundamentalists'.
So, what does 'evangelical' mean? According to the dictionary, 'evangelical' means:
1:"relating to or being a Christian church believing in personal conversion and the inerrancy of the Bible especially the 4 Gospels; "evangelical Christianity"; "an ultraconservative evangelical message"
2: of or pertaining to or in keeping with the Christian gospel especially as in the first 4 books of the New Testament
3: marked by ardent or zealous enthusiasm for a cause.
Does THAT sound to you like "most of the Protestants who make up what some call the Christian right?"
Protestants include Lutherans, Anglicans, United Methodists, Episcopalians and Presbyterians, and pretty much everybody else except fundamentalist Bible churches and Pentecostals.
Among their doctrinal truths are replacement theology, salvation by works, Arminiansim, and have included supporting Palestinian rights, divestiture of investment in Israel, inclusion of gay clergy, abortion rights, etc., etc.
(Not all of those named support all of those heresies, but all of them support at least one, so, if you are a member of one of those denominations, think THAT through before you flame me, please.)
So, now we return to whether you are a Christian 'fundamentalist' or a Christian 'evangelical'. If you are an 'evangelical' you will be pleased to learn that you are included by Goodstein among the 'good' Christians'.
"For example, at the fundamentalist Bob Jones University, in Greenville, S.C., students are not allowed to listen to contemporary music of any kind, even Christian rock or rap," writes Goodstein.
"But at Wheaton College in Illinois, a leading evangelical school, contemporary Christian music is regular fare for many students." Evangelicals are not so bad, but fundamentalists [like those turned out by Bob Jones University] are clearly a few theological sandwiches short of a church picnic.
According to Christianity as defined by the New York Times, "Christian fundamentalism emerged in the United States in the 1920's, but was already in decline by the 1960's. By then, it had been superseded by evangelicalism, with its Billy Graham-style revival meetings, radio stations and seminaries."
Later, in the context of explaining the murderous behavior of Islamic 'fundamentalists', Goodstein explains why Islamic fundamentalists are so dangerous.
"By their very nature, fundamentalists endure because they are motivated by transcendent ideas like salvation or, in some places, martyrdom."
Goodstein then enlists the aid of Thomas Farr, former State Department Director for International Religious Freedom in order to tie it all together for her.
Identify the fundamentals, and you can identify and tag the 'fundamentalists' before they get out of control.
"Do these religions have within them exclusivist tendencies in an absolutist sense, or can they be open to other human beings outside their circle? These are inevitably theological questions."
Assessment:
Just over three years ago, I wrote:
"One of the three legs of the antichrist's powerbase is a global religion. Revelation 13:11 speaks of the false prophet represented as a beast who had "two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." The Lamb is representative of Christianity. The dragon is Satan. So the religion of the false prophet has the appearance of Christianity but the doctrine of Satan. Hatred, violence and war."
Fundamentalism = Extremism
'Fundamentalism' and 'extremism' have become synonymous. Fundamentalist Christians oppose abortion, extremists blow up abortion clinics, and it soon becomes 'fundamentalist Christians blow up abortion clinic'. Jewish extremists commit an act of terror, and the headline reads, 'ultra-fundamentalist Jews commit terrorist act'. Fundamentalist Islamists shout 'God is great' before an act of terror and a phrase of worship inspires terror and panic.
This isn't a rant -- there is an important shift in perspectives taking place preparing the way for the coming Lamb of the Dragon. While the 9/11 attacks have inspired many to faith, it is faith in a God of no doctrine. Jesus, Allah and God become one in this new politically-correct faith. Imams, rabbis and Christians share the national pulpit.
These new faith seekers are interested in the protection of the Hand of God, but are not particularly interested in seeking His Face. Salvation by faith through grace, or even the necessity for salvation are fundamentals of Christianity. And fundamentalism is equated with extremism. There are no altar calls at the all inclusive religion of Global Tolerance. Nobody need fear being offended.
This shift is already discernible. Watch for it to lead to calls for a kinder, gentler, all inclusive global religious system, accompanied by inspiring, logical sounding slogans, a 'God for all people', or maybe 'a religion for all mankind', 'where nobody is left behind' or some other politically correct catch phrase.
It will have the appearance of Christianity, it will preach tolerance, inclusiveness and love, and it will seem a good thing to everybody but the extremists who insist on things like a literal interpretation of the Bible, an expectation of judgment on the word or the exclusionary view that there is no salvation apart from Jesus.
[The Omega Letter, Vol. 4, Issue 2, January 2, 2002)
I didn't include that (rather) lengthy excerpt to prove that I am smarter than the average bear, or that I am some kind of prophet, (even though my three-year-old excerpt sounds like it was written as an assessment of today's briefing.)
I included it to make the point that the Bible is true. I have no other source of information concerning the last days except the Bible that reveals it.
God doesn't appear to me in dreams or speak to me from a cloud. He speaks to me the way He speaks to you -- through His Revealed Word.
The Bible describes the religion of antichrist as 'having two horns like a Lamb, [Christianity] but spake as a dragon [Satan]".
The religion of antichrist will be a counterfeit form of Christianity in which 'fundamentalists' will be subject to execution by decapitation. (Revelation 20:4)
The antichrist will launch an all-out religious persecution of the Jews, during which time, according to Jesus, "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service." (John 16:2)
If that is the religion of the antichrist, then it draws its core doctrine from somewhere. It is a doctrine in which fundamentalism is a capital offense. Anyone who rejects the Mark and refuses to worship the beast is a 'fundamentalist' -- both by decree and in point of fact.
In 2005, the push has already begun to identify the fundamentalist 'threat'. The ones labeled by the New York Times as being those who, "have within them exclusivist tendencies in an absolutist sense."
Included are those 'exclusivist absolutists' who actually BELIEVE Jesus meant it when He said, " I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me."
I am not a prophet, but Bible prophecy is as certain and sure as having a copy of tomorrow's New York Times today. The Bible is true. These ARE the last days foretold by Scripture.
Events continue to unfold with such accuracy to the revealed Word that one can assess today's news with a three-year-old assessment. Based on what the Bible said WOULD happen, if these are indeed, the last days according to Scripture.
Trust Jesus. He is preparing to come for His Church.
"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts." (2nd Peter 1:19)
Archives of past issues of The Omega Letter Intelligence Digest plus many other Omega Letter member features can be found at: www.omegaletter.com


The Omega Letter Intelligence Digest Vol: 40 Issue: 16 - Sunday, January 16, 2005
The 'New' Christians Christianity has been really taking it on the chin so far in 2005, seemingly more so than last year, which ended on the rather overly-optimistic Red States = JesusLand formula. Attacks on organized Christianity are softening as the Left comes to grips with the reality that, if it hopes to regain power, it will need to adopt a more 'faith-based' philosophy -- albeit a faith-based philosophy that can incorporate abortion, gay rights, homosexual unions and a God Who doesn't mind His Power being limited by the US court system. A January 9 New York Times article entitled "More Religion, But Not the Old Time Kind" outlined the left's proposal for a kindler, gentler faith-based system. Writing about the new 'religiosity' in the previously undiscovered country of 'JesusLand', Laurie Goodstein asks, "What does all this rising religiosity add up to?" No good, obviously. In answering her own question, she telegraphs her worldview, writing, "It is easy to assume that a more religious world means a more fractious world, where violent conflict is fueled by violent fundamentalist movements." In this worldview, the danger of religion is a rise in 'fundamentalism' but she assures us that, "some religion experts say that while it is clear that religiosity is on the rise, it is not at all clear that fundamentalism is." Then comes the setup for the one-two punch: "Indeed, there may be a rising backlash against violent fundamentalism of ANY FAITH." What is 'fundamentalism' if it is not the fundamental teachings of a particular faith? The Islamic fundamentalists are following the fundamental teachings of the Koran. Islam has a basic doctrine, just as does Christianity. First, a look at the Christian fundamental teaching-- the Great Commission. Christianity's doctrine, at its most fundamental, is that all men are sinners who need a Savior and that God has provided for salvation by faith in Jesus Christ as the only way to heaven. It is the fundamental duty of the Christian to tell others the Good News of Jesus Christ. The Islamic fundamental teaching has a similar goal, but a different method. Islam's fundamental doctrine is the overspreading of Islam throughout the Dar al Haram [Zone of War] until all the infidels have been converted to Islam by whatever means necessary -- including at the point of a sword. It is the fundamental duty of a Muslim, according to the Koran, to die, if necessary in that goal. In Islam, martyrdom in a declared jihad is a guarantee of Islamic 'salvation.' An Islamic apologist might argue that my definition is of 'militant fundamentalism', but what is 'militant fundamentalism' but the willingness to be martyred rather than compromise on the fundamentals as practiced by the first adherents to the faith? That is what Goodstein was telegraphing in her headline, 'More Religion, but Not the Old Fashioned Kind' -- "Old Time Religion" = "Militant Fundamentalism". Early Islam practiced the fundamentals of its faith, expanding the Islamic Empire in its Golden Age until it eventually conquered the Middle East, North Africa and half of Europe before being stopped at the Battle of Tours in 732. That is 'militant Islamic fundamentalism' -- the core teachings from which modern Islam emerged. Early Christianity practiced the fundamentals of its faith by being martyred in the millions for refusing to reject Jesus and stop spreading the message of Good News to the world. And THAT is 'militant Christianity' -- core teachings from which Christianity emerged. To the Left, being a Christian fundamentalist or an Islamic fundamentalist is a distinction without a difference -- "a rose by any other name" to borrow from Shakespeare. A fundamentalist is a fundamentalist and the more fundamental one is, the more 'militant' one is. To prove the point, Goodstein quotes a definition offered by Professor Martin E. Marty, professor emeritus of the history of Christianity at the University of Chicago Divinity School. She writes, "Professor Marty defines fundamentalism as essentially a backlash against secularism and modernity." If Professor Marty says so, it must therefore be true. Goodstein explains that a 'fundamentalist' is different than an 'evangelical', saying, "most of the Protestants who make up what some call the Christian right are not fundamentalists, who are more prone to create separatist enclaves, but evangelicals, who engage the culture and share their faith." Let's stop here for a second and untangle things. Most of us choose to identify ourselves, I would hazard a guess, as 'evangelicals' rather than 'fundamentalists'. So, what does 'evangelical' mean? According to the dictionary, 'evangelical' means: 1:"relating to or being a Christian church believing in personal conversion and the inerrancy of the Bible especially the 4 Gospels; "evangelical Christianity"; "an ultraconservative evangelical message" 2: of or pertaining to or in keeping with the Christian gospel especially as in the first 4 books of the New Testament 3: marked by ardent or zealous enthusiasm for a cause. Does THAT sound to you like "most of the Protestants who make up what some call the Christian right?" Protestants include Lutherans, Anglicans, United Methodists, Episcopalians and Presbyterians, and pretty much everybody else except fundamentalist Bible churches and Pentecostals. Among their doctrinal truths are replacement theology, salvation by works, Arminiansim, and have included supporting Palestinian rights, divestiture of investment in Israel, inclusion of gay clergy, abortion rights, etc., etc. (Not all of those named support all of those heresies, but all of them support at least one, so, if you are a member of one of those denominations, think THAT through before you flame me, please.) So, now we return to whether you are a Christian 'fundamentalist' or a Christian 'evangelical'. If you are an 'evangelical' you will be pleased to learn that you are included by Goodstein among the 'good' Christians'. "For example, at the fundamentalist Bob Jones University, in Greenville, S.C., students are not allowed to listen to contemporary music of any kind, even Christian rock or rap," writes Goodstein. "But at Wheaton College in Illinois, a leading evangelical school, contemporary Christian music is regular fare for many students." Evangelicals are not so bad, but fundamentalists [like those turned out by Bob Jones University] are clearly a few theological sandwiches short of a church picnic. According to Christianity as defined by the New York Times, "Christian fundamentalism emerged in the United States in the 1920's, but was already in decline by the 1960's. By then, it had been superseded by evangelicalism, with its Billy Graham-style revival meetings, radio stations and seminaries." Later, in the context of explaining the murderous behavior of Islamic 'fundamentalists', Goodstein explains why Islamic fundamentalists are so dangerous. "By their very nature, fundamentalists endure because they are motivated by transcendent ideas like salvation or, in some places, martyrdom." Goodstein then enlists the aid of Thomas Farr, former State Department Director for International Religious Freedom in order to tie it all together for her. Identify the fundamentals, and you can identify and tag the 'fundamentalists' before they get out of control. "Do these religions have within them exclusivist tendencies in an absolutist sense, or can they be open to other human beings outside their circle? These are inevitably theological questions." Assessment: Just over three years ago, I wrote: "One of the three legs of the antichrist's powerbase is a global religion. Revelation 13:11 speaks of the false prophet represented as a beast who had "two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." The Lamb is representative of Christianity. The dragon is Satan. So the religion of the false prophet has the appearance of Christianity but the doctrine of Satan. Hatred, violence and war." Fundamentalism = Extremism 'Fundamentalism' and 'extremism' have become synonymous. Fundamentalist Christians oppose abortion, extremists blow up abortion clinics, and it soon becomes 'fundamentalist Christians blow up abortion clinic'. Jewish extremists commit an act of terror, and the headline reads, 'ultra-fundamentalist Jews commit terrorist act'. Fundamentalist Islamists shout 'God is great' before an act of terror and a phrase of worship inspires terror and panic. This isn't a rant -- there is an important shift in perspectives taking place preparing the way for the coming Lamb of the Dragon. While the 9/11 attacks have inspired many to faith, it is faith in a God of no doctrine. Jesus, Allah and God become one in this new politically-correct faith. Imams, rabbis and Christians share the national pulpit. These new faith seekers are interested in the protection of the Hand of God, but are not particularly interested in seeking His Face. Salvation by faith through grace, or even the necessity for salvation are fundamentals of Christianity. And fundamentalism is equated with extremism. There are no altar calls at the all inclusive religion of Global Tolerance. Nobody need fear being offended. This shift is already discernible. Watch for it to lead to calls for a kinder, gentler, all inclusive global religious system, accompanied by inspiring, logical sounding slogans, a 'God for all people', or maybe 'a religion for all mankind', 'where nobody is left behind' or some other politically correct catch phrase. It will have the appearance of Christianity, it will preach tolerance, inclusiveness and love, and it will seem a good thing to everybody but the extremists who insist on things like a literal interpretation of the Bible, an expectation of judgment on the word or the exclusionary view that there is no salvation apart from Jesus. [The Omega Letter, Vol. 4, Issue 2, January 2, 2002) I didn't include that (rather) lengthy excerpt to prove that I am smarter than the average bear, or that I am some kind of prophet, (even though my three-year-old excerpt sounds like it was written as an assessment of today's briefing.) I included it to make the point that the Bible is true. I have no other source of information concerning the last days except the Bible that reveals it. God doesn't appear to me in dreams or speak to me from a cloud. He speaks to me the way He speaks to you -- through His Revealed Word. The Bible describes the religion of antichrist as 'having two horns like a Lamb, [Christianity] but spake as a dragon [Satan]". The religion of antichrist will be a counterfeit form of Christianity in which 'fundamentalists' will be subject to execution by decapitation. (Revelation 20:4) The antichrist will launch an all-out religious persecution of the Jews, during which time, according to Jesus, "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service." (John 16:2) If that is the religion of the antichrist, then it draws its core doctrine from somewhere. It is a doctrine in which fundamentalism is a capital offense. Anyone who rejects the Mark and refuses to worship the beast is a 'fundamentalist' -- both by decree and in point of fact. In 2005, the push has already begun to identify the fundamentalist 'threat'. The ones labeled by the New York Times as being those who, "have within them exclusivist tendencies in an absolutist sense." Included are those 'exclusivist absolutists' who actually BELIEVE Jesus meant it when He said, " I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." I am not a prophet, but Bible prophecy is as certain and sure as having a copy of tomorrow's New York Times today. The Bible is true. These ARE the last days foretold by Scripture. Events continue to unfold with such accuracy to the revealed Word that one can assess today's news with a three-year-old assessment. Based on what the Bible said WOULD happen, if these are indeed, the last days according to Scripture. Trust Jesus. He is preparing to come for His Church. "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts." (2nd Peter 1:19) Archives of past issues of The Omega Letter Intelligence Digest plus many other Omega Letter member features can be found at: www.omegaletter.com