Religious FundamentalismReligious FundamentalismProtestantsProtestants

JewsJewsMuslimsMuslims

Changes In MembershipsChanges In Memberships

• Mainline Churches Losing MembersMainline Churches Losing Members– Methodists 11 million members in 1965 Methodists 11 million members in 1965

DOWNDOWN to 8 million in 2000. to 8 million in 2000.

• Religious revivals spur Religious revivals spur HolinessHoliness and and PentecostalPentecostal movements movements

• Fundamentalist Churches Gaining Fundamentalist Churches Gaining MembersMembers– Southern Baptists: 11 million members in Southern Baptists: 11 million members in

1965 1965 UPUP to 16.4 million in 2003. to 16.4 million in 2003.

• Why?Why?– Rational choice?Rational choice?– Conversion v. SocializationConversion v. Socialization– MigrationMigration– Escape from the hazards of “modernity”Escape from the hazards of “modernity”

What Is An Evangelical Christian?What Is An Evangelical Christian?

““A Protestant whose faith in Jesus Christ compels both an A Protestant whose faith in Jesus Christ compels both an acceptance of Him ‘as Lord and Savior’ and a responsibility to acceptance of Him ‘as Lord and Savior’ and a responsibility to

share the ‘good news’ with others.”share the ‘good news’ with others.”

Primary Goal?Primary Goal?

Evangelize the world and convert the world to ChristEvangelize the world and convert the world to Christ

Five Key Components:Five Key Components:• The supreme authority of the ScriptureThe supreme authority of the Scripture• Jesus Christ as incarnate God (“Jesus only”)Jesus Christ as incarnate God (“Jesus only”)• The importance and relevance of The Holy SpiritThe importance and relevance of The Holy Spirit• The requirement for The requirement for personalpersonal conversion (“born again”) conversion (“born again”)• The importance of the Christian witnessThe importance of the Christian witness

Doctrinal Distinctives • Movement Membership • Religious AffiliationDoctrinal Distinctives • Movement Membership • Religious Affiliation

“Evangelical” Combinations Pop % Pro Life

4 doctrines, movement, evangelical protestant 5.1% 81%

4 doctrines, no movement, evangelical protestant 3.2% 65%

4 doctrines, movement, Black 1.9% 56%

2 doctrines, no movement, evangelical 8.3% 28%

Bible True – Jesus Only – Witness – Born AgainFundamentalist – Charismatic/Pentecostal – Evangelical

Evangelical Protestant – Mainline Protestant – Black – Roman Catholic

What Is A Fundamentalist What Is A Fundamentalist Christian?Christian?

““An Evangelical Christian who approaches the bible as the An Evangelical Christian who approaches the bible as the literal and authoritative words of God and not simply the literal and authoritative words of God and not simply the

inspired words of God.”inspired words of God.”

Primary Goal?Primary Goal?

Live a pure life and create a pure society in which to do that Live a pure life and create a pure society in which to do that more effectively.more effectively.

Five Key Characteristics:Five Key Characteristics:

1.1. Interpret the scriptures literallyInterpret the scriptures literally

2.2. No tolerance for religious diversityNo tolerance for religious diversity

3.3. Pursuit of a personal experience of God’s presencePursuit of a personal experience of God’s presence

4.4. Opposition to secular humanismOpposition to secular humanism

5.5. Endorsement of “conservative” political goals.Endorsement of “conservative” political goals.

Fundamentalist Jews?Fundamentalist Jews?Also Known As “The Haredim”Also Known As “The Haredim”

Orthodox Jews Orthodox Jews (strict attention to the details of Jewish worship/ritual)(strict attention to the details of Jewish worship/ritual)

Sectarian Haredic Jews Sectarian Haredic Jews (reject the Jewish trend towards a relationship between Jews (reject the Jewish trend towards a relationship between Jews

and Gentiles in Israel and abroad)and Gentiles in Israel and abroad)

Extreme Ultra-Orthodox Jews Extreme Ultra-Orthodox Jews (much more political – reject the Israeli peace process)(much more political – reject the Israeli peace process)

Fundamentalist Muslims?Fundamentalist Muslims?Prefer to be called “Islamicists”Prefer to be called “Islamicists”

Fairly Little Influence BeforeFairly Little Influence BeforeThe Creation Of Israel & The Six-Day WarThe Creation Of Israel & The Six-Day War

What Does Osama Bin Laden Hate? What Does Osama Bin Laden Hate? The “American Way Of Life” or The “American Way Of Life” or

Modernism/Globalism?Modernism/Globalism?

Islamicists and Their Hatred Of IsraelIslamicists and Their Hatred Of IsraelIs This A Religious War Or A Geopolitical One?Is This A Religious War Or A Geopolitical One?