United We Stand
By Greg Magruder

Dear Friends,

Bear with me. I am going to write about the upcoming associational annual meeting in October, the SBC/CBF conflict and the recent attacks on America. They all have a common theme. Follow closely.

I know you were as torn as I was to watch the heart-wrenching attacks on the Word Trade Center and the Pentagon. This was a calculated and well-orchestrated scheme to demoralize and destroy America and all she stands for. Religious zealots who hate America planned the attacks over a long period of time. The hijackers gave their lives for the cause, a cause that espouses murder as a justified means for attaining salvation.

Who are these terrorists? They are Muslim fundamentalists. They are not the traditional Islam followers. The Muslim community and leaders have denounced the attacks. They have declared outrage at the depraved actions of a few in their religious tradition.

But fundamentalism crosses all religious boundaries. When the bombings took place, Jerry Falwell said this on national television; “The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way — all of them who have tried to secularize America — I point the finger in their face and say, ‘You helped this happen’” (Washington Post, 9/14/01). Is that true? Only a fundamentalist would use that kind of divisive language at America’s lowest point.

If anything, it is America’s Christians who have let down our guard. When things go bad in the land, it is God’s people who are to repent and pray. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14). I know the historical context of the passage and I know that America is not Israel in this sense, but the principle remains true because God’s people “are the salt of the earth–the light of the world” (Matt. 5:13-14). When we let down spiritually, evil creeps in.

We need to be spiritually alert because the true enemy here is religion gone sour. Muslim religion. Christian religion. Fundamentalism crosses all religious barriers. It is a mindset that will not sleep until its enemy is vanquished. Who is their enemy? Anyone that is not a part of their group.

I had talked once with Dr. Martin Marty of the University of Chicago. I had done research on international fundamentalism and he wanted to hear my thoughts on the subject. He had just edited a five-volume study on fundamentalism as part of the Fundamentalism Project. This comprehensive study looks at fundamentalism in religious and secular groups around the world and tries to discern common threads of thought and practice.

The research discovered that fundamentalism begins when a person or group has experienced hurt and pain and vows revenge on their enemies. The “us versus them” mentality creeps into the structure, decision-making and eventually the belief system of the group. The outside world becomes suspect and threatening to the group. After many years, no one may remember why the reactionary approach was accepted in the first place but the belief system justifies itself by finding new enemies and newly perceived threats. This religion is called fundamentalism. The name you attach to it (Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, etc.) means very little.

Some of you have thought that the struggle in Santa Fe River Baptist Association is about women’s ordination. It is not. It’s about fundamentalism. Some have thought the struggle was about the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. It’s not. It’s about fundamentalism. Some have thought the issue was the SBC or the CBF. It’s not. It’s fundamentalism. Some have thought the attack on America is about Muslims versus Christians. It is not. It is about fundamentalists who terrorize the world in the name of Allah.

The struggle is the gospel versus fundamentalism. Paul wrote the Book of Galatians to resist fundamentalism. The legalists were suspicious of Paul because he said that circumcision was not necessary in order to be a Christian. Paul was attacking the Law of Moses, the faith once delivered, the scriptures! These people felt it was their obligation to defend the faith and undermine Paul’s ministry and work. Paul wrote to the Galatians to defend the gospel and the freedom that we have in Christ.

In defense of the BF&M 2000 last year at the convention, Dr. John Sullivan said, “If I have to err, I’m going to err on the side of strictness.” Let me paraphrase: if I have to choose between fundamentalism or the gospel, I choose the safety of fundamentalism and reject the risk of freedom found in the Gospel. Don’t you see? The battle in the SBC and our association is the between fundamentalism or the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1). Why have we traded the birthright of freedom for the watery soup of legalism?

There are many good things about the SBC. There are many good people and ministries in the SBC. The problem is the self-congratulatory leaders that have stolen our institutions and through the spoils system have rewarded each other with positions of power. The BF&M 2000 is the blueprint of these fundamentalist leaders. They are using it to control, hire and fire, coerce and intimidate. It has become the litmus test for the SBC.

Are you for us or against us? Agree with the BF&M 2000 and you are with us. Disagree and we are against you. That is why our church is under attack. That is why the Florida Baptist Witness has taken on the tone of heresy-hunting in its articles and editorials. That is why Lynn Williams has been removed from her consultant leadership positions in Sunday School and Youth at the Florida Baptist Convention. That is why Parkview has to go to the annual meeting this year and defend itself.

I am against fundamentalism. I am for the gospel. I’d rather take the risk of liberty in Christ than be subjected to the gatekeepers and mind-police of fundamentalism. We are in a Holy War. It is a war for the soul of our nation, our denomination, our association and our church. Don’t let anyone sidetrack you into thinking the struggle is about women, organizations like CBF, or the Bible. This is a battle for the gospel. My prayer is that you will “stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has set you free.”

October 2001