Fundamentalism the Enemy of Grace

Grace: from Greek CHARIS meaning favour, grace, thanks

We are saved by grace (Eph.2.8-10) We are saved by Gods unconditional favour (grace)
We are saved by grace and no longer of works; otherwise grace would not be grace
As we have been shown grace we are called to also show grace.

God opposes the proud but give grace to the humble. This is the first reason why fundamentalism is an enemy of grace.

Somebody is not a fundamentalist because of what they believe. Fundamentalism is not a belief system or a type of belief system but a state of mind. The fundamentalist state of mind is that ones opinion is the correct opinion and everyone else is wrong. Furthermore no other view matters. Not all fundamentalists would be called religious. Some would insist that they are not. For example Atheist fundamentalists.

The state of mind leads to an arrogant point of view and pride can quickly follow. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

The Greek word Charis also means ’thanks’ therefore thanking God for what he has done for us is also an act of grace. Therefore God has given grace to us by which we are saved and we give grace to God in the form of thanks.

Forgiveness is also an act of grace. As God by has forgiven us, by grace we forgive each other. Without the initial grace of God forgiving others would sometimes be impossible.

We are saved by grace through faith. Fundamentalism replaces grace with legalism. This is the main reason fundamentalism is the enemy of grace.

The fundamentalist mindset leads to a systematic belief system that means that the only way to God is through what it has created. Therefore fundamentalism itself replaces grace.

Christian fundamentalism declares that your group is right and the other Christians up the road are not really Christians but just a bunch of religious people. Such a belief is completely opposed to grace.

The fundamentalist mindset also leads to anger. Forgiveness is something that isn’t that important. Fundamentalism is not the way of Christ but the way of the Pharisees. If you are reading this thinking “Thank God I’m not like those fundamentalists” it maybe because you’re a fundamentalist.

As fundamentalism removes grace from the gospel fundamentalists do not preach the gospel at all.

Fundamentalism leads to a preaching of worthless mind numbing theology.

Fundamentalism can also be opposed to grace in the form of spiritual gifts too. Some fundamentalist will tell you that they are no longer in existance. Or they may insist that the gifts are used according to a legalistic framework that they have created.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.