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Fundamentalism & Evangelicalism
Ecclesiastical Separation
Separatism
Gen Z
Fundamentalism

“I sat with some GenZ college students and talked about the history of fundamentalism…. These sincere young men told me that they had never even heard of the doctrine of ecclesiastical separation, even though they had grown up in fundamental Baptist churches” - P&D

Discussion

Mon, 08/05/24

"Shouldn't they be teaching this stuff in college" reminds me of a thought that occurrred to me as my children were considering where to go to college: "If 18 years under the teaching of our pastor, a graduate of such and such Bible college, does not suffice to impart some degree of spiritual maturity and knowledge to my child, sending him to such and such Bible college for another four years is unlikely to remedy the problem."

In other words, the question is whether the doctrine can be taught in our churches in a winsome manner, not whether it's taught in colleges. I guess the latter will impact the former, of course, but the serious matter is whether we're cluing in to how it comes across.

One story that comes to mind is that my church actually had people leave after my pastor reminded the congregation of the reality of the Lutheran doctrine of baptismal regeneration. Here in significantly Lutern Minnesota, this is a significant reality, but pointing out the differences did not go over well.

So I have a question of how many difficult doctrines my church is ready to hear. Nothing against my pastor, but we have a serious cultural issue going on here which is preventing people from dealing wiht doctrines that many would consider significant.

Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.