Protestant fundamentalism is developing an ecumenical spirit but mainstream denominations should be wary in approaching it, according to a prominent Southern Baptist professor.
'Although 'ecumenical fundamentalism' speaks of Christian unity, they subordinate it to evangelistic and political objectives which will add explosive ingredients to the well-known divisiveness characteristic of fundamentalism throughout history,' according to E. Glenn Hinson of Southern Seminary, Louisville, Ky.
Hinson made his remarks in the annual Paul Wattson Lecture at the Catholic University of America. The lecture is dedicated to exploring various aspects of the search for church unity among Christians.
Hinson's lecture came in the midst of increased attention focused on the theology of fundamentalism as a result of the Rev. Jerry Falwell's assuming control of the PTL television empire created by scandal-scarred evangelist Jim Bakker.
Falwell, who also heads the politically oriented Liberty Federation (once known as the Moral Majority) is one of the nation's leading fundamentalist leaders and a driving force behind 'ecumenical fundamentalism.'
Fundamentalism in America has generally been characterized by adherence to the so-called five 'fundamentals' -- an inerrant Bible, literal virgin birth of Jesus, substitutionary atonement by Jesus, his physical resurrection and a literal second coming of Christ -- and a militant 'absolutism' around its beliefs coupled with an equally militant 'separatism' from those who do not share them.
Under Falwell, however, fundamentalism has not only smoothed the rough edges that characterized it in the 1920s when it was held up to ridicule by such people as H.L. Mencken, it has also began to reach out to those who share its moral and political concerns if not its religious doctrines.
But Hinson, citing his experience in the Southern Baptist Convention, said it is unlikely the fundamentalists are interested in genuine dialogue with those with whom they disagree and he noted that fundamentalists in the 14.4 million-member denomination had forced ecumenists to stop using the term 'dialogue' to describe conversations with other denominations.
'Fundamentalism of itself will have an essentially negative influence on ecumenical dialogue,' Hinson said.
'Stricter fundamentalists simply will not talk 'with' others who disagree,' he said. 'Those I have labeled 'ecumenical fundamentalists' will engage others as a strategy for winning them over, but their separatism and absolutism preclude real dialogue. The goal is to convince and control, not to get to know.'
Hinson cited a remark attributed to fundamentalist leader Adrian Rogers, president of the divided but fundamentalist-dominated Southern Baptist Convention, at a recent meeting of the denomination's Executive Committee.
'If a majority of Southern Baptists decides that pickles have souls,' Rogers told the committee, 'then professors in the seminaries will have to believe and teach that pickles have souls.'
In his own denomination, Hinson said the divisons between moderates and fundamentalists will not be overcome by dialogue but schism.
'We have a marriage that has broken down irretrievably, and I am now convinced it would be more Christian ... if we got a divorce,' he said. 'So much for ecumenical dialogue with fudnamentalists.'
