Mark Dever just touches on this idea, which was originally articulated by Lloyd-Jones. I would love to see how he fleshes out the concept.
I wonder, though, if good ecclesiology and a healthy Christian life in a church isn't like being a "biblicist." Everyone claims it; few demonstrate it.
4 comments:
I agree with Dever's observation. I think there are alot of churches with a correct Biblical authority and accountability structure, a right view of their responsibility to their culture, and a correct understanding of their obligations to both the local and universal Body of Christ. But I've only come across them outside of the boundaries of separatist fundamentalism. Not saying they don't exist within fundamentalism, just that I wasn't exposed to them during my days within what is traditionally considered fundamentalism.
Wendy,
From your perspective, how did these characteristics arise in the churches where you have observed them? And are you suggesting that these characteristics are incompatible with what is traditionally considered fundamentalism?
In the churches I observed, they started with a proper authority and accountability structure and were committed to training up leaders from within themselves. They were committed to the great commission to the point that they carefully have guarded themselves from cultural stumblingblocks that prevent the target ministry from hearing the truth of Christ.
My observation is that while many fundamentalists have a biblical authority structure set up (plurality of elders), they are not committed to raising up leaders from within themselves AT ALL. This hamstrings them in the fulfillment of the great commission.
That was me, Wendy, by the way.
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