The article following (in the next post) was originally published on InFocus (back when it was called the “Fundamentalist Resource Centre”) back in July 2005. It’s been a while, but I think it still applies today.

These are exciting days to be a Fundamentalist in Australia. God is doing amazing things in churches across the nation. We’re seeing a whole generation of pastors get older (no offence guys!) and move into more of a mentoring role. This is an opportunity the last generation didn’t often get. These types of men provide stability and depth to the movement and I’m thankful for them.

Back when GMT began (over three years ago), we couldn’t have dreamed what God would do through the ministry. Today, GMT has over 550 members and plays Read the rest of this entry »

By David Doran

Recent proposals about the nature of Fundamentalism are stirring lively debate. While I have heard of no bloodshed, I am certain that quite a few blood pressures have risen with the discussions. A key term that seems to surface regularly, at least in the discussions to which I have been privy, is “militancy.” Most see militancy as a necessary, perhaps even indispensable, facet of Fundamentalism. Difficulties arise, however, when the concept is defined or applied.

It hardly seems possible that there would be calls for clarification regarding a concept so tightly connected to Fundamentalism, but such calls are abundant. People are raising questions about its meaning (”How do we define militancy in a less hostile environment?”) and its application (”Militant about what?”). A brief examination of the histories of Fundamentalism that have been written, by those within and without the movement, reveals a fairly universal acknowledgment that militancy Read the rest of this entry »

By Charles Spurgeon

The tree can do without some of its branches, though the loss of them might be an injury; but it cannot live at all without its roots: the roots are essential; take those away, and the plant must wither. And thus my dear friends, there are things essential in the Christian religion. . . .

With regard to essential doctrines, it is very desirable for us to be established in the faith. A very happy thing it is to have been taught from one’s youth up the sound and solid doctrines which comforted the Puritans, which made blessed the heart of Luther and of Calvin, fired the zeal of Chrysostom and Augustine, and flashed like lightning from the lips of Paul. . . . .But we always Read the rest of this entry »

By Jason Harris

Recent years have seen a growing awareness among Independent Baptists in Australia of our responsibility to reach out, not only to the spiritual needs of those around us, but also to their physical needs. Several organisations which promotes such causes have sprung up and gained support within the movement. Let me make it clear at this point:

I support what these organisations are doing.

That said, over the last several months, as I’ve pondered these things, I’ve had a deep sense of heaviness and caution in my soul. History proves the dangerous tendencies of these types of social endeavours. The answer is not to avoid them. I believe that would be wrong. But like many things in life, we have a responsibility to wrestle with duties that at times seem to contradict—or at least conflict with—each other.

Below are some pitfalls that I believe need to be avoided in our desire to meet the physical needs of others.

Pitfall #1: That we would someday succumb to a social morality.

Social morality tells a young person that they shouldn’t throw their rubbish in the street because someone has to pick it up. It tells them they shouldn’t play loud music late at night because how would they feel if they were trying to sleep and someone else was playing loud music. It tells them they shouldn’t have pre-marital sex because of the dangers it poses to their partner and to society by spreading STD’s.

The problem with social morality is that it is Read the rest of this entry »

By Larry Rogier

This article is being continued from part one.

A fundamentalist is secondly committed to the honor of and defense of those doctrines, through teaching, confrontation and exposure of false doctrine, and separation if need be. The Bible commands that we separate from those who teach falsely””contrary to what we have learned in Scripture. One cannot be obedient and one cannot love God truly without practicing this separation. Such separation is based on core doctrines clearly revealed, not on doctrines of dispute, or doctrines that are so called “minor” doctrines. (One of the great lacks in fundamentalism, in my opinion, is the lack of agreement about which doctrines fit this category. But again, that is another topic, and I must hurry on.) Fundamentalists should be strongly committed to biblical unity, unity based on the “faith once for all delivered to the saints.” Where that faith is not held in high esteem, unity is Read the rest of this entry »

By Larry Rogier

The identity of fundamentalism is a continuous challenge. One does not read very much about the topic without realizing that fundamentalism is somewhat like good food… it means different things to different people. Several weeks ago, a blog that I read from time to time had an entry about Fundamentalists in the Church? It referenced writer and lecturer Karen Armstrong who lectured on Fundamentalism and the Battle for God.

My interaction in this blog was sparked by a comment made by a poster using the handle of Iggy and my comments led Andrew (the blog owner) to suggest that I write something about fundamentalism from “my angle.”

After starting and stopping numerous times, here it is … My “something” about fundamentalism as I have seen it, and do see it. This article is a direct response to the blog and the Read the rest of this entry »

Givemetruth.net is a Fundamentalist forum community. The membership is mostly young people in Australia. This article is posted here primarily for our forum membership, but may also be of some benefit to others. Ed.

Givemetruth.net and the Future of Australia
By Jason Harris

I believe the environment at Givemetruth.net is at it’s healthiest level ever. Some may not understand what I mean when I say that, so I want to take a moment to explain my heart and vision for Givemetruth.net and to ask you the reader to get on board with what God is doing here.

Where Are We Going?

In just over a year of existence, Givemetruth.net has become a major influence among the young people of our movement. Givemetruth.net has never sought to replace the church as God’s plan for spiritual discipleship, but it has sought to support the ministry of the church by networking the future of our movement in spiritual interaction and godly relationships.

If you want to know where GMT is going, you need to understand our purpose statement:

Read the rest of this entry »

By Jason Harris

You may expect me to say that what Australia really needs is revival, and that is what we need, but not the kind of revival that you may be thinking. Many think of revival as a mysterious religious fervor that God sends arbitrarily depending on what mood He is in and how frantic we are in prayer. I’m not saying God doesn’t move in amazing ways at various places and times, but I am saying that we must never let a lack of that kind of revival keep us from the revival that matters most—daily revival.

Face it, we are Romans three humans. The flesh is still resident within us. Until we take our focus off of some mysterious thing that God may do, and put it on the objective thing that God has told us to do, we are missing the point. God wants us to walk in daily submission to Him. That’s daily revival. Read the rest of this entry »

There are many things that good conservative people disagree on. Are they all equally important or are there some things that are less important than others? The answer to this question will determine the entire direction of our lives and our ministries. Read the rest of this entry »