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ARE FUNDAMENTALISTS IN RETREAT?

Pacifism is on the rise in our country. A June poll found that, by an almost 2-to-1 majority, people would rather give in to Berut hijackers than see more harm come to the hostages (U.S. News & World Report, July 1, 1985). The Vietnam War sapped the energy and "will to resist "from out country, and some leaders now say that war for ANY reason must be avoided. And all that political liberals need do to silence most anti-Communists is raise the specter of "McCarthyism". We are concerned that a similar "surrender syndrome" may be manifesting itself within fundamentalism. Fundamentalism has undergone a very trying period of defection from its ranks, a largescale demoralizing desertion by our own soldiers! Paul Warned in Acts 20:30: "Also of you own selves shall men arise ... to draw away disciples after them ... "

Militant fundamentalist leaders have been abused, falsely accused, and maligned by defecting brethren. As they exposed and warned of compromise, they were labeled "second degree separationists" and "lunatic fringe." This intensified with Rev. Falwell's Moral Majority movement and his call for uniting Fundamentalists with New Evangelicals, and the shameful Jack Van Impe book with the virulent attack on fundamentalist leaders. Other factors such as government harassment of our churches and schools increased the pressure. Also the perception that those in the pew don't understand the issues and are weary of contending for the faith add to the debilitating and painful effects of the pseudo-fundamentalist defection. Satan's use of deception and discouragement to subtly silence or neutralize our testimony was never more evident.

Consequently, we sense that some without realizing it may be regressing to an unscriptural "hold the fort" mentality-position in the protracted battle for the faith. Call it an "Elijah complex," but we see a lessening stress on the doctrine of ecclesiastical separation in the face of increasing compromise and apostasy. We're concerned about the feeble response to the continuous flow of new evangelicalism from Lynchburg under the guise of fundamentalism--especially the Dobson articles and new book. Many Christians and young preachers are falling prey to this deceptive barrage. A standard must be raised to challenge and refute these dangerous teachings (Isa. 59:19). The cause of truth can ill afford a reaction of bewildered resignation and neglect. Fundamentalist publications are monthly or bi-monthly and have not filled the warning and informing vacuum left by the demise of Dr. G. Archer Weniger's weekly "Blu-print." We dare not become intimidated and allow a paralyzing malaise to set in (see Isa. 56:10). Not that we should respond in kind, be mean, or spend all out time "reacting," but there can be no let up in contending for the faith! We must state and restate our position if the fundamentalist heritage is to be preserved and passed on. In the battle for truth, a pacifistic fundamentalist is a practicing new evangelical! (Calvary Contender, August 15, 1985).

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