Issues and Individuals
Determining the Difference
In the 1970's, Dr. John R. Rice railed against storehouse tithing, and even went so far as to call it a heresy. Meanwhile, men like Dr. Lee Roberson and Dr. Jack Hyles still Dr. Rice preach from their pulpits even though they disagreed with him. Also, in spite of this disagreement Dr. Rice still published their sermons in the Sword of the Lord.
Many times, Dr. Hyles referred to Dr. Rice as the greatest Christian he ever knew and acknowledged him as the voice of fundamentalism. However, if Dr. Rice were alive today, he would be attacked in most of our papers, and prohibited from preaching in our pulpits.
The point I am making is that fundamentalists of the past knew how to disagree on important issues, and still appreciate, honor, love, and respect one another. They wrote pointedly on the issues, while they also understood the doctrine of soul liberty, and realized that each person must follow what he believes to be the leading of the Lord in his practice. These men understood the autonomy of the local church, and the pastor's authority in it. They did not meddle with the inner workings of other local churches.
Our movement has become carnal like the Corinthians. Some are of Paul (insert your favorite preacher's name), while some are of Apollos (insert the favorite preacher's name of the pastor across town), and we are so intolerant of one another's preferences. Unlike Jesus who was the perfect blend of Grace and Truth, the leaders of the different camps decide for us who is acceptable, and who is anathema. Whereby, we have also lost our independence.
Even worse, in the last 15 years we have raised up a group of students in our Bible colleges whose definition of fundamentalism would not allow the fundamentalists of the past to ever step foot in our pulpits. They have no idea of what fundamentalism was, nor do they appreciate the great sacrifices made during the battles against liberalism by these giants of the faith. They believe anyone who disagrees with any position of their favorite preacher is "the enemy."
Our movement will answer to God for the good men we have slandered. Let's get back to the issues. Let's fight hard for the issues. If our stand is right, we can stand right. If we must resort to carnality to intimidate people to our position, perhaps there is something wrong with our position.
Dr. Mike Allison
Madison Baptist Church, Madison Alabama