Christian fundamentalism
A Protestant movement emphasizing biblical literalism and core doctrines.
Christian fundamentalism, also known as fundamental Christianity or fundamentalist Christianity, is a religious movement emphasizing biblical literalism. It began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries among British and American Protestants as a reaction to theological liberalism and cultural modernism. Fundamentalists argued that modernist theologians had misunderstood or rejected certain doctrines, especially biblical inerrancy, which they considered the fundamentals of the Christian faith. The movement became more organized within U.S. Protestant churches in the 1920s, especially among Presbyterians, Baptists, and Methodists, and many churches adopted a militant attitude with regard to their core beliefs.
- field
- Religious movement
- known_for
- Emphasizing biblical literalism and the Five Fundamentals
- origins
- Late 19th and early 20th centuries among British and American Protestants
- key_beliefs
- Biblical inerrancy, virgin birth of Christ, atonement for sin, bodily resurrection of Christ, historical reality of Christ's miracles
Lore & Background
Princeton theology, which developed the doctrine of inerrancy from the 1840s to 1920, was another influence.
Reader's Guide
Christian fundamentalism matters historically as a major conservative reaction within Protestantism against theological liberalism and modernism. It shaped American religious and political life, particularly through its emphasis on biblical inerrancy and the Five Fundamentals. The movement became more organized in the 1920s and influenced denominations such as Presbyterians, Baptists, and Methodists. In the early 1940s, fundamentalists and evangelicals began to part ways over whether to separate from modern culture or engage with it. Some who hold certain beliefs in common with the original movement reject the label due to its perceived pejorative nature, while others consider it a banner of pride. The movement's legacy includes ongoing debates about biblical interpretation, the role of the church in society, and the relationship between religion and modernity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Christian fundamentalism?
It is a Protestant religious movement that insists on reading the Bible as a literally accurate text rather than a symbolic or allegorical one. Its adherents treat a small set of core doctrines as non-negotiable 'fundamentals' of the faith.
When and where did Christian fundamentalism originate?
The movement took shape in the late 1800s and early 1900s among Protestant communities in Britain and the United States. It grew out of frustration with what its founders saw as theological liberalism eroding traditional doctrine.
What are the 'Five Fundamentals' of Christian fundamentalism?
The five core tenets are biblical inerrancy, the virgin birth of Jesus, his atoning sacrifice for sin, his bodily resurrection, and the historical reality of his miracles. These were identified as the minimum doctrines a believer must hold.
Why did Christian fundamentalism emerge as a distinct movement?
Its founders believed modernist theologians were reinterpreting or discarding essential Christian teachings in favor of a more culturally accommodating faith. They organized to push back and defend what they saw as the unchanging core of the gospel.
How did Christian fundamentalism become more structured?
By the 1920s the loose coalition of concerned believers had solidified into more organized efforts within American Protestant denominations. This included publishing tracts, forming societies, and contesting liberal theology from inside established churches.
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