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©FOUNDATION
A MAGAZINE OF BIBLICAL FUNDAMENTALISM
Dennis W. Costella, Editor; Karel Beyer, Production Manager; Matt
Costella,
Copy Editor
M.H. Reynolds, Jr. (1919-1997), Founding Editor
Understanding the Times
A Fundamentalist Proclamation
Given at the 15th Annual Fundamental Bible Conference,
July 1987, San Luis Obispo, California
©FOUNDATION MAGAZINE
WE LIVE IN DAYS OF GREAT CONFUSION - Days in which a proper understanding of the times is of critical
importance to every believer. Those who search for a solution to the world's problems in
the realm of science, education, politics, social action or even religion are doomed to
failure. A genuine understanding of the times in which we live is impossible apart from a
return to the Bible, the infallible, inerrant, eternal unchangeable Word of God. Only God
has the answer to man's problems. Only a knowledge of God's Word can give us a true
understanding of our times.
As Fundamentalists, gathered in San Luis Obispo,
California, for the 15th Annual Fundamental Bible Conference of North America July 12-17,
1987, we have been greatly blessed and encouraged by messages from the Word of God and
fellowship with those of like precious faith; and, we send these words of encouragement
and challenge to God's faithful children around the world.
WE BELIEVE not only in the Divine inspiration of
the originals but also the Divine preservation of God's Word to this day; and, we gladly
declare and reaffirm our absolute confidence in the accuracy and inerrancy of the
Authorized King James Version of 1611. We deplore the increasing intensity of unwarranted
attacks by scholars and Christian leaders against this version upon which God has so
obviously placed His stamp of approval for so many years.
The Divine preservation of God's Word is clearly
set forth in Psalm 12:6,7. "The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in
a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt
preserve them from this generation forever." We, therefore, accept the testimony of
God's verbally inspired Word and reject all the contrary claims of scholars falsely
so-called.
Furthermore, we repudiate and warn about ALL the
modern Bible versions which have been polluted and corrupted at the hands of modern
scholarship, both liberal and conservative. It is not enough for a believer to say he is
FOR the Authorized King James Version of 1611- honesty and concern for the purity of God's
Word demands complete rejection and public repudiation of ALL modern versions including
the New King James Version, the New International Version and the New American Standard
Version which are recommended by many who consider themselves evangelicals or
fundamentalists. Those who show little concern for the purity of the Word will soon find
themselves without the power of the Word.
WE BELIEVE that those who would understand the
times must be diligent students of God's Word which is essential to "rightly dividing
the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15. Those who refuse to accept a dispensational
understanding and application of the Scriptures leave themselves vulnerable to a host of
false teachings and doctrines of men. At the same time we warn about any
hyper-dispensational view which leads to such error as a "Paul's Gospel only"
view of the church which sets aside God's instructions for believers' baptism by
immersion.
Furthermore, as we see increasing acceptance on
the part of some fundamentalists of a hyper Calvinism which so often leads to
amillennialism and a"reconstructionist" or"cultural mandate" under
standing of the Church, Israel the Kingdom of Christ and the world, we warn of the
inevitable confusion such teachings produce. And, while believing that the Bible teaches
both the free will of man and the Sovereignty of God, it is of great concern that so many
are being misled by those who deny the eternal security of the believer.
WE BELIEVE that the Charismatic Movement
constitutes a great threat to the purity of the Word and the purity of the Church. Its
claims to be a movement of the Holy Spirit are clearly refuted by its teachings and
practices. The manner in which this unscriptural movement has given an undeserved
respectability to the Roman Catholic Church, the Greek Orthodox Church and many apostate
churches which are part of the ecumenical movement, clearly reveals it to be an important
catalyst in the formation of the one-world, harlot church of the antichrist.
Although the Charismatic movement is the fastest
growing movement in the religious world today, in no way does this indicate God's approval
and blessing. To the contrary, it has been the scandalous words and conduct of leading
figures in the Charismatic movement which have recently brought great shame upon the name
of Christ and all true believers. The licentious conduct of Jim and Tammy Bakker, their
worldliness and their squandering of money given for the Lord's work is the result of
following false doctrine and disobeying the plain teachings of the Bible. Oral Roberts'
supposed "dreams and visions" represents direct disobedience to the Scriptures
which warn against adding to God's Holy Word. His extravagant, unscriptural statements
have gained him world wide notoriety but have turned many away from the truth of the
Gospel. We warn fellow-believers that the Charismatic movement is a product of a false
spirit, not the Holy Spirit. God's children are urged not to watch, listen to or support
charismatic leaders and / or programs.
WE BELIEVE and warn that Roman Catholicism still
preaches a false gospel and is under God's curse. Galatians 1:6-9. This remains true even
though many evangelical and charismatic leaders now call Roman Catholics brothers and
sisters in Christ. We warn that Pope John Paul II is not a great evangelist as Billy
Graham claims, but is rather one of Satan's angels of light whose ministry is based upon
unscriptural dogmas and deceit. The pope's planned visit to the USA in September is built
around the new Catholic emphasis on ecumenism and should be publicly repudiated by all who
love the truth and hate error.
WE BELIEVE that Evangelicals, led by Dr. Billy
Graham and Dr. Bill Bright, are continuing in the path of unscriptural compromise which
can only result in great harm to the cause of Jesus Christ. The spiritual pacifism which
characterizes the whole evangelical movement leaves God's people without protection from
the wolves in sheep's clothing both inside and outside the church. The idea that naming
names of false teachers and disobedient brethren is unnecessary and unloving, is contrary
to the plain teaching of the Bible and can only result in great spiritual loss to those
who are deceived by it. God says, ''Come out.'' God says, "mark them" and
"avoid them."
WE BELIEVE that the whole theory and practice of
Communism is of the Devil and continues to constitute a real danger to the cause of Christ
and the preservation of that liberty to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ which believers
in the free world still enjoy. We warn that Communism is never so dangerous as when it
preaches "peace" and advocates a policy of peaceful co-existence as it is doing
today. We urge all true believers to join in exposing those leaders and churches behind
the Iron and Bamboo Curtains who have sold out to Communism and are promoting this
atheistic monstrosity in the name of Christ and the Church. We would remind faithful
believers in Communist lands of our prayers and of God's special promises to all who are
faithful unto death.
WE BELIEVE that those who claim the label of
Fundamentalist but manifest the spirit and practices of new-evangelical compromise need to
be rebuked and separated from as disobedient brethren. 2 Thessalonians 3:6,14,15. True
fundamentalists are separatists, not inclusivists. Fundamentalists must continually resist
the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil and to live godly in Christ Jesus
whatever the cost. "Ye that love the Lord, hate evil;" (Psalm 97:10) is God's
command to His own who desire His blessing.
WE BELIEVE in the imminent, pre-tribulational
premillennial return of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We gladly confess this
Blessed Hope of the believer in a day when it is being ridiculed and referred to
as"the rapture hoax." We remind our dear brothers and sisters around the world
that our God cannot lie and that all of His promises are Yea and Amen in Christ. Let us
then rededicate ourselves as servants of the Most High God, good soldiers for Jesus Christ
and faithful witnesses for the One who died for us and rose again. Having done all to
stand, let us stand therefore, knowing that our reward is sure and our salvation eternal.
IF GOD WILLS AND CHRIST TARRIES, we plan to hold
the 16th annual Fundamental Bible Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, July 10-15, 1988. In
the meantime, may God help us all to preach the Gospel and declare the whole counsel of
God, always speaking the truth in love and seeking to obey God rather than men. Acts
20:27; Ephesians 4:15; Acts 5:29. Maranatha!
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