You brought the goods to the table. The scope, scale, and particulars of the widespread abuses they uncover are heartbreaking and enraging. Jesus gave us the command to preach the Gospel and also to baptize those who have believed on Jesus. Every church we went to was full of fucking pedophiles and rapists. Like the millions of others around the country who need to read these stories, they wont be able to unless they subscribe to a newspaper hundreds of miles from where they live. To get up is to be on the firing line and get switched back down. History of Landmarkism. Sorted by: 1. One may admire their piety, but a true believer in the New Testament would have a great problem with their doctrines, church polity, and especially their . And the all important, Thou shalt not, never, under no circumstances, not even in thought, criticize the pastor. Gods anointed, remember! The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has done some very impressive and important reporting in its long special report on sexual abuse and cover-ups in independent fundamental Baptist churches across the country. One alleged abuser went on to serve as an administrator in a Christian school in a different state, even after Shiflett warned the schools pastor. Glory to God alone. They controlled the process except for the final approval. I grew up with kids who were in churches like that one. ? 3. In any case, we are definitely living in the end times before the 2nd coming of Christ. Baptism therefore represents the Gospel, which consists of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. All of it so true and I laughed out loud at some of them!!! Remove that variable from the equation and youll never arrive at the form or content of IFB fundamentalism as it currently exists. And while we only memorized verses in the King James Version and lots of them and used the KJV in Sunday services, we were also allowed and even encouraged to read the NIV and other more accessible translations. Yelling, storytelling, and moralism replaced proclaiming simply what God has said. I pastored Evangelical churches IFB, Southern Baptist, Christian Union, Sovereign Grace, and non-denominational for 25 years. How I struggled to free myself from this oppressive thinking. Amendment though shalt say amen during service but only if you are male. This means that IFB churches do not look to creeds, confessions, or church councils to determine their doctrinal positions. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Part 3: All . We could literally sit here all day adding standards to this; these guys are constantly changing on a whim. And then the other philosophy is its wrong to say anything bad about another preacher.. Subscribe for as little as $5/mo to start commenting on Rods blog. And if they failed to treat that greatest of gifts with the sacrosanct respect it deserves, then shame on them. The basic beliefs of this group is Anti-LGBT, Misogyny, Anti-Worldliness, KJV Bible only, anti-semitism, and more. All of us, Christians and atheists alike, have lists of rules by which we govern our lives, and often judge the lives of others. I got a good laugh reading the list brought back some not so good memories from my time in a IFB church. Good day, sir. For their own dark reasons they kept that wicked dance going. Thou shalt not have more than one hole in each ear shall be amended as follows: WOMEN ONLY shall be permitted no more than one piercing in the earlobe of each ear. Look at homosexuality within the priesthood. All first-time comments are moderated. Reached by phone, Giovanelli said he had no comment and hung up. I really want to write a book or start a podcast about all this shit at some point. But Black Baptists reject the MAGA revolution that has taken the GOP, and the SBC, by storm. The message is set. And lets not forget the old For him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin catch-all At my IFB church that I grew up in I loved how they used to use that one to justify saying anything they didnt agree with or like was a SIN . The reason why Im so fervent, so passionate about it this morning is because I relived all of those feelings of what its like to be abused and the one that does the abuse is the one that always comes out the other side smelling like a rose and goes down the road to another church so he can do it again to somebody else.. Yes, Jesus. Thou shalt leave for camp on Monday morning and return on Saturday afternoon, as thou must be able to give a long, tearful testimony at the church service on Sunday morning (exhaustion is of the devil). I didnt understand the extremes of it and was so glad for makeup, but why yell about it from the pulpit?! He might not be guilty of the allegation, but notice how the church network is still allowing a man publicly accused of sexual abuse to minister. You loved when the cost of that love was to negate the best parts of yourself. You are to rule over him as a benevolent sovereign. By way of justifying infant "training" and the continued "submission of the will" of children, IFB parents point to these lines in The Book of Proverbs: "To Train Up a Child," by fundamentalist Christian minister Michael Pearl and his wife Debi, is very popular within the IFB. Today, the independents are separating, even among themselves, over issues such as Bible translations, music style, and dress. Your reporters deserve better management than this. Much of what we think of as the religious right would fall into that murky space in between old-school fundamentalism and the mainstream evangelicalism of Billy Graham et. And because of your trusting love for them, you let them. Ugh. A one-foot ruler, or its equivalent in a paddle, is a sufficient alternative. And then theres the OTs 600+ laws, including the Ten Commandments. Here has been a few problems that caused divisions in the body of Christ thanks to some Independent Fundamental Baptists: 1.) Its a philosophy its flawed, said Stacey Shiflett, an independent fundamental Baptist pastor in Dundalk, Maryland. IndependentBaptist.com was founded in an attempt to bring back the principles that lifted our movement in the 60's and 70's and that need to be revived in this day. If you're unfamiliar with the beliefs and practices of the Independent Fundamental Baptists, some of them are: IFBs also generally believe that the will of a child must be broken before it ever has a chance to develop: a fussing or crying baby is exerting its selfish will. Get right, stay right, amen. Could someone please explain? All articles free to share and God bless! Or are you judging them by Gods word, which likely looks unfavorably on you? The name Independent Fundamental Baptist Church is used traditionally by churches which pattern themselves strictly after the example of the early church, as found in the New Testament. are now routinely included as simply evangelicals. Im not sure what this means, exactly, but I think it means something. It has been redacted and edited into the simplified 1611 King James Bible (its not a version, versions are of Satan). Thou shalt always obey the speed limit, EXCEPT when the Pastor says it is Gods will that thou shalt go 10-20 miles over the speed limit so as not to miss lunch at camp. They kept what they needed. However there has been quite a problem with some fundamental Baptists. Mullins knew that he had faculty problems, Sampey did, Fuller did, McCall did . I was rejected by two independent fundamentalist Baptist congregations in two different states, but I stand in their defense. Later that afternoon, thou shalt go to work. To know is to be responsible. While practices can vary from church to church, independent fundamental Baptists do share some core beliefs, according to Christianity Today: that the Bible is the divinely inspired and inerrant word of God, for example, and that people should use only the King James Version of the text.Independent fundamental Baptists refrain from engaging in pop culture and many also home-school their kids. The short answer is that going to the movies supported Hollywood. You did what you were supposed to do: you sacrificed yourself. - Forums For Independent Baptists - Online Baptist Community I ask this for your opinions, thoughts, and insights. You trusted. (Not the liberal InterVarsity, mind you, Campus Crusade.). We were, I suppose, fundamentalist with evangelical highlights. It's unlikely there isn't an IFB church within a half-hour drive from your house. This means that God changed his mind, yes? The philosophy is you dont air your dirty laundry in front of everyone. Men alone are suited to be the head of home and church. Johannes Vermeer's treatment of love distinguished him from his peers. Christians are called to remain steadfastly separate from the world and its sinful practices and temptations, such as movies, dancing and any music with an addictive rock beat. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! First Baptist Church of Glenarden 4.5. There's something going on that wasn't here before. Oh, as a new convert attending an Adventist college, I actually said, heck or darn around one of the older teachers (40 years ago). Women not wearing pants, women not working, women being not allowed to speak up in church, have any sort of leadership role, etc. The name Independent Fundamental Baptist Church is used traditionally by churches which pattern themselves strictly after the example of the early church, as found in the New Testament. Way over the edge. If she doesnt approve of this, tough; she shouldve thought of that before she married you. This will of course be true with any large group of people. Homosexuals are evil perverts who despise God and should be kept away from society generally and children especially. Apr 26, 2017. The Problem Among Independent Baptists with the Gospel By TylerR Jan 25 2016 We've got to get more serious about the gospel, what it is and what we say that it is or what we will allow to be called the gospel. Your comments are welcome and appreciated. It was beyond comprehension in my little brain back then. It started as part of the Northern Baptist convention but, concerned about creeping liberalism in that association, split away to join the Conservative Baptists. My question is: Are you judging all IFB pastors and deacons by the standards you kept for yourself in the pulpit for forty-five years? You showed up, ready to play. Please be advised that this rulebook is subject to change at the whim of the pastor. Bruce Gerencser, 65, lives in rural Northwest Ohio with his wife of 44 years. I have no research or data to support this, but my sense is that this space between is growing and becoming ever more the center of gravity for white evangelicalism as a whole. A 2016 report on the university's handling of sexual assault found a "fundamental failure by Baylor to implement Title IX." The report noted "that Baylor's efforts to implement Title IX were. People do not like to be made to confront ugly things. The network of churches and schools has often covered up the crimes and helped relocate the offenders, an eight-month Star-Telegram investigation has found. Thou shalt not molest children, and if ye do thou shalt confess it to the pastor so he can hide it from the police and threaten the congregation into silence. Black people bear the indelible and wretched curse of the "mark of Cain.". I wasnt surprised at all when I heard he had an affair with his secretary. I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Roberson, a couple of times, when I was in College! Landover, MD 20785. Those independent Baptist churches which teach, as very many of them do, that the God-given inspired word of God is the King James Version typically teach that every other translation of the Bible is part of a conspiracy to remove the King James Bible, the ONLY real Bible, from our churches. It wasnt long before I traveled the road to liberal Christian to agnostic atheist. To members of the Facebook groups mentioned above: Our characters are forged in the crucible of what we survive. It uses the Bible to "treat" everything from porn addiction to drug addiction. Baptism means that a believer is bodily immersed in water followed by being raised up out of the water again. I sometimes post on another board and (hopefully its ok) I would like to link a thread that is going on over there. I pray for all of you. The independent fundamentalist Baptist movement emerged sometime in the 1940s as an attempt to continue the legacy of the fundamentalist movement of the 1920s. However there has been quite a problem with some fundamental Baptists. If I do Ill comment on this comment with details. Image Conscious True Independent Fundamental Baptist Churches uphold the purest teachings of the early church as revealed in the New Testament." . Thou shalt not drive a nice car for that is vanity and takes money from the missionaries who need airplanes and new tin roofs, and food out of the fat visiting evangelists bellies (unless your the man of god, then you can drive a Suburban or a $95k brand new F350). You have found True Christianity. Where you write the rules. Your pastor is burdened for America & hasnt slept since 1976. Generally speaking (and this differs greatly from church to church) Independent Baptists and Southern Baptists tend to have about the same doctrinal stance. The Star-Telegram discovered at least 412 allegations of sexual misconduct in 187 independent fundamental Baptist churches and their affiliated institutions, spanning 40 states and Canada. If you have to sit on him to spank him then do not hesitate. The Star-Telegram series is long, but I encourage you to read the whole thing. The network of churches and schools has often. If you are a young woman, thou shalt wear knee-length dresses, with hose and heels at summer camp in the woods in the red clay mud when it rains. Meant to be taken literally, the KJV is inspired, inerrant, infallible, and the supreme and final authority in all things. Prove that you are bigger, tougher, more patiently enduring and are unmoved by his wailing. Thou shalt not have sex with other women in the church but thou canst eye fuck them when they sit in front of you in church, and can corner them after church and have awkwardly flirty conversations with them when they are trying to leave because youre a fucking awkward creep. Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) Deception - Exposing the Dangerous Teachings of the Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) Denomination Welcome to BaptistDeception.com Edit Exposing the Dangerous Teachings and Traditions of the Independent Fundamental Baptist Denomination Please scroll down to find a list of articles for your convenience. The Black Baptist preachers affiliated with the SBC aren't proclaiming a Black Jesus, railing against white racism, or demanding reparations from white Baptists. In surviving the worst, survivors of IFB have become the best. Never put him down and then allow him to get up. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. You gave. Each IFB church is wholly autonomous and free from any outside governance. Today the name Baptist is used by many churches that are not following the teachings of the New Testament. . The problem was that the faculty was in charge of hiring new faculty. Pendleton (1811-1891). Dr. R has some real practical theology problems. Other Christians who were once, or who would once have been, clearly a part of the fundamentalist camp Al Mohler, Ken Ham, David Barton, etc. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. On the bare legs or bottom, switch him eight or ten licks; then, while waiting for the pain to subside, speak calm words of rebuke. The fundamentals first, then warp the bible to fit the fundamentals, and all gods people said.amen. I started listening to country music, drinking beer, watching movies, and eventually joined the military. If they really loved God they would have loved you and everyone else in a manner befitting that love: properly, carefully, consistently. They believed that the neo-evangelical emphasis on cultural engagement with the world, and especially liberal or mainline Protestants, was a mark of unhealthy compromise that would eventually undermine true biblical faith in America. Please reconsider Jesus and the Gospel. This letter is in downloadable as a PDF here. Unlike the Catholic Church, the fundamental Baptist church considers itself to be made up of independent entities. During the 1970s and 1980s, Falwell seemed to operate in a space somewhere between the independent Baptist world of his upbringing and the neo-evangelicalism of Billy Graham andChristianity Today. in fundamentalism for pastors and churches and ministries to just gloss over and sweep under the rug things of absolute epic proportion, he said in the video. We may read these stories of sexual abuse in churches, and tell ourselves that if something like that happened in our church, we would stand up for what is right. He speaks for God, and God alone may judge him. Another rule for students was that thou shalt not attend the roller skating rink upon threat of expulsion. Single. You loved when you had no more love to give. When I joined the junior high youth group, they even gave me a Living Bible (the one with the cool denim cover and the stick-figure illustrations). I was never attacked by them, and to the best of my knowledge neither were my siblings. The video posted on the church website ends. Answer (1 of 2): The Fundamental Baptists that my Family and myself have been around varied wildly; some were more strict than others, while some were more lax with the rules they imposed on themselves and others. They kept what worked for them. * Maybe some can relate to this cartoon from NAKEDPASTOR. Fundamental. She gave me a five-minute counseling session and told me she would have to tell Pastor Schaap and the nurse, inform the doctor. Scripture alone. . It is a Bible Baptist church. Become a member and enjoy the very best from The American Conservative in print & digital. But what of the grouch who would rather complain than sleep? He is the man of God who speaks for God. Im not. When in the 1940s and 1950s former fundamentalists such as Billy Graham, Carl F.H. Stuart Hardy was a youth and music pastor at an independent fundamental Baptist church in Michigan. Even though its hard to get much farther on the theological spectrum from Catholicism than an independent fundamental Baptist church, this is exactly what happened in the Catholic Church. I've been looking for a church that does baptisms and a church up the road does them. Its not a good thing.. Thou shalt hide this alcohol so the pastor doesnt see it when he visits you because you missed Sunday school due to a hangover. For the larger child, a belt or larger tree branch is effective. In Christ alone. 2.) Learn More. In your cynical statement about the seemingly unseen book of rules, you failed to mention that they ultimately came from a God who loves you, and has your best interest at heart. For the sake of consistency in training, you must follow through. The one thing I do want to say for anyone just making their way out of the darkness of IFB is this: that you once so thoroughly bought into IFB is a sign of your strength, not your weakness. In 1976, Dr. Jack Trieber was called to pastor this work. This bit from John Fea is particularly helpful: While neo-evangelicals read periodicals likeChristianity Today, fundamentalist Baptists read John R. RicesThe Sword of the Lord. Can same-sex couples be married in your church? Part 2: Southern Baptist churches hired ministers accused of past sex offenses. They pretended to be something they weren't. Are you saying God is a legalist? And what can possibly be more worthy of a person's love than God and family? The number of articles in the multi-part series exceeds the number of free articles non-subscribers are permitted to read each month. For decades, women and children have faced rampant sexual abuse while worshiping at independent fundamental Baptist churches around the country. Im thinking right now of a case from the early 1990s in which a small-town Louisiana pharmacist who noticed that she was handling an extraordinary number of prescriptions for a rare cancer drug, and spoke out. If you're unfamiliar with the beliefs and practices of the Independent Fundamental Baptists, some of them are: The King James Version is the only true Word of God; all other translations of the Bible are the work of the devil. Most of those victims dont live in Fort Worth. A new website has launched with the aim of helping single New Independent Fundamentalist Baptist (NIFB) find each other for hopes of love and matrimony, with a niche focus and stringent guidelines being a feature, not a bug. Both times, people knew about his would-be abusers behavior and did nothing to stop it. It upheld what it believed to be. Pastors think if they keep it on the down-low, it wont impact anyone. The Lord Jesus Christ Saves - His Plan of Salvatio Real Men Love Pink A Collection of Quotes by A. W. Pink, Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry. Most of us have seen situations in the workplace, or in our families, in which whistleblowers were despised and cast out for telling the truth about a situation that threatened people within the group. That will needs to be eliminated, since wherever human will is God's will cannot be. concerned about creeping liberalism in that association, it opted to go it alone. Only the KJV will be used in this group; please check . Going to the movies could also lead to you having a bad testimony before the world. Thou waist. The Independent Baptist Fellowship is the end-product of the legacy journey that started some 60 years ago. You know that I am Independent. Preacherboys should watch it in the college gym; anywhere else is worldly. Zichterman recounts seeing an interview on television featuring Carolyn Jessop and realizing, for the first time, that the IFB was a cult. The American Ideas Institute is a nonprofit, non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, D.C. 2022 The American Conservative, a publication of The American Ideas Institute. The person should go to the pastor, and the pastor will talk to the offender. Thanks! Thou wilt pledge money on the last Sunday evening of every month to the building fund even if you cant pay your rent or mortgage on the first. The writings that I've read from former IFBs are some of the strongest testimonies to the strength and decency of the human spirit I've ever come across. He did not respond to specific questions that were sent to him. Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) Cult Survivors. a couple of Greek Orthodox nuns are protesting the reinstatement of a priest, Todays Psychology Cant Help American Men. Be firm with him. Shaking my head, wishing I had gotten out of that place sooo much sooner than we did, you know when I shouldve used my own brain and listened to my gut. You're the strength. There is no appreciable moral distinction between homosexuality and bestiality, incest, child molestation or rape. Let us always bear in mind that the IFB no more represents Christianity than the Taliban represents Islam. Independent Fundamental Baptist churches believe that the authority to baptize was given to the first church, organized by our Savior. And before you move on to other people to evangelize, consider that many former Evangelicals know the Bible inside and out. And not to tell anyone. Thousands have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ because one man followed in obedience where the Lord led. He witnessed the same authoritarian approach. That space between he describes as the world of Jerry Falwell has grown over the years. Thou shalt be baptized by full immersion in this particular denomination of church, preferably this specific church, otherwise it might have been a false baptism that didnt take. They really spend too much time debating. A god who condemns people to an eternal hell for evil committed during a human lifespan isnt worthy of worship. That hide it under terms like order and discipline in order to enforce it. 1 2 3. Excerpt: Stories like that display a Roman Catholic problem, right? The study of literature no longer animates students' minds and souls. Faith alone. Select your instrument according to the child's size. I have been independent fundamental Baptist churches since I was four. A bit later, concerned about creeping liberalism in that association, it split away to join the GARB (the General Association of Regular Baptists no, really, thats a thing). Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. The King James Version is the only true Word of God; all other translations of the Bible are the work of the devil. An Independent Fundamentalist Baptist Hate List Bruce Gerencser November 13, 2020 Evangelicalism 58 Comments The Bible says in 1 John 2:15,16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. READ THE REST OF THE SERIES: Part 1: Southern Baptist sexual abuse spreads as leaders reject reforms. What a list! They preferred to remain ignorant of evidence suggesting that something in the air around the plant was giving them cancer. Advent Calendar Day 17: Fair and foul are near of kin, TRENDING AT PATHEOS Progressive Christian, Independent Fundamentalist Baptists are a creepy, creepy bunch. You are a lying snake and lost as Hogan's goat." Pastor Tom Cassidy, First Baptist Church, Spring Valley, CA It could be the case that Bishop Andonios is lying here. We took sweet fellowship together. For the under one year old, a little, ten- to twelve-inch long, willowy branch (striped of any knots that might break the skin) about one-eighth inch diameter is sufficient. Transportation Services Coordinator. Additionally, many independent Baptist fundamentalists practice "second-degree separatism," distancing themselves not only from "the world" but also from fellow Christians who do not share. You were right; they were wrong; and no sane person in the world would say otherwise. Bruce pastored Evangelical churches for twenty-five years in Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. To question the sovereignty of the pastor is to disturb God's order and invite upon oneself separation from the church, and therefore from the very source of salvation and hope. You arent any different than those of us who have been where you are Cathy. (this one is uncommon but not unheard of). Let me stress here at the beginning that this is not about churches affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention; those Baptist churches are thought to be too liberal by the independent fundamentalists. It's just the nature of them I guess.