Think, learn, and dont be a judgmental asshole. 3. 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. No compromise. Get right, stay right, amen. Glad the LORD has used them, to influence your life! The Star-Telegram included in its count churches where alleged abusers had served before or after alleged abuse occurred because the allegations could affect the congregants. Rod Dreher is a senior editor atThe American Conservative. A world where you say what is and isn't good. It used to be that independent Baptists separated themselves from other Christians over important doctrines, such as the virgin birth of Christ or the inspiration of the Scriptures. Meant to be taken literally, the KJV is inspired, inerrant, infallible, and the supreme and final authority in all things. See where Im going with this? If thou dost sin and eat at a restaurant (due to the slothful disposition of thy wife), then thou shalt leave a tract for the server-never a tip. The primary function of a woman is to have children, who then become her mission field. Maybe you would. But these folks were seen as a little bit too much by most of the people in the church, whose kids got to choose places like Philadelphia College of the Bible or Northeastern Bible College. However there has been quite a problem with some fundamental Baptists. Firstly, I agree with Dr. John R. Rice (1895-1980) that there's no such thing as "The Baptist Church." The Body of Christ is composed of believers from Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist and numerous other Christian denominations. He will kick you out of church and put you on church discipline for 6 months, after which you will be restored as a brother. It was an independent church, and it was fundamentalist, and Baptist, but it was not an IFB independent fundamentalist Baptist church. They kept what they needed. I preached over 4,000 sermons. Mullins knew that he had faculty problems, Sampey did, Fuller did, McCall did . 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. Memo to Kathy: fuck off. Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) Cult Survivors. Holly Meyer/AP. Great emphasis is placed on the literal interpretation of the Bible as the primary method of Bible study. 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. READ THE REST OF THE SERIES: Part 1: Southern Baptist sexual abuse spreads as leaders reject reforms. Jesus gives his own list in the Sermon on the Mount and Matthew 24/25. For this reason IFB churches vigorously renounce the idea that IFB constitutes a denomination: each church, they hold, is a kingdom unto itself and obliged to cooperate with exactly no other church body, IFB or otherwise. Could someone please explain? You were right; they were wrong; and no sane person in the world would say otherwise. The Bible has plenty in it of rules, and I doubt someone who believes in a burning hell forever can really get a supposed love message across. You are to rule over him as a benevolent sovereign. 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). So I messaged and they do baptisms. Are you saying Paul and Jesus are legalists? He will very quickly come to know that any time he is laid down there is no alternative but to stay put. (3) Megachurch leaders face the ordinary temptations but also extraordinary pressure to cover up problems, knowing that a sniff of scandal will summon packs of critical reporters. 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.. You have left them now to themselves, and stepped into your own world. For one, they lack a unified presence since individual churches largely operate on their own. I escaped when I was about 20 and went to the world. Memo to former Evangelicals: be like Kathy. As a transgender woman, I find that interesting, to say the least! Independent Fundamental Baptist churches believe that the authority to baptize was given to the first church, organized by our Savior. Blockbuster report about systemic sex crimes in ultra-conservative Protestant churches. You arent any different than those of us who have been where you are Cathy. Part 3: All . Copyright 2023 The Life and Times of Bruce Gerencser Powered by Flywheel, Independent Fundamentalist Baptist Lingo, A Guide to IFB-Speak, Black Collar Crime: Pastor Eddy Noelsaint Accused of Rape, Black Collar Crime: Evangelical Youth Pastor Josh Henley Sentenced to Forty-Five Years in Prison for Sex Crimes Against Children, Black Collar Crime: Evangelical Student Ministry Leader Vernon Willis Accused of Inappropriately Touching Church Girls, Evangelicals are an Existential Threat to the United States, Some Atheists Think I was Stupid for not Deconverting Sooner, Black Collar Crime: Catholic School Teacher Verity Beck Accused of Murdering Her Parents, Black Collar Crime: Evangelical Evangelist Chris Brooks Accused of Assaulting His Wife, Why I Write The Black Collar Crime Series and Will Continue to Do So Despite Criticism from Evangelicals, Dr. David Tee Thinks Everyone Who is Not a Christian is an Atheist, Bruce, I Pray You Will Have Your Eyes Opened and the Truth will Guide You, Dont Dress Like a Whore if You Dont Want to Get Sexually Assaulted Says Lori Alexander, Thou shalt obey all adults at all times if you are a child or teenager, Thou shalt obey your husband at all times if you are a woman, Thou shalt obey your parents at all times, Thou shalt obey the police and government unless the pastor says it is a sin against God to do so, Thou shalt give a faith promise missionary offering, Thou give an offering any time the pastor says God is saying to collect a special offering, Thou shalt attend church every time the doors are open, Thou shalt pray for every meal, but ice cream at Dairy Queen after church requires no prayer, Thou shalt only use the King James Bible 1611 edition which is really the 1769 revision, Thou shalt only use the Scofield King James Bible, Thou shalt not have long hair (over your ears, collar) if you are a man, Thou shalt not have a block cut hairstyle if you are a man, Thou shalt not have facial hair if you are a man, but if you are a woman you can have facial hair, Thou shalt not have tattoos unless you have prison tats from your life before Christ, Thou shalt not take the hem out of your Levi jeans or alter your clothing in any way so that you look worldly, Thou shalt not wear pants (britches) if you are a woman, Thou shalt not wear shorts, but a woman can wear Baptist shorts also known as culottes, Thou shalt not expose any flesh if you are a woman, especially your thighs, breasts, or back, Thou shalt only wear dresses with hemlines below the knees if you are a woman, Thou shalt not have any physical contact with the opposite sex if you are unmarried, Thou shalt not have more than one hole in each ear if you are a woman, Thou shalt not pierce any body part except your ear, and then only if you are a woman, Thou shalt not watch TV, but if you are a carnal Christian and must watch TV thou shalt only watch, Thou shalt not go to the movie theater, but using streaming services is okay, Thou shalt always have tracts in your shirt pocket or purse, ready to evangelize at a moments notice, Thou shalt drive a car with church advertising stickers, IFB cliches, or Bible verses attached to the bumper, Thou shalt park down the street when visiting the local strip club or whore house lest the pastor know you are there and stay away, Thou shalt not listen to secular music, especially rock music, which is from the pit of hell, Thou shalt not listen to contemporary Christian music (CCM), Thou shalt not drink fermented alcohol after all, Jesus drank Welchs grape juice, Thou shalt not cuss, but saying darn, shoot, crap, freaking, and fudge are okay, Thou shalt not date non-Independent Baptist girls or boys, Thou shalt not have any non-Independent Baptist friends, Thou shalt home school your children or send them to a Christian school, Thou shalt only read pastor-approved Christian books, Thou shalt only believe what the pastor says you are to believe, Thou shalt say you have victory over sin, even if you are lying, Thou shalt adhere to the perception is reality rule, Thou shalt send your kids to the same Christian college the pastor went to, Thou shalt leave the church if you commit adultery, get a divorce, or get pregnant outside of marriage, Thou shalt believe everything the pastor says even when you are certain he is lying, speaking evangelistically, or embellishing his illustrations, Thou shalt wear a bra if you are a woman, and it can only be a white, underwire bra, Thou shalt not mix bathe (Baptist for swimming with the opposite sex), Thou shalt not go to amusement parks unless the youth group is going, Thou shalt not show emotion unless praising Jesus from 10:00 am to noon on Sunday or giving a testimony during Sunday evening service, Thou shalt say AMEN during at the appropriate time during the pastors sermon, especially when he shouts, pounds the pulpit, or performs gymnastics, Thou shalt not be angry even though the pastor is allowed to be angry, but thats because his anger is righteous anger, Thou shalt be for what the pastor is for and against what the pastor is against, because if you dont, a bear might come out of the woods and eat you, Thou shalt ignore any science that contradicts the Bible, Thou shalt never try to fix your own problems because the pastor is the official fixer of all problems, Thou shalt takes notes on the sermon even if the rabbit wanders five miles off the trail or the sermon is incoherent, Thou shalt always tell the pastor what a wonderful sermon he preached, even when you have no idea what he was talking about, Thou shalt always tell Sister Bertha what a wonderful job she did with her off-key rendition of, Thou shalt not use canned (taped) music for music specials. When it is obvious he is totally broken, she will hand him the rag and very calmly say, "Johnny, clean up your mess.". Accept no conditions for surrender. 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. It surrenders far too much to allow that fundamental refers to the core doctrines of the Christian faith. The fundamentals of fundamentalists are mainly not that at all, but rather a host of relatively recent doctrinal innovations, such as inerrancy. We could literally sit here all day adding standards to this; these guys are constantly changing on a whim. 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. NOT so that we can all march over there and say "huzzah! The Star-Telegram series is long, but I encourage you to read the whole thing. People who think that sexual abuse and its systematic cover-up is something that happens only in Roman Catholic Churches ought to read this devastating series in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, about how the same thing has been happening in a national network of independent fundamental Baptist churches. Thou shalt not work a job as a woman even if thou canst afford the private school and live in a shitty house because your husband spends all his after tax money on the private school and tithing. You brought the goods to the table. This is especially important, since the pastor needs his bodyguard detail rotated every so often. 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. Some of the best godly preachers like Jonathan Edwards and Charles Haddon Spurgeon were Baptists. Pastor Stacey Shiflett finally had enough: For Shiflett, the issue was personal. And despite all you've been through, here you are now! Here has been a few problems that caused divisions in the body of Christ thanks to some Independent Fundamental Baptists: 1.) 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. No other part of the anatomy (e.g. Not sure if they are trinitarian. Today, the independents are separating, even among themselves, over issues such as Bible translations, music style, and dress. One of the hardest life lessons I ever had to learn is that in the main, people prefer to be deceived. Thou shalt not eat at a restaurant on Sunday. This is the Christianity of millions of North Americans. We took sweet fellowship together. By David J. Stewart. I've heard of Dan Souza, but that's about all. Shellnut is also helpful in clarifying just who these independent fundamentalist Baptists are: Around 2.5 percent of Americans identify as independent Baptists, according to thePew Research Center more than belong to the Assemblies of God, Churches of Christ, or Episcopal and Anglican churches. 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. However there has been quite a problem with some fundamental Baptists. 7 reviews. 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. Defeat him totally. The study of literature no longer animates students' minds and souls. Many watch movies in their home.what is the difference? But I find it believable (which is not to say that I believe it, if you appreciate the distinction). - Truth and Song I recently read an article essentially asking this same question, What's Wrong With the Independent Fundamental Baptists? 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. I pastored Evangelical churches IFB, Southern Baptist, Christian Union, Sovereign Grace, and non-denominational for 25 years. Amendment though shalt say amen during service but only if you are male. In 1638, he founded the first Baptist church in America in uncolonized Rhode Island. Next time? Each IFB church is wholly autonomous and free from any outside governance. They pretended to be something they weren't. It is also my desire that those who have become nonbelievers will respond with a yes to Jesus. Refusing to cooperate with other members in the Church. ', (And since weve mentioned Bob Jones twice now, we should also mention that he was above all else a white supremacist. Never put him down and then allow him to get up. They kept what they wanted. You did what you were supposed to do: you sacrificed yourself. Are you saying God is a legalist? In any case, we are definitely living in the end times before the 2nd coming of Christ. - Forums For Independent Baptists - Online Baptist Community I ask this for your opinions, thoughts, and insights. This is a difficult question to answer because IFB is not a denomination, and each church is independent, but there are Fundamentalist fellowships and congresses which have met on rare occasion and have mentioned Calvinism. 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. According to the Pew Forum on Religious and Public Life, there are. Thou shalt not ever drink alcohol, unless its done in secret and confessed as sin on Sunday. Bruce left the ministry in 2005, and in 2008 he left Christianity. I would not have returned a clergyman to his former parish after what transpired but out of pastoral sensitivity to the desires of the overwhelming numbers of parishioners who sought his return, he said. Oh my. For the sake of consistency in training, you must follow through. If this doesnt work, she shall make the Sunday evening edition, Enjoy everyone! The SBC has hit the default button and returned to 1959. Jackson filed a police report. The submissiveness of women to their husbands can be found here which is not only present in churches, this is a cultural phenomenon which also impacts the faith. The New Testament is the authority in all matters of faith and practice. And the all important, Thou shalt not, never, under no circumstances, not even in thought, criticize the pastor. Gods anointed, remember! Please be advised that this rulebook is subject to change at the whim of the pastor. But they also have a high regard for the Bible. Sorted by: 1. 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. Careers Workplace and Religion Columnists, Recreation Outdoors and Religion Columnists, Religious Music and Entertainment Columnists, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, special report on sexual abuse and cover-ups in independent fundamental Baptist churches across the country, Hundreds Accuse Independent Baptist Pastors of Abuse, Hundreds of Sex Abuse Allegations Found in Fundamentalist BaptistChurches, Slavery and 'how to interpret the Bible' (cont'd.). Its pastor is divinely appointed and accountable to no earthly authority. Jack Hyles preached at our Christian school (1978) and Proclaimed that it was a sin for a boy to wear anything but white underwear, and also a sin if a boy didnt have his hair buzz cut on the back ! Much of this movement was a response to the so-called neo-evangelical movement. More importantly, its disrespectful to the victims who bravely came forward to share their stories with reporters from the Fort Worth paper. You brought all of yourself. Although the decentralized nature of Protestantism makes statistics very hard to find, weve particularly found opportunities for abuse and cover-ups in three kinds of situations. Every abortion, without exception, is murder. This is why I love Jesus. The Lordship controversy and misrepresenting the Lordship preachers. Jessop is a former member of the FLDS (fundamentalist, polygamist Mormons) and her story has a lot of parallels with Zichterman's. I haven't read this particular FLDS memoir . Having studied this group in particular, he provides some excellent background: The independent fundamentalist Baptist movement emerged sometime in the 1940s as an attempt to continue the legacy of the fundamentalist movement of the 1920s. Though not all in the movement look the same, the Duggars showcase several theological and cultural distinctives common among independent fundamental Baptists: adhering to strict biblical inerrancy, usually based exclusively on the King James Version (KJV); homeschooling; abstaining from pop culture as entertainment; and dressing modestly. He is the man of God who speaks for God. It's unlikely there isn't an IFB church within a half-hour drive from your house. Answer (1 of 7): >> Why are Baptist Churches so legalistic? He speaks for God, and God alone may judge him. It uses the Bible to "treat" everything from porn addiction to drug addiction. Questions About Independent Fundamental Baptists, Leighton Flowers, & Justin Peters Right Response Ministries 36K subscribers Subscribe 10K views 1 month ago GEORGETOWN Can you name one thing. (And yes, martial arts are ok, even though they originated from Asian sources; well win those yellow devils to Jesus, eventually). Apr 26, 2017. One particularly painful experience of nursing mothers is the biting baby. Twice in the New Testament, Paul gives long lists of human behaviors that preclude people from inheriting the kingdom of God. When in the 1940s and 1950s former fundamentalists such as Billy Graham, Carl F.H. Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world. The church I grew up in dwelt somewhere in that space. I surrendered to preach, and was called to the Lord's ministry as a result of growing up in an Independent Fundamental Baptist Church. However, after studying the Bible, I realized that it is about Gods love and grace, not keeping rules. So there is some good to the IFB movement. To members of the Facebook groups mentioned above: Our characters are forged in the crucible of what we survive. It is sinful for a woman to dress in any way that might cause a man to spiritually stumble by having even the slightest lustful thought. It's not just Baptist Churches; most organize denominations are in one way or another legalistic. Here has been a few problems that caused divisions in the body of Christ thanks to some Independent Fundamental Baptists: 1.) We look at what the Bible says about modern day issues and life problems. More than 200 people current or former church members, across generations shared their stories of rape, assault, humiliation and fear in churches where male leadership cannot be questioned. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! I would be more impressed if your god, who is supposed to be omnipotent, couldnt just save everyone. #1. He did not respond to specific questions that were sent to him. Find an Independent Fundamental Baptist Church | Canada. Bruce pastored Evangelical churches for twenty-five years in Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. Men alone are suited to be the head of home and church. They preferred to remain ignorant of evidence suggesting that something in the air around the plant was giving them cancer. IFB takes the "I" in its title extremely seriously; they are nothing if not independent. Select your instrument according to the child's size. Its not a good thing.. Your reporters deserve better management than this.