Fundamental Baptist Fellowship
78th Annual National Meeting
At Bethel Baptist Church, Schaumburg, Illinois
June 9-13, 1998

Resolutions

Concerning Matters of Doctrine:

98.1 THE SO-CALLED "OPEN VIEW" OF GOD:

The FBF believes that one of the most dangerous trends today is that of man creating God in his own image. Whereas Scripture teaches that man was made in the image of God, modern man has returned the favor and is busy making a God who is little more than a mere man. This is seen not only in a cult such as Mormonism with its doctrine of the eternal progression of man into a god, but also in so-called evangelical theology in "neotheism" which radically departs from the God of the Bible and traditional Christian theology. We affirm that God is unchanging, all-powerful, all-knowing, and absolutely sovereign, and reject the view that has been called "freewill theism" or the "open view" of God as articulated by Clark Pinnock.

98.2 THE REALITY OF JUDGMENT:

The FBF reaffirms the belief that God is holy, that men have sinful natures, that salvation is found only in the finished work of God, that an acceptance before God requires a conscious belief in Christ, that death ends any opportunity for accepting salvation, and that those who do not believe in Christ spend eternity in hell. We reject pluralism that affirms that there are many ways of salvation and that all religions are the same, that there is salvation through a knowledge of God gained from general revelation, that there is a postmortem encounter in which those who have not heard the gospel in this life will be given an opportunity following death, or that those who do not come to a saving faith in Christ will simply cease to exist.

98.3 THE LACK OF DOCTRINE IN CURRENT MUSIC:

The FBF believes that this weakening of the Biblical doctrine of the nature of God is reflected in much popular Christian music in which there is little emphasis upon God's holiness and wrath and judgment upon those who reject Him. While there is an emphasis upon God's care and provision for His children, an emphasis on the necessity of confession of sin, repentance, and the need for forgiveness is often muted. A corrective emphasis from the "horizontal" manward orientation to a more Biblical, "vertical" orientation toward God is sorely needed.

98.4 THE NEED FOR CLEAR PREACHING ON SIN AND SALVATION:

The FBF sees as weakness the change in preaching and evangelism which often picture man's plight as not being aligned with his nature, rather than being out of conformity with the will of God. We believe that selfishness is the root of sin and, therefore, condemn the modern movement toward self-esteem that finds man's significance within himself, rather than in a right relationship to his Creator God. We reject the Pelagianism which views man as born neutral in regard to sin and affirm the view of total depravity which teaches that every part of man's being has been corrupted and contaminated by sin. We believe that preaching that simply invites people to come to Christ to have needs met and that negates the need for repentance will cause the call to discipleship to be voided in the life of the average professor. We believe that a true evangelism calls for a radical change of life.

98.5 THE PRE-WRATH RAPTURE THEORY:

Whereas the pre-wrath theory which has been introduced primarily by Marvin Rosenthal and Walter Vankampen has departed from a traditional and historical dispensational position, has caused brothers in arms to divide, and the debate has led to confusion and conflict, be it resolved that the FBF cautions students of the Scripture to enter into the study of this eschatological interpretation with great caution, and reaffirms the FBF doctrinal statement that "we believe in our Lord's return-a personal, visible, imminent, pre-tribulation rapture, and subsequent millennial enthronement, in fulfillment of His promise."

Concerning Trends/Issues in Society:

98.6 CONCERNING COMPROMISE WITHIN THE "CHRISTIAN RIGHT":

The FBF believes that the Christian Right, in its zeal to restore the foundations of our Nation, often identifies the Kingdom of God with a particular political party and confuses morality and righteousness. We believe that often groups get caught up in the cause of civil righteousness and ignore or minimize the spiritual nature of the church which involves the proclamation of the gospel and reaching people for Christ. We also deplore the fact that in fighting moral battles that often the Christian Right brings together a plethora of doctrinal beliefs under the umbrella of "Christianity." This results in complete confusion as to the true nature of Christianity.

98.7 CONCERNING MORALITY IN AMERICA:

Whereas there is a severe and disgraceful degeneration of morals in America, exemplified in the highest office in the land, the FBF calls on all Fundamentalist Christians to pray earnestly for public officials and citizens of America to turn from their wickedness in repentance, to seek God's forgiveness, and to dedicate themselves to purity and principle, and to pray for revival in and God's mercy on an increasingly evil and immoral society.

98.8 CONCERNING SOCIAL ISSUES AND ETHICS:

While denying the existence of a "social gospel" in Scripture and warning that emphasis on social issues carries with it the danger of distracting God's people from the work of evangelism and discipleship, we recognize the necessity of Fundamentalists to clearly define the ethical implications of the gospel for personal Christian living. Therefore, we encourage gifted and Holy Spirit-led Fundamentalist leaders to evaluate modern societal conditions on the basis of Scripture; to boldly speak out concerning sin, wherever it may be found; to recognize and encourage the prophetic role preachers must play in their society at large; to impress upon all believers, as part of their love for God and love for others as themselves, the personal responsibility to live ethically in the world; to encourage all believers to honest and reasonable participation in government as good stewards of the freedoms allowed them by God; to strive to provide pastors the information necessary to shepherd their flocks with Scriptural wisdom and an updated understanding of the medical, technological, social, and civil conditions in which that wisdom must be applied; to diligently seek revival with prayer and fasting as the only true means of widespread social change.

Concerning Trends/Issues in the Ministry:

98.9 CONCERNING THE "GOSPEL OF SELF-ESTEEM":

The FBF condemns the continued slide of the religious world into a gospel of self-esteem which changes the Biblical message of how a holy God accepts depraved humanity into an emphasis of how good people accept themselves. This perversion has severely distorted the true gospel of Christ and has produced a generation devoted to hedonism (pleasure is the principal good in life) and narcissism (an infatuation with self). This has resulted in an "entitlement ethic" rather than a work ethic that has moved beyond simply wanting something into a feeling that we deserve it.

98.10 CONCERNING THE CHURCH GROWTH MOVEMENT:

The FBF expresses concern for the loss of Biblical authority in the church growth movement with a consequent emphasis upon pragmatism in the ministry. This is seen in articles that draw heavily from the behavioral sciences instead of Biblical and theological materials. While lauding the church growth movement for its desire to propagate the gospel and multiply churches, we believe that the term "growth" needs to be defined in terms of Biblical holiness among believers, rather than simply size and numbers. We believe that the church growth movement must continue to analyze itself and be certain that its methodology flows from proper theology.

98.11 CONCERNING "EVANGELICALS AND CATHOLICS TOGETHER":

The FBF resolves to continue its opposition to the ecumenical confusion begun and perpetuated by the absurd and hopeless attempts to reconcile the gospel with the false doctrine of Rome in the "Evangelicals and Catholics Together" dialog. The latest installment, particularly in its inability to agree on a definition of "The Gift of Salvation," demonstrates the futility of trying to heal the breach rightly brought by the Reformation between the Truth and its Enemy. The FBF takes the simple view that "evangelicals" will have to become essentially "Catholics" if they are to get "together," whereas the gospel, if believed, would make Christians out of Catholics. The "gift of salvation" is fundamental; it does not need to be defined by compromisers, but received by sinners, both "Evangelicals" and "Catholics" together.

98.12 ON SACRIFICING TO AVOID DENOMINATIONALISM:

Whereas intra-church fellowship and communication necessitates strong leadership for mission boards, quality publications, planning and scheduling of conferences, coordination of financing, and the innumerable details usually looked after by a denominational headquarters or by its paid employees, the FBF resolves to maintain its "undenominational" structure and encourages pastors and churches to understand and teach the critical importance of these responsibilities. Busy pastors must, in addition to caring for their own congregations, tend to these additional duties in order to prevent the rise of denominationalism and all its attendant compromises. The FBF expresses its sincere appreciation to those who understand and support the need for already overburdened men to serve in these ways and calls on others to get under the load, voluntarily, and lift.

98.13 CONCERNING "PSEUDO-FUNDAMENTALISM":

The FBF in the late 1970's looked with suspicion at Jerry Falwell's "pseudo-fundamentalism," explaining it as new evangelicalism in embryonic form and declaring that unless drastic changes were made in his direction that the baby born would be new evangelical. The delivery that soon took place confirmed this and Falwell's continued compromise denies him any claim to Biblical Fundamentalism. Those faithful to the cause of Christ, the authority of the Bible and Biblical separatism should continue to warn those over whom they have indigence in order to avoid their deception.

98.14 CONCERNING BIBLICAL COUNSELING FOR HIRE:

Whereas the Word of God mandates that true ministers are readily available to "labor night and day" (1 Thess. 2:9) and are forbidden the practice of ministry "for filthy lucre" (1 Pet. 5:3), and whereas it is a sin to "make merchandise" of the Lord's work (2 Peter 2:3) and whereas 1 Cor. 9:18 teaches that charging fees for gospel ministry is an abuse of power, be it therefore resolved that the FBF opposes the contemporary Christian Counseling practice of pastors charging for counseling services.

98.15 CONCERNING REVIVAL:

The FBF believes in true revival, but recognizes that Satan can falsify the genuine with strange fire. We commend the study of Scripture and church history to ascertain the nature of genuine revival and to determine the distinguishing marks of a genuine work of God. 98.16 CONCERNING "SIGNS AND WONDERS":

The FBF rejects signs and wonders as taught and promoted by the so called "Third Wave" movement. We believe that when the emphasis is on the unusual phenomena of signs and wonders rather than on the rational content of the gospel itself that the result is doctrinal confusion and ambiguity.

98.17 CONCERNING ROMAN CATHOLICISM:

The FBF continues to affirm that Roman Catholicism is not Biblical Christianity, but rather perverts the Word of God with its doctrines of papal infallibility, the sacraments, the place given to tradition, and auricular confession to a Roman priest who absolves sin in the name of the Roman Catholic Church. Further, we condemn all attempts made by ecumenical groups such as the World Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches, Promise Keepers, and the document issued as "Evangelicals and Catholics Together" to gloss over these differences and present the Roman Catholic Church as falling within the parameters of Biblical Christianity.

98.18 CONCERNING VERSIONS AND TRANSLATIONS:

The FBF deplores the attempts being made unnecessarily to divide fundamentalists over the matter of versions and translations. We reaffirm our previous resolutions on this matter and the historic fundamental position that infallibility, inspiration, and inerrancy are posited only in the autographa and are not to be ascribed to any manuscript or version of the Holy Scriptures. We deplore translation attempts by those not committed to the integrity of Scripture. At the same time, we condemn those who, in an attempt to defend a particular translation, resort to perverting and misusing statements of those whom they consider their opponents in this debate. We recommit ourselves to living truths of Scripture as well as defending them.

Concerning Our Friendships:

98.19 REGARDING THE PASSING OF DR. BOB JONES:

Whereas Dr. Bob Jones championed the cause of Christ-honoring Fundamentalism in over 70 years of fruitful ministry, the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship resolves to praise the Lord for our friend, mentor, and fellow in arms and to honor his memory and legacy by our continued stand for the "faith once delivered" that "Dr. Bob" counted so dear. As preacher, evangelist, poet, author, educator, administrator, spokesman, actor, connoisseur of the arts, teacher and friend, Dr. Bob stood apart from the multitudes as a man without equal. Yet, in true humility of service, Dr. Bob ministered to ministers and shared the gospel whether the place was large or small, opulent or obscure. We resolve to honor and uphold the memory of Dr. Bob Jones as the friend of this organization and the cause of Christ and Fundamentalism throughout the world. 98.20 CONCERNING OUR HOSTS:

The FBF expresses its sincere appreciation to Dr. Frank Bumpus and the people of Bethel Baptist Church of Schaumburg, Illinois, for hosting the 78th Annual Meeting of the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship. Having shouldered a great responsibility for FBF National Meetings and having set the standard of quality for Frontline magazine, both at great expense to its own ministry, this church has shown itself to be a real friend of the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship and an example to others in making its lovely facilities and excellent staff so readily available for our use and edification. We thank them sincerely and pray God's richest blessings on them.

98.21 CONCERNING AWANA CLUBS INTERNATIONAL:

The FBF recognizes the valuable contribution made by AWANA Clubs International in the evangelization and discipleship of children and youth. It appreciates the benefits of Scripture memory in the many churches whose pastors are identified with the FBF. According to its own documents and published correspondence, the AWANA Charter, prior to 1995, was "not available to churches affiliated with denominations that (were) members of the National Council of Churches (USA only) and/or the World Council of Churches." By its own admission, NCC churches, such as those in the American Baptist Convention, were chartered since 1963. When the American Council of Christian Churches pointed out this contradiction, AWANA changed its policy to state that "the AWANA Charter is not available to churches that are supportive of the National Council of Churches." The FBF affirms its agreement with the ACCC in its concern over this significant weakening of the AWANA policy. Whereas AWANA should have enforced its original policy, it changed its policy to state more directly its own contradictory practice. The FBF calls on the AWANA Clubs International to correct this unscriptural compromise with the NCC and declares its conviction that there can be no NCC member that is not in de facto support of its unscriptural mission.

1998 Resolutions Committee

Dr. John C. Vaughn, Chairman
Rev. Earl Barnett
Rev. Jeff Musgrave
Dr. Chuck Phelps
Dr. Kevin Schaal
Dr. Mark Simmons
Dr. Jim Singleton