There have been various threads where some of the negatives of fundamentalism have been discussed. What sometimes irks me is the idea that a person's spiritually can be gauged by externals, such as watching movies, watching TV, dancing, drinking, smoking, hair length, and the like. If you don't do these things, you're a 'good Christian', and if you do them you're not.

One thing I like about much of fundamentalism is their zeal for evangelism. Although I don't think doing any of these things in and of themselves are bad, if I wanted to be better at evangelism, it would make sense to take a look at some of these things and evaluate how much time is spent doing them. Watching TV, going to the movies, etc. may not be bad, but if I have x number of hours of free time after work or whatever, and I spend most or all of that time watching TV, then going to the movies, then going out dancing, then that would be counterproductive if I want to learn to become better at evangelism.

So, in a way, if I refuse to examine my life with regard to these things, and just say that I have Christian liberty to do them, perhaps that might be an indication that I'm not a 'good Christian' (though perhaps "wise Christian" might be a better term).

In thinking through my irkyness at what I see as negatives, I'm wondering how such thinking could be beneficial and helpful for the Christian walk. Any thoughts?

__________________
Bob Howes
Framingham, MA

A reoccurring thought:

Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.