Although I did finally deconvert I resent the years I lost trying to live under these ridiculous guidelines. Are you saying God is a legalist? Going to the movies could also lead to you having a bad testimony before the world. The one thing I do want to say for anyone just making their way out of the darkness of Independent Fundamental Baptists is this: that you once so thoroughly bought into IFB is a sign of your strength, not your weakness. 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. For years people who have read the satire and parody on the Stuff Fundies Like blog have asked for someone write a companion that not only points out the problems in Baptist Fundamentalism but also . 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. It could be the case that Bishop Andonios is lying here. Hed twice been a victim of attempted sexual misconduct in the church world. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. They kept what worked for them. Im saved now, right? And then theres the OTs 600+ laws, including the Ten Commandments. A friendly fellowship group for members of local New Testament Independent Baptist churches. Get tough. It tried to explain and figure out why IFB churches seem to be drying up and closing their doors. Only the KJV will be used in this group; please check . INDEPENDENT FUNDAMENTAL BAPTISTS FAR TOO MANY OF THEM RUN WITH DEVILS . I really want to write a book or start a podcast about all this shit at some point. 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). Bruce pastored Evangelical churches for twenty-five years in Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. Many say baptism is required for salvation and I have been pushed to do so. Get right, stay right, amen. Landover, MD 20785. When he got in trouble, Hyles was able to simply move on, from one church assignment to the next. Single. This list also sounds similar to what Adventists practiced. If he continues to show defiance by jerking around and defending himself, or by expressing anger, then she will wait a moment and again lecture him and again spank him. It was they who didn't truly commit to the truths upon which they claimed to be basing their lives. Become a member and enjoy the very best from The American Conservative in print & digital. Here are the 5 key issues that have hurt the Independent Baptist world in some cases, as well as greatly damaging the lives of some believers: A Failure To Adequately Preach The Bible When our preaching goes backward, the whole apple cart rocks and soon turns over. It really is that simple. In 1976, Dr. Jack Trieber was called to pastor this work. 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. Its pastor is divinely appointed and accountable to no earthly authority. This is especially important, since the pastor needs his bodyguard detail rotated every so often. I grew up in a similar church. For a woman to be pleasing to God she must always and in all things remain perfectly submissive, first to her father and then to her husband. (2) Evangelical culture has a conference and lecture circuit with celebrities and quasi-celebrities who come to cities for weekend workshops and one-night lectures that provide opportunities to sin and go, leaving behind casualties. You brought all of yourself. This is why I love Jesus. But, I have a few, from the legendary Dr Bob of Longview: Thou shalt watch football on Monday night. Beside the fact that you were likely born into IFB and so never chose to believe anything about it one way or another, your allegiance to IFB means nothing more than that you love. Their page says "Our church is a friendly fundamental Bible-believing Independent Baptist . Let us always bear in mind that the IFB no more represents Christianity than the Taliban represents Islam. Especially about another member of the church, said Josh Elliott, a former member of Vineyards Oklahoma City church. They used you as fodder in the war between themselves and everything they fear. Today, the independents are separating, even among themselves, over issues such as Bible translations, music style, and dress. Never put him down and then allow him to get up. (Please note: if thou art truly right with God, the only acceptable team to pull for is Michigan State). (1)"I put him on the "auto trash" list because he never offers anything that is edifying, or even Biblical, but just his snide remarks and liberal/protestant opinions!" (2) "You are not my brother. 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. Thou shalt not speak in Sunday morning service if thou be a woman, unless you are the soloist and you want to give thanks and praise to Jesus for the wonderful song. 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. #1. Later that afternoon, thou shalt go to work. 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). [8] They refuse any form of ecclesial authority other than that of the local church. 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 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. He was a great man! Baptism therefore represents the Gospel, which consists of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. 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. Ugh. They controlled the process except for the final approval. Meant to be taken literally, the KJV is inspired, inerrant, infallible, and the supreme and final authority in all things. Look at homosexuality within the priesthood. Thank the almighty for the military to fix that shiz, lol. Independent. Here has been a few problems that caused divisions in the body of Christ thanks to some Independent Fundamental Baptists: 1.) Thou shalt hide this alcohol so the pastor doesnt see it when he visits you because you missed Sunday school due to a hangover. God has greatly blessed this ministry, which now averages nearly 3,000 a week in attendance. From the time I can remember (3-4 years old) I knew in the back of my mind it was all bullshit filled with lies and hypocrisy. Baptism: While some Christian faiths perform Baptism on infants, for Baptists this ritual is only performed after a person professes Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. My mom grew up with this rule but never was told why. I was recently asked to write a few words of support and love for the members of two Facebook groups, Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) Cult Survivors and Do Right Hyles-Anderson. This means that God changed his mind, yes? The Lordship controversy and misrepresenting the Lordship preachers. Scripture alone. And before you move on to other people to evangelize, consider that many former Evangelicals know the Bible inside and out. In surviving the worst, survivors of IFB have become the best. So I messaged and they do baptisms. Your reporters deserve better management than this. They attended Bill Gothard seminars and proudly embraced that whole creepy business. 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. Refusing to cooperate with other members in the Church. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. He did not respond to specific questions that were sent to him. He is supported by the pastor, Greg Neal, and his Twitter feed shows him traveling around the country, welcomed at churches. This guide to "consistently rewarding every transgression with a switching" (from the book's introduction) has sold more than 670,000 copies. Sometimes alternatives have to be sought. Unlike the Catholic Church, the fundamental Baptist church considers itself to be made up of independent entities. Shellnut also draws on Messiah College historian John Feas description of these independent fundamentalist Baptists, so lets turn to that. 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. The pastor, Jack Trieber, dressed in a yellow tie and matching pocket square, reached into his pocket to put on his glasses before reading a statement that allegations of inappropriate conduct had been made against Giovanelli. 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. 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. You're the power. Every church we went to was full of fucking pedophiles and rapists. I've been looking for a church that does baptisms and a church up the road does them. 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. Dreherlives in Baton Rouge, La. 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. Part 2: Southern Baptist churches hired ministers accused of past sex offenses. This is an independent fundamental Baptist program that has chapters in churches all across the country. So, down through the centuries, the . There is no appreciable moral distinction between homosexuality and bestiality, incest, child molestation or rape. Where you claim what's true. Your word is final. The SBC has hit the default button and returned to 1959. Dented, maybe, a little -- but definitely not broken. Each IFB church is wholly autonomous and free from any outside governance. Some of the best godly preachers like Jonathan Edwards and Charles Haddon Spurgeon were Baptists. I started listening to country music, drinking beer, watching movies, and eventually joined the military. That is their unforgiveable sin. You're the strength. (Not the liberal InterVarsity, mind you, Campus Crusade.). 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. 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. His manner of teaching is rough and salted with racist comments about Black folks. There's something going on that wasn't here before. 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. Be firm with him. What a list! 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. If I do Ill comment on this comment with details. 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. #1. But Black Baptists reject the MAGA revolution that has taken the GOP, and the SBC, by storm. Dr. R has some real practical theology problems. al. Enforcing King James only-ism down the throats in some of their groups. Women need not apply and should not study martial arts. It is also my desire that those who have become nonbelievers will respond with a yes to Jesus. 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. And they used the best of who you are, and the best of what you have to give, to feed those lies. So men cant have facial hair but women can? For decades, women and children have faced rampant sexual abuse while worshiping at independent fundamental Baptist churches around the country. He cries in pain. Her community turned on her, even though she was defending their health; most of the people in the community worked at local chemical plants, and they feared that the pharmacists allegations would cost them their jobs. For a sense of what this second-degree or double-separation means, think of Bob Jones dismissive definition of an evangelical: Someone who says to a liberal: Ill call you a Christian if you call me a scholar. For the larger child, a belt or larger tree branch is effective. I know that they are KJV only and Arminian. All these Rules have nothing to do with Salvation.Jesus set us free from bondage called Legalism.Galatians5.This There rules but not biblical.This is a system of control its a man made book of rules. Hope you have a good day. Look at the Catholic ban on priestly marriage, and the pressures that creates. And when you cant question your leaders, weve seen it in politics, you know what happens. I cant for the life of me understand why, disgruntled as you are, you would go out of your way to take a personal hand in someones trip to eternal punishment. Baptist. Unless you are a college student on a bus route. (And yes, martial arts are ok, even though they originated from Asian sources; well win those yellow devils to Jesus, eventually). I went with you to Fundamentalist and Fresh Oil conferences, Pastors' School, Missions, and Youth Conferences. * Maybe some can relate to this cartoon from NAKEDPASTOR. Twice in the New Testament, Paul gives long lists of human behaviors that preclude people from inheriting the kingdom of God. Exempt this special report from your paywall. It started as part of the Northern Baptist convention but, concerned about creeping liberalism in that association, split away to join the Conservative Baptists. Image Conscious Its been the M.O. There are other problems among fundamentalist Baptists as well as Homophobia : "I told her that I was raped and how violent it was and how I was terrified it would happen again. When the apostles, the first members of the first church, and others went out preaching the Gospel and establishing other churches, this authority was transferred to them. Next time? Oh, as a new convert attending an Adventist college, I actually said, heck or darn around one of the older teachers (40 years ago). This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. I was in the Christian church for 50 years. You cant question your leaders, Hardy said. 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. All articles free to share and God bless! Addendum: Thousand shalt not even THINK about piercing ANYTHING below the waste! You loved when you had no more love to give. The items you are questioning are not the "doctrine" of independent fundamental Baptists. This group is for fellowship, sharing of resources, devotional thoughts, posting of sermons, news of interest, ministry ideas, missionary/church links, KJV verse photos, and general edification. I didnt understand the extremes of it and was so glad for makeup, but why yell about it from the pulpit?! It is therefore literally true that God created the world in six 24-hour days; Satan is real, the enemy of God, and the instigator of all false religions; the theory of evolution is unscriptural and therefore without merit; hell is a real place where all who die without having accepted Christ as their Savior suffer consciously being roasted alive for eternity, and so on. All of the above were part of the unwritten code at my Fundy church 40 years ago. UGH!!!! Rod Dreher is a senior editor atThe American Conservative. This means that IFB churches do not look to creeds, confessions, or church councils to determine their doctrinal positions. 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 ! Meant to be taken literally, the KJV is inspired, inerrant, infallible, and the supreme and final authority in all things. She then administers [to a three-year-old] about ten slow, patient licks on his bare legs. The label can be used by a range of autonomous, Bible-believing Baptists (fundamentalbeing a reference to the core doctrines of the Christian faith). Independent Baptists are not part of any denominational organization, such as the Southern Baptist Convention. Part 3: All . What does the description of an "Independent Fundamental Baptist" Church mean? And the all important, Thou shalt not, never, under no circumstances, not even in thought, criticize the pastor. Gods anointed, remember! So hard to tell if it is a cult. In 1638, he founded the first Baptist church in America in uncolonized Rhode Island. The cause is clear. Finally, now, it's time for you to dance to your own song. you're wrong!" Cathy, if you had read more of what Bruce wrote, you would see that your simplistic message isnt necessary. 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. Its not a good thing.. Transportation Services Coordinator. Cat got his tongue? Why? 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. Say the name of that group several times, slowly, and let it all sink in New. The basic beliefs of this group is Anti-LGBT, Misogyny, Anti-Worldliness, KJV Bible only, anti-semitism, and more. Ug, stupid auto correct. All of it so true and I laughed out loud at some of them!!! Independent Fundamental Baptists (IFB) is a loosely-affiliated, cultish denomination of Christian fundamentalists. To get up is to be on the firing line and get switched back down. They sent their kids to Bob Jones and Pensacola the only choices permitted to them. You arent any different than those of us who have been where you are Cathy. One of my other professors did allow that saying shoot was okay, as she was used to people from Ohio saying it! I was never attacked by them, and to the best of my knowledge neither were my siblings. Preacherboys should watch it in the college gym; anywhere else is worldly. We took sweet fellowship together. You are a lying snake and lost as Hogan's goat." Pastor Tom Cassidy, First Baptist Church, Spring Valley, CA Perhaps the most well-known Independent Fundamentalist Baptists today are the Duggars, the quiverfull family made famous by the reality show19 Kids and Counting. 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. They also typically teach that the translators of the . Answer (1 of 7): >> Why are Baptist Churches so legalistic? This series needs to be widely read but, unfortunately, the Star-Telegramsshort-sighted, inflexible paywall will prevent that from happening.