Dr. James L. Boyer

So often we hear the accusation that there is a lack of love for their brethren on the part of the Fundamentalists. For sixteen years, I served as a pastor in a denomination where I found the Lord and where I received my early training in the Word of God. Amidst the rapidly growing apostasy in that church, I attempted to maintain a testimony for the true Gospel. I heard this accusation repeatedly, and the ‘gospel of love’ constantly harped upon. And I saw how it worked among the liberal churchmen who preached it.

THE "HATEFUL" LOVE OF THE APOSTATES

I saw love and tolerance shown to the pink advocates of socialism and the recognition of communism. I saw love and loyalty pressed as a reason for keeping silent about the inroads modernism was making in the seminary and colleges of the denomination. I saw love and understanding used to excuse the breakdown of moral standards in the churches and church institutions.

I saw love and humility employed to belittle convictions and undermine men’s faith in the great Christian teachings. I saw love and brotherhood held up as justification for cooperation with Christ-denying and unscriptural organizations and purposes. I saw love exalted as the only really important Christian virtue.

But strangely enough, I saw this love directed toward everyone except the one who believed the Bible. Against the Fundamentalist these preachers of the doctrine of love showed unqualified hate. I saw them turn white with anger when a Bible-believing Christian dared to criticize some policy or refused to support some compromising program. I have letters in my files in which high church officials urged scorn, ridicule and name-calling, threats, misrepresentation and lies—every conceivable tool of hatred—against persons who crossed them.

THE "PSEUDO" LOVE OF THE NEW-EVANGELICALS

Recently I was urged to read some of the neoevangelical writings to see for myself their wonderful spirit of Christian love. And truly it was remarkable. I saw love for the intellectual person who has difficulty accepting the fact of Christianity and who needs another road of faith.

I saw love and broadmindness toward the one who would give up the doctrine of creation in favor of biological evolution. I saw love and sympathy for the one who is lacking in social grace and wants to indulge in the innocent pastime of dancing because David danced before the Lord. I saw love excusing cooperation with modernists and unbelievers in the work of preaching the gospel.

But what happens to this doctrine of love when these "champions of orthodoxy" meet the Fundamentalist? Contempt and disparagement, reproach and name-calling ("cultic" is the word), false accusations and insinuations—all the tools of hatred are again called into use against the Fundamentalist. It is the same old tune, but a different voice singing: "Makes me love everybody—except a Fundamentalist."

It seems that nobody loves a Fundamentalist. The reason is found in John 15:17-20. And I am not too much impressed with the sentimental exaltation of love over doctrine as advocated by the New-Evangelicals when they apply it to everyone except those who have preserved for them their own faith."

REAL GENUINE LOVE

Frankly, I have found more love during the thirty years I have spent among the "Fighting Fundamentalists" than I ever saw demonstrated among the love-preaching liberals.

Copied with one minor placement adaptation: Grace Theological Seminary [GTS] Spire, Winter, 1980

Ed: Unfortunately, the Seminary that printed this article and the denomination that sponsors that school—Grace Brethren Church—have both since defected to the New-Evangelical camp and are guilty of spreading the same "pseudo" love [hatred!] about uncompromising Fundamentalists today! [The Editor changed the title]

February – March 2008 The Fundamentalist Digest; Permission granted for reprint, so long as proper credit is given. The above item is a sample of the numerous timely articles that are contained in the bi-monthly issues of The Fundamentalist Digest