Comments on: Kevin Bauder on the Dissolution of Pillsbury

By: Bauder’s present reflections on Fundamentalism « Idaho for God’s Glory

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 06:04:26 +0000

[...] October 27, 2008 by Todd Wood I agree with him. [...]

By: Todd Wood

Todd Wood — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 05:53:41 +0000

Thanks for these thoughts.

By: Rick

Rick — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 19:47:40 +0000

In order for fundamentalists to know how to respond to the collapse, they need to be able to identify and admit the reason for the collapse.

My theory is that a movement that is based on and focused on separation is naturally going to splinter and break apart over time as it eventually turns on itself over anything and everything.

Separation is a natural part of the Christian life. But it is not the basis of it.

Fundamentalism needs to have a totally different mindset. Instead of being all about separation, it needs to be all about what is fundamental–the glory of God and the power of the gospel. Separation is merely an element within those broader two concepts.

By: Jason Janz

Jason Janz — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 20:55:46 +0000

Andy [Efting],

Kevin travels broadly within this strain of fundamentalism. He speaks everywhere. He is widely read. He interacts with hundreds both in and out of the movement. He has been to every Bible college and has seen the landscape there as well. If Pillsbury was the only sign of a fundamentalism that is diminishing, I think you have a point (which still is a micro explanation of his). But I would have to agree with Kevin’s analysis over yours. Frankly, I’m glad someone with Kevin’s clout has come out and said what a lot of people have been seeing.

These shots will be heard round the fundamentalist world:

1. What is clear is that the mainstream of historic fundamentalism is dwindling.

2. The question is not whether fundamentalism is collapsing. The question is how we should respond to the collapse.

In my opinion, Kevin just changed the conversation for the next five years.

By: Andy Efting

Andy Efting — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 14:45:29 +0000

I’m not sure that the closing of Pillsbury says anything significant about the state of fundamentalism. I’m not from the area or know anything about the area but it seems to me that maybe what it says it that there just wasn’t a significant difference between Pillsbury, Northland, and Maranatha to justify the existence of three separate fundamental Bible colleges all in the same general area of the country. To me it looks like simple economics.

By: Aaron Blumer

Aaron Blumer — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 04:50:40 +0000

“Its unfortunate that many people outside of fundamentalism do not view fundamentalists the way that Bauder describes. For many, the word has tragically becomes a very negative thing.”
True. Unfortunately, nowadays all you have to do is be evangelical in order to be labeled “fundamentalist” pejoratively by the press. James Dobson is now “a fundamentalist” in news items on a regular basis. So, sadly, the term has come to mean “anybody we the enlightened feel is extreme.”

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:33:05 +0000

Its unfortunate that many people outside of fundamentalism do not view fundamentalists the way that Bauder describes. For many, the word has tragically becomes a very negative thing.