Before a subject can be intelligently discussed the parties involved must define the terms that will be used. With that in mind, let us examine the subject of this series by answering a question: Who are the “ultra-conservative Catholics” and “Fundamentalist (Protestant) Evangelicals” Pope Francis spoke about as written in the first paragraph of this series?

The words “conservative” and “fundamentalist” refer to people who believe that the Bible is God’s Word/ Truth AS WRITTEN, which was the same attitude Jesus Christ held when He walked the earth as a man. Recall that when He was being tested by Satan following His 40-day fast (Mat. 4) His reaction to each test began with 3 words: “IT IS WRITTEN.” The Son of God’s only defense to the best the god of the earth could throw at Him was the Word of God. If God’s Words were good enough for the Messiah when locked in mortal battle with His arch enemy, they are good enough for His people at all times and under all circumstances. True conservative fundamentalists know that the Holy Bible is God’s unalterable Instruction Book for attaining eternal life. A problem arises when the terms in question are misapplied.

There is a large contingent within professing Christendom who call themselves “fundamentalists” and  “conservatives.” The problem is that belief in and obedience to God’s Word–true fundamental conservatism–has become virtually non-existent within religious circles. In the early church those called “fundamentalist conservatives” would not have been allowed in the body of Christ. Of the tens of thousands labeled “fundamentalist” and “conservative” by liberal progressives in the modern version of “Christianity,” not more than 1% fit the description. These people are easily identified when they can be found. According to “the church,” they are those rejected, ridiculed, ostracized “backsliders” who have “fallen from grace” and have no chance at salvation, unless of course, they repent, get “really” saved and join “the” church. I have received phone calls and letters condemning me for being a true conservative fundamentalist. The irony of the situation is that many of those who condemn me call themselves conservative fundamentalists. These are fake Christians, bogus believers who come against anyone having the spiritual spine to speak God’s Truth.

Just as Stephen was attacked by a super-religious crowd (Acts 7,8), anyone who speaks God’s Truth today will be attacked in one form or another. Such a person is despised by those within Satan’s church system, as is the Lord who sends him (Lk. 10:16).

Now let us address the word “evangelical.” An “Evangelical Christian” is one who, through his words and actions, allows God’s “light” (Word/Truth) to shine in his life for all to see. It is from this term that we get the words “evangelist” and “evangelize.” Informal evangelism takes place when we live according to God’s Word as it is written. Formal evangelism takes place when a minister openly preaches and writes God’s Word. As the Lord stated in Matthew 7:13,14, very few hearers and readers will choose His strait and narrow way as written in His Word, which Jesus called “Truth” (Jn. 17:17). As He prophesied, the vast majority of church goers choose to live in Satan’s false light known globally as “Christianity.”

In summary, there are only a minutely few thousand true conservative fundamentalists world-wide while fake “con-funs” number in the millions. The rest are Social Gospelists. This problem is multiplied by the fact that the evangelicals among the con-funs and Soc-gosps are zealously spreading their perverted gospels (Gal. 1:6-9) throughout the world, and doing so in the name of Jesus Christ Who rejects them and their false Christianity. The Christian world has embraced the devil’s perverted gospel, thereby proving that Jesus was right: “Satan has deceived the whole world” (Rev. 12:9). L.J.