Ugh. 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. you're wrong!" People who think that sexual abuse and its systematic cover-up is something that happens only in Roman Catholic Churches ought to read this devastating series in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, about how the same thing has been happening in a national network of independent fundamental Baptist churches. The King James Version is the only true Word of God; all other translations of the Bible are the work of the devil. And hold him there until he is surrendered. And not to tell anyone. Ben Bogard (1868-1951) was its chief defender during his lifetime. A god who condemns people to an eternal hell for evil committed during a human lifespan isnt worthy of worship. Or their kids just went to Rutgers, but with the assurance that they would be faithful members of a Campus Crusade chapter there. The central role of white supremacy explicit and implicit in the independent fundamentalist Baptist movement deserves more study and more insight than I can easily provide. If you'd like to see the rest of this post (the whole of which was too large to post here), thank you and it's here. To know is to be responsible. Black people bear the indelible and wretched curse of the "mark of Cain.". It is also my desire that those who have become nonbelievers will respond with a yes to Jesus. Then, say people who were in attendance, he proceeded to praise Giovanelli. True Independent Fundamental Baptist Churches uphold the purest teachings of the early church as revealed in the New Testament." . 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. A bit later, concerned about creeping liberalism in that association, it split away to join the GARB (the General Association of Regular Baptists no, really, thats a thing). Prove that you are bigger, tougher, more patiently enduring and are unmoved by his wailing. This will of course be true with any large group of people. Could someone please explain? Today, the independents are separating, even among themselves, over issues such as Bible translations, music style, and dress. For the under one year old, a little, ten- to twelve-inch long, willowy branch (striped of any knots that might break the skin) about one-eighth inch diameter is sufficient. While practices can vary from church to church, independent fundamental Baptists do share some core beliefs, according to Christianity Today: that the Bible is the divinely inspired and inerrant word of God, for example, and that people should use only the King James Version of the text.Independent fundamental Baptists refrain from engaging in pop culture and many also home-school their kids. The Bible is filled with rules that have everything to do with salvation. I would add that all church communities are at risk of condemning the victims for the sake of maintaining the community, and the illusion that all is well. 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. You loved them in that (and a million other) ways. This past summer, amid new stories of Catholic sex abuse, the Evangelical magazine Worldcautioned its readers not to make the mistake of thinking that it cannot and does not happen in Protestant churches. The Star-Telegram included in its count churches where alleged abusers had served before or after alleged abuse occurred because the allegations could affect the congregants. God has greatly blessed this ministry, which now averages nearly 3,000 a week in attendance. Dented, maybe, a little -- but definitely not broken. Single. Where you write the rules. Generally speaking howe. NIFB Is A Cult | The NIFB Will Not Be Tolerated. When he spoke out, other pastors condemned him. I would not have returned a clergyman to his former parish after what transpired but out of pastoral sensitivity to the desires of the overwhelming numbers of parishioners who sought his return, he said. I guarantee you that most independent fundamentalist Baptists in this country are furious at the Star-Telegram today. If the crying turns to a true, wounded, submissive whimper, you have conquered; he has submitted his will. Like the millions of others around the country who need to read these stories, they wont be able to unless they subscribe to a newspaper hundreds of miles from where they live. Those who opposed the Great Whore of Revelation before the rise of the Reformers were again you guessed it; BAPTIST CHRISTIANS who came before the Protestant Christians ever came to existence and I am proud of my Baptist heritage. Blockbuster report about systemic sex crimes in ultra-conservative Protestant churches. I am curious why the Ifb doesnt want Christians to go to the movie theatre? Get your act together, Star-Telegram senior staff. Become a member and enjoy the very best from The American Conservative in print & digital. And they used the best of who you are, and the best of what you have to give, to feed those lies. It's just the nature of them I guess. But Black Baptists reject the MAGA revolution that has taken the GOP, and the SBC, by storm. 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. Im still a believer but cringe when I hear someone try to say what is sin and what is not. sigh Do you realize how offensive your words are to unbelievers; people who struggled and agonized over leaving Christianity? If you're unfamiliar with the beliefs and practices of the Independent Fundamental Baptists, some of them are: IFBs also generally believe that the will of a child must be broken before it ever has a chance to develop: a fussing or crying baby is exerting its selfish will. The Lordship controversy and misrepresenting the Lordship preachers. There's something going on that wasn't here before. The Independent Baptist Fellowship is the end-product of the legacy journey that started some 60 years ago. She then administers [to a three-year-old] about ten slow, patient licks on his bare legs. I never understood it. His manner of teaching is rough and salted with racist comments about Black folks. The philosophy is you dont air your dirty laundry in front of everyone. My religious upbringing was pretty bizarre, but this stuff? And because of your trusting love for them, you let them. But I find it believable (which is not to say that I believe it, if you appreciate the distinction). 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. For the larger child, a belt or larger tree branch is effective. I grew up with kids who were in churches like that one. Baptism means that a believer is bodily immersed in water followed by being raised up out of the water again. The video posted on the church website ends. Independent. On the bare legs or bottom, switch him eight or ten licks; then, while waiting for the pain to subside, speak calm words of rebuke. Because today the media's primary food source is outrageousness, the IFB receives an inordinate amount of media attention. Independent Fundamental Baptists (IFB) is a loosely-affiliated, cultish denomination of Christian fundamentalists. Your pastor is burdened for America & hasnt slept since 1976. The Lordship controversy and misrepresenting the Lordship preachers. 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. Will you join us? Although the decentralized nature of Protestantism makes statistics very hard to find, weve particularly found opportunities for abuse and cover-ups in three kinds of situations. If you spend any time covering sexual abuse story, any belief that congregations are never complicit in abuse and cover-up goes evaporates quickly. Questions About Independent Fundamental Baptists, Leighton Flowers, & Justin Peters Right Response Ministries 36K subscribers Subscribe 10K views 1 month ago GEORGETOWN Can you name one thing. The Star-Telegram discovered at least 412 allegations of sexual misconduct in 187 independent fundamental Baptist churches and their affiliated institutions, spanning 40 states and Canada. You trusted. Yelling, storytelling, and moralism replaced proclaiming simply what God has said. Here has been a few problems that caused divisions in the body of Christ thanks to some Independent Fundamental Baptists: 1.) If this doesnt work, she shall make the Sunday evening edition, Enjoy everyone! The Problem Among Independent Baptists with the Gospel By TylerR Jan 25 2016 We've got to get more serious about the gospel, what it is and what we say that it is or what we will allow to be called the gospel. Thus the words "Independent" and "Fundamental . Pastors of large churches and leaders of fundamentalist institutions such as Bob Jones, John R. Rice, and Jack Hyles still identified with the label fundamentalist. This movement was characterized by a staunch commitment to biblical orthodoxy filteredthrough the King James Bible, an adherence to second-degree separation or that idea that Christians must separate themselves frombothunbelievers (the world)andfellow conservative Protestants who did not separate sufficiently enough from unbelievers (Billy Graham and the rest of the neo-evangelicals fell into this second category), and a propensity for strong white preachers who ran independent congregations that were not accountable to denominations. For their own dark reasons they kept that wicked dance going. This is especially important, since the pastor needs his bodyguard detail rotated every so often. Stuart Hardy was a youth and music pastor at an independent fundamental Baptist church in Michigan. Amendment though shalt say amen during service but only if you are male. It has been redacted and edited into the simplified 1611 King James Bible (its not a version, versions are of Satan). I grew up in the IFB circles in the PNW. I spent thousands and thousands of hours reading and studying the Bible. I am still a very committed Christian, but I was thankfully out of the IFB world once I left for college (a secular university). You brought all of yourself. (1) Some congregations have dominating pastors with unchecked authority. And screw 'em if they do. The network of churches and schools has often covered up the crimes and helped relocate the offenders, an eight-month Star-Telegram investigation has found. Though not all in the movement look the same, the Duggars showcase several theological and cultural distinctives common among independent fundamental Baptists: adhering to strict biblical inerrancy, usually based exclusively on the King James Version (KJV); homeschooling; abstaining from pop culture as entertainment; and dressing modestly. The independent fundamentalist Baptist movement emerged sometime in the 1940s as an attempt to continue the legacy of the fundamentalist movement of the 1920s. And the papers paywall wont allow you to reload any given article, meaning that youve got to get all the way through some very long reads in one go. Let us always bear in mind that the IFB no more represents Christianity than the Taliban represents Islam. Cathy, if you had read more of what Bruce wrote, you would see that your simplistic message isnt necessary. Most of those victims dont live in Fort Worth. He is his own man and refuses to be tied down or corralled by anything. I didnt understand the extremes of it and was so glad for makeup, but why yell about it from the pulpit?! That space between he describes as the world of Jerry Falwell has grown over the years. To get up is to be on the firing line and get switched back down. They're now playing "Lost in the Supermarket" in the supermarket. So I messaged and they do baptisms. You are a lying snake and lost as Hogan's goat." Pastor Tom Cassidy, First Baptist Church, Spring Valley, CA The New Testament is the authority in all matters of faith and practice. Today the name Baptist is used by many churches that are not following the teachings of the New Testament. Pastor Stacey Shiflett finally had enough: For Shiflett, the issue was personal. , I was brought up in evangelical churches which clung to much of this dogma. That is their unforgiveable sin. Here has been a few problems that caused divisions in the body of Christ thanks to some Independent Fundamental Baptists: 1.) Dispensationalism is common among Independent Baptists. The short answer is that going to the movies supported Hollywood. In 1638, he founded the first Baptist church in America in uncolonized Rhode Island. The Official Independent Baptist Rulebook, Known in Some Churches as Church Standards. https://www.nakedpastorstore.com/blogs/news/adoring-pastors. You arent any different than those of us who have been where you are Cathy. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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). a couple of Greek Orthodox nuns are protesting the reinstatement of a priest, Todays Psychology Cant Help American Men. Refusing to cooperate with other members in the Church. 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. More: Nevertheless, [Bishop] Andonios [Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese] said he decided to reinstate [Father Gerasimos] Makris because parishioners demanded it. Thou shalt not look at pornography, and if thou dost thou shalt delete thy browsing history so thy wife of thy youth dost not find it, and thou shalt confess thy sins at the alter on Sunday morning.Thou canst repeat this cycle each week for the lord hast made provision for modern man if he dost confess his sins before god each day and every Sunday. This list sounds alot like the Mennonite Church rule book. In response to an explosive investigation, top Southern Baptists have released a previously secret list of hundreds of pastors and other church-affiliated personnel accused of . So men cant have facial hair but women can? Bruce is now a humanist and an atheist. However there has been quite a problem with some fundamental Baptists. 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. God's Grace bible study podcast is a Independent Fundamental Baptist pobcast we use the KJV 1611 only. Dr. R has some real practical theology problems. You did what you were supposed to do: you sacrificed yourself. in fundamentalism for pastors and churches and ministries to just gloss over and sweep under the rug things of absolute epic proportion, he said in the video. Trieber did not respond to interview requests. Scripture alone. They might as well be Mormons.Sense they add their own rules and Bible.They are acting as a cult its not biblical.Gal1:8 They are teaching false teachings,And not the doctrines of the Bible.They are Just adding their own rules. Ernest Willis found guilty of raping teen Tina Anderson, a fellow church member. I may yet end up in Hell myself, but I wont see you there, nor will you see me. 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. The writings that I've read from former IFBs are some of the strongest testimonies to the strength and decency of the human spirit I've ever come across. First Baptist Church of Glenarden 4.5. I subjected myself to such rules for decades, believing I was obeying God. Of course not. He cries in pain. Subscribe for as little as $5/mo to start commenting on Rods blog. By way of justifying infant "training" and the continued "submission of the will" of children, IFB parents point to these lines in The Book of Proverbs: "To Train Up a Child," by fundamentalist Christian minister Michael Pearl and his wife Debi, is very popular within the IFB. As media eagerly services our culture's tendency toward increasingly polarized divisions, it's helpful to remember that 72.7 percent of Americans are Christians who are not IFB. Women not wearing pants, women not working, women being not allowed to speak up in church, have any sort of leadership role, etc. Going to the movies could also lead to you having a bad testimony before the world. READ THE REST OF THE SERIES: Part 1: Southern Baptist sexual abuse spreads as leaders reject reforms. For one, they lack a unified presence since individual churches largely operate on their own. Meant to be taken literally, the KJV is inspired, inerrant, infallible, and the supreme and final authority in all things. If you need to flag this entry as abusive. Because its in human nature, for one, and for another, because the clergy have an extraordinary amount of power (real and symbolic) within the ecclesiology of both churches. Thou shalt leave tracts in various and sundry places: the aisles of Walmart, in library books, at the doctors office, so that all may know the Good News of the Gospel. They kept what worked for them. Please read the commenting rules before commenting. 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. They didn't sacrifice who they were. Shellnut is also helpful in clarifying just who these independent fundamentalist Baptists are: Around 2.5 percent of Americans identify as independent Baptists, according to thePew Research Center more than belong to the Assemblies of God, Churches of Christ, or Episcopal and Anglican churches. You have left them now to themselves, and stepped into your own world. I surrendered to preach, and was called to the Lord's ministry as a result of growing up in an Independent Fundamental Baptist Church. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. You are to rule over him as a benevolent sovereign. When he got in trouble, Hyles was able to simply move on, from one church assignment to the next. It's chief spokesman was J.R. Graves (1820-1893) and other key early figures include A.C. Dayton (1813-1865) and J.M. If she doesnt approve of this, tough; she shouldve thought of that before she married you. 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. And the all important, Thou shalt not, never, under no circumstances, not even in thought, criticize the pastor. Gods anointed, remember! 5.) Bruce is now a humanist and an atheist. The New IFB is an attempt to revive the former glory and orthodoxy of the Independent Fundamental Baptists, a movement that arose in the mid-20 th century in reaction to fears that mainstream. Hope you have a good day. We were informed that the parishioners felt so strongly that they would protest in front of the Archdiocese for the return of their priest, he said. Learn More. They try to control people and do evangelize. 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. #1. Get right, stay right, amen. For this reason IFB churches vigorously renounce the idea that IFB constitutes a denomination: each church, they hold, is a kingdom unto itself and obliged to cooperate with exactly no other church body, IFB or otherwise. If, after putting him down, you remember he just woke up, do not reward his complaining by allowing him to get up. Look at centralized Catholicisms opportunity to shuffle priests from one parish to another, few questions asked. While neo-evangelicals sent their kids to Wheaton College or Fuller Theological Seminary, fundamentalist Baptist kids went toBob Jones UniversityorPensacola Christian College. A new website has launched with the aim of helping single New Independent Fundamentalist Baptist (NIFB) find each other for hopes of love and matrimony, with a niche focus and stringent guidelines being a feature, not a bug. The basic beliefs of this group is Anti-LGBT, Misogyny, Anti-Worldliness, KJV Bible only, anti-semitism, and more. Those independent Baptist churches which teach, as very many of them do, that the God-given inspired word of God is the King James Version typically teach that every other translation of the Bible is part of a conspiracy to remove the King James Bible, the ONLY real Bible, from our churches. Here are some quotes from the book: Wake up to the day's most important news. Can LGBTQ people join your church, teach Sunday school, preach? [8] They refuse any form of ecclesial authority other than that of the local church. The SBC has hit the default button and returned to 1959. The American Ideas Institute is a nonprofit, non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, D.C. 2022 The American Conservative, a publication of The American Ideas Institute. Feel free to add your own additions to the Independent Fundamentalist Baptist Rule Book. INDEPENDENT FUNDAMENTAL BAPTISTS FAR TOO MANY OF THEM RUN WITH DEVILS . New Independent Fundamentalist Baptist churches (also known as the New IFB) or officially the New Independent Fundamental Baptist Movement are an association of conservative, King James Only, independent Baptist churches. I grew up in a similar church. 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. Hed twice been a victim of attempted sexual misconduct in the church world. Can same-sex couples be married in your church? The Official Independent Baptist Rulebook, Known in Some Churches as Church Standards Thou shalt obey the pastor at all times 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 Meant to be taken literally, the KJV is inspired, inerrant, infallible, and the supreme and final authority in all things. Careers Workplace and Religion Columnists, Recreation Outdoors and Religion Columnists, Religious Music and Entertainment Columnists, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, special report on sexual abuse and cover-ups in independent fundamental Baptist churches across the country, Hundreds Accuse Independent Baptist Pastors of Abuse, Hundreds of Sex Abuse Allegations Found in Fundamentalist BaptistChurches, Slavery and 'how to interpret the Bible' (cont'd.). This means that God changed his mind, yes? 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 problem was that the faculty was in charge of hiring new faculty. And what can possibly be more worthy of a person's love than God and family? You loved when the cost of that love was to negate the best parts of yourself. ? Many of you signed my Bibles. BTW, I went to Carolina Baptist College, Reidsville, NC, (Reidsville Baptist Church, Pastor Jerry Carter,) 1998-2002. eyebrow, belly button, tongue) shall be permitted to be pierced. Think, learn, and dont be a judgmental asshole. My question is: Are you judging all IFB pastors and deacons by the standards you kept for yourself in the pulpit for forty-five years? Apr 26, 2017. Unless you are a college student on a bus route. Find an Independent Fundamental Baptist Church | Canada. All of us, Christians and atheists alike, have lists of rules by which we govern our lives, and often judge the lives of others.