Archival Series: We’re Not Convinced Kevin Bauder is a Help to Fundamentalism

“Kevin [Bauder] has been quite lavish in his praise of conservative evangelicals while castigating so-called fundamentalists. Yet he has spent very little time warning us about the pitfalls and problems of conservative evangelicalism…. What I fear is that we may be allowing a Trojan horse into the fundamentalist camp. And after a while, if we keep going down this track, any significant difference between conservative evangelical and the fundamentalist institutions may disappear.”1

Recently, I read the December 2, 2014 article at the FBFI’s Proclaim & Defend blog.  I refer to Pastor Matt Recker’s article Gratefulness for Kevin Bauder.2 What follows is a compilation of a discussion between several men and I who are within the membership of, familiar with and concerned about the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International (FBFI’s) accommodation of Dr. Kevin Bauder.

The on-going pattern with Kevin Bauder has been an attitude more than willing to slam those who are “friends in the movement,” while making sure we are more than careful about what we say with regard to those who are not in our movement – especially if they are Calvinists and/or in the so-called “conservative” evangelical camp.

We understand Matt is acknowledging Kevin Bauder’s tenor as he (KB) expressed his differences with Matt, and I trust that this is the only reason for this charitableness toward Kevin. Matt took some heat at the pseudo- fundamentalist Sharper Iron over it, and handled himself well commenting there.  While we appreciate Matt Recker’s gracious spirit, we are certainly not convinced that Kevin Bauder’s style is a help to fundamentalism.

There are some within the FBFI who are looking for ways to reach the younger set who have departed the FBFI.  Kevin Bauder certainly has been catering to that crowd.  Others believe it is best to move on for the cause of Christ. Society seems to repeat this idea that we must cater to the younger generation that goes through a rebellious stage, and somehow accommodate their rebellion as something normal and acceptable. This is being carried over into the religious realm, specifically, fundamentalism with the attitude of the younger generation. IMO, it has been better for the angry young people to move away than remain among us. Those unwilling to appreciate, and to instead besmirch current and/or former generations of fundamentalists upon whose shoulders we stand, don’t deserve accommodation.

If the younger set is willing to reconsider their attitudes, in some cases repent of their vitriol toward the FBFI, its leadership from past generations,3 they would likely be warmly received in fellowship for the cause of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If not, no thank you, we don’t need them in their current state of mind and attachment to the non-separatist evangelicals whom Kevin Bauder frequently and warmly heaps “lavish praise” upon.

There is a new wave of New Evangelicalism sweeping through the NT church. From within fundamental circles Kevin Bauder has been the new wave of evangelicalism’s chief apologist. 

Dr. Kevin Bauder has influenced anger and resentment of the younger generation of preachers toward Fundamentalism.  He has, furthermore, encouraged their movement toward the spiritual dangers of the new wave New Evangelicalism.4 When these, from the upcoming generation, finally land in the New Evangelicalism of John Piper, and/or Al Mohler (some have already done so) we need look no further than Kevin Bauder who, from within fundamentalism, was given free rein to aggressively influence them in that direction.  

LM

Originally published Dec. 11, 2014

Related Reading:


Is Kevin Bauder the Right Choice to “Argue for Biblical Separation” in Fundamentalism?

Are We Recognizing the “NEW” New Evangelicalism?

“Kevin Bauder, It Won’t Fly With Those of Us Who Know…”

Kevin Bauder Discussing: Al Mohler’s “Occasional Inconsistency?”

Footnotes:

1) Dr. Gerald Priest: Can We Be Even Clearer? (Let’s Get Clear on This, SI: March 8, 2010)

Since 2010 have we seen, “any significant difference between conservative evangelical and the fundamentalist institutions…disappear?” Of course, and we need look no further than the former Northland Baptist Bible College and Calvary Baptist Seminary (Lansdale) to see what the deadening effects that the Trojan Horse of so-called “conservative” evangelicalism has done to once formerly thriving fundamentalist schools. See,

The Closure of Calvary Baptist Seminary

NIU: Culmination of a Modern Day Tragedy

2) Gratefulness for Dr. Kevin Bauder

3) We must never forget that in 2009 it was Kevin Bauder, from his blog and SI, who initiated a series of unprovoked written attacks on the person and legacies of Drs. Bob Jones, Jr., and John R. Rice. See,

Kevin Bauder’s 2009 Rant & Tirade

“Again, [we are] very disappointed at the language Bauder uses against his fellow fundamentalists, evidently chiefly against Rice: ‘pugilistic and bellicose,’ ‘alpha males,’ ‘the big boys,’ ‘bullies,’ ‘chieftains,’ etc. Is this the kind of language a fundamentalist leader should use?”

4) Dr. Dave Doran has been a vocal influence, but to a lesser extent in recent months. In regard to the star personalities of the so-called “conservative” evangelicalism both Drs. Doran and Bauder have for years been willing to tolerate, allow for, ignore and excuse all sorts of aberrant theology, ecumenical compromise, cultural relativism and worldliness.