Evangelical fundamentalism : an historical-theological study

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In essence this thesis attempts to answer two questions: Broadly, what is 'fundamentalism,and particularly, 'evangelical fundamentalism? Ever since the terrorist attacks on the twintowers in New York on September 11, 2001, 'fundamentalism has become a synonymousterm for these and any other militant Islamist attacks. Yet fundamentalism is historically anAmerican and Protestant phenomenon.However, because fundamentalism is not merely a Protestant phenomenon but moredistinctively a 'sub-species of nineteenth century evangelicalism in America, and becauseone cannot historically separate fundamentalism from evangelicalism, I prefer to adopt theterm 'evangelical fundamentalism. Yet there is more to the term than simply defining itappropriately within a certain historical context. For example, many conservativeevangelicals can neither be labeled, historically or theologically, as 'fundamentalists nor as'evangelical fundamentalists. Definitions change over time. An understanding of themovement's history-its resistance to modernity and engagement with postmodernity-will need to be examined as it opens up more questions concerning its identity and theology.After summarizing its historical development and evolution, I emphasize the fact that asimple definition does not exist-the movement is too heterogeneous. I therefore identifyand adopt a plurality of senses or perspectives to the term and to what it means to be an'evangelical fundamentalist today.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University