Finding Fundamentalism’s Finer Points   A Review of The Smell of Sawdust by Richard J. Mouw (©2000, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, ISBN: 0310231965)

 

Richard Mouw, president of Fuller Seminary, takes us on a nostalgic journey into his fundamentalist past to find out what is right with "Old Time Religion." This book is an affectionate reminiscence on the strengths of the fundamentalist movement. Rather than pointing out all the excesses, faults and failings of the movement, Mouw emphasizes what is right and good. He lacks the bitter regret of Phil Yancey in Soul Survivor and delivers far more palatable fare. Mouw treats fundamentalism with more grace than Yancey does, though both books are useful for recovering fundamentalists.

 

This book affirms what a lot of us believe – that there is a great deal of value in fundamentalism. Despite the siren song of those seeking to be a New Kind of Christian there is much to be said about the worthwhile endeavors of our fundamentalist forebears. There is a great deal of good in the old kind of Christian. Mouw sees the natural spirituality inherent if fundamentalism. He traces the path of spiritual formation that led many of us to be mindful of the fundamentals of the faith. He found blessings in dispensationalism, the preaching of the blood and the emphasis on scripture memorization. 

 

The irony of the book is that this affectionate tome is written by a man who is himself criticized by fundamentalist extremists like David Cloud and Rick Miesel. Fundamentalism began, in part, as an effort to unite divergent conservative denominations around a core group of "fundamentals." This was an attempt to define the lowest common denominator of shared beliefs in an effort to stem the encroaching liberalizing influences of modern scholarship on biblical interpretation. Over time fundamentalism defined itself more and more narrowly and instead of becoming a unifying force, it became the source of even more fractures. One of the best examples of this fundamentalist fracturing is Biblical Discernment Ministries' "exposé" of Jerry Falwell, one of the most widely recognized and undisputed leaders of fundamentalism. According to BDM, Jerry Falwell no longer qualifies as a fundamentalist due to his "neo-evangelical" tendencies and lack of emphasis on "biblical separation," a euphemism for a strict adherence to a legalistic set of behavioral characteristics.

 

The Smell of Sawdust doesn't involve itself with fundamentalist infighting but focuses instead on its strengths and virtues. It doesn't excuse the bickering and backstabbing, but it does point out that there is more to fundamentalism than constant conflict. Fundamentalist insiders often feel trapped when faced with criticism because they often agree with the critics about what is wrong, but they have a difficult time pointing out what is right. Mouw offers us ample evidence to discuss some of the good things that made fundamentalism so attractive without soft-pedaling the errors.

 

For the fundamentalist looking for reassurance or the Emerging Church member looking to see if the baby has been tossed with the bathwater, The Smell of Sawdust is a must read. In a climate where fundy-bashing is a national pastime, this book serves as a necessary corrective to emotional excess. There are a great many of us who look back on our fundamentalist past with more than a little bitterness. Mouw performs the much-needed service of adding that teaspoon full of honey to the discursive discourse. If you are feeling just a bit guilty for trashing your past, a quick read through these pages will help you find a way to atone for these misgivings. Whether you are currently a fundamentalist, a recovering fundamentalist or an ex-fundie, you will find much to make you smile in The Smell of Sawdust.

 

by Rick Presley