Regarding “Fundamental”:

Just to comment that it is only by fundamentally understanding the fundamentals of what it actually means to be a Christian, that you can repent from the worldly, self-centered, and temporal ideas behind what much of today’s political thinking suggests. If there were not “fundamental” truths behind Christ’s teachings (take the Sermon on the Mount; take the “log and speck in the eye”, or take the “love your enemies,” etc.), then it would be perfectly fine for political followers and politicians to make up their own cult with its made up rules and its made-up values. Anyone can make up or construct a worldview or set of values by which to live and to use to convince other people to follow it. These value systems might be in fundamental opposition, but that would be okay, if none of them are actually true.

Only if there is something to truly measure these things and ideas by, can you say one is wrong or not true.

Fundamental Truths

But there is actually fundamental truths that Jesus spoke and that are shown to us about Him and the way He called His followers to live. Fundamental truths about Who He is. Why He came. What He did. What He calls us to do. Only by using those foundational truths as the standard, can we measure ourselves, our beliefs, our actions, thoughts, doctrines, politics, and everything else against that standard to see what is right or wrong about things. Some people generally say that the “Bible” is their measure and they are fundamentalists. However, what they mean by the Bible, may not actually be what is in the Bible, because many people are not really acquainted well with more than just a few stories.

This fact is a big reason why we need to be immersing ourselves with the words of Jesus. Only this way, will we truly follow Him to represent His thoughts, words, and actions in this world. Only then can we say things are wrong.

• Not because they go against tradition, because traditions can be made up by people.
• Not because they go against a spiritual or other leader, because such people could easily be speaking from their own opinions.
• Not because they go against what we think already, because that could be wrongly interpreted as well.

We need to be freshly in-tuned with what the Bible said and place ourselves at His feet daily to be made like Him.

Resources:

Check out some of my posts: Making Disciples, A Living Sacrifice, Measuring Up.

For more on reading the Bible, you might check out some free resources: The Bible in One Year with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel or the YouVersion.

Another great option to learn more about the fundamentals of following Jesus is to find an Alpha course near you.