RT Article
T1 Fundamentālisms Kā Kristīgās Ticības Fenomens Latvijā: Fundamentalism as a phenomenon of Christian faith in Latvia.
JF Cel̜š
IS 71
SP 20
OP 36
A1 Balode, Dace
A1 Rozners, Ģirts
LA Latvian
PB LU Akadēmiskais apgāds
YR 2020
UL https://www.ixtheo.de/Record/1839731818
AB Although in the modern age fundamentalism is sometimes considered a phenomenon that no longer has a place in it, it is not so. Fundamentalism is formed in the dialectic between the need of one part of society for change and the reaction of another part of society to it as undesirable and dangerous. The study examines the history of the formation of Christian fundamentalism, focussing on three characteristic features of the phenomenon in the context of the 21st century. Firstly, it is a fundamental abandonment of the historically critical method of researching the Bible, preferring instead a literal interpretation of the Bible that views the text as verbally inspired, inerrant, and infallible. Literal reading can concur with a belief in the only correct doctrine, a distinctly dualistic vision of the world, and a sense of radically exclusive self-awareness. When it comes to winning fundamental battles over biblical truth, fundamentalist arguments become radical and intolerant. Thus, the next feature is justification of intolerance in the name of defending the literal reading of the Bible. It can be directed against individuals or groups outside the community, but equally against individuals within the community. The third feature is that the battlefield is not always limited to matters affecting the life of the church but extends to society as a whole. Namely, when socio-political tendencies are not in line with the "biblical truth", fundamentalists become loud and politically active. Authors argue that there are clear signs of fundamentalistic tendencies in Latvian Christian society and clergy. Interviews with clergy show a strong belief in the inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible. The exegesis of fundamentalism is oriented towards the maintenance of a single truth. There should be a single interpretation of the texts, therefore, in order to adhere to and defend its exegetical view, fundamentalism needs various aids, including the authority of the church and the strict boundaries, which must not be violated. The study looks at two examples, where certain Latvian denominations have taken on the role of disciplinarians, pushing out dissidents. The political activities of the Christian denominations in Latvia also reveal fears that the modern age may bring about the loss of Bible’s authority. Consequently, morality is enforced, and Fundamentalism defends its positions trying to impose the relevant paradigms upon the entire society
K1 Biblical Criticism
K1 Christian Sects
K1 Clergy
K1 Dualism
K1 LATVIA
K1 Political Participation
K1 PROTESTANT fundamentalism
DO 10.22364/cl.71.02