Summary Of Shall The Fundamentalists Win By Josiah Strong

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Throughout the history of North America there have been a plethora of battles waged between those with conflicting theologies in terms of religion. Looking to the protestant faith, one can see how protestant beliefs and or presents have been challenged not only by faiths of obvious secular contrast, such as Catholicism, but also by minutely dissimilar denominations that have fracture off of preexisting sects. In comparing Josiah Strong’s “Our Country” to Harry Emerson Fosdick’s “Shall the Fundamentalists Win” a contrast in who is opposing Protestants authority can be seen, along with why these sects were challenging theological ideas of the time. Moreover, the response of Protestants over time can be contrasted in how they deal with threats …show more content…

Strong is commenting on religious sects that are very dissimilar to his religious views. For example, the main concerns Strong presents deals with Catholics and their allegiance to Rome (and or the Pope) along with the Mormons and their unacceptable practice of polygamy. When comparing Fosdick’s situation the problem is no longer between two obviously different sects with clear differences, but within the same sects of Protestantism. In comparing the two situations one would have to assume that the likes of Fosdick would have to be more benevolent on those of the opposing fundamentalist view, due to the fact that at the core of both religious institutions they are identical and even share the same statuses of Baptist or …show more content…

Moreover, one could argue that Protestant tolerance has evolved with time to be more “understanding” of dissimilar beliefs. For example, Strong makes the point that “the commands of the Pope, instead of the constitution and laws of the land, demand the highest allegiance of Roman Catholics in the United States.” (strong page 371) By drawing this comparison Strong is showing one of the flaws in this opposing faith that challenges not only American Laws but the Protestant dominance that is associated. Ultimately Strong warns that the loss of protestant values will lead to the growth of the “Romish Clergy.” This threat of Catholicism is purposed as a source of impending danger that simply cannot be