Page 268 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

FURBISH - FUTURE EVENTS

God” (Acts 20:27). When the Bible instructs Christians of universal church. To attempt to purify a “church”
to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the composed of parachurch and denominational structures
saints (Jude 3), it does not specify only a narrow aspect is something the New Testament never envisions or
of the faith. “The faith once delivered to the saints” requires. God has given His people clear instruction
refers to the whole body of New Testament truth about discipline of sin and doctrinal purity, and those
delivered by the apostles and prophets. When God instructions are in the context of the assembly (i.e., 1
instructs preachers to “preach the Word” (2 Ti. 4:2), no Corinthians 5). Regardless of what one believes about
particular part of the Word is specified. He is to preach the New Testament definition of the church, in a
all of it. practical sense church truth can be applied only to the
Obedience to these commands does not allow me to assembly. (I also reject every sort of Baptist Bride
overlook denominational differences such as the mode position. See the article “Are You a Baptist Brider?” at
of baptism, the manner of the Lord’s Supper, eternal the Church section of the End Times Apostasy Database
security, the woman’s role in the ministry, or the at the Way of Life web site -- http://www.wayoflife.org/
interpretation of prophecy. If someone differs with me fbns/areyou.htm.) [See Anglican Church, Apostasy,
on such things I can accept him as a true Christian, Apostate, Church, Doctrine, Ecumenical Movement,
because these are not issues of “damnable heresy” (2 Pe. Episcopal Church, Fable, False Teaching, Foolish
2:1); but I cannot have joint ministry with him, because Questions, Heresy, Inspiration, Legalism, Lutheran,
I do not believe the Bible allows it. Methodist, Modernism, Modesty, New Evangelicalism,
A second weakness with Fundamentalism as a Pharisee, Presbyterian, Prophecy, Revelation, Roman
movement is its “universal church” mentality. It is Catholic Church, Separation, Timothy, Unity, Women
common among evangelicals and a large number of Preachers, World Council of Churches.]
Fundamentalists to view “the church” as all Christians in FURBISH. To polish (Eze. 21:9; Je. 46:4).
all denominations and parachurch organizations. This is FURLONG [See Weights and Measures.]
a great confusion that naturally produces an ecumenical FURNITURE. (Ge. 34:17, 19). Denotes a large round
mentality and that makes purification of the churches pannier, placed one on each side of a camel, for a
impossible. Harold J. Ockenga used the many divisions person, especially women, to ride in. It is a hamper, like
of Evangelicalism-Fundamentalism and the “shibboleth a cradle, having a back, head, and sides, like a great
of having a pure church” as an excuse for New chair. Moryson describes them as “two long chairs like
Evangelicalism’s non-separatist mentality (Ockenga, cradles, covered with red cloth, to hang on the two sides
“From Fundamentalism, Through New Evangelicalism, of the camel” (Treasury). [See Camel.]
to Evangelicalism,” Evangelical Roots, edited by Kenneth FURROW. To make long narrow channels or
Kantzer, p. 42). This is dangerous and unscriptural grooves; to plow (Ps. 129:3).
thinking. God’s Word does call for a pure church (1 Co.
5:6-8); this is not a mere shibboleth; yet it is the New FUTURE EVENTS. [See Prophecy.]
Testament assembly that we are to purify, not any sort

268 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity