Definition of fundamentalism

The term "fundamentalism" originated in the United States in the early 20th century, specifically in the 1920s. It emerged from the Fundamentals, a series of twelve articles published by the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (BIOLA) between 1910 and 1917. These articles aimed to reaffirm the fundamental principles of Christianity, such as the Virgin Birth, the divinity of Jesus Christ, and the inerrancy of the Bible. The term "fundamentalist" was first used to describe a group of Protestant evangelicals who sought to preserve these traditional beliefs in the face of theological modernism and liberal Christianity. Fundamentalists emphasized the authority of Scripture, the importance of personal conversion, and the value of traditional Christian practices such as preaching, evangelism, and missionary work. Over time, the term "fundamentalism" has expanded to encompass not only Christian but also other religious and ideological movements that prioritize core beliefs and practices, often in opposition to perceived threats from secularism, modernity, or other forms of religious pluralism.