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===Denominational Origins===

===Denominational Origins===

The fundamentalist [[movement]] originated within the [[evangelical]] Protestant churches, particularly among [[Baptists]] and [[Presbyterians]]. An emphasis on revivalism and the [[conversion]] [[experience]] had contributed to the rapid [[growth]] of the evangelical churches during the 1800s, and by the end of the century they defined the [[mainstream]] of religious life in the United States. As they grew, however, these [[groups]] found it increasingly difficult to maintain a denominational consensus on certain theological issues. One major source of controversy was the doctrine of biblical inerrancy, which asserted that the [[Bible]] is [[literally]] true in every detail. Liberal adherents of the evangelical churches gradually abandoned this [[doctrine]], arguing that the Bible must be reinterpreted within the [[context]] of contemporary [[thought]]. In their view, for example, the biblical account of [[creation]] could not be taken literally because it conflicted with the findings of modern [[science]]. Conservatives, on the other hand, rejected modernist revisions of the [[meaning]] of [[scripture]], holding to the [[idea]] that the Bible contains [[fact]]ual [[truth]], and believing that to say otherwise undermined the certainties of their [[faith]].

The fundamentalist [[movement]] originated within the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelicalism evangelical] Protestant churches, particularly among [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptists Baptists] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presbyterian Presbyterians]. An emphasis on revivalism and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_conversion conversion] [[experience]] had contributed to the rapid [[growth]] of the evangelical churches during the 1800s, and by the end of the century they defined the [[mainstream]] of religious life in the United States. As they grew, however, these [[groups]] found it increasingly difficult to maintain a denominational consensus on certain theological issues. One major source of controversy was the doctrine of biblical inerrancy, which asserted that the [[Bible]] is [[literally]] true in every detail. Liberal adherents of the evangelical churches gradually abandoned this [[doctrine]], arguing that the Bible must be reinterpreted within the [[context]] of contemporary [[thought]]. In their view, for example, the biblical account of [[creation]] could not be taken literally because it conflicted with the findings of modern [[science]]. Conservatives, on the other hand, rejected modernist revisions of the [[meaning]] of [[scripture]], holding to the [[idea]] that the Bible contains [[fact]]ual [[truth]], and believing that to say otherwise undermined the certainties of their [[faith]].

Another important controversy developed around the doctrine of dispensational millennialism, which became widely accepted among conservative Protestants late in the 1800s. According to this doctrine, human history comprises a series of distinct eras, or dispensations. During each dispensation, [[humanity]] is subjected to a divine test which it ultimately fails, resulting in a [[catastrophic]] [[event]] such as the banishment from [[Eden]], the Flood of [[Genesis]], or the [[crucifixion]] of Christ. Dispensational millennialism asserts that the end of the next-to-last dispensation is approaching, and will be followed by the final dispensation, the "Millennial Age," during which Christ will rule on [[earth]] for a thousand years. Although this doctrine was not [[universal]]ly accepted by conservatives, it became a major theme in the [[thinking]] of key fundamentalist leaders during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, clearly setting them apart from moderate and liberal Protestants who, by this time, had begun to de-emphasize the [[supernatural]] aspects of Christian [[belief]].

Another important controversy developed around the doctrine of dispensational millennialism, which became widely accepted among conservative Protestants late in the 1800s. According to this doctrine, human history comprises a series of distinct eras, or dispensations. During each dispensation, [[humanity]] is subjected to a divine test which it ultimately fails, resulting in a [[catastrophic]] [[event]] such as the banishment from [[Eden]], the Flood of [[Genesis]], or the [[crucifixion]] of Christ. Dispensational millennialism asserts that the end of the next-to-last dispensation is approaching, and will be followed by the final dispensation, the "Millennial Age," during which Christ will rule on [[earth]] for a thousand years. Although this doctrine was not [[universal]]ly accepted by conservatives, it became a major theme in the [[thinking]] of key fundamentalist leaders during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, clearly setting them apart from moderate and liberal Protestants who, by this time, had begun to de-emphasize the [[supernatural]] aspects of Christian [[belief]].

As these theological controversies developed, liberals and conservatives within the evangelical Protestant denominations found themselves increasingly at odds with one another. Both sides tried to ensure that their [[Frame of reference|point of view]] would define their denomination's policies and statements of faith; as a result, bitter [[Argument|disputes]] developed within several of the larger Protestant [[groups]]. Some of the evangelical denominations actually experienced little conflict, because one side or the other dominated their membership so thoroughly. The widespread acceptance of modernist [[theology]] by Congregationalists, for example, precluded extensive [[debate]] within that group, as did, conversely, the widespread rejection of modernism by the Southern Baptists. But within other groups, such as the Northern Baptists, Northern Presbyterians, and Disciples of Christ, the [[diversity]] of beliefs led to serious [[conflict]]. In each of these denominations, however, fundamentalists in the end lacked the numbers needed to ensure that their views would prevail. Realizing that the spread of modernism had made it impossible for them to take control of these groups, the fundamentalist faction within each split off from its parent body to start a new denomination.

As these theological controversies developed, liberals and conservatives within the evangelical Protestant denominations found themselves increasingly at odds with one another. Both sides tried to ensure that their [[Frame of reference|point of view]] would define their denomination's policies and statements of faith; as a result, bitter [[Argument|disputes]] developed within several of the larger Protestant [[groups]]. Some of the evangelical denominations actually experienced little conflict, because one side or the other dominated their membership so thoroughly. The widespread acceptance of modernist [[theology]] by Congregationalists, for example, precluded extensive [[debate]] within that group, as did, conversely, the widespread rejection of modernism by the Southern Baptists. But within other groups, such as the Northern Baptists, Northern Presbyterians, and Disciples of Christ, the [[diversity]] of beliefs led to serious [[conflict]]. In each of these denominations, however, fundamentalists in the end lacked the numbers needed to ensure that their views would prevail. Realizing that the spread of modernism had made it impossible for them to take control of these groups, the fundamentalist faction within each split off from its parent body to start a new denomination.

==Media Focus==

==Media Focus==

The fundamentalists' failure to control most of the large evangelical denominations did not deter them from promoting their views. They established a variety of programs and organizations that focused on advancing the fundamentalist cause outside of the existing [[structure]] of Protestant denominations. An early example of these nondenominational efforts was the publication of a series of booklets, entitled ''The Fundamentals'', which described and justified various [[conservative]] theological positions. Distributed to religious leaders, students, and pastors throughout the [[English]]-speaking world, these booklets helped spread the fundamentalist message, and provided the source of the fundamentalist movement's name. Fundamentalists also established dozens of non-denominational Bible institutes and colleges during the early twentieth century, in part to provide clergy for the many independent fundamentalist churches organized during this period. And as the century progressed, fundamentalists became very active in religious broadcasting, which enabled them to disseminate their beliefs to much larger [[audiences]] than they could reach within the confines of their own congregations.

The fundamentalists' failure to control most of the large evangelical denominations did not deter them from promoting their views. They established a variety of programs and organizations that focused on advancing the fundamentalist cause outside of the existing [[structure]] of Protestant denominations. An early example of these nondenominational efforts was the publication of a series of booklets, entitled ''The Fundamentals'', which described and justified various [[conservative]] theological positions. Distributed to religious leaders, students, and pastors throughout the [[English]]-speaking world, these booklets helped spread the fundamentalist message, and provided the source of the fundamentalist movement's name. Fundamentalists also established dozens of non-denominational Bible institutes and colleges during the early twentieth century, in part to provide clergy for the many independent fundamentalist churches organized during this period. And as the century progressed, fundamentalists became very active in religious broadcasting, which enabled them to disseminate their beliefs to much larger [[audiences]] than they could reach within the confines of their own congregations.