From time to time I hear people criticizing Fundamental Christianity as too negative. They often point to the “legalistic” rules of the Bible, the “hell fire and brimstone” preaching, or the conservative lifestyle of its followers as reasons for rejecting the message of God. The very word Baptist, or fundamentalist, or even Christian scares them. They fear that an acceptance of Bible truth will make their life miserable and lonely.

Recently, I was preaching the 30th year anniversary for Pastor Jim Bailey and the Bible Baptist Church in Ukiah, California. On Saturday morning, I joined the church family as they were endeavoring to knock on every door in town for the Anniversary Sunday. The pastor dropped me off at some apartment buildings, and I started down the short entrance to the building to knock some doors. As I approached the first building, a middle-aged woman came out of her apartment. I greeted her with a friendly, “Good Morning,” but she brushed past me, scowled gruffly, and uttered a few choice words. I chalked it up to her probably having a rough morning and proceeded to the first door.

When I got to the upper floor of the second building, I could see across the street from the apartments where I was working. I noticed this same lady sitting in a chair in front of a small white building that appeared to be some kind of a business. I thought, “Maybe I’ll get a chance to speak with her again if I cross the street on my way back to the car.” When I finished the apartments about an hour later, I headed across the street, but to my dismay, she was gone. Read more »