Alistair Begg's Claims About American Fundamentalism & British Evangelicalism: Begg Controversy 

This is one of the best commentaries on the dynamics surrounding Alistair Begg and evangelical history to date - yet. Thank you!!!

I have spent hours watching and listening to discussions about this Alastair Begg issue. Your discussion is by far the best presentation of the crucial issues at stake. Begg’s ad hominem attack on those who , in a loving spirit, confront him with his theological error, only compounds his original failure to provide godly counsel in this matter. I am frankly quite shocked that he would resort to such base tactics.

We are not people-pleasers, but a people of salt and light. Remember only God can save and replace the heart of a sinner, it's not our job to compromise truth with acceptance or tolerance.

This one shifts the discussion into the right frequency.

Americans cannot grasp nuances? 😂 he's insulting so many people plus calling everybody else who didn't agree with his advice to grandma as Pharisees.

AB is speaking out of pride. The coming days will be a test of his humility. Instead of thinking and reflecting biblically, he's resorting to name calling and being condescending. Maybe he's showing his true colors. Stay away from the Gospel coalition and the ideas coming out of it, for which AB is a contributor. It's better to be called an American fundamentalist and to remain biblical, than to take the Holiness of God lightly.

Hasn't he been preaching in American churches for about 40yrs

I'm English too and Evangelicalism here is dead in the water. Alistair Begg being a perfect example.

Thank you for your clairty and history of fundermentalism. I familar with some of ponited out about American fundermenalism and do understand the differences between the American and British views, but what Begg said was very low and slanderous. Its shows he cant answer his critics for his actions.

Thank you for even addressing this. When Begg talked about this I had no idea what he was talking about and I haven't seen any other videos that explained it. Now I have a reference point.

Alistair Begg's Church is in Ohio, U.S.A.for many years....he is not in England anymore......

Considering where the Anglican church has gone in the last decades, is he saying we should go that way?

Thank you for looking at this and commenting!

Begg and his church should cancel the Basics Conference for this May. Refunds are necessary.

Thank you very much for your insight into this topic. It was helpful.

Wow. I’ve been looking for a channel to add to Legioner where I can hear an academic/historically oriented Christian POV. Loved this video and subbed.

Enjoyed listening to your take on this current AB issue. Very well dealt with. Blessed by your content. God bless.

When rebuked by Paul for hypocrisy, Peter didn't get to say, "but I'm a Jewish Christian," or "it's nuanced."

This was a fascinating exposition of the history of fundamentals and evangelicalism both in the UK and America. This describes the arc of my spiritual life. I grew up in a fundamentalist home and church. I attended Delaware County Christian School from K through 12. I then went off to Wheaton College but graduated from Eastern College with a Sociology degree. I studied under Tony Campolo. Oh, and then I became a lawyer for 40 years. Talk about nuance!

Thank you, sir, for explaining this topic so well.

Great insight. I’m an American who got his D Phil at Oxford. Wycliffe Hall. I had to rely on my basic grounded beliefs to weed out the stuff that is not biblical. Thanks for posting this

Thank you for your comments Dr. Roach! I can understand why Alister Begg said that those who criticize him are fundamentalists. One of the hallmarks of evangelicalism is its unwillingness to separate. It is documented very well by Dr. Farnell fore example in his lectures on inerrancy, when he gave examples of scholars who would say that they hold to full inerrancy but support those who hold to limited inerrancy. This is typical for evangelicalism. The same can be said about theistic evolutionists, who deny key doctrines but are still considered evangelicals by the majority of Evangelicals. The motto of evangelicals today is "build the bridges - tear down walls". So in most cases, it is fundamentalists who would be willing to separate. And unwillingness to separate made a mess out of evangelicalism today - this is what fundamentalists would warn about. Another issue that I would object to, is Carl Henry's book on fundamentalism. I think that he misrepresented history here. Before the fundamentalist-modernist controversy, everybody would believe the same way as fundamentalists (or social fundamentalists, as u say), but after sexual revolution many things changed. I saw u recommended books that are anti-fundamentalists. Check Ernest Pickering "Biblical Separation" and "The Tragedy of Compromise: The Origin and Impact of the New Evangelicalism" from the other side. I would also say that unloving spirit among evangelicals is as much prevalent as among fundamentalists. I know that form personal experience. I am writing this because I am fundamentalist myself (or sochial fundamentalist) and I know that many evangelicals look at me with disdain from the start...

Thank you Dr Roach! This is my favorite RU-vid video of 2024. I love that you delved fearlessly into the history of English speaking Protestantism over the past 200 years. Thank you for mentioning key names. I mourn that our British cousins have largely lost their way. I pray for revival!

I think the men he mentioned would not agree with him! It was MartinLloyd Jones who stood against Billy Graham when he visited Britain. He was highly criticized by Evangelicals for his stance against joining with liberal theologians and pastors in his time. For Begg to invoke Martin Lloyd Jones memory is highly disturbing. My concern moving forward now, is what happens if Alister Begg is approached to marry same sex couples or transgender people? Will this lead to lawsuits for his church and possibly other churches? Now that Alister has opened Pandora's Box, we could see huge lawsuits against churches for discrimination.

I’m English, I totally disagree with Alistair Begg! A born again Christian is a Christian no matter where we are born. We should follow God’s Word, full stop, and as far as I’m aware all real Christians use the same bible translations in the English speaking world.

Beggs, please don’t go down that road. Stay to Solid biblical truth as you have always done. Selah!

Thank you for being perceptive enough to expound on this. I've been listening to Pastor Begg for years and have noticed his recurring comment about "the American church" and there's always a bit of disdain in his voice...which has made me wonder "then why are you over here PASTORING this American church for so long?" 😐 I think he has fallen off his throne.

I always had questions about how a 30-year-old evangelist became so popular so quickly with a 1949 Los Angeles Tent Revival, and then I realized William Randolph Hearst promoted it. To this day, I have to question why would Hearst support Graham?

Thanks for the education and clarification...

Some times our minds are so open they fall out.

I now realize that we are preaching from 2 different Bibles: One is called: American Fundamentalism, And the other: British Evangelicalism. It is no longer "What Saith The Scripture" No wonder Christianity is in the state it's in.

Some really badly needed clarity. Thank you Dr Roach!

Skipping all that...what Satan knows is that sexual gratification is a barbed treble hook for those participating in sexual sins. Once snared, it takes diligent and painful effort by those so afflicted to seek help. At issue, is how and when Christians should stand in opposition to evil ( 2 Tim 2:23) while also standing ready to pluck some from the fire (Jude 1:23).

I have amazingly solid friends of mine who are British evangelicals and they are *EMBARASSED* by Begg's statement.

Fantastic take, Dr. Roach!

Thank you. Very helpful.

They were quick to send me a well crafted form letter removing me as a long time truth partner. They don't want me or my donations. Very sad. There's more to this major shift that will come to light. Be not deceived.

I have good money that says neither he nor Parkside care about your comments about recent events.

This was so educational and enlightening. Thank you, Bill. I have officially subscribed to this channel.

So, now he blames this on his culture and his English fundamentalism. Hès been Conning us, I now Believe. TRAGIC and sad. KNOWONE likes to be conned.

There is no need to "straighten out your life." Come to Christ and He will straighten out your life. There is no need to "get your act together." Come to Christ and He will help you get your act together.

The greatest lie in the last 100 years in Christian circles is the cultural argument. Swathes of God's word have been explained away (so they think - but they are wrong) with faulty reasoning on changing cultural norms. If feminism, homosexuality and other practices were wrong then then they are wrong now. Either the bible speaks truth to all men at all times or it is tied to changing cultural values. I would not like to be the one who tries to tie or bind God's word to changing cultural norms, for as someone once said, trying to chain God's word is like trying to chain a lion or a lion's roar....

So he is saying don't question me, I am higher and better than you .

I was astounded when Begg gave the grandmother the advice he did. I have always liked him and listened to a lot of his teaching. Thank you for your very interesting comments - I learned a lot. I live in the Scotland and good reliable reformed preaching is hard to find. I cringed while listening to A Begg making his defence by simply attacking and accusing everyone else of being wrong. I was very disappointed by his stance and thought he bordered on rudeness. K.

Question: Did the old men, women, and children that were thrown to the lions in the arenas have a correct view of the fundamentals of christianity or were they mistaken in their theology?

Your presentation was clear and informative. Is a belief in an old earth and a regional flood in Noah's story considered still within the circle of American Fundamentalism . I believe you might have a clear opinion on this question. Regardless of your answer I am not here to debate it. Thanks

While I would agree that some of the IFB people went too far, one thing I can promise you: no one in that movement is going to tell people to go to a gay wedding. For all the faults of the movement, they're mostly faithful God-fearing people. Can't say the same for modern mainstream Evangelicalism. Begg could take a lesson from that. (also, on the amusing side, Begg has the "fundamentalist" stance of no facial hair for staff.)

I am grateful that before the throne, there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free; there is no male and female, there is no British Evangelist nor American fundamentalist, for we are all one in Christ Jesus.

What's wrong with Fundamentalism?

Alistair has been a good solid teacher for 40 years. I think he was wrong with his advice, but in light of his other 40 years of solid teaching i am going to stick with him.

Thanks Dr. Roach! I learned so much,never understood the history of all this , thanks again just subscribed. Take care , Jesus is Lord

we will believe what we want to - and won't do our own research, just believe what makes me comfortable.

We all have the same Word. I would not go to my sons guy marriage. What next an adoption ceremony where an innocent child is involved? Many parents have made the difficult decision to not compromise on this. Lost family because of their decision. Now this pastor has muddied the waters. He needs to retract his statement and that's it.

Good job

I guess super educated and celebrity pastors have no need to go the Lord and ask Him if they’ve sinned and should repent like ordinary Christian folk. They’re so smart that they’re free to rely on their intellect and education. As Paul put it “the wisdom of man” - but whoops Paul said that was a very bad thing to do as in 1 Cor.

British Evangelicalism is so healthy and vibrant, we should definitely be looking to them for advice.

Wonder when Sinclair Ferguson will respond!? Well done overview

What does Psalms 1:1 say?? “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, but his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night.” Another reason Begg is wrong is because Begg LEFT GOD OUT of this grandma’s problem/situation. If Begg really believes in the Reformed position theologically, he should know that no matter what grandma does is going to change who God has chosen before the foundation of the world. If grandma gave her grandchild $1 million, saying please believe in Jesus, I love you so much, I’m willing to disobey God to come to your wedding,” the grandchild CANNOT BECOME A CHRISTIAN until the Holy Spirit changes the stone heart to flesh!! We ALL know this; that’s why we pray with tears for our family members to have soften hearts, and ears and eyes open by God to become Born Again! Going to a non-Biblical marriage is NEVER the right thing to do. The right thing to do is being righteous because Jesus gave us HIS RIGHTEOUS and took our sin on the cross. Double imputation! Begg must have a mental cognitive decline if he thinks what he said to grandma was good advice. Also, where is grandma? Can we talk with her to find out her side and what happened? Did she take Begg’s advice?

Okay. Now we're beginning to overthink this.

All the guys he claims he’s a product of would never have said what he did 🤔

My goodness, what church does grandma attend where she even had to ask her question? #1, does she read her Bible? the Bible gives a no’ answer in all places in Scripture & besides that, my pastor has counciled from the pulpit on this very topic- no, you don’t go.

Hello, my name is John Velez. Please, allow me to give you my opinion as to the answer Alistair Begg gave to the grandmother which was about to lose her granddaughter! Begg used "The Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan parables" to justify the answer he gave the grandmother: “Attend the Wedding and bring them a GIFT” Wow!!! that will show the granddaughter grandma's love for her-(WRONG). If grandma goes to the wedding she will be partaking, promoting, and accepting the perversity her grand-daughter is about to embark in. There is no love in that. If he would have used the parable of "The Richman and Lazarus" (LUKE 16:19-31) he would have given the grandmother a taste of what happens to those who do EVIL here on planet Earth. That would be loving and acceptable by God. They will be given the opportunity to repent, and turn from their wickedness. But Begg’s dilemma is greater than that. Someday all of them including those who would attend the demonic ceremony, and Begg (if he doesn’t repent) will be facing the judgment seat of God. Will He say to them “well done good and faithful servants” (Mathew 25:23) or will he say“, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels (Mathew 25:41). I hope he reconsiders the answer he gave to poor Grandma and repents. It would mean a lot to all of us who know better. He has lost credibility and trust. That is a lot to lose. By the way, I am not a Pharisee and Begg is not Jesus Christ. When he points his finger to those who disagree with his counsel there are three fingers on his hand pointing back at him. See the following Scriptures pertaining to God’s standing on Sexual Perversity: Leviticus 18:22 Romans 1:26-27 Deuteronomy 22:5 2 John 1:6-7 1 Corinthians 13:6 Mark 1:15 1 Corinthians 10:20-21 1 Corinthians 6:11-12 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12

The play on terms can be problematic,. What Begg may be addressing is American Evangelism and the question asked by Dr. David Wells almost 40 years ago in his book "No Place for Truth" and what was happening to Evangelical Theology. The answer is now before us full blown, the Evangelicals have joined the Media circus as it imbibes aspects of the "cancel culture". However, decades before Wells presented his work that got a negative review in Christianity Today, Christians had made the mistake of seeing themselves as heterosexual.. ..I don't think they understood what the word actually meant.. ..they were looking for a word that was opposite to homosexual.. ..not underdtanding that one had to be heterosexual before they became homosexual. You may need to look at this subject just a little bit closer Dr. Roach. Are you surprised that TGC has gone woke?

Go back and watch Begg's video. You don't misstated his criticism. Fundamentalism has changed over the years.

Listening to AlistaIr Begg talk about British evangelicanism vs American fundamentalism one gets the feeling that Begg, deep inside, was having an uneasy relationship with the Christian leaders with whom he was supposed to in fellowship.

There are many loving way Pastor Begg could have advised this Grandmother but he gave bad advice period. He’s letting pride creep into his comments. We all can learn from a great preacher gone wrong. Look what pride did to Lucifer

Did he really need to insult his American brothers and sisters? Arent we all a "product" of the born again Holy Spirit pattern??

As an American, his comments were hurtful.

Love the discussion, however, why is it necessary to say that those who hold steadfast to the authorized version are militant or in a cult? You are lumping us in with the legalists and fringe groups. I believe this is a ploy of the enemy to make us look like nut jobs. The words of the KJV can be traced back to the disciples of the apostles. Have a blessed day sir.

Let it go!

The problem with American evangelical churches has less to do with their stance on Alistair Begg's advice to the grandmother than with their ungodly commitment to Donald Trump

Does it not all boil down to doing what God's word says?

Can Christian be a member of a biblical church that teaches dispensational theology as a core belief? No, because dispensational theology is not biblical. Should Christian go... different question.

Wow, I made it through to the 12-minute mark, before I had to stop. You are talking so high over most everyones head. You kind of sound like one of those people who debated over how many angels could stand on the head of a pin... (it's exausting) My first desire to click off was when you called this issue a "Dabate". It is not a debate. No one has offered to debate Begg. They won't dare. Because they know he would mop the floor with them. No, most of those who disagree with his possion don't even know what it is. No, they do what you did. They take a clip of what he said, (in a 36 minute sermon), and they preach a sermon about something other than what he is ACTUALLY SAYING. I know because I watch that very video 4 times. Each time learning more and more about what he actually said. And I totally agree with him. When reading about how the Pharisees reacted to things Christ said and did, I can see clearly who is right and who is wrong in This Matter. Everyone is So Ready to Pick Up Rocks. God Forgive Them, They Know Not What They Do... ❤

Billy Graham SAID That Belief IN JESUS "Isn't the ONLY WAY" To Salvation & Eternal Life. : (

John the Baptist Lost his head for Defending True Marriage......

There is WAY too much name dropping by both you and Pastor Begg. I don't care for all of those labels, but FINALLY at about 28 minutes in you got to the issue that tears the church to shreds. Indeed, Begg's doctrinal stand can be corrected and repented for and should be if he is to continue in his current pastoral role. The ARROGANCE shown by his attitude towards "American fundamentalism" requires a DEEP repentance of attitude towards his congregation and audience. Unfortunately, it appears that many try to personally attack their antagonist and name drop to defend ungodly positions, rather than rely on reasoned dividing of scripture to answer questions. THIS is not of the Holy Spirit and results in confusion. God is not the author of confusion, and the Holy Spirit clarifies issues, not adding to confusion. This attempt to name every position, and find learned allies is wrong.

He and Tom Wright look down on American Christians. But they are looking up. Sorry, but I'm tired of the conceit.

Modern American Evangelicalism is different than what were traditionally known as "Evangelicals", starting with the Lutherans in Germany, who were the first to be called Evangelicals, and then the Evangelicals in Britain and pre-1900 America. Begg is correct that this traditional Evangelicalism is different then modern American Evangelicalism, which has become a sort of quasi political-religious entity, and an incredibly influential one at that. Case in point would be the topic of abortion. As opposed to Roman Catholicism and Conservative Confessional Protestantism (think conservative Presbyterian and Lutheran Denominations) Modern American Evanglicalism, for example the Southern Baptist Convention, was by and large pro-choice, even after the Roe v Wade decision. It was only when it became politically expedient in the late 1970's with the Moral Majority that Modern American Evangelicalism as a whole became "pro-life".

I would rather obey God than do what is the most popular.

Brother Roach; While I appreciate what you have done, and why you tried to do it, the real issue is "Has God Spoken", "Has He Spoken Clearly", and "Is His Word Truth"? If the answer to those three questions are YES, then it really is of no significance what American Fundamentalism or British Evangelicalism has to say. The real issue is "What Saith The Scripture"? Do they really BELIEVE the book called The Holy Bible, or are they following man? Leviticus 20:13 13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. Charles Haddon Spurgeon had this to say: "When I SAW, or thought that I saw that error had crept into the Baptist Union, I withdrew myself that I might not stulify my testimony." To take a stand for TRUTH, and then PARTICIPATE in what is an ABOMINATION is Hypocrisy of the highest order. And some Christians continue to call it a wedding - Give me a break. From what I have heard from some Christians, I would not be at all surprised if they will soon be asking God to apologize for what he did to Sodom and Gomorrah.

God's Word is God's Word! Period. The implication is that a Christian from Timbuctoo can have a different view of God's Word. Nonsense.

You're saying a bunch of names as way of saying what you mean instead of telling us what they believe. I'm lost, I don't know all these people so using their names to define something leaves me lost. Maybe you only meant to speak to people with a seminary degree?

Exactly

It's Dr. Begg to you.

Alistair Begg is right. Leave him alone.