Brazilian-style fundamentalism: protestantism of Mission, its profile and focus on Brazil

Abstract

“Fundamentalism” is a movement or a current of thought, which preaches strict and literal obedience to a set of fundamental principles. It can be present in the economy, politics, education and other instances of human life. However, it is in religion that fundamentalism is best known and discussed. Throughout history, religious fundamentalism has gone through different phases of expression enabling new conceptual and structural analysis. In recent years, the theme has resurfaced in Latin America where some governments’ policies are based on fundamentalist ideas. There is a dangerous connection between religious and political fundamentalisms. This article aims to critically evaluate this relationship and its social consequences. The text is divided into four parts: 1) distinction between “conservatism” and “fundamentalism”; 2) an overview of the phases of expression of Christian Protestant fundamentalismo; 3) the Bible as the basis of The Fundamentals: a Testimony to the Truth; 4) Brazilian-style fundamentalism from Protestantism of mission and Pentecostalism. The propositional aspects are suggested all along this reflection and, mainly in the final part, as notes to rethink the theological formation of religious leaders in Brazil.