II.

Origins

Fundamentalism is rooted in 18th- and 19th-century American revivalism (see Revivals, Religious). Until the middle of the 19th century, its principal beliefs were held by almost all orthodox Protestant denominations, particularly by evangelical denominations. Fundamentalism as an organized, conservative movement dates from the early part of the 20th century. It developed out of a series of Bible conferences, the first ones held in 1876. These were called by members of various denominations who strongly objected to the following: the historical-literary study of the Bible, known as the higher criticism (see Biblical Criticism); the attempts (still continuing) to reconcile traditional Christian beliefs and doctrines with contemporary experience and knowledge; and the acceptance of a scientific view of the world, particularly the popularization of the theory of evolution. Such trends and beliefs were opposed by many conservative members of Protestant denominations.

The more conservative members of each denomination at first attempted to exclude from their own institutions persons they considered outspoken or unyielding liberals. As a result a number of ministers and theologians were dismissed for espousing higher criticism. The exceptionally conservative, however, set up various rival bodies and educational institutions to spread their creed.

Fundamentalism began to flourish in 1909 with the publication and distribution of 12 books called The Fundamentals. By the time the 12th of the series had been published, about 3 million copies of The Fundamentals had been distributed throughout the U.S. and abroad. About this time a number of Bible institutes, such as the Los Angeles Bible Institute and the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, were established or began to teach Fundamentalist beliefs and doctrines.