Fundamental

FUNDAMENTAL -- Pertaining to the foundation or basis; serving for the foundation. Hence: Essential, as an element, principle, or law; important; original; elementary; as, a fundamental truth; a fundamental axiom.

I agree with Websters (and Wiktionary) as to the meaning of this word. Some are turning it into a pejorative when accompanied by the word Christian.

The combination, fundamental Christian, simply means that we (yes – I am one), that we believe the Bible to be the word of God and that it contains the fundamentals of our faith.

With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. (Psalms 119:10 KJV)

We believe that In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 KJV), though we may differ in how we think He accomplished the task.

We also believe that He gave us specific commandments, reconfirmed through His son: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

From the first to the last we are told there are rewards – and punishments: Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (Revelation 22:14 KJV)

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:14 KJV)

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (Matthew 12:36 KJV)

Jesus explained the need for a strong foundation:

He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. (Luke 6:48-49 KJV)

I am responsible for each word written here – as well as the words of my unbridled tongue. I am responsible for correctly quoting His word and using verses and examples that fit within the context, not as how I wish them to be.

I do wish that everyone I know and love would automatically be on a direct path to heaven, but the Bible tells me this is not so.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (Matthew 7:13 KJV)

That is a fundamental – not all will reach heaven. It is also a fundamental that we must consider “Why?” As Pascal did, we must know that God is, or He is not. To accept that He is, it becomes necessary to learn of Him. To learn the basics, the fundamentals.