Bitter Root: Atheistic Practices Embedded in Christian Fundamentalism

by Jeri Massi

Christian Fundamentalism presents itself as the last bastion of faithfulness to the Word of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. And yet the legacy of Christian Fundamentalism is a dark morass of child molesting preachers, financial fraud, and a swarm of odd, bizarre, faddish practices. Having documented the problem of clergy sex abuse in Christian Fundamentalism for 12 years, Jeri Massi presents the reader with undeniable evidence that Christian Fundamentalism is the product of several different influences, and one of them is atheism. Massi traces Christian Fundamentalist culture right back to Friedrich Nietzsche, Ivan Pavlov, and BF Skinner. She shows, from the Bible, that many practices and doctrines of Christian Fundamentalism have no basis in the Bible at all but are products of the atheistic teachers and philosophers of the previous century.

152 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2013

About the author

Jeri Massi is the author of the Peabody Adventures series and the Bracken Trilogy and others. Her YA novel VALKYRIES, published by Moody Press, was nominated for the Christy Award.

She is now an Indy author, writing Christian SF/Fantasy, comedy, mystery, and adventure.

You can track her booklist, adventures with cancer, and articles on Children's/YA literature at her substack:

https://jerimassi.substack.com

Reviews

[Bob Bingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is primarily useful for former Fundamentalists, or those still following that false system. There are some interesting discussions about Creation which could have been buttressed with some quotations from favorite Fundamentalist "creation scientists." If the reader is not already familiar with how Fundamentalism uses the book of Genesis, the author's claims might be met with some skepticism. Jeri is right, but it would have been helpful to add some typical quotations from Ken Ham, for example (since he is often referred to by Fundamentalists).

A minor quibble - a good proofreading should have caught the small grammatical errors, such as using a plural noun with a singular verb, as well as missing punctuation here and there.

As a former Fundamentalist, parts of this book made me cringe in shame, regret, and sorrow for how I had spoken to and treated people in the past. The verse that came to mind is from Proverbs: "Faithful are the wounds of a friend." I consider Jeri a friend for not being afraid to confront sin and rebuke its practice. Even though I left Fundamentalism a long time ago, there is a sense in which I am still repenting of the pride and self-righteousness that is bound up in that heretical system.

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most thought-provoking books I've ever read. And I don't say that lightly. Materialism was an obvious add-on to modern Christianity, but I had never considered the influence of the philosophy of Nietzsche's ubermensch. In retrospect, it's the sort of thing I wonder how I missed. Pavlov and Skinner too are hiding in plain sight.

It was a shock to read that Fundamentalism is a religion that builds no hospitals, erects no libraries, forsakes social justice and puts its trust in politicians and the right to bear arms. But find me a contrary example to prove that wrong.

[Eric Skaggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeri Massi makes an intelligent, compelling case against some serious problems that have been growing in the IFB (Independant Fundamental Baptist) church.

This book looks at standards in the IFB vs. scripture (in context). It is academic, yet not difficult to read. Each reader may find their own points of personal resonance within the table of contents. The most compelling chapter for me was "The Loyalty Deception." It shows how easily IFB leaders trade the Christian virtue of "Love" for the counterfeit "Loyalty." Loyalty is not a biblical virtue. Loyalty can cause a leader (or follower) to ignore sin and even illegal acts if it is done by "one of their own."

I am a former Fundamentalist Baptist. One of the attitudes that drove me away from the IBC denomination was the arrogant attitude that some leaders portray to the flock they are called to serve. They criticize the Catholic Church for giving the Pope so much power, yet they set themselves up as a local "pope" over their own congregations and wield any and all the power that their people will allow them to have. I am very sensitive to the name-calling, shaming, I'm-right-you're-wrong view that so many pastors take with anyone who disagrees with them on any point. Jeri Massi , however, does not take the same emotional approach in her writing, even though some of the topics are emotional triggers (rape, molestation, abuse). She takes the stronger, more academic approach.

One last thought: there are many God-loving, gentle people in the IFB denomination. I have many friends and family there. In my opinion, this book is not about or against them. This book is about the fallacies that seem to guide the hearts of some of the leaders in the churches across America. If you yourself have left the IFB, I would recommend this book. If you are still in the IFB, I recommend this book. Don't be afraid to read it with an academic mind that is open to a differing viewpoint than your own. You will not surely die.

[Rushia Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book deeply thought provoking as fundamentalists always attempt to assure followers that they are NOT influenced by atheistic philosophers. J. Massi briefly highlights specific ideas found in the secular world, and presents concrete verifiable instances of the same ideas in fundystan. In several cases, the author attempts to form a biblical argument against the fundamentalists who form ideas which have more in common with secular humanists than Scripture.

I do have a few reservations about the book. The first three chapters don't highlight very much of what one would expect from the title. I would encourage evangelical friends who don't like to hear Creationism criticized to skip those chapters and return later.

In chapter 13, the author draws a conclusion based on her translation of the Hebrew "Na-ar" as applying to male adolescents. My RP pastor/friend countered her interpretation as this word could be used to describe Samuel when first brought to the temple after being weaned. Given the apparent debate (within the "Not fundamentalist Baptist" world), it word alone is not a solid basis for an argument against the fundamentalist treatment of their children. Fortunately, the author does provide other arguments which the reader should consider.

Worthwhile reading for the ex-fundamentalist.

[RACHEL · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bitter Root is an intellegent look at the underpinnings of Christian Fundmentalism. If you are looking for a better understanding of such thinking, Massi's essays are a good place to start.

[Marbeth Skwarczynski · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Bitter Root: Atheistic Practices Embedded in Christian Fundamentalism, Jeri Massi has a knack for tracing the twisted teachings of fundamentalist Christianity back to their non-biblical roots. From B.F. Skinner-inspired troubled teen homes to the near worship of the "Man of God" as an Ubermensch, religious movements like the IFB have neglected Bible teaching in favor of humanistic practices. Massi's work provides clarity and provokes thought. Bitter Root is a must-read book for anyone dealing with the IFB movement.

[Beth Shultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book explains a lot about Christian fundamentalism. The author explains that they don't have a literal, but materialistic interpretation of Scripture. My first church many years ago was like this. Won this book from goodreads.