What Do I Mean By Calling Myself, "Ultraconservative"?

If you look at the description of my blog, it describes my theological stance as "Ultraconservative, charismatic, predestinarian, and non-dispensational". Now if you look at the various posts on this site, my statement of faith, and some of my recommended resources, it should become pretty plain what I mean by charismatic, predestinarian, and non-dispensational. But while the astute reader might also discern my classical evangelical beliefs from the above, it seemed good to me to elucidate the reasons why I decided to describe my basic theology as "ultraconservative".

I think the primary reason why I chose to add the prefix "ultra" to the noun "conservative" is because we sadly live in a theological world where those who are surely the least conservative are considered to be so. I'll admit, as much as I dislike many of the tired jeremiads that make the rounds on the blogosphere (especially the reformed corner of the same) lamenting the sorry state of evangelicalism in America, there is, unfortunately, a lot of truth to it. We inhabit in a theological climate where leaders like, say, Andy Stanley, Gregory Boyd, and Joel Osteen are considered "conservative"; evidently alongside, say, R.C. Sproul, John MacArthur, and D.A. Carson. For good measure, on the charismatic side of the fence, Adrian Warnock is more conservative, even Calvinistic, yet has some very questionable perspectives.

Because of these things, to simply describe myself as "conservative", just didn't seem to communicate enough. So, to emphasize the fact, I opted for "ultraconservative". Now to be sure, I do tend to take the more right of center positions on issues like creation and the roles of men and women in the church. But as important as those are, what I really have in mind by stating that I am "ultraconservative", is a particularly high view of the Bible and its inspiration, inerrancy, infallibility, and authority (spoiler alert, I affirm all four). By ultraconservative, I mean that I affirm the truthfulness and historical accuracy of the Gospel accounts of Jesus Christ's person, life, miracles, death, resurrection, and ascension. I affirm the Scripture's teaching on marriage and sexuality as historically understood by the Church throughout the centuries. I affirm the reality of final judgment and hell,...and...well I am sure you get the idea.

All that said, I thought bringing some clarity to my definitions would be profitable. One of the problems with words is how easily they can be misunderstood, or worse, hijacked by those whose intentions are far from godly. If the Council of Nicea taught us anything (or if you have ever tried talking to a Mormon!), it is that precise definitions of our words and terms can sometimes make an eternal difference.