Fundamental gets a hard rap in the media, and of course with those who have no opinions of their own just a parroting of the airheads in the media, but it should not be so.  In sports or education fundamentalism is highly praised and taught.  The NFL draft will show that some very athletic players will not be drafted high because of a flaw in their fundamentals.  Unless a science wannabe is fundamental in their understanding of math they will struggle or even fail, but MIT will not want them.  So also in the Christian faith.  If one does not have the fundamentals down pat they will struggle or fail in their walk.  Other dangers of a lack in fundamentals is being drawn away by every cult that comes along.  Never acheiving the growth that comes with knowing the general will of God.  Stability that keeps us from being "blown about by every wind of doctrine.  Get the fundamentals right.