From: Jim Armstrong (jarmstro@qwest.net)
Date: Wed Jan 01 2003 - 15:15:50 EST
Rich - You are of course absolutely correct in this observation. I just
gave a shallow response to a glib assertion. But in truth, I've thought
a lot about the issue you state. I have a sense that there is something
much more profound going on than is widely recognized, and I don't think
it's being addressed because there is no established formula for doing
so. The new (well, sorta new) megachurches seem to have responded well
to some needs not well addressed by more conventional
churches/denominations. But I think there is quite a bit more that is
yet unaddressed for a couple of reasons. One is that we just are not
very good at asking hard questions about ourselves and demanding answers
about what we believe and how we express it. Second, to do so would
likely mess significantly with tradition, the longstanding and varied
contexts and expressions of Christianity.
Well, I suspect I'm preaching to the choir here, based on what I've seen
you write. So, I'll stop there.
JimA
RFaussette@aol.com wrote:
>In a message dated 12/31/02 3:46:02 PM Eastern Standard Time,
>jarmstro@qwest.net writes:
>
>
>
>
>> Philip Jenkins in his book, "The Next
>> Christendom" points out that, contrary to popular wisdom concerning the
>> growth of Islam, that Christianity is not on the decline, but doing just
>> fine, thank you. However, it may be redistributing itself somewhat -
>>
>>
>>
>
>I have Jenkins' book and am aware of the problem thatr this growth poses. The
>problem is that educated first worlders are leaving the churches. The embrace
>of Christianity as their hunter gatherer socities fall apart under emerging
>nationalism is almost a natural process, but the abandonment of the churches
>by first worlders (us) is debilitating and a great concern.
>rich
>
>
>
>
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