The Future of Christianity: Can It Survive?
Books / Hardcover
Books › Religion › Christianity › General
ISBN: 1591024064 / Publisher: Prometheus, May 2006
Bellinzoni (emeritus religion, Wells College, Aurora, New York) argues that Christianity cannot, will not, and should not survive unless it embraces new truths and addresses the question of its relevance in the third millennium. He suggests changes that he warns are deep and dramatic, and go right to the heart of Christian orthodoxy. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Christianity has endured for two thousand years, weathering the challenges of clerical corruption, religious wars, internal schism, and scientific criticism. Today, however, there is increasing evidence that institutional Christianity is succumbing to the growing secularism of contemporary society. Both church attendance and the number of clergy have noticeably declined. Will Christianity survive for another thousand years, or even a hundred years?In this probing assessment of the state of Christianity, biblical scholar Arthur J. Bellinzoni boldly asserts that Christianity must break with the past and offer a new vision of the future if it hopes to survive. Addressing four issues of central concern, Bellinzoni advocates a radical rethinking of the Christian message. First, he suggests that the God concept must move beyond obsolete notions of a personal God and take its inspiration from such diverse sources as science, Taoism, Moses, Thomas Jefferson, and Martin Buber. Second, Bellinzoni urges a more sophisticated approach to the Bible, one that values its timeless elements but is not afraid to discard its many antiquated features. Third, he recommends a new emphasis on Jesus’ social ethic, arguing that this could lead to a dramatic redistribution of the world’s wealth and greater respect for the planet. Fourth, Bellinzoni criticizes the persistence of obsolete myth in Christianity, demonstrating that, without its mythical embellishments, Christianity still offers a relevant understanding of the meaning of human existence.A work of erudition that is also completely accessible to the lay reader, The Future of Christianity provides a stimulating critique that forward-thinking Christians will welcome.
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