Comments on: Philip Jenkins on the future of Christianity http://www.steveaddison.net/2006/09/08/the-future-of-christianit.html Steve Addison's blog about movements for the renewal and expansion of the church. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:00:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Brian Plescher http://www.steveaddison.net/2006/09/08/the-future-of-christianit.html#comment-2282 Brian Plescher Fri, 08 Sep 2006 16:06:20 +0000 http://www.steveaddison.net/2006/09/08/the-future-of-christianit.html#comment-2282 I am hesitant to critique something I have not yet read, but I am always a little leery of those authors who talk about the growth of the global south being the new face of Christianity. Argentina, where we are planting churches, is hardly a hotbed of revival. There are a few Pentecostals who whoop it up with prosperity and G12 control structures, but not much else. The Catholic church, although once dominant, is losing its grip on the daily life of the people, and Argentina resembles a secular Europe rather than exhibiting the new model of Christianity. I see very little around the world is that truly organic; that is, not started or under the direct influence of the North American church. In fact, the evangelical churches here tend to exhibit the worse characteristics of the north/west rather than doing something new and original. I also wonder about his theory that the agrarian communities will provide this new impetus for change. The continual trend in the South to urbanization has left very few in rural communities. Over half of the Argentine population is in Buenos Aires (15 million now). The school, universities, and seminaries are all in the urban centers. The growth of a global Christianity in the South may be a future reality, but it may be more of a 22century reality than 21st. I am hesitant to critique something I have not yet read, but I am always a little leery of those authors who talk about the growth of the global south being the new face of Christianity. Argentina, where we are planting churches, is hardly a hotbed of revival. There are a few Pentecostals who whoop it up with prosperity and G12 control structures, but not much else. The Catholic church, although once dominant, is losing its grip on the daily life of the people, and Argentina resembles a secular Europe rather than exhibiting the new model of Christianity. I see very little around the world is that truly organic; that is, not started or under the direct influence of the North American church. In fact, the evangelical churches here tend to exhibit the worse characteristics of the north/west rather than doing something new and original.

I also wonder about his theory that the agrarian communities will provide this new impetus for change. The continual trend in the South to urbanization has left very few in rural communities. Over half of the Argentine population is in Buenos Aires (15 million now). The school, universities, and seminaries are all in the urban centers. The growth of a global Christianity in the South may be a future reality, but it may be more of a 22century reality than 21st.

]]> By: Arthur Stewart http://www.steveaddison.net/2006/09/08/the-future-of-christianit.html#comment-2262 Arthur Stewart Fri, 08 Sep 2006 05:45:27 +0000 http://www.steveaddison.net/2006/09/08/the-future-of-christianit.html#comment-2262 I am encouraged by this argument, though I have found it only partially true in Africa where we live. Yes, people are more communal and hold different worldviews which change the way they look at scripture. At the same time, a vast majority continue to aspire toward western models of Christianiaty and the Church. May God convince the south that they are legitimate followers of Christ who must help the north see a different way. I am encouraged by this argument, though I have found it only partially true in Africa where we live. Yes, people are more communal and hold different worldviews which change the way they look at scripture. At the same time, a vast majority continue to aspire toward western models of Christianiaty and the Church.

May God convince the south that they are legitimate followers of Christ who must help the north see a different way.

]]> By: Keith http://www.steveaddison.net/2006/09/08/the-future-of-christianit.html#comment-2257 Keith Fri, 08 Sep 2006 03:34:24 +0000 http://www.steveaddison.net/2006/09/08/the-future-of-christianit.html#comment-2257 Shock and horror, some Christians actually believe the Bible! I love the fact that the people who Europe and American send missionaries to convert and civilize are now sending missionaries back. The story goes that in the 19th century missionaries went to Bali and told the women to cover up, now it's the Balinese who are embarrassed by Western women's immodesty. The Christian movement has much to learn from the two-third world. The West might be ahead in terms of GDP ($) and technology, but money and technology don't make better Christians. Shock and horror, some Christians actually believe the Bible!

I love the fact that the people who Europe and American send missionaries to convert and civilize are now sending missionaries back. The story goes that in the 19th century missionaries went to Bali and told the women to cover up, now it’s the Balinese who are embarrassed by Western women’s immodesty.

The Christian movement has much to learn from the two-third world. The West might be ahead in terms of GDP ($) and technology, but money and technology don’t make better Christians.

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