{"id":1278,"date":"2010-10-18T01:04:31","date_gmt":"2010-10-18T01:04:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/2010\/10\/provocative-readings-on-the-future-of-christianity.html"},"modified":"2010-10-18T01:04:31","modified_gmt":"2010-10-18T01:04:31","slug":"provocative-readings-on-the-future-of-christianity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2010\/10\/provocative-readings-on-the-future-of-christianity.html","title":{"rendered":"Provocative Readings on the Future of Christianity"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the last two weeks I’ve read three provocative pieces on the future of Christianity in general, and evangelical Christianity in particular. Two are books, one is an article. All three share certain things in common, though their visions for the correct future of Christianity are diverse if not contradictory. (I’ll get back to my blog series on the divinity of Jesus tomorrow, I expect.)<\/p>\n

Christianity Today<\/i> on Albert Mohler, Jr.<\/b><\/p>\n

\"mohler-albert-2.jpg\"<\/form>\n

The article, which you can read online here<\/a>, is the cover story for the latest issue of Christianity Today<\/i>. “The Reformer,” by Molly Worthen, focuses on Albert Mohler, Jr., the President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and one of the most prominent conservative Christians in America. Time Magazine<\/i> once referred to Mohler as the “reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S.” Mohler’s influence in the Southern Baptist Convention has been monumental, and he is one of the most articulate and popular Christian pundits among secular media. I have met Al Mohler and have been on radio programs with him several times. He is brilliant, quick, clever, and blunt. He does not mince words and does not mind offending people. In fact, he infuriates people of many theological persuasions, as a very conservative Southern Baptist who is also Reformed in his theology. He is a passionate defender to the Bible and what he understands to be a Christian perspective on, well, everything. Mohler has a clear agenda for the future of evangelical Christianity in America and beyond, and he is pressing forward to implement this agenda. Whether you agree with him or not, or both agree and disagree, depending on the issue, Mohler deserves to be taken seriously, and I’m grateful for the Christianity Today<\/i> story. It deserves a careful reading by all Christians, especially Christian leaders.<\/p>\n

The Great Emergence<\/i><\/a> by Phyllis Tickle
<\/b><\/p>\n\"tickle-great-emergence-2.jpg\"<\/form>\n

This book argues that Christianity is going through a change similar to what happened in the Great Reformation. It was written by Phyllis Tickle, founding editor of the religion department of Publishers Weekly<\/i>. Tickle is a popular author and influential commentator of matters of church and faith. She envisions a Christian future that is far removed from the efforts of Albert Mohler and those of his camp. Among other things, she believes that Christian confidence in the Bible has God’s Word has been irrevocably lost.  Thus she sees a Christian future in which there is a wide diversity of theological perspective, with authority grounded in the diverse experiences of people who claim to be Christians. You may not like some of what Tickle predicts, but her perspective deserves careful attention if not critique. Moreover, even if you don’t embrace Tickle’s vision, you’ll find many of her observations to be most helpful and wise. <\/p>\n

The Next Christians: The Good News About the End of Christian America<\/i><\/a>, by Gabe Lyons<\/p>\n

<\/b><\/p>\n\"lyons-next-christians-2.jpg\"<\/form>\n

Gabe Lyons is perhaps best known as the co-author of the bestselling book unChristian<\/i>, which offered a sobering, one might even say, depressing look at the state of Christianity in America, especially among the next generations. In The Next Christians<\/i>, Lyons builds on his findings in unChristian<\/i>, but in an unexpectedly positive way. In many ways, he endorses the kind of cultural and ecclesiastical critique offered by Phyllis Tickle. But his hope envisions a Christian reality that is culturally engaged and yet solidly based on the authority of Scripture and the unique identity and role of Jesus Christ. Yet Lyons would not embrace the vision and strategy of Albert Mohler, nor would Mohler approve of much of what Lyons proposes.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/p>\n

<\/b>Albert Mohler, Phyllis Tickle, and Gabe Lyons are all followers of Jesus who are seeking to be faithful to him in their thinking and writing. They all take seriously the culture(s) in which we live, realizing that we are in the midst of a monumental cultural shift. They all hope to lead Christians into a new era of faithfulness and influence. Yet their visions for how this should happen are about as different as could be. <\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the last two weeks I’ve read three provocative pieces on the future of Christianity in general, and evangelical Christianity in particular. Two are books, one is an article. All three share certain things in common, though their visions for the correct future of Christianity are diverse if not contradictory. (I’ll get back to my…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[77,6,189],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1278","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-christian-life","category-christianity-and-the-world","category-church-and-culture"],"yoast_head":"\nProvocative Readings on the Future of Christianity - Mark D. 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Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1278","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1278"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1278\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1278"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1278"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}