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steve9191
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Google the term “ordinariate” and you will get a ton of articles.
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NorthTexan88
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As shocking as this may sound, I have never met any Pentecostals so, other than the tongues thing I have no idea what they believe. I have heard its spreading rapidly in Africa and South America. I wud imagine that this is bc they play on emotion very heavily. But the Pope is not the first person I have heard call them dangerous. Why is this?
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philial
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Pentecostalism - putting the ‘fun’ back into fundamentalism?
I can see pentecostalism as being its own religion, with a countless number of confessing independant churches based on a variety of interpretations, as a result of ‘sola scriptura’, and an indiffence to creeds and dogma. It is certainly be of mass appeal since it calls to a primative, irrational core that we all have, as well as appealing to the ‘instant hit’ school of self-gratification! But I have heard some pentecostals denying the Trinity on scriptural grounds, for example, that convinces me that while thwe Holy Spirit may have something to teach us through pentecostalism, it is not to lead us all into being pentecostalists. There is also the matter of the Eucharist… Not much room for that when you’re having a “good time”!
So, will current mainstream communities become less insistant on ‘scripture alone’ and learn to recognise the value of established tradition, which could lead to certain awkward questions when faced with yet older, far older traditions such as the catholic / orthodox ones?
I can see pentecostalism as being its own religion, with a countless number of confessing independant churches based on a variety of interpretations, as a result of ‘sola scriptura’, and an indiffence to creeds and dogma. It is certainly be of mass appeal since it calls to a primative, irrational core that we all have, as well as appealing to the ‘instant hit’ school of self-gratification! But I have heard some pentecostals denying the Trinity on scriptural grounds, for example, that convinces me that while thwe Holy Spirit may have something to teach us through pentecostalism, it is not to lead us all into being pentecostalists. There is also the matter of the Eucharist… Not much room for that when you’re having a “good time”!
So, will current mainstream communities become less insistant on ‘scripture alone’ and learn to recognise the value of established tradition, which could lead to certain awkward questions when faced with yet older, far older traditions such as the catholic / orthodox ones?
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_Abyssinia
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Liberal protestantism is declining and that is not going to cease
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Swiss_Guy
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I think that you will have 2 groups of mainline Protestants: the liberal ones that are following the modernist trail today will be desperate to keep some members but unfortunately become even more liberal, hurting their cause. The people they are trying to be attractive to will ignore them because they will be atheists or agnostics who don’t care about religion in the first place. The other mainline Protestants will become more conservative and their attendance will be stagnant or slightly improved for becoming more traditional, since that is what more Protestants who care about their faith will be looking for. I also think Evangelicals will continue to rise in number but continue to be less and less dogmatic that they will be anywhere from modernist to fundamentalist.
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studychristian
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Protestantism is will probably be around in 50 years, most of it I assume will be liberal, or at least in the United States it will be.
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Swiss_Guy
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My guess is because (from my knowledge) they are all about “only Jesus” which can be interpreted different ways, and since they are sola scriptura with absolutely no Tradition they will believe and teach whatever they want to about Scripture. Meaning a possible rejection of a lot of basic beliefs. Not to mention they are growing fast.
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XianThinker
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I think the older mainline Protestant denominations are slowly declining and will probably continue to do so in the future. I think newer modern churches will adapt and conform to the wishes of their congregations and will continue to grow. In 50 years, I think many of them will approve of women clergy, gay marriage, and whatever else is popular in the future. I think the motto of the World Council of Churches is something like “the world sets the church’s agenda” so church teachings can always change to conform with changing values. There will probably always be conservative churches that resist newer liberal values and these churches could increase especially if liberals abandon church altogether.
I think there will be more independent, non-denominational churches. After a denomination changes its teachings enough times, people will lose faith in their denomination and switch to newer, more modern denominations.
Pentecostalism is rapidly growing. According to Wikipedia, it started about 100 years ago and now has 740 denominations and over 200 million adherents, making up about 20% of protestants. I attended a pentecostal church for several years. It was very fun, modern, upbeat, and lively. Rap music was played in church. Sometimes the whole church got up and danced around the church during the service. People spoke in “tongues” (the so-called language of angels). Some people were “drunk in the Spirit” and could be filled with what they called “holy laughter.” If people liked the sermon, they would shout Hallelujah or Praise Jesus during the sermon. It definitely appeals to younger people who are bored in most churches and want to be entertained. I could see it making up 50% of protestants in 50 years.
I think there will be more independent, non-denominational churches. After a denomination changes its teachings enough times, people will lose faith in their denomination and switch to newer, more modern denominations.
Pentecostalism is rapidly growing. According to Wikipedia, it started about 100 years ago and now has 740 denominations and over 200 million adherents, making up about 20% of protestants. I attended a pentecostal church for several years. It was very fun, modern, upbeat, and lively. Rap music was played in church. Sometimes the whole church got up and danced around the church during the service. People spoke in “tongues” (the so-called language of angels). Some people were “drunk in the Spirit” and could be filled with what they called “holy laughter.” If people liked the sermon, they would shout Hallelujah or Praise Jesus during the sermon. It definitely appeals to younger people who are bored in most churches and want to be entertained. I could see it making up 50% of protestants in 50 years.
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Nic2009
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Hi NTexan
IMO: Historical Critical Interpretation of the Scriptures (leads to a liberal and social gospel) and Post-Modernism (which leads to nothing but vagueness) are two major influences that decay any church. The great thing about not having no absolutes (in theory) for Post-Modern types is that at some point in time, people get tired of not knowing anything.
That said, there are some of us who strive to adhere to our original confessions.Eg. Book of Concord.
By his graces, his servant, Nic
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ltwin
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An important difference is that Protestant missionary work will have undergone a complete transformation. We’re already seeing it today. Countries in Africa and Asia that used to be mission fields are now and will continue to send missionaries to the USA and other Western countries. As Protestantism shrinks in the West, African and Asian thinkers and leaders will exercise more influence over Protestant thought.
All over the world, traditionally organized denominations will continue to struggle and adapt. Non-denominational networks will become more common.
All over the world, traditionally organized denominations will continue to struggle and adapt. Non-denominational networks will become more common.
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NorthTexan88
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Howdy! Agreed. Where do you see Lutheranism going? Do you see it going the way of ELCA or other? I have a hard time believing LCMS and WELS will ever go that way. But then again I’m sure if you had told episcopalians 50 years ago they would invent a rite for SSM they wouldn’t believe you:shrug:Hi NTexan
IMO: Historical Critical Interpretation of the Scriptures (leads to a liberal and social gospel) and Post-Modernism (which leads to nothing but vagueness) are two major influences that decay any church. The great thing about not having no absolutes (in theory) for Post-Modern types is that at some point in time, people get tired of not knowing anything.
That said, there are some of us who strive to adhere to our original confessions.Eg. Book of Concord.
By his graces, his servant, Nic
Which Lutheran group do you belong to? Part of my family are very staunch LCMS lol
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Nic2009
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I’m a fairly recent convert… I am presently in a seeking mode but attend both LCMS and WELS communities. For any confessional Lutheran body to go the way of the ELCA they would have to reject the historical grammatical interpretation of Scripture.
Are Episcopalians the same as Anglicans? I believe they are and if so, there is a group among them that are about 200 years old called Reformed Anglicans. These are a conservative group of folks that have stayed the course within their tradition. An LCMS friend told me they would attend their if a Lutheran assembly wasn’t available. However it is more likely that the reverse would be the problem. Reformed Anglican communities are small in number. Then we have those that insist that leaving the associated synod isn’t the answer, but would rather attempt to change the church from within. That may be a more noble cause, but not for me. I have done my share of that IMO.
By his graces, his servant, Nic
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Nic2009
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Hi Itwin
Eastern thought in Asia comes with the territory and if people prefer thought to gospel then that will be the obstacle
FWIW: I have spent the last 20+ years in a ‘non-denominational network’.
What is true? The gospel. The gospel never changes and can save to the uttermost.
We are commanded to preach and baptize all nations.
As a Lutheran I believe that faith and regeneration is solely and purely work of God alone. And not anything I do or that makes me my own savior.
By his graces, his servant, Nic
Perhaps, although I do understand there are many confessional Lutheran bodies in Africa, maybe more than the US.
Eastern thought in Asia comes with the territory and if people prefer thought to gospel then that will be the obstacle
FWIW: I have spent the last 20+ years in a ‘non-denominational network’.
What is true? The gospel. The gospel never changes and can save to the uttermost.
We are commanded to preach and baptize all nations.
As a Lutheran I believe that faith and regeneration is solely and purely work of God alone. And not anything I do or that makes me my own savior.
By his graces, his servant, Nic
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benjammin
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To be honest, in 50 years Protestantism will be in more of a mess. While the LCMS will probably stay strong (much like the catholic church, they seem to have good doctrinal authority in their church), mainline churches will continue to see a decline almost to the point of irrelevancy. What i see as the big thing though is that evangelical churches (not evangelicals themselves) will decline. I once heard an evangelical friend of mine once say how presbyterians and methodists were really good biblical denominations. Anyway, my feeling is that those in charge on current evangelical churches will get too liberal and people will leave to either found their own churches, join churches who have actually stayed the same in teaching, or the whole “I don’t need religion, I have jesus” movement will continue. Sadly I see that movement gaining ground, especially amongst evangelicals who will be saved, but then only go to church infrequently and will say “but I follow christ, I don’t need church”. The hope for me is though is that Catholicism will attract people The only area i see catholicism struggling is with young people. Hopefully though they will return later, or better yet, be helped by better catechism and stay lifelong members.
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Ave_Maria_1
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Are you kidding me! Our nearest Episcopal “welcoming, inclusive church” has a lesbian pastor and they are pro=abort and pro-gay.
There will be no Episcopal church or really any mainlines–they will all be amalgamated into whatever anyone wants or whatever is their ‘truth’ this year as is happening all over. There are very very few pastors with a spine for sure. And I say this from experience. There are thousands and thousands of independent ‘Christian’ churches making it up as they go along.
One priest asked one of the many ‘pastors’ at a mega ‘church’ what was the requirement to be a pastor. He was told that they just elect you!!! And the guy was surprised that Father had spent years in the seminary.
Decent burial? Only a Catholic Mass for your soul will constitute that.
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mdcpensive1
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I really hate to say it but I believe that there will be two camps of protestants. One is the fundamental or conservative group that will try to stay the same as past groups. The other one will be the one that is of the world and expresses worldly values by preaching that they are the ones that are relavent in today’s world.
This last group will be the ones that will get their “ears tickled” as in only going to services that are meaningful to them, social and entertaining. Services that are relevant to thier social and moral understandings. This is why president obama said he has changed his mind on what marriage means and what I believe many other churches will do in the future to try to get more participants.
Hopefully I will be wrong and Grace will prevail.
mdcpensive1
This last group will be the ones that will get their “ears tickled” as in only going to services that are meaningful to them, social and entertaining. Services that are relevant to thier social and moral understandings. This is why president obama said he has changed his mind on what marriage means and what I believe many other churches will do in the future to try to get more participants.
Hopefully I will be wrong and Grace will prevail.
mdcpensive1
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Nic2009
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Let’s be honest.
Also for every one Catholic gained four Catholics leave.
I do agree however that the Jesus movement will likely be here to stay. Big deal. They are Christian are they not?
FWIW: Being a Roman Catholic doesn’t make anyone more saved or more Christian.
Thanks again, by his graces, his servant, Nic
Confessional bodies are still present today after some 500 years post reformation.
Also for every one Catholic gained four Catholics leave.
I do agree however that the Jesus movement will likely be here to stay. Big deal. They are Christian are they not?
FWIW: Being a Roman Catholic doesn’t make anyone more saved or more Christian.
Thanks again, by his graces, his servant, Nic
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