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THE FUTURE OF FAITH. SESSION THREE FAITH TURNS INTO BELIEF. USING THE THREE PART MODEL OF FAITH – BELIEF – SPIRIT THAT COX PRESENTS, WE DEAL WITH HOW THE EARLY CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY MOVED FROM LIVING ‘THE WAY’ OF JESUS TO A SYSTEM OF BELIEFS ‘ABOUT’ JESUS. Our Project:
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THE FUTURE OF FAITH SESSION THREE FAITH TURNS INTO BELIEF
USING THE THREE PART MODEL OF FAITH – BELIEF – SPIRIT THAT COX PRESENTS, WE DEAL WITH HOW THE EARLY CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY MOVED FROM LIVING ‘THE WAY’ OF JESUS TO A SYSTEM OF BELIEFS ‘ABOUT’ JESUS
Our Project: An accurate picture of Christian origins Clearer understanding of how we are living in similar times to the early church
Three Characteristics of the Early Church: Multifaceted Apostolic authority a fiction An “alternative” to empire
Three Modern Developments: Discovery of the Gnostic Gospels (1945) - heresy and orthodoxy questioned Apostolic Authority – a late invention Emergence of “a people’s history”
Original Christianity was “anti-imperial” and “counter-imperial” - Jesus example As Christianity grew it became consumed with issues of state
Modern liberationist and feminist theologies have given us a whole new perspective of formative Christianity. • Polymorphic (not united) • Disparate patterns of authority - Defiant, not subservient to empire
Erection of hierarchies and the fabrication of belief systems were imposed on the people Clergy – shepherds or rulers? Creeds – “Road markers of faith?” (or) “Imposed for salvation?”
What the church needs now are “deeds” not “creeds” - Rick Warren
Early Church: A clash of loyalties – Caesar or Christ? Later Church: A clash of creeds – being “right” triumphs
Creedal statements were a response to: External and internal threats to Christianity Do good fences make good neighbors? What are we walling in or walling out? (Robert Frost – The Mending Wall)
The Result? Belief “in Jesus” became beliefs “about him” “People of the Way” became part of the “Ecclesial imperium
The Rise of the Clerical Caste Paul was not interested in uniformity of belief or behavior – contextual advisor Ignatius and Irenaeus sought episcopal Control – uniformity of belief and practice
Case Study: The Canonical Gospels versus The Gnostic Gospels John versus Thomas – Elaine Pagels
Characteristics of the “Jesus Wars”: (Philip Jenkins) Winners got to determine truth Power was identified with orthodoxy Survivor churches claimed authority
Standard teaching: Apostolic succession Apostolic authority Christian community becomes Catholic Church Bishops become rulers who ‘represent’ the people
The result? Amalgamation of Church and Empire Religion became political State became religious
Small Group Discussion: Why did it take so long for the “truth” About early Christianity to come out? Now that we know, so what?
SESSION FIVE How We Might Move to the Future COX CHAPTER NINE INTERFAITH DIALOGUE
“If you want to make peace, You don’t talk to your friends, You talk to your enemies.” - Moshe Dayan Israeli general and politician turned peacemaker
Secularization Affects All Faiths Christianity and Other Faiths Face a Common Moment of Crisis We are “in this together”
OPTIONS Martyrdom and Murder • Die for the Faith • Kill for the Faith Dialogue • With Those Like Us • With Those Not Like Us
ENGAGING FUNDAMENTALISMS Within Our Faith Family Beyond Our Faith Family
“Fire From Heaven” The Rise of Pentecostal Spirituality and The Reshaping of Christianity in the Twenty-First Century, by Harvey Cox 1995.
Cox Examples Jerry Falwell - Liberty University Pat Robertson – Regent University “You just can’t talk to those people.” “We not only can; we must and we did.”
INTRAFAITH DIALOGUE Taking “Within” Our Faith Tradition Commonalities: Rediscovery of the Biblical Jesus Emergence of a Post Western Christianity
INTERFAITH DIALOGUE Talking “Beyond” Our Faith Tradition Commonalities Mystery Justice
Best of Times – Worst of Times Christian Conservatism is Changing Can Christian Liberalism Change as Well? Respect is Essential
SUMMARY New Directions for the Future: • Toward “New Faiths” • Toward “Other Wings” of Christianity • Working Together for “Justice & Peace” in a complex political world
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Talk and Action • Do you think we are too much “talk” and not enough “action” - focused? 2. What possibilities exist for young people and not-so-young people today?
PENTECOSTALISM A Major Sign of Hope for the Future of Faith
Pentecostalism The fastest growing Christian Movement of the past century, with every indication of continuing that trend through the next
“Fire From Heaven” The Rise of Pentecostal Spirituality and The Reshaping of Christianity in the Twenty-First Century Harvey Cox (1995)
Pentecostalism, not Fundamentalism At the heart of Christian growth in: Brazil Korea Mainland China USA (Latino population)
Fundamentalists, Pentecostals and Evangelicals Fundamentalists: Text-oriented literalists Pentecostals: Biblical authority + Direct H.S. experience
Fundamentalists: “Sober and rational” Pentecostals: “Demonstrative worship; ecstatic praise”
Fundamentalists: Non-negotiable doctrines Pentecostals: “Resistant” to doctrines, creeds, rituals ***** Evangelicals tend to support Pentecostals and distance themselves from Fundamentalists
Distinguish: American Pentecostals “Holiness Tradition” from Pentecostals in the Global South and East “Progressive Holiness”
Liberation Theology and Pentecostalism? A possible future convergence in Latin America between: Base communities + Pentecostal (CEBs) Communities (Catholic) (Protestant)
From Non-Conformityto “In, Not Of, the World” List-making (organized) Conscious Choice (individualism) Decision (required) Pentecostalism can provide creative soil for: - democracy - focus on politics and economics
Two Cautions “Escapist” (Eschatological) thinking “Health and Wealth” gospel
Questions for Groups • Discuss the pros and cons of Pentecostalism (local and global) • Discuss possible collaboration between Mainline and Pentecostal Protestants