THE FUTURE OF FAITH

1. THE FUTURE OF FAITH SESSION THREE FAITH TURNS INTO BELIEF

3. 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

4. Our Project: An accurate picture of Christian origins Clearer understanding of how we are living in similar times to the early church

5. Three Characteristics of the Early Church: Multifaceted Apostolic authority a fiction An “alternative” to empire

6. Three Modern Developments: Discovery of the Gnostic Gospels (1945) - heresy and orthodoxy questioned Apostolic Authority – a late invention Emergence of “a people’s history”

7. Original Christianity was “anti-imperial” and “counter-imperial” - Jesus example As Christianity grew it became consumed with issues of state

8. 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

9. 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?”

10. What the church needs now are “deeds” not “creeds” - Rick Warren

11. Early Church: A clash of loyalties – Caesar or Christ? Later Church: A clash of creeds – being “right” triumphs

12. 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)

13. The Result? Belief “in Jesus” became beliefs “about him” “People of the Way” became part of the “Ecclesial imperium

14. 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

15. Case Study: The Canonical Gospels versus The Gnostic Gospels John versus Thomas – Elaine Pagels

16. Characteristics of the “Jesus Wars”: (Philip Jenkins) Winners got to determine truth Power was identified with orthodoxy Survivor churches claimed authority

17. Standard teaching: Apostolic succession Apostolic authority Christian community becomes Catholic Church Bishops become rulers who ‘represent’ the people

18. The result? Amalgamation of Church and Empire Religion became political State became religious

19. Small Group Discussion: Why did it take so long for the “truth” About early Christianity to come out? Now that we know, so what?

20. SESSION FIVE How We Might Move to the Future COX CHAPTER NINE INTERFAITH DIALOGUE

21. “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

22. Secularization Affects All Faiths Christianity and Other Faiths Face a Common Moment of Crisis We are “in this together”

23. OPTIONS Martyrdom and Murder • Die for the Faith • Kill for the Faith Dialogue • With Those Like Us • With Those Not Like Us

24. ENGAGING FUNDAMENTALISMS Within Our Faith Family Beyond Our Faith Family

25. “Fire From Heaven” The Rise of Pentecostal Spirituality and The Reshaping of Christianity in the Twenty-First Century, by Harvey Cox 1995.

27. 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.”

28. INTRAFAITH DIALOGUE Taking “Within” Our Faith Tradition Commonalities: Rediscovery of the Biblical Jesus Emergence of a Post Western Christianity

29. INTERFAITH DIALOGUE Talking “Beyond” Our Faith Tradition Commonalities Mystery Justice

31. Best of Times – Worst of Times Christian Conservatism is Changing Can Christian Liberalism Change as Well? Respect is Essential

32. SUMMARY New Directions for the Future: • Toward “New Faiths” • Toward “Other Wings” of Christianity • Working Together for “Justice & Peace” in a complex political world

33. 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?

34. PENTECOSTALISM A Major Sign of Hope for the Future of Faith

35. Pentecostalism The fastest growing Christian Movement of the past century, with every indication of continuing that trend through the next

36. “Fire From Heaven” The Rise of Pentecostal Spirituality and The Reshaping of Christianity in the Twenty-First Century Harvey Cox (1995)

37. Pentecostalism, not Fundamentalism At the heart of Christian growth in: Brazil Korea Mainland China USA (Latino population)

38. Fundamentalists, Pentecostals and Evangelicals Fundamentalists: Text-oriented literalists Pentecostals: Biblical authority + Direct H.S. experience

39. Fundamentalists: “Sober and rational” Pentecostals: “Demonstrative worship; ecstatic praise”

40. Fundamentalists: Non-negotiable doctrines Pentecostals: “Resistant” to doctrines, creeds, rituals ***** Evangelicals tend to support Pentecostals and distance themselves from Fundamentalists

41. Distinguish: American Pentecostals “Holiness Tradition” from Pentecostals in the Global South and East “Progressive Holiness”

42. Liberation Theology and Pentecostalism? A possible future convergence in Latin America between: Base communities + Pentecostal (CEBs) Communities (Catholic) (Protestant)

43. 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

44. Two Cautions “Escapist” (Eschatological) thinking “Health and Wealth” gospel

45. Questions for Groups • Discuss the pros and cons of Pentecostalism (local and global) • Discuss possible collaboration between Mainline and Pentecostal Protestants