The Future of Christianity

When given the term 'The Future of Christianity,' the words 'thriving,' 'growth,' 'change,' and 'adaption' quickly came to mind. Pondering this thought thus leads to the question: is 'adapt or die' a true reflection of the future for the Christian Church? When looking at this question in light of theological reflection, the answer is 'yes.' In the contemporary world, theology has indeed thrived or adapted in relation to the secular.

In their book titled A History of Christian Theology: An Introduction, Palcher and Nelson highlight that, in recent decades, theological reflection has undeniably become more secular (2013: 266). Theology has become more closely related to the demands, thoughts and emergent issues of our modern culture. For example, there has been, and will continue to be, a coming together of theology with the studies of the mind, including neuroscience and psychology. This shows that Christians are open to change and are concerned about improving their world.

Theology has also engaged with the natural sciences. Trained scientists, being religious professionals, have found ways of relating Christian understandings of God's action to the natural world, including both physics and biology (Palcher & Nelson 2013: 266). Dialogue between theology and the secular have thus envisioned harmony between two ways of seeing the world (Palcher & Nelson 2013: 266). Placher and Nelson say "God can be just as present in the secular as in the religious realms of life (Palcher & Nelson 2013: 267).

It is very interesting to think that the future of Christian theology will adapt and work more alongside the secular sciences, bringing two completely separated worlds together closer together as one. In this case, it is possible that Christian theological studies must adapt to the advancements of the secular sciences or the religion will be left behind.

So, when it comes to theological reflection in relation to the secular, the future of the Catholic Church is to adapt. With the constant advancements of the sciences and knowledge in our developing society, Christianity must take these new findings into account when it comes to theology. 

Reference

Placher W.C. & D.R. Nelson. 2013. The Current Scene. In A History of Christian Theology, 2nd ed. Westminster: John Knox Press, pp. 263-274