"Either Christianity itself is flawed, failing, [or] untrue, or our modern, Western, commercialized, industrial-strength version of it is in need of a fresh look, a serious revision." -Brian D. McLaren in introduction to The New Christians: Dispatches From the Emergent Frontier, Tony Jones, 2008.
Sitting in Barnes & Noble reading those words gave me an existential chill.
Something is "up" in a world that is "down." What if the brand of Christianity peddled by today's churches is anemic in light of the angst felt by most of today's pilgrims?
I feel it. I sense it. I wonder if I am the only one.
I wonder what would happen if 1st century Christianity met the Christianity in the church I attend? Would they recognize one another? Is there a marked difference?
Colleen Carol Campbell, a journalist has been probing these issues. Her research suggests that todays young people whom she identifies as "new faithfuls" are growingly dissatisfied with a culturally co-opted Christianity and are searching for meaning to their faith by returning to the faith of the early church.
"New Faithfuls" is not just a young demographic. It is a group of people who are increasingly dissatisfied with a faith that seems to be suffering. Today's faith-immune system has been compromised and leaves our faith vulnerable to every stray infection.
Why are the "new faithfuls" embracing orthodoxy and passively rejecting the faith expressions of contemporary Christianity?
The answer might lie in the simple statement taken from the introduction to Robert E. Webber's book, Ancient-Future Faith: Rethinking Evangelicalism for a Postmodern World.
"The road to the future runs through the past."
What road are you on?
I am walking backward in an effort to take steps forward. It's a paradox. It doesn't make sense.
It seems the further back into the past I walk, the clearer I am able to see the future.
Just a thought...
In the days ahead, watch for stories from the past to inform our future.
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