"As a result, a sort of neo-liberal Christianity has quietly taken root across the old Protestant denominations--a form of faith that cares for one's neighbor, the common good, and fosters equality, but is, at the same time, a transformative personal faith that is warm, experiential, generous, and thoughtful. This new expression of Christianity maintains the historic liberal passion for serving others but embraces Jesus' injunction that a vibrant love for God is the basis for a meaningful life. These Christians link spirituality with social justice as a path of peace and biblical faith."
Diana Butler Bass challenges the 20th century idea that conservative churches are growing and liberal churches are dying. Now that conservative churches (and the RC) are losing members in droves, too, she asks what mainline (or liberal) churches have learned with a few more decade of decline. One observation is that contrary to expectation based on the dominant narrative, liberal churches have a higher degree of "spiritual vitality" on surveys. If I could pull the loaded word out of Bass's observation, I believe she describes a faith experience that sounds like something many young people could embrace.
"a form of faith that cares for one's neighbor, the common good, and fosters equality, but is, at the same time, a transformative personal faith that is warm, experiential, generous, and thoughtful. That... maintains the ... passion for serving others but embraces Jesus' injunction that a vibrant love for God is the basis for a meaningful life. (That) link(s) spirituality with social justice as a path of peace and biblical faith."
Can Christianity Be Saved? A Response to Ross Douthat
Posted: 07/15/2012
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