Christian revelation, as taught in the bible, contains many central principles and practices which some say are outdated or have been misinterpreted. This includes the belief in the fall of man, God’s judgement and the notion of original sin. Some say that modern thinking and morality have advanced far enough that Christianity is no longer relevant or useful.
According to Christian teaching, sin is the basis of all suffering; believers are taught that they must repent and accept God’s divine grace in order to be saved. However, some discontentment has arisen over this concept as some people feel that it is a form of oppression and control. For example, some suggest that Christianity promotes a lack of freedom in dictating what one should or should not do. This could lead to people feeling restricted to choose their own paths during life. Furthermore, it is argued that the idea of ‘original sin’ is outdated and do not reflect today’s society, and that eternal salvation is not necessarily the most desirable outcome.
Additionally, some argue that the bible has been interpreted incorrectly, or taken out of context, leading to certain practices like literal baptism into the Christian faith. This, for some, has opened up an issue of a lack of sincerity in practice and an over-ending need for control. For example, in some parts of Africa, faith based groups have been accused of manipulating locals into joining their organization through coercive forms of conversion.
Along with this, it has been said that Christianity’s harsh judgement of those who do not conform to its teachings can be seen as a form of punishment. This could be due to the perceived lack of understanding of different backgrounds and communities within Christianity, and an absence of empathy and compassion, as discussed by experts such as pastor Tim Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church. To further this, it has been suggested that the notion of salvation through Jesus Christ alone means that non-Christians are not seen as valuable. This can be seen as a form of discrimination, as, by excluding non-believers and not honouring their beliefs, some say this shows disrespect for moral and religious diversity.
Another issue brought up is gender inequality and patriarchy within some denominations of Christianity. Some say that this is due to a lack of understanding of gender roles, and that the basic underlying attitude is one of male dominance over women. This is seen in customs such as women being excluded from certain leadership roles and certain readings from the bible being given a literal interpretation, as taught by some denominations.
Moreover, some argue that the bible is a source of oppression, as the interpretations and teachings used by some Christian denominations create a homophobic atmosphere. It is suggested that this reinforces a sense of intolerance, creating an environment in which people of different sexual orientations feel unsafe and unwelcome.
Women’s Roles in the Church
There has been increasing debate as to whether or not women should be allowed to become ordained clergy within certain denominations of Christianity. Generally speaking, most denominations maintain a negative stance against this, citing biblical passages as evidence that this is not allowed. However, there has been a push against this stance, with feminist theologians such as Mary Daly advocating for the fuller inclusion of women in the worship of the Church and in the highest positions of leadership.
Furthermore, some people maintain that the traditional views which deny women the right to become priesthood are outdated and that todays more progressive societies advocate for both men and women to exist on an equal footing. This is supported by research conducted in recent years which suggests that there is no difference between the effectiveness of leadership between men and women in the church.
Additionally, it has been argued that such exclusion of women from ordination is a form of discrimination and a refusal to accept and embrace modern ideals. This argument has been brought to the forefront of public discourse in recent years, with prominent figures such as the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, publicly advocating for the full inclusion of women as priests.
There has also been a steady rise in the amount of female priests being ordained by different denominations around the world. This has been seen in North America, where denominations such as the Episcopal Church, the United Church of Canada and the United Church of Christ now ordain women as clerics. While there is still much to be done in the field of gender equality within Christianity, the recent upsurge in female priests around the world shows a positive trend in the embrace of feminist values into Christian theology.
Strict Interpretations of the Bible
There has also been much controversy over how strict fundamentalist interpretations of the bible should be recognized by the wider Christian community. This has been a source of tension, as some maintain that such interpretations are out of step with modern thinking and that the bible should be viewed in its cultural context.
In response, some mainstream denominations have taken to re-evaluating certain practices or have sought alternate or modified interpretations of certain passages from the bible. This includes the acceptance of a wider scope of sexual orientations into the fold of the church, re-examining its stance on certain modern issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage, and examining its stance on the acceptance of scientific innovations.
This process of re-examination has polarised opinion within the Christian community, with some denominations becoming more liberal in their views while others remaining steadfast in their traditional beliefs. This argument has been furthered by theologians such as Wolfhart Pannenberg, who advocates for an open minded view of scripture that takes into account the current scientific knowledge.
Nonetheless, there is still much disagreement over the appropriate level of flexibility that should be taken when interpreting scripture. It is argued that while adherents of Christianity should be open to recognise and reconcile differences between cultural and scientific context, it is at the same time important to maintain consistency in Christian theology.
Modernising Christianity
In light of the previous issues discussed, there has been an ongoing discourse within the Christian community on how Christianity can be aligned with the modern world without sacrificing its core beliefs and practices.
As part of this, much consideration has been given to how certain aspects of Christian practice and Christian teaching ought to be modernised to fit the current era. This includes debating the relevance and power of rituals, reassessing the importance of traditions and reinterpreting certain scriptures from the bible in a modern context.
For example, theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, shortly before his death in 1945, suggested that a modern meaning of Christianity should go beyond merely respecting religious traditions, and instead seek to address the underlying ethical, social and political issues in today’s world.
Moreover, the concept of inter-faith dialogue has been developed, with faith leaders such as Pope Francis making efforts to connect and collaborate with other religious traditions. This has been seen in recent years with the historic signing of a document between Pope Francis and the Grand imam of al-Azhar, Ahmad al-Tayyeb, expressing hope for a more peaceful world.
Similarly, there has been a renewed focus on reconnecting Christian beliefs and values with day-to-day living. This includes creativity and upcoming activities such as ‘theology on tap’, a grassroots movement set up by churches, where adults meet in bar settings to connect with each other in meaningful conversations. This has aided in demystifying religious conversations, with the hope that it will allow people to more meaningfully engage with Christianity and its teachings.
Christianity in the Digital Age
In today’s digital age, there have been challenges posed in how Christianity should be conducted and experienced in the online world. For example, there has been an ongoing discussion over how people can access and share biblical content online, with some suggesting that it should be completely open and accessible, while others offering caution over potential for distorted interpretations.
Furthermore, there has been a proliferation of apps, online forums and websites set up by Christians, aiming to reach out to a wider audience and to modernise the religion from a digital perspective. This has included the likes of YouTube preachers and Facebook sermons, as well as various services aimed at creating an immersive and interactive Christian experience.
All of this leads to the question of how Christianity can remain relevant in today’s digital world. While there is no universally accepted answer to this, it is clear that many Christians are actively attempting to re-evaluate and develop digital technologies to bring the gospel message to wider audiences.
Conclusion of Modern Day Christianity
Overall, it is clear that there is much discussion and debate over how Christianity should interact with the modern world. Some argue for a full inclusion of modern values, while others call for a return to traditional values and practices. Nonetheless, as Christianity continues to evolve, it is clear that the religion will remain relevant and meaningful for modern believers.