Liberal Christian denominations putting themselves out of business, warns Times columnist
July 16, 2012
New York Times columnist Ross Douthat argues that by adapting themselves to the liberal secular culture, liberal Christian denominations have been making themselves irrelevant, since if you’re looking for secular liberalism you don’t need to go to church to find it. As a result, Douthat notes, the liberal denominations are hemorrhaging members, and may cease to exist.
Exhibit A for Douthat’s argument is the Episcopal Chuch. The columnist observes that Episcopalianism today “looks roughly how Roman Catholicism would look if Pope Benedict XVI suddenly adopted every reform ever urged on the Vatican by liberal pundits and theologians.” The church buildings, vestments, and rituals are familiar, but the denomination is “flexible to the point of indifference on dogma,” and those who are interested in faith look elsewhere.
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Posted by: vogt.angie4394 -
Jul. 16, 2012 7:08 PM ET USA
This was a fabulous book and I couldn't agree with Douthat more. His description of the situation since WWII was consistent with my findings. After converting to Catholic faith 1991 (with a not too happy husband or extended family), I eagerly enrolled in a graduate ministry program at a Jesuit university. I was positively scandalized by the experience of having every thing I found most compelling about the Catholic faith assaulted, questioned and dismissed. So much more to say, but no space left
