by Marisa Hefflefinger

Created on: May 08, 2008

WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF CHRISTIANITY?

There are debates about the start of Christianity. Some say it began when the world began since God, whom Christ is a part of, created the earth and everything in it. Others claim it started in the Roman Empire when Christ was born on earth and people flocked to worship the baby. Others yet declare that it began when followers continued Christ's teachings after his death. Truly, it does not matter. Christianity exists, and most important is what lies ahead. The future of Christianity, like the promises of current political platforms, can be summed up in one word: change.

Now, God tells us in Malachi 3:6, "I the Lord do not change." Of course he does not. God is the Almighty and in no need of changing his perfect Trinity. Humans, however, who have been evil from childhood since the Fall of Man, require change. They have taken the church as it was meant to be and turned it into something completely opposite.

The Christian church was meant to be a gathering of Christ's followers who, as Christ, desired to live a pure life. Today, it is impossible to turn on the television or radio without hearing the newest evangelists begging for your hard-earned money to support their Christian church movement. They all seem to think that money will solve the problems of Christianity. Giving money is not wrong. Certainly, the church needs an income from offering. It needs money to run. It needs money to compensate the pastor, youth minister, and other individuals who work hard to make operations advance smoothly and God's word be heard by anyone who is willing to listen. But shortages of funds have pastors preaching about increasing your donations instead of focusing on God's message.

Leviticus 27:30 explains, "A tithe (tenth) of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord." Again, giving money is not wrong; the Lord expects us to give of our belongings. However, it is not right to require more and more from the congregations of Christianity so that they feel overwhelmed and guilty if they cannot meet that standard. If this continues, we will revert to medieval times when citizens were taxed in order to collect money for the church.

In order to survive the future, Christianity and its church must go back to its origins, back to a time when you did not need a building to worship, a time when money was used for performing good deeds and helping those in need rather than heating the sanctuary or connecting to the internet. If we wish to avoid a decline in active Christians, we must consider this outcome.

The word "change" strikes fear in so many people, but it should not be avoided, rather embraced, in order to keep Christianity alive and well for future generations of God's people. "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think" (Romans 12:2).

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