by Kevin Wicker

Created on: May 27, 2008

It was once said by a great statesman in the early part of the 20th century: "Religion is subject to cultural change. Any religion that loses it's significance in a society, will ultimately disappear in that society". Christianity stands at the crossroads of radical change. It has foregone many changes over the past 2000 years. But if it is to survive the future it must continue to re-invent itself, to fit the need of the people. We are at the beginning of a revolution.

Modern-day American Christianity is the bastard-child of the true "church". We have a wide variety of doctrines and denominations. We have the extremes of Evangelical Fundamentalists to Catholicism - even other Gospels, such as Seventh Day Adventists and Mormonism. So it isn't any wonder that we live in such an agnostic age.

Nevertheless I feel we can have a better understanding of where the " true Christian church" is today - and where it's headed - by taking into account the nature of it's origins.
The entire Christian religion originated from the words of Jesus Christ - words that were merely passed on, until the first account of them were written some 50-100 years after His death. The message was simple, yet relevant in human nature: which is why it has attracted untold billions of followers. It was a message based on hope and selfless love, of a loving Father God, a call to a higher life, an open window to the "Kingdom of Heaven". It's appeal is universal and ageless - which explains it's longevity. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words will never pass away.." So far, He was right. Very little is even known of Him. But His words still ring in the hearts of the masses to this day.

What we know as the Christian "church" began with the early apostles, namely Paul and Peter: each one a devout follower of Christ. Sadly, the two differed on doctrine. As a result, they were constantly battling one another, feuding and arguing over petty doctrinal differences.
Both had great followings. Both influenced generations of Christians. Paul's writings are highly regarded to this day among Protestants, even over those of Christ Himself! Peter went on to become the "cornerstone" of the Catholic church.
But the resulting feud birthed generations of followers divided over doctrine, stumbling over the "mote in (their) brother's eye, when a beam is in (their) own eye.." Thus we have denominations, seminaries, and religious organizations. It has all become a democratic state, much like Republicans

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