Predicting the future of Christianity

Center for American Progress reports on its 'Progressive Book Club' event in New York City last week, where  Harvard's Hollis Research Professor of Divinity Harvey Cox and Washington Post op-ed columnist E.J. Dionne discussed Cox’s new book The Future of Faith.

'In his book Cox argues that Christianity is entering a third phase called the “Age of the Spirit,” in which a growing number of adherents to the faith abandon institutional, dogmatic churches and instead join religious communities less focused on creeds.'

In other words, the progressive institutionalization of Christianity between 4th and 20th centuries is going to be reversed as followers return to the allegedly original, more fundamental essence of their faith - that is, a simple “followership” of Jesus.

As I understand it, the Church is deeply, deeply split between West vs. Rest of World over many aspects of its future direction and aspiration. The developing world church across much of South America and Africa - where the real numbers of the Christian faithful are - has more socially conservative and more institutionally-tolerant aspirations for the future.  I would be surprised if "Age of the Spirit" adequately covers the global future in this area.