The End of Christendom and the Future of Christianity

Rating:
Summary: A Useful Introduction
Review: Hall's starting point is the assertion that Christianity, identified since Constantine with dominant social values, is now in a state of confusion because it has lost its "imperial status." After criticizing various attempts of the Church to recover its ascendancy, Hall proposes that it abandon these efforts and view what seems a loss as a providential opportunity to recover its true mission. Noting that today's Christians are ignorant of their religion's basic teachings, he urges the Church to make the Scriptures familiar again and to allow them to speak to the existential dilemmas of our time. This conclusion seems uncontroversial, and there would be little in this book to trouble or inspire readers if Hall did not cite specific details of how churches err. On one hand are liberal or "mainstream" churches that neglect theological concerns in favor of fellowship- "friendly churches" (which may also engage in laudatory but bland social service). On the other, are conservatives who mouth ready-made theological and ethical answers in a language that fails to address contemporary questions. One of this book's strengths is that it identifies errors from across the spectrum. It's greatest shortcoming is that it seems incomplete. Its four chapters originated as independent lectures on a theme Hall has continued to elaborate. As a result these pages read more like a work in progress than a definitive treatise. (This is particularly true for anyone familiar with some of Hall's recent lectures on related topics.) Nor are all of the author's arguments entirely convincing. A case in point is his attributing the Church's imperial vocation to its becoming the official religion of Rome. This claim ignores such Scriptural passages as Philippians 2:10-11, which states "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and . . . and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" Nevertheless, this book provides a thought-provoking introduction to an important nexus of questions.

Rating:
Summary: A Useful Introduction
Review: Hall's starting point is the assertion that Christianity, identified since Constantine with dominant social values, is now in a state of confusion because it has lost its "imperial status." After criticizing various attempts of the Church to recover its ascendancy, Hall proposes that it abandon these efforts and view what seems a loss as a providential opportunity to recover its true mission. Noting that today's Christians are ignorant of their religion's basic teachings, he urges the Church to make the Scriptures familiar again and to allow them to speak to the existential dilemmas of our time. This conclusion seems uncontroversial, and there would be little in this book to trouble or inspire readers if Hall did not cite specific details of how churches err. On one hand are liberal or "mainstream" churches that neglect theological concerns in favor of fellowship- "friendly churches" (which may also engage in laudatory but bland social service). On the other, are conservatives who mouth ready-made theological and ethical answers in a language that fails to address contemporary questions. One of this book's strengths is that it identifies errors from across the spectrum. It's greatest shortcoming is that it seems incomplete. Its four chapters originated as independent lectures on a theme Hall has continued to elaborate. As a result these pages read more like a work in progress than a definitive treatise. (This is particularly true for anyone familiar with some of Hall's recent lectures on related topics.) Nor are all of the author's arguments entirely convincing. A case in point is his attributing the Church's imperial vocation to its becoming the official religion of Rome. This claim ignores such Scriptural passages as Philippians 2:10-11, which states "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and . . . and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" Nevertheless, this book provides a thought-provoking introduction to an important nexus of questions.