Posted on 05/07/2005 8:05:03 AM PDT by churchillbuff
What is the fastest-growing religion on Earth?
Most news reports suggest it is Islam.
But a new book makes a compelling case it is a new, or, perhaps, old form of biblically inspired evangelical Christianity that is sweeping through places like China, Africa, India and Southeast Asia.
In "Megashift," author Jim Rutz coins a new phrase to define this fast-growing segment of the population. He calls them "core apostolics" - or "the new saints who are at the heart of the mushrooming kingdom of God."
Rutz makes the point that Christianity is overlooked as the fastest-growing faith in the world because most surveys look at the traditional Protestant denominations and the Roman Catholic Church while ignoring Christian believers who have no part of either.
He says there are 707 million "switched-on disciples" who fit into this new category and that this "church" is exploding in growth.
"The growing core of Christianity crosses theological lines and includes 707 million born-again people who are increasing by 8 percent a year," he says.
So fast is this group growing that, under current trends, according to Rutz, the entire world will be composed of such believers by the year 2032.
"There will be pockets of resistance and unforeseen breakthroughs," writes Rutz. "Still, at the rate we're growing now, to be comically precise, there would be more Christians than people by the autumn of 2032, about 8.2 billion."
According to the author, until 1960, Western evangelicals outnumbered non-Western evangelicals - mostly Latinos, blacks and Asians - by two to one. As of 2000, non-Western evangelicals outnumbered Westerners by four to one. He says by 2010, the ratio will be seven to one.
"There are now more missionaries sent from non-Western nations than Western nations," he writes.
This trend, says Rutz, has been missed by Westerners because the explosive growth is elsewhere.
Hundreds of millions of these Christians are simply not associated with the institutional churches at all. They meet in homes. They meet underground. They meet in caves. They meet, he says, in secret.
And what is driving this movement?
Miracles, he says.
"Megashift" attempts to document myriad healings and other powerful answers to the sincere prayers of this new category of believer, including, believe it or not, hundreds of dramatic cases of resurrections - not near-death experiences, but real resurrections of actual corpses.
"When I was a kid in Sunday school, I was really impressed that 3,000 people were saved on the Day of Pentecost," he writes. "I thought, 'Wow, that'll never happen again!"
But, Rutz says, it now happens around the globe every 25 minutes.
"By tomorrow, there will be 175,000 more Christians than there are today," he writes.
The essence of Rutz's book is about how Western Christians can tap into what he sees as a mighty work of God on Earth.
"Very few people realize the nature of life on Earth is going through a major change," he writes. "We are seeing a megashift in the basic direction of human history. Until our time, the ancient war between good and evil was hardly better than a stalemate. Now all has changed. The Creator whose epic story flows through the pages of Scripture has begun to dissolve the strongholds of evil. This new drama is being played out every hour around the globe, accompanied sometimes by mind-bending miracles."
The Bible says that the gospel will be taught in every country.
In Panama, and much of South and Central America, evangelical Christians are making strong gains.
"Megashift" is just more regurgitated drivel like the "Purpose Driven" series. The real 'megashift' is the churning of memberships, who leave one congregation and join another, over simple differences such as vision and/or direction.
It's happening ... but a bit slowly.
This book was written a few years ago, and while I doubt Chinese Christians will be listening to Southern Gospel quartets or use the same kind of praise songs so popular in the West, I do believe the Holy Spirit will use them to make a positive impact on their culture.
Miracles, he says.
"Megashift" attempts to document myriad healings and other powerful answers to the sincere prayers of this new category of believer, including, believe it or not, hundreds of dramatic cases of resurrections - not near-death experiences, but real resurrections of actual corpses.
Praise the Lord ... I have seen a large number of non-Western missionary's that have even been working in this country, the good old U S of A!! And God bless them!!!
If only we could remove the charlatans with their hands out (for your money).
Can you cite some specifics, please? My point of view suggests the exact opposite -- there is a "Great Falling Away" by the true Church.
Pray for W and Our Troops
God will accomplish His purpose.
And I can see thousands of churches marching lockstep with the Rick Warrens of the world, trying to re-write the Gospel. Many will probably follow him right over the cliff, and drink the Kool-Aid.
Just out of curiosity - what is your definition of "the true Church"?
POSTED HERE earlier:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1396661/posts
in slightly different form, evidently.
It's such a blessing to know that particularly overseas
you are just incredibly wrong.
Actually, they do use some of the same praise songs--translated into Chinese.
But they also have some wonderful ones of their own as well as from Taiwan and Singapore.
I define it as the Church that follows Scripture, not what one man may have written recently in his best seller.
While this is not scientific or poll driven, I have learned to trust my intuition on issues such as this. On most, it has proved to be correct.
"The Bible says that the gospel will be taught in every country."
And it was, in the first generation after Christ's life on earth. Colossians 1:23: ". . . This is the gospel you have heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. . ."
There is historical evidence of first century Christianity in the Orient.
There is a movement, but if it is not according to the Word, it is a false movement. Be very careful of following every "hot spot" because many times they have been false doctrine.
I thought that's where you were coming from . . .
I guess for some . . . the only true church is the
CHURCH OF THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS WHOM JESUS . . .
See my reply #29
I actually observe Rick Warren to be a LOT more Scriptural in his statements and life than I observe you to be.
Oops...I meant #21. I sincerely hope you are correct, but I fear that many of the current "revivals" are not the real thing.
In that case, I will pray for you that God will open your eyes to the truth.
And my niece will be 16 feet tall!
I don't think that the problem with most churches is too many temporary hot spots.
The problem with a vast proportion of even Pentecostal churches is that the nearest hot spot is many miles away.
Rick Warren may be "Scriptural" but he uses 15 different translations in his book to get the meaning he wants.
I actually agree with this statement.
Well, I for one will rejoice in this report! Enough anti-christian drivel has been spewed from the Christian haters and I welcome this most refreshing report...God bless those courageous souls who are willing to go to those countries to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ!! NOT just talk the walk but actually walk the talk!!
I'm a little skeptical that a REAL REVIVAL would be convincing to you if it hit you upside the face with a Resurrection. Your criteria/screen seems to be exceedingly and narrowly TommyDale vs Scripture or Holy Spirit. imho, of course and from where I sit.
Given that He does that daily, perhaps I should pray the same for you.
I am all in favor of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ! But that Gospel needs to be accurately taught. Truth is far more important than sheer numbers, and many of these new converts are never going to be strongly grounded in the Word, because far too many churches are NOT TEACHING THE WORD! Those who ARE teaching the Word are to be commended, those who teach false doctrine will face quite a penalty.
I guess I am saying that I would really like someone to show me where this revival is occurring? I can show where many people claim it, but there is no fruit.
I would appreciate that -- I always seek the Truth.
Rutz did a good job of showing you where:
AFRICA, SOUTH AMERICA, ASIA, RUSSIA and some amazing stuff even in Moslem countries.
You don't seem inclined to believe it.
Praise God that there can be some agreement! LOL.
Hmmmmm? My Pastor always said, "Never worry about a wild fire in the church - there will always be a wet blanket to put it out.
And .. "Purpose Driven" isn't a series - it's one book. The series is called: "Left Behind".
And .. I don't worry about people coming or going in a church. That's nothing new and sometimes those who leave your church are really a blessing in disguise.
GOD is preparing the church for the final harvest. People can either get in .. get out .. or get run over.
Tommydale - I stand with you. Too many "Christians" are embracing feel-good near truth rather than Truth, having failed to test it in light of Scripture. Seeker sensitive, purpose driven drivel appeals to the sinful flesh, but honors not the Creator God who sent the Lamb to die for those who answer His call.
Check out www.MenofHonorMinistry.org for some interesting reading on this topic.
Teaching love and forgiveness will always win out over teaching hatred and murder and suicide-for-sex.
"And .. "Purpose Driven" isn't a series - it's one book."
Obviously you haven't read "Purpose Driven Church"...and it is not just a book, it is a philosophy that many churches are blindly following, looking for the easy way to attract new members. The sermons from Warren's website for pastors who are lazy and merely download sermons at http://www.pastors.com
are watered down and soft peddled.
Now isn't THAT a loving attitude? You failed to attribute that famous quote to Rod Parsley.
Well, he's only two behind the KJV which has 17 translations. Which of the 17 do you use?
Thank you. My "purpose" in life is to try to enlighten those who are being led down this destructive path.
Amen!
That 15 translations INCLUDES the King James Version, so does that mean that Warren needed 31 translation to achieve his goal of twisting the Scriptures?
I think my reply #33 where I said, "there is no fruit" seems to be the one item where there is no argument. I plan on using that from now on, especially in our local church where this "purpose drivel" has torn the congregation apart, just as it has in many others.
What specifically are you saying? How is it watered down? I haven't read the book so I don't know. I've heard praise and criticism, but I would really like to know specifically what you are talking about. Where's the problem exactly?
make that #36...
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