Spiritualities of Life, Religions of difference and Religions of humanity...

Since the MBS fair last week I've been thinking a bit about contemporary spirituality whilst reading 'Religion in Modern Times'. I'm trying to get my head around the process of sacralization and where the emerging church fits into the wider sociological framework.

Heelas and Woodhead identify three varieties of religion: Spiritualities of Life, Religions of Difference and Religions of humanity (these are then further divided down into a variety of sub-sections). Quite interestingly different stalls at the MBS fair would fall into all three categories but the majority would be 'Spiritualities of Life'.

This is an over simplification but:

• Within a Religion of Difference authority is attributed, first and foremost, not to human beings or nature but to the transcendent. Humanity is saved by a God outside rather than a god within.

• Within a Religion of Humanity great authority is attributed to humanity and the goodness of humans.

• Within a Spirituality of Life divinity is located within self and nature

Religions of Humanity are in decline whereas Spiritualities of Life and Religions of Difference are growing. Christianity falls into both Religions of Difference and Religions of Humanity - the Christian versions of Religions of Humanity are the ones which are struggling the most largely because they have sold out to a secular world-view that relocated God in the privatized realm.

There can be no doubt that the emerging church is a Religion of Difference (believing in a transcendent God) yet my perception would be there would be a rejection of the dualism within this thinking and also a positive view of humanity, hence we draw from Religions of Humanity. I think that we need to recognise the common ground with Spiritualities of Life, affirming the value of self and nature as being made in the image of God and yet affirming God's transcendence too.

At the MBS fair it is easy to walk around and unhelpfully spot 'heresy', however, I think that the missiological task is to recognise what God is doing in this context already and to work alongside God in his ongoing work. The next step is to attempt to explore what church looks like for people who follow a Spirituality of Life...I'm not yet aware of anyone who has established a Christian community with the MBS context...can anyone tell me otherwise as i'd love to chat with them!

Technorati Tags: mission, spirituality

Comments

[philjohnson]

Hi Ben

My colleagues and I initially attempted to work in partnership between para-church and existing church. We hoped in the early 90s that we could ride twin horses, be missional in exhibitions and exhort inside churches to transform and be welcoming etc. It of course did not work in the latter of the two horses ridden.

Our Community of Hope experiments have had varying degrees of failure and success. Some of these points, especially concerning post-festival activity are briefly discussed in my chapter "Discipling New Age and DIY Spirituality Seekers Through Booth Ministries", and again in the co-written chapter on "Reaching Wiccans" in Encountering new Religious Movements, edited by Hexham, Rost & Morehead (Kregel 2004).

In Denmark Ole Madsen has been operating from a Lutheran context in festivals. He has reflected strongly on theosophical ideas and worked on a theology of dialogue. In his discussion he does talk briefly about what his group from his church have attempted in their work "In The Master's Light". You can read an essay of Ole's in English "Theology in Dialogue with new Age or the Neospiritual Milieu" in Theology and the Religions, edited by Viggo Mortensen (Eerdmans 2003).

Much of the discussions at Thinplaces deal with these topics of missions and being church in these new contexts.

Also the Lausanne Forum has a sub-group which Ole is the convenor of (and I am one of its participant members) that is exploring all these frontiers. We first met in 2004 in Pattaya, are about to reconvene in Hong Kong this year, and will continue gatherings up to 2010. In between we have behind the scenes discussions occurring, case studies on praxis and theology.

Perhaps these are forums you might like to participate in?

[Ben Edson]

Thanks for the comments Phil, they're really helpful. I've just signed up to the thinplaces yahoo group...I'll 'lurk' for a while to get a feel for the forum.

I'm really interested in the Lausanne Forum, partly as it will relate well to my PhD studies on missiology, re-enchantement and the emerging church. Coudl you put me in contact with Ole?

[philjohnson]

Ben

No problem, I'll drop you a note with Ole's details; but he is also part of Thinplaces.

[Paul Fromont]

Ben - Very interesting PhD topic. I wish you well and look forward to you sharing the 'fruits' of your research and writing.

[John]

Hi, My name is John from Melbourne Oz.

Please check out Truth & Religion: Who Owns The Holy Brighness (a talk) at:

1. www.adidam.org/flash/truthandreligion/index.html

Real God is The Indivisible Oneness of Unbroken Light via:

2. www.dabase.net/noface.htm
3. www.realgod.org

The Secret Identity of The Holy Spirit of God at:

4. www.dabase.net/proofch6.htm

[acisuccutbams]

Hello!
Nice site ;)
Bye