Church For Unbelievers Summary

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The religion part showed renewal movements but also some limitations and sex segregation in those days. In “Church for Unbelievers?” it was stated that renewal movement in American Protestantism was in progress slowly. The major goals of the movement were total involvement of the church in social issues, the development of more pertinent forms of worship, re-evaluation of dogma, creation of an authentic theology of the laity, traditions and church structures, and an effort to achieve a united church. However, the success of the movement was broadened the gap of two Protestant camps that one was neo-orthodox and liberal churches of the mainline denominations and the other was evangelical and conservative churches. And, major denominations were …show more content…

Robert A. Cook, president of Kings College in Briarcliff Manor, stated “What is passing for renewal in the church may, in fact, be only an evidence of deterioration. We are commanded to evangelize the world, not necessarily to try to Christianize… The great weakness of today’s church is her desire to gain status with the unbeliever.” Also, they argued that the renewal movement would allow the gospel to be dealt with in sinful situation. In response to such assertions, evangelist John E. Haggi argued that real Christians should know that the salvation of individuals through the gospel was the biggest factor in bringing about real social development. So, the main argument was that the church must support and help slums in the South and rural Midwest. Those who opposed the renewal movement eventually expressed their opposition to the aid to the impoverished region that it was a sin to help non-Christian people, but the supporters of the renewal movement agreed that the church should support the development of the community and help those in need. Hence, this article showed that there was the renewal movement in which reform took place in response to the circumstances of the time, and the opposition of the conservatives who wanted to protect their status and

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