At the heart of the OtherSide is the belief that the 21st century will be more like the first century than the 20th century. Our grandchildren will look upon the year 2000 the same way you and I look upon the dark ages.
Thus, we prefer the term "pre-Christian" to the more popular term "postmodern" because rather than say what the new era won't be like we choose to say what it will be like. At the moment we are in the wormhole between Modernity and whatever the new age will be named. On the way to the OtherSide one must be lead by their experience with Jesus, and the intuition that comes from listening to the Holy Spirit. In 25 (2050) years we will be clearly operating in a polytheistic, secular, and hostile environment in which to be a Christian will be far more of a test of faith than today.
Be advised that there are no rules in the Wormhole. The rules of Modernity (the last 400 years) are disappearing and the rules of the Pre-Christian world have not yet emerged. During this time we will be forced to respond to the following three interlopers - Speed*, Blur*, and Flux*. Leaders must respond fast, using intuition rather than strategic planning. Because of the speed at which things will be changing the next 25 years, morals and truth will appear to be blurred. Because of the first two, most things considered to be basic and important to one's way of life will be in flux, constantly changing. This is a time liken to none any Protestant has ever experienced.
We believe the best way to understand where we're going is to understand the first four centuries A.D., with special attention to the first and second centuries. During the first 100 years of Christianity the following issues dominated the scene. Compare them to today's issues.
Then | Today |
The Only Creed | The Primary Creed |
The Primary Concern | The Primary Focus |
The Primary Worldview | The Primary Worldview |
The Primary Issue | The Primary Issue |
The Primary Enemy | The Primary Enemy |
The Primary Technology | The Primary Technology |
At the heart of the OtherSide is the question, "What is it about our relationship with Jesus Christ that the world cannot live without knowing?" First century Christians focused more on the revelation of God through Jesus. Because of widespread polytheism, instead of focusing on God, they focused on the God of Jesus Christ. How will liberal, mainstream Christianity handle this in the wormhole?
An interesting point about the first two centuries is that Christianity spread like wildfire without the New Testament. To remain steadfast, they had to rely on their community and their experience with the incarnate Jesus Many of the battles being waged in the church today could be solved if people returned to the focus on Jesus rather than worshiping the Bible. Could it be that we need to do church without Bibles? Think on that as you go through the wormhole.
Because of the intense focus on one's experience with Jesus Christ and revelation, Gnosticism became Christianity's greatest enemy. More than the outward pressure of Caesar worship was the internal disruption of truth by those who said that individual experience was more important than the cumulative historical experience of the people of God. Later the emphasis was that Scripture can be restated and contextualized to fit the situation. Do you see any similarities to what is happening today? Could it be that science will prove that every sin ever committed is caused by our genes. That is it no longer "the devil made me do it," but now it is "my genes made me do it?" Are we going to "restate" and "contextualize" the Scriptures to fit science as much of mainstream Christianity has tried to do the last 50 years?
Christianity spread so fast so quick because of the technology of the Roman roads. Paul used them extensively in his travels. Will the church do the same today? Can't you just hear church leaders saying, "Multimedia doesn't belong in the church."
If you want to do some reading beyond what is in the book see:
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The series from Errdmans, First Century Christians In A Graeco-Roman World
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The Birth of the New Testament, C.F.D. Moule, 3rd. ed. Harper's New Testament Commentaries, Harper and Row
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