What’s the difference between an era of change and change of an era? Our whole life has been about living in an era of change. And it is often said that change is the only constant. Living in an era of change can mean that protests challenge those structures that are wrong. New ideas can inspire different ways of doing things. And questions may offer a change in focus. But a change of era is different. Institutions crumble rather than being able to sustain new ways of acting or believing. Therefore, the world will never be the same.
In our present time we see that structures we relied on and trusted, notably church, government, and, economy, are on the brink of collapse. For example, our church, in its present model, must die in order to rise to a new life. And government failure challenges the future of nations and their people. In addition, businesses and industries that are disappearing and will be gone forever confirm the need for a change in economic vision. Moreover, there are no easy solutions or answers.
And for the first time in history the behavior of human beings rather than nature is changing our planet. Human choices have affected our physical climate, caused the extinction of animal species, and determine how we might solve global challenges, including terrorism, mass migration, and war.
What Is An Era?
An era is a time period defined by specifics. Geologic eras, such as the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic lasted for millions of years. Historical eras, such as the Elizabethan era, are defined by historical events or a distinctive period of time. Christian eras, historians tell us, have followed a pattern of a reformation about every 500 years.
Time for a New Christianity?
Phyllis Tickle is a best-selling author and founding editor of the religion department at Publishers Weekly. Tickle says “Every 500 years the empowered structures of institutionalized Christianity, whatever they may be, become an intolerable carapace that must be shattered so that renewal and growth may occur. Now is such a time.” The new Christianity is calling forth a radically new faith, which will include all of humanity and all of creation. The new theology will not proclaim atonement as satisfaction for sin. Instead, atonement will be defned as at-one-ment, a new relationship uniting all into God.
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