John Knox, spinning in his grave?
Scotland is now a strongly secular society in which the Christian religion has little or no relevance for the vast majority of people, according to the new Moderator of the Church of Scotland, the Rev Dr Iain Greenshields.
Writing in the Church’s in-house magazine Life and Work, Greenshields said:
Greenshields pointed to dwindling congregations across the nation.
The Church, which was founded by John Knox during the collapse of Catholicism in Northern Europe in the 16th century, has been on a sharp decline in recent years. According to data, the membership of the Church fell by a third in the past decade, with an average church member being 55 years and middle-class.
The decline is especially challenging for the Church of Scotland, because it subscribes to the Calvinist notion of Predestination. According to this central theological tenet, the number of "the Blessed" (those who will go to Heaven) and the number of "the Damned" (those who will go to Hell) is predetermined by God.
Sharp falls in Church membership, however, suggest these numbers are in flux and therefore not predetermined after all, and that Heaven will ultimately only be reserved for a few old Scottish Church ladies, while the rest of us burn in the fires of Hell.
Such a religious vision can only lead to a further decline in membership. The only question is whether the last person to leave, will switch the lights out.
Writing in the Church’s in-house magazine Life and Work, Greenshields said:
"There was a time when we believed we belonged to a Christian nation, living in a Christian UK and Europe. That day has gone. We live in a secular culture in Scotland."
Greenshields pointed to dwindling congregations across the nation.
"The Church of Scotland that at least nominally had over 27% of the country as active members now has under 10%."
The Church, which was founded by John Knox during the collapse of Catholicism in Northern Europe in the 16th century, has been on a sharp decline in recent years. According to data, the membership of the Church fell by a third in the past decade, with an average church member being 55 years and middle-class.
"We need to face up to a new reality – the road ahead will not be easy, it will need hard work, innovation, faith and renewed gospel commitment," the moderator said in the article.
Greenshields, too honest to be a religious leader?
The decline is especially challenging for the Church of Scotland, because it subscribes to the Calvinist notion of Predestination. According to this central theological tenet, the number of "the Blessed" (those who will go to Heaven) and the number of "the Damned" (those who will go to Hell) is predetermined by God.
Sharp falls in Church membership, however, suggest these numbers are in flux and therefore not predetermined after all, and that Heaven will ultimately only be reserved for a few old Scottish Church ladies, while the rest of us burn in the fires of Hell.
Such a religious vision can only lead to a further decline in membership. The only question is whether the last person to leave, will switch the lights out.
Gotta appreciate the honesty.
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