Both evangelical and mainline American Protestant seminaries are caught up in major internal struggles, which could possibly change their long-standing position of leadership within the religious community. Recent books by evangelical leaders and  critics are questioning the efficacy of formal training, reports Christianity Today (Jan. 12). These critics ask why seminary education is even necessary when such […]

A surge in malpractice suits against clergy in their counseling practices has led to a sharp decrease in such forms of consultation with their members, reports the Wall Street Journal (Feb. 5). Since the early 1990s when a series of lawsuits on cases ranging from sexual abuse to malpractice (such as counselees who committed suicide) found their […]

After achieving a position of enormous influence within the ranks of American politics, the Christian Coalition in recent months is undergoing  new divisions and decline. From commanding contributions of a record $26.4 million in l996, its collections a year later totaled only $17 million. Over twenty percent of the total staff were released, and coalition support for […]

There is a good deal of talk about churches entering a “post-denominational” era, but evangelical congregations in the United Church of Christ (UCC) are doing more than talking about this prospect. Many of the evangelical UCC churches are increasingly finding many of the services once provided by their liberal denomination elsewhere — from hymn books […]

Among the many signs that religious life in America is currently undergoing profound transformations, none is more clear than the nascent but increasingly evident signs of  spiritual interest on  college campuses. Not like the kind of the l950s revival at evangelical colleges nor that of the l960s for civil rights and peace, today’s expression reflects the escalating […]

Observers say Eastern Orthodoxy is becoming part of the American religious mainstream — not a difficult thing to believe judging by the  growing number of church splits and divisions among these churches. New conflicts between ethnic members and converts, and activists and traditionalists are likely to intensify the fragmentation of Orthodoxy in the U.S., according to Eye […]

A middle class is emerging in India that is more religious that has generally been predicted, but not very orthodox. Hinduism Today magazine (February) devotes a cover story to the beliefs and practices of the middle class Indians and finds that those of all faiths — Hindu, Christian, Muslim — do not largely discard their beliefs […]

While the world’s  Jewish communities are united by rapid communications and a common history, Jews in diaspora around the world are facing different futures based on such factors as assimilation, immigration and intermarriage. Moment magazine (February) asked correspondents from around the world how Jewish life will change by the year 2100, and, in the process, reveals many […]

In the wake of the departure of communism and communist-related political parties in Poland and southeast Europe, a new, highly energized and attractive political movement is reshaping the future of the region, according to the journal Foreign Affairs (January/February). Starting with the surprising victory of the Solidarity Electoral Action bloc (AWS) in Poland’s legislature’s elections last September, […]