Religion is quite a controversial topic for people of the 21st century since the dominion of science and technologies is constantly neglecting God’s existence. However, the amount of those who believe in God has not decreased. It happens due to the fact that science has never had the denial of God as its primary concern since God was always seen as something unexplainable. However, due to technical progress and constant development, the perception of religion has changed over time. People today perceive religion in a way different from the one of even the previous century. That is why the questions that should be asked when developing a Christian Theology specifically for the 21st century should be formulated in a way actual for modern society.
The first question should concern the interaction between religion and psychology since both phenomena seem incompatible. However, when they are compared more closely, it is possible to see that both of them study people’s souls but from different points of view. Psychology relies on scientific data while religion studies the phenomenon from the point of view of the Gospel and the Bible. They claim the lives of saints will help people take care of their souls properly. Another question that should be asked concerns atheists and believers since it is important for the religion to state the way atheists should be treated. If a person leads justly life but does not believe in God, how the Church should regard him? The Gospel states that God is Love, so He loves all people regardless of their positions and beliefs. Hence, atheists and believers who live justly and observe the will of God are treated equally. However, only those who believe in God are able to accept his love, as atheists will always regard it as a combination of circumstances or happy chances.
The next question concerns the fear of God that many people have. If God is love, why people may be scared of Him? It is generally accepted in the Christian tradition to think that the fear of God is connected with the fear of offending or disappointing either Him or one’s nearest person. The main aim of the fear concerns the fact that a person will lose God’s love and support because of harmful or careless behavior and actions which is quite easy to do in today’s society where exist a lot of temptations.
There exists one more question that might be considered topical for the development of religion in the 21st century. It concerns the fact that all people in Christianity are considered God’s slaves, and the concept of slavery is humiliating for everyone, especially today. Is it ethical to call people someone’s slaves today even if someone is God? The answer to the question is quite simple – it is everyone’s own choice whether to become God’s slave or not. In addition, the Gospel says that those who do not serve God are the slaves of sin and vice. That is why everyone may be considered either the slave of God or the slave of sin, and it is up to people themselves which path to choose.
Taking into account all mentioned above, it is possible to say that answers to these questions are extremely important for the Christian mission. They will help understand the way today’s society perceives religion and God. Hence, it will be possible to explain and transmit the religious values to people as well as to understand how religion may become beneficial for a society dominated by science and technology.
Bibliography
Tregurtha, Joel. The Gospel: God’s Promise Since the Beginning. Unknown Publisher, 2021.