Predicting the future is not easy for mere human beings, so we asked Chat GPT, and it struggled too!
Predicting what Christianity will look like in 150 years involves a lot of uncertainty, but based on current trends,
historical shifts, and plausible future developments, we can imagine several scenarios:
- Decentralized & Digitally-Driven Faith
Technology will deeply shape worship: immersive virtual/augmented reality “churches,” AI-generated sermons, holographic clergy, and global online congregations.
- Continued Growth in the Global South
The centre of Christianity is shifting from Europe and North America to Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia.
By 2175 the majority of Christians may be African or Latin American.
- Post-Christian Europe?
Western Europe (including the UK) may become even more secular. Christianity could persist in more symbolic, cultural, or heritage-based forms. However, pockets of revival or counter-cultural Christian movements may still emerge, especially among younger generations seeking meaning.
- Crisis Faith Movements
Environmental catastrophes, AI ethics, and bioengineering may create new existential questions. Christianity might evolve into a faith of resilience and moral resistance, akin to early church movements during persecution.
There are a lot of ‘maybe’s’ and ‘might’s’ in there!! It is
perhaps no surprise to read that western society may
become even more secular, but actually the God of the
Bible could bring revival whenever he chooses!
Fortunately when we open our Bibles the future is a lot
more certain. Here are some of the things we can be
sure about:
� Jesus will return. It is something that Jesus and
the rest of the New Testament speaks about repeatedly
(e.g. John 14v3; Luke 24v44; Philippians 3v20; Hebrews
9v28). We don’t know whether it will be in the next 150
years but we do know that he will return in great
triumph and glory (Philippians 2v10,11).
� There will be scoffers (2 Peter 3v3) pouring scorn
on the idea of a returning Jesus. There will be false
teachers in the church (Mark 13v6; 2 Timothy 4v3,4) and
those whom John refers to as ‘anti-Christs’ (1 John
2v18,22; 4v3).
� There will be conflicts and natural disasters
(Mark 13v7,8). ‘Nation will rise against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in
various places, and famines.’
� There will be continual spiritual warfare. Jesus
has defeated the Devil through the victory of the Cross
(Colossians 2v15) but that victory will not be fully realised
until he returns (1 Corinthians 15v24; Revelation 20v10).
In the meantime, every Christian will be involved in a
spiritual battle (Ephesians 6v12,13). We experience the
tension of having a foot in two worlds – we belong to
God’s kingdom yet we still live in ‘this present evil age’
(Galatians 1v3) and so there is a battle that rages within
every Christian (Romans 7v21-25; Galatians 5v16,17).
That’s normal!
� There will be persecution for the followers of
Jesus (Mark 13v12,13; John 15v20). Jesus even said to his
disciples ‘Woe to you when all men speak well of you’!
(Luke 6v26).
� The mission of Jesus will continue – ‘the gospel
must first be preached to all nations’ (Mark 13v10). His
standing instruction to his church in every generation
is: ‘Go and make disciples of all nations . . and surely I am
with you always, to the very end of the age.’ (Matthew
28v19,20) Thus, in the future, there will be a great
multitude ‘from every nation, tribe, people and
language’ around the throne of Heaven (Revelation
7v9).
� Until he returns, the Christian lives by faith. ‘We
live by faith, not by sight’ (2 Corinthians 5v7). ‘Now we
see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see
face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully,
even as I am fully known’ (1 Corinthians 13v12). Knowing
that God has prepared a glorious future for all who
belong to Jesus helps us to live with the uncertainties
and unanswered questions of this life, far better than
Chat GPT!