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Author: Christianity in America in 'terminal decline'

An author and leader in the orthodox Episcopal Church has a warning for mainline denominations in the United States. He says while Christianity is growing rapidly in Third World nations, it is declining in America.

In his new book, 2,000 Years of Amazing Grace (Rowman and Littlefield, 2007), Dr. Paul Zahl traces the story of Christianity from the death and resurrection of Christ to modern times. He says he believes the mainline Protestant churches are going to remain "in terminal decline unless they recover the joy of the salvation of God's grace from Christ."

Third World Christianity is going to lead the way in the future, "especially Latin America, South America, southern Africa and China," Zahl predicts. He says China, in particular, is "the great voice of a resurgent Christianity that has suffered."

So the Third World and China will lead a resurgence of biblical Christianity throughout the world, the author says. But on the other hand, he asserts, "the future for American Protestant denominations is bleak unless they are willing to go back to their founding principles, which have to do with the great gospel message that changes anyone who actually gets in touch with it."

Zahl also serves as president of the Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry. He says in addition to emphasizing the gospel message, it is important for believers to know the history of Christianity.