Church Growth Worldwide Through Signs and Wonders
December 19th 2006
In a comment over on my other blog, Charlie Scott linked to a podcast by J.P. Moreland on the Stand To Reason radio broadcast. It was in reference to miracles done by God–not Moreland’s usual topic, because he’s known more as a philosopher and apologist. But what an encouraging talk it was. (You’ll have to go about halfway into the show before Moreland arrives.)
Moreland’s topic was the phenomenal growth of the church worldwide in recent decades, something that most of us in the West have hardly been aware of. Two examples:
- In 1970, a research group was able to identify about 77 million “radical” Christians–Christians who fully believe the orthodox, evangelical message of Christ and seek to share it with others. In 2005, the number was up to around 707 million. That’s 11% of the world’s population.
- In 1980 there were two White Christians for every one Nonwhite. Now there are four Nonwhites for every White. This indicates the way the gospel is growing in the southern part of the globe and in Asia.
More than that, though, Moreland shared numerous documented stories of God working through signs and wonders: healings, dreams, and other miracles. It’s thrilling listening. God’s kingdom is advancing!
(Follow-up: similar information being reported by the Orange County Register)