Audio

This episode considers the phenomenal growth of Pentecostalism around the world and the impact it is having on the Catholic Church--especially in the developing world.

In the central three chapters John Allen discusses the impact of biotechnology, globalization and the green movement on the theology, ethics and political involvement of the Catholic Church. Rather than give a whole chapter to these three issues I've combined them in one overview While they are important, they are of secondary importance to the spiritual [...]

In this chapter John Allen explores the expansion of the ministry of the laity in the modern church. It's simple. The lay people are educated, smart and capable, and clericalism (which came about when only the clergy were literate) is finally dying out. This means the church in this century will continue to change radically and [...]

John Allen discusses the "demographic winter"--the declining fertility rate and how the population shifts will impact the church of the 21st century.  

John Allen analyzes the influence of Islam on the Catholic Church for the 21st century.

The second chapter of John Allen's book looks at Evangelical Catholicism. The book was written in 2009 at the zenith of Benedict XVI's papacy. John's predictions that the Benedict XVI type "Reform of the Reform" would continue and strengthen were turned upside down by the election of Pope Francis just four years later. This is one [...]

John Allen's first chapter discusses the explosive growth of the Catholic Church in the developing world in the twentieth and now the twenty first century. This first great trend reveals a church that is young and restless and ready to step into leadership.

Listen to the Introduction and explanation about this new podcast series here