I don’t know whether it is conscious or not (and I trust not), but, in my observation, more and more of the discussion in Christian circles is generated by a concern to establish, and then develop, a market niche.
First, you have had a spate of books which are either manoeuvering for religious market share or debating theological angels on a pinhead. I don’t propose to list the titles, but those of us who keep track of such things can nod in agreement now at the numerous books of that form, as well, of course, as the many wonderful books being produced alongside. Then you have the ever-growing Christian conference season. Perhaps it is less pernicious in England, but on this side of the Atlantic while there are worthy conferences, and probably a need for more of that ilk, on the other hand you only have to sneeze to give birth to another conference which is pushing a particular niche brand of Christianity.
Fragmentation
I may be stunningly naïve to feel ambivalent about such trends. And the historian in me realises that humans have always tribalised their experiences to generate commonality. Yet however wan I attempt to be, I can’t help but wonder whether what we are witnessing is another fragmentation of Christendom. While John Stott and Billy Graham were publicly advancing the cause of the ‘evangelical church’, unity — however skin deep — appeared real. Now it feels similar to the situation after Alexander the Great died. This massive empire, held together by loose ties of affiliation, was rapidly compartmentalised to various relatively smaller fiefdoms.
