Go figure. For years the Crystal Cathedral in California was the literally shining example of religion and the American Way intertwined. Under Robert Schuller's leadership we heard about "possibility thinking" and the "be happy attitudes" as a strange reworking of the beatitudes. And Schuller managed to create a huge following including many Christian leaders from denominations which wouldn't adopt his "I think I can" theology but wanted to know what was working for him.
Well, it stopped working. Schuller was eventually succeeded by a son and daughter who squabbled. The congregation decreased, the California prosperity bubble burst, and the unthinkable happened. The Crystal Cathedral declared bankruptcy and guess who has purchased the church and its considerable campus? The Roman Catholic church!
The RC's were looking for a site to build a new cathedral and realized that land purchase would cost at least two hundred million. The Crystal Cathedral was a bargain at just over fifty mil, and even with significant renovations the price tag will be under one hundred million.
It all feels a little strange to me. This is still megabucks. It does point out that our enthusiasm for certain trends in theology and worship life may be just that --trendy. I'm not suggesting that there wasn't anything of value in Schuller's approach to the Christian life, but it wasn't the answer for changing times which some thought it would be. And there is the Catholic church with all its woes still chugging along.
Have you heard about this transition? Does it surprise you? Does it unsettle you?
4 comments:
Religions come and go, ideas change over time, good to see a building used instead of being torn down.
On a bit of a side note, I thought "Paddy's Wigwam" in Liverpool was funny(trying so hard to be different, it failed).
That really is remarkable. That thing (for better or worse) was an icon.
Hadn't heard. I can remember my Grandma watching the Crystal Cathedaral services on Sunday mornings when she wasn't well enough to get out to her lovely old church. She was a devout lady that lived so simply. At the time, I never thought of asking about her thoughts on the contrast from her way of life and what seemed like her practical and disciplined faith-life to what she watched during her later years each Sunday at that grand cathedral.
I do find the thought of all that money spent on a building for any church unsettling.
Thanks to all of you. I wonder what 85-year-old Robert Schuller makes of this?
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