abaya

to Poppinjay. What you say is succinct and accurate, at least from my extensive experience with both Christians and evangelicals (not to mention *being* an evangelical "Christian" for a significant time).

Another cookie for Poppinjay. I never pinned you as a cultural materialist (that's the theoretical basis of my social-science training), but I like it, I like it a lot. Very refreshing.

A relevant question: You say the real challenge for the church is to see how flexible they really can be, given how much the world has changed since the biblical canon became established. But many Christians (especially evangies) would say that to be flexible is to be a relativist, which is to side with the devil. So I'm afraid that as long as evangies/fundies have as much control over the church as they do today, the church ain't gonna flex on much of anything (hail the Episcopalians, though, for embracing homosexuals... at least, in Seattle!).

__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran