Since the Bible remains foundational text of the worldwide Christianity that's growing
and not in crisis, the UB should not be promoted as the Bible's replacement.
Q: (Google AI Overview) "Despite a decline in the U.S., Christianity is projected to continue growing worldwide,
reaching 2.9 billion adherents by 2050, which would make it the largest religion globally."
What is different about this Christianity that's growing worldwide?
(
Perplexity) "The Christianity that's growing worldwide is distinct from Western Christianity in that much of its expansion
is happening in the Global South — especially in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia — where it is often more dynamic,
charismatic, youth-driven, and shaped by local cultures and revivalist movements.
Geographic Shift
By 2050, nearly four in ten Christians will live in sub-Saharan Africa — a dramatic change from previous centuries when Europe
and North America dominated Christianity demographically. The proportion of Christians in Europe will continue to decline,
while populations in Africa and Asia (such as Nigeria, China, India, and Indonesia) will see rapid increases due to higher birth rates,
evangelistic movements, and urbanization.
Forms and Movements
Charismatic and Pentecostal Christianity: Pentecostal and charismatic expressions are especially prevalent in growing regions.
These forms emphasize direct personal experience with God, miracles, and lively worship, attracting many new adherents.
Grassroots and Revivalist Growth: Growth is often sparked by grassroots, local leaders and movements — not traditional denominations.
Underground and House Churches: In places like China, much of the Christian growth occurs in unregistered,
underground house churches due to government restrictions.
Cultural Influences and Demographics
Younger Demographics: Populations in Africa and Asia are younger, and higher birth rates mean more youth are involved in churches,
amplifying growth.
Social and Economic Factors: Urbanization, education, and sometimes political tensions (such as in India and Indonesia)
play a role in rapid expansion and increased community engagement.
Migration and Inclusion: Christianity is often embraced by marginalized populations as a source of hope and inclusion.
Decline in Western Countries
While Christianity is declining in North America, Western Europe, and Australia due to religious disaffiliation and secularization,
its character worldwide is increasingly shaped by vibrant, non-Western, younger, and more culturally diverse communities."
Q: Is the Bible still the foundational text of the growing Christianity or is other guidance now influential?
(
P) "The Bible remains the foundational text for most of the Christianity that is growing worldwide, but patterns of engagement
and influence are shifting due to local culture, charismatic movements, and new forms of Christian expression.
Bible Engagement in Growing Regions
Across rapidly growing regions, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia, there is high enthusiasm
and active engagement with the Bible. Christians in these areas tend to use Scripture as a guide for daily life, decision-making,
and community transformation. In some places, the Bible is not just a spiritual text but an essential source of meaning,
moral guidance, and identity.
Other Influences and Alternative Authorities
Some movements and denominations in global Christianity also reference supplementary or interpretive texts, such as the writings
of local prophets, charismatic leaders, and denominational manuals, but these typically do not replace the Bible as foundational.
In minority groups (e.g., Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventists, certain African Initiated Churches),
other scriptural texts or teachings may supplement or, in rare cases, challenge the primacy of the Bible as the authority,
but these exceptions do not dominate overall global Christian growth.
Cultural Adaptation and Practicality
Growing Christianity outside the West is more adaptive: local interpretations, storytelling, oral teaching, and experiential faith
sometimes shape how the Bible is taught and understood.
Interest in Bible stories for children and new translations highlight the ongoing relevance and perceived importance of the Bible,
even when some newer forms of spiritual guidance emerge.
In summary, while other forms of guidance and cultural influences are present, the Bible continues to be central and authoritative
for the vast majority of global Christians in growing regions."
Q: How is the Urantia Book, "epochal revelation", perceived in this growing Christianity?
(
P) "The Urantia Book is generally not influential within the rapidly growing sectors of global Christianity,
and it is not regarded as authoritative or foundational by most Christian communities in Africa, Asia, or Latin America.
Perception in Mainstream Christianity
Most churches and denominations in regions where Christianity is expanding continue to focus on the Bible as the central text,
often regarding alternative “revelations” like the Urantia Book with skepticism or simply as unrelated spiritual literature.
Missionaries, clergy, and lay leaders seldom promote the Urantia Book, and its teachings are largely absent from
common worship, education, or evangelism practices.
Urantia Book Followers and Influence
The Urantia Book has attracted a small following, mostly in Western contexts and some urban, cosmopolitan circles,
but its influence is marginal compared to mainstream Christian beliefs.
Some readers try to reconcile its teachings with Christian practices or view it as a “fifth epochal revelation,”
but this is not a recognized position among the churches fueling demographic growth worldwide.
The Urantia Book promotes universal spiritual ideals and respects all religions, but it does not claim exclusivity
or replace traditional Christian doctrine in places where Christianity’s numbers are rising.
Compatibility and Challenges
Urantia Book teachings emphasize spiritual evolution and cosmic understanding, offering a broader context than orthodox Christian views,
ut this approach is not adopted in the growth centers of Christianity due to both cultural and theological differences.
Unlike traditional Christianity, the Urantia Book does not promise salvation in the same direct manner, which limits its appeal
in regions where personal salvation is a driving motivator for religious affiliation.
In summary, the Urantia Book is not a central nor growing influence in the booming global Christian movement;
the Bible remains overwhelmingly dominant in these communities."
Q: What does Jesus in the Urantia Book teach about salvation?
(
P) "In the Urantia Book,
Jesus teaches that salvation is attained through simple, living faith in God and a personal relationship
with the Universal Father, not by ritual, sacrifice, or doctrinal correctness.
Core Teachings on Salvation
Faith is Central: Salvation is described as the gift of the Father, accessed through faith. "By faith you are justified; by faith are you saved;
and by this same faith are you eternally advanced in the way of progressive and divine perfection," according to Jesus in the Urantia Book.
Love and Forgiveness: Jesus emphasizes God's love, personal spiritual experience, and forgiveness. His life is portrayed as demonstrating
the unconditional love and mercy of God, which not only forgives but also absorbs and destroys evil.
No Hell, No Ransom:
The Urantia Book refutes traditional concepts of hell, ransom, or blood sacrifice for salvation. It teaches that Jesus
did not come to satisfy a requirement for atonement, but to illuminate the certainty of salvation and God's loving attitude toward humanity.
Personal Experience: Salvation is connected with one's acceptance of sonship with God and the lived experience of faith, rather than conformity
to dogma or tradition. It is said to be a real, eternal rehabilitation—a transformation rather than merely a pardon.
Distinctive Features
The “living religion” of Jesus is about doing the will of God, serving others selflessly, and cultivating direct spiritual experience.
Salvation does not depend on Jesus’ death as an atoning sacrifice, but rather on God’s grace received through faith and love.
In summary, Jesus in the Urantia Book teaches salvation as an inclusive, faith-based experience, emphasizing personal relationship
and spiritual growth over dogma, sacrifice, or fear."
Q: What teaching in the Bible complements this perspective of salvation?
(
P) "Biblical teaching that most closely complements the Urantia Book’s perspective is the insistence that salvation
comes by grace through faith, not through ritual, works, or fear — emphasizing personal trust in God and transformative relationship.
Key Bible Passages Complementing This View
Ephesians 2:8-9:
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
These verses express that salvation is the free gift of God's grace and is received through faith, not earned by human effort.
Romans 3:23-24, 5:1:
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift..."
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
These texts underline the unconditional nature of God’s forgiveness and justification by faith.
John 3:16, 6:40, 20:31:
Jesus teaches: "For God so loved the world... whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
Faith in Jesus, not fear or works, is repeatedly presented as the path to eternal life.
Personal Faith and Relationship
The New Testament repeatedly highlights that genuine faith is not merely intellectual assent but a trusting, personal relationship with God.
This faith leads to transformation and spiritual growth, mirroring the Urantia Book’s emphasis on living faith and daily experience with God:
Ephesians 2:8-9 - Grace through faith
Salvation is God's gift, not earned by works.
Romans 3:23-24, 5:1 - Justification by faith
All are forgiven through faith in Christ.
John 3:16 - Believe for eternal life
Eternal life is for those who truly believe.
Thus,
the Bible’s teaching that salvation is by grace, through faith and not motivated by fear, doctrine, or ritual,
closely parallels the Urantia Book’s approach to salvation."
Rod
Isn't this a feature of good religion, that love can exist without being earned?
) As with all of us, famous or not... our hope, our courage, our strength, our healing, and guidance is found within. We find that... and though life keeps poking at us...We can crawl, jump, dance through...just never give up...keep looking upwards and inwards...help arrives often unbidden.
Thus, Jesus did indeed appear during his resurrection, but in transition form 
Expected positive analysis by this UB-centric AI. 
Research beginning with Gabriel of Urantia's alleged "cult". 
Note: The Urantia Pearl circles use 1:2:3:4 diameter ratios,
Who can tell? The simplicity of this symbolism hints that it has 
(Perplexity on this concept) "In the Urantia Book, Jesus consistently discouraged rigid religious institutions, 
"Say what?! Another revelation?" Yes, following typical progression of acceptance. 