Evangelicals Turn Back to Ritual

Evangelical Christians are increasingly turning to long-shunned traditions as a means of practicing their faith, reports the Washington Post. In a trend some call “worship renewal,” some are reviving Catholic customs such as fasting for Lent, going to confession, and weekly communion. “Evangelicalism is coming to point where the early church has become the newest staple of its diet,” says a theology professor.

Many rituals have been modernized: some in the movement confess their sins via web postings; some take communion with bread from local grocery stores. Others have even become modern monks, living communally and contemplatively but working in the outside world. Some evangelicals, however, dislike the trend. “This isn't Christianity—not according to what the Bible says,” says one opponent. (More evangelicals stories.)