What will Prostestanism be like in 50 years?
The Same (Same Groups)
Smaller (Many Denominations will cease to exist)
Denominations will merge with one another
Most Protestants will either joining the Roman Catholic Church or Eastern Church
I am unsure
What?
A recent study by Gordon-Conwell Seminary (Protestant) of the growth of denominations in Protestantism gives not only a current figure of 44,000 denominations(!) but also presents a snapshot of the historical trend in the last two centuries:
YEAR/ DENOMINATIONS
1800: 500
1900: 1600
1970: 18,800
2000: 34,200
2013: 44,000
2025 (projected): 55,000 Denominations
http://www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/documents/StatusOfGlobalMission.pdf -see line 41: Denominations
The historical trend for Protestantism reflected in this study is CLEARLY is not (as per the poll options) to remain the same, or to unify be merger.
Within a couple of centuries of the Reformation you could still count the main trajectories of Protestantism on your fingers. From its historical origin to the year 1900, with 1600 then denominations, itself constitutes enormous growth, but the increase from 1600 to 44,000 in just one more century is absolutely astounding.
This growth reflects a threefold crisis within Protestantism: (1) Crisis of Legitimization; (2) Crisis if Individualization (3) Crisis of Fragmentation.
The exponential trend in Protestantism toward Fragmentation, is especially interesting in that Paul mentions the formation of factions as an act of the flesh in opposition to the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:19-20 and elsewhere:
"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions,
factions..." -Galatians 5:19-20
Contrast the very "Orthodox" sentiment in St. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians:
"I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and
that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought." -1 Cor 1:10
Can therefore the incredible factionalism we see in contemporary Protestantism be defended as the fruit of the Spirit?
I vote therefore for UNLISTED OPTION: continuation of the current trend of fragmentation/division Protestantism.
Neither can I select the last option (of "unsure"); I think continued overall splintering/fragmentation Gordon Conwell is predicting is a pretty safe bet.