Peripatetics: The Art of Walking
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
From: Time For A New Revolution, by John Fischer
In the Nov./Dec. 2005 edition of Relevant Magazine:
"For too long, good Christian students have politely reflected the worldview and politics of their parents and rarely asked questions of their teachers. (I've also noticed these same kids push the parochial behavioral code to its limit--trying to get away with as much 'worldliness' as they can without sacrificing their 'Christian' status. I see this as a major disconnect to truly following Jesus--proof they are more cultural than Christian) These student seem content to fill their notebooks with what they came to college for--answers that would lead to a high grade and result in a secure position in society or the Church.
It's time to end all this polite nonsense and start another revolution. It's time to question what's going on: How do we really do church? What does a Christian worldview look like? How much of the current experession of Christianity is cultural and political? Do we have a Christian subculture today, and what good is it? Is a Christian subculture what Jesus had in mind for the Church in the world anyway? What does it mean to truly believe? Bottom line: it's time to look at what it means to follow Jesus, to get out our Bibles and look for some answers."
Normally, I might comment in greater detail, but frankly, I'm in agreement with the author.
So, for your input on this...
...choose any question the author asked and simply reply.
I think those questions address major issues the church in America needs to face.
Brent 4:11 AM
Comments:
hi brent. i recently read/discussed an article on the Youth Theological Initiative, part of a project going on at Candler Theological School at Emory U. One of their premises for "re-thinking" Youth Ministry is that too often we just entertain and protect youth enough so that they can make it to their middle class lives and careers in the future. But like you and the author here suggest...that's not what God had in mind.
I agree. But I also think this isn't new as it was happening 20-25 years ago when I was in high school/college. I do think that we ALL should understand what a Christian worldview is in LIGHT of our culture/times. As Christians we should know why we believe and be able to express why we believe to someone who asks. I think the key is training our children to be critical thinkers and to question everything - even what Mom and Dad believe. I don't want my kids believing my theology - I want them to grapple with their own beliefs and come to their own conclusions. But I'm afraid many Christian parents I know run and hide from popular culture saying, "I don't want to know about it, my kids aren't interested." Yea right.
Agree. Agree. Agree. We are battling with potentially leaving the "social church" thing (big new worship center, building campaign, numerical goals for baptism, self help sermons (Top 10 ways to really be happy), and praying for whether the Acts 2 method of community would be the best thing long term for our children and family. Frankly do we have the guts to depart from societal church and plug into a real Christian community and take on all the baggage that goes with it?
Post a Comment
