Thursday Thinking - Juvenilization of Christianity

Christianity Today has published a very important and perceptive article titled "When Are We Going to Grow Up?"  The article was adapted from Thomas Bergler's new book, The Juvenilization of American Christianity, a book I will need to read.

Having lived through the time period, cultural evolution, and church practices Bergler describes, I have to say that I think he is spot-on in his analysis of the situation. Sadly, I feel like his observations are more of an astute postmortem than a diagnosis with a hope for a cure. I fear that the juvenilization he outlines has turned many churches into terminal patients. One thing is certain, the disease is deadly, and any treatment that produces healthy results is likely to be painful and unwelcomed by those who need it most.

Here are some excerpts from the CT article:

Fifty or sixty years ago, these now-commonplace elements of American church life were regularly found in youth groups but rarely in worship services and adult activities. What happened? Beginning in the 1930s and '40s, Christian teenagers and youth leaders staged a quiet revolution in American church life that led to what can properly be called the juvenilization of American Christianity. Juvenilization is the process by which the religious beliefs, practices, and developmental characteristics of adolescents become accepted as appropriate for adults. It began with the praiseworthy goal of adapting the faith to appeal to the young, which in fact revitalized American Christianity. But it has sometimes ended with both youth and adults embracing immature versions of the faith. In any case, white evangelicals led the way.
Saving the World

Juvenilization happened when no one was looking. In the first stage, Christian youth leaders created youth-friendly versions of the faith in a desperate attempt to save the world. Some hoped to reform their churches by influencing the next generation. Others expected any questionable innovations to stay comfortably quarantined in youth rallies and church basements. Both groups were less concerned about long-term consequences than about immediate appeals to youth.

In the second stage, a new American adulthood emerged that looked a lot like the old adolescence. Fewer and fewer people outgrew the adolescent Christian spiritualities they had learned in youth groups; instead, churches began to cater to them.

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...Churches new to juvenilization would do well to consider its unintended consequences. Juvenilization tends to create a self-centered, emotionally driven, and intellectually empty faith.In their landmark National Study of Youth and Religion, Christian Smith and his team of researchers found that the majority of American teenagers, even those who are highly involved in church activities, are inarticulate about religious matters. They seldom used words like faith, salvation, sin, or even Jesus to describe their beliefs. Instead, they return again and again to the language of personal fulfillment to describe why God and Christianity are important to them. The phrase "feel happy" appeared over 2,000 times in 267 interviews.

 - - -

Today many Americans of all ages not only accept a Christianized version of adolescent narcissism, they often celebrate it as authentic spirituality. God, faith, and the church all exist to help me with my problems. Religious institutions are bad; only my personal relationship with Jesus matters. If we believe that a mature faith involves more than good feelings, vague beliefs, and living however we want, we must conclude that juvenilization has revitalized American Christianity at the cost of leaving many individuals mired in spiritual immaturity.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE

The Juvenilization of American Christianity
by Thomas E. Bergler

Wednesday Words - Summer Days

I'm loving the summer weather and the delicious opportunities it affords to enjoy the beauty and wonder of the great outdoors--walking wooded trails, time in the garden, watching the busy wrens who have taken up residence in the bird house on my back fence, evenings on the patio, and so much more. Two days ago, I was able to get in a few hours of fishing with my friend, Kris. He caught a nice 5.5lb tiger muskie (not a fish I get to see very often).

Next week, I'll be enjoying a couple days of fishing up near Mille Lacs with a few guys from church, which is always a good time. Then, in July, I'll be getting in some North Shore camping with my family.

In August I'll, be catching a few more days on the North Shore with friends from church, and then we've also got an all-church camping trip scheduled for a weekend at William O'Brien State Park. It's a full and delightful schedule of summer days!

Here is a lovely little summer poem I shared during my sermon at Valley last Sunday. I appreciate the gentle way  it prompts me to solitude, simplicity, reflection, attentiveness, and purpose. So tell me, what do you plan to do with your one wild and precious summer?

The Summer Day
Mary Oliver

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

From New and Selected Poems, 1992 (Beacon Press).
Copyright 1992 by Mary Oliver.

Tuesday Tome - Ray Bradbury

Ray Bradbury died last week. CLICK HERE to hear or read a nice piece posted on Minnesota Public Radio written by John Rogers.



Two of the books I enjoyed as a High School kid were Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles. I was prompted to read Bradbury's books by seeing the 1966 movie, Fahrenheit 451, directed by François Truffaut. That movie is available to watch for free if you are an Amazon Prime member.

Monday Music - China Town

Here's a new video of the Cactus Blossoms performing "Chinatown, My Chinatown" during a recent concert at the Cedar Cultural Center.

Remember, the Cactus Blossoms play at the Turf Club every Monday night from 9 to midnight.

Sunday Supplication - Good Things

O God, we acknowledge that every good thing comes from you. Fill us with good thoughts and a love for the things that are right and good. Lead us and strengthen us to do those good things you have in mind for us to do.

Father, each of us has our own struggle to be obedient to you. Help us all to remember that everyone around us has similar struggles. When others sin against us, make us as charitable toward them as you are to us. Help us all to find our way back to you. When any one of us is sinned against, give us understanding and forgiving hearts. Make us willing to forgive because you have forgiven us.

O God, when we become downcast, strengthen our hearts to hope in you. Give us faith to trust in you and to praise you all our days. Protect us from discouragement, and encourage us by your word, your people, your promises, and all that is beautiful and true. Through Christ, we pray. Amen.

Saturday Smile - Shoes

from XKCD - A Webcomic of Romance, Sarcasm, Math, and Language.

Friday Family - Wire Sculptures

Over the recent Memorial Day weekend, Cheri and I traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska for a gathering with her family. On the way there, we stopped in Council Bluffs, Iowa where we were able to visit the new studio/shop of my Bark'm Canine Portraits.

My nephew, Taylor, started Bark'm Canine Portraits last year as the home base for his watercolor and graphite dog portraiture business. In addition to his amazing art, he sells other cool stuff for dogs and dog lovers.

Wire sculptures are one of the newest things Taylor has added to his growing list of products. It's fun to see what he can do with one simple continuous strand of 16-gauge wire.

If you're a dog lover or know someone who is, you should check out his website.  I'm sure you'll find something you would like him to make just for you.

Thursday Thinking - About Grammar

When I was a graduate student at the University of Nebraska back in the mid-80s, I was excoriated by one of my professors for using the word "hopefully" in the preface of a term paper. He summarily explained to me that this word should never be used in an academic paper, and it was a poor word to use in any case because I wasn't truly hoping for anything.

The professor, as you know, is always right (at least before graduation requirements have been met), so I complied. Ever since that scolding, however, I must admit that each and every time I have written "hopefully" in a letter or paper, I've heard his rebuke echoing in the back of my mind.

What a relief and vindication it was, this week, to have the AP style book remove its objection to the word. Linguist, Geoff Nunberg, had a wonderful op-ed piece on Fresh Air this week. You can read it or listen to it HERE.


BONUS MATERIAL:
My friend, Dewey Roth, had a fun post on his "Truth Is..." blog about ending sentences with prepositions. Read It Here.  To be granted both these grammatical freedoms in one week is too sweet for words.

Wednesday Words - How to Be Perfect

I discovered this poem and poet through Garrison Keiller's daily program, The Writer's Almanac. I'm looking forward to reading and hearing more of Ron Padgett's poetry, and I've ordered his collection, How to Be Perfect. I'm a sucker for any poet who manages to make me think while giving me a jab to the ribs. I consider humor mixed with profundity to be a virtue and cause for admiration as much as enjoyment.

HOW TO BE PERFECT (excerpts)

Get some sleep.

Eat an orange every morning.

Be friendly. It will help make you happy.

Hope for everything. Expect nothing.

Take care of things close to home first. Straighten up your room before you save the world. Then save the world.

Be nice to people before they have a chance to behave badly.

Don't stay angry about anything for more than a week, but don't forget what made you angry.

Hold your anger out at arm's length and look at it, as if it were a glass ball. Then add it to your glass ball collection.

Wear comfortable shoes.

Do not spend too much time with large groups of people.

Plan your day so you never have to rush.

Show your appreciation to people who do things for you, even if you have paid them, even if they do favors you don't want.

After dinner, wash the dishes.

Calm down.

Don't expect your children to love you, so they can, if they want to.

Don't be too self-critical or too self-congratulatory.

Don't think that progress exists. It doesn't.

Imagine what you would like to see happen, and then don't do anything to make it impossible.

Forgive your country every once in a while. If that is not possible, go to another one.

If you feel tired, rest.

Don't be depressed about growing older. It will make you feel even older. Which is depressing.

Do one thing at a time.

If you burn your finger, put ice on it immediately. If you bang your finger with a hammer, hold your hand in the air for 20 minutes. you will be surprised by the curative powers of ice and gravity.

Do not inhale smoke.

Take a deep breath.

Do not smart off to a policeman.

Be good.

Be honest with yourself, diplomatic with others.

Do not go crazy a lot. It's a waste of time.

Drink plenty of water. When asked what you would like to drink, say, "Water, please."

Take out the trash.

Love life.

Use exact change.

When there's shooting in the street, don't go near the window.

Excerpts from "How to be Perfect" by Ron Padgett, from How to be Perfect. © Coffee House Press, 2007.

Tuesday Tome - Ortberg's Latest

I just heard a podcast where John Wilson of Books & Culture reviewed of John Ortberg's new book, Who Is this Man?: The Unpredictable Impact of the Inescapable Jesus. The book, scheduled to be released on August 7, looks good, so I pre-ordered a copy for my Kindle.

Ortberg has a good track record of being a practical and accessible writer. He does a great job of taking big ideas and topics and writing about them with a pastoral approach that everyday folks can understand. I may not see any new ideas about Jesus in this new book, but I'm sure Ortberg I will see some new ways of presenting these ideas in creative and memorable ways that connect with a wide audience. That's something I really respect about him, and something I want to emulate as I write and speak.

If you're interested in this topic AND interested in talking about it with others, this book will likely be something you will appreciate.

From the publisher's description of the book:

Jesus' impact on our world is highly unlikely, widely inescapable, largely unknown, and decidedly double-edged. It is unlikely in light of the severe limitations of his earthly life; it is inescapable because of the range of impact; it is unknown because history doesn't connect dots; and it is doubled-edged because his followers have wreaked so much havoc, often in his name.

He is history's most familiar figure, yet he is the man no one knows. His impact on the world is immense and non-accidental. From the Dark Ages to Post-Modernity he is the Man who won't go away.

And yet . . .you can miss him in historical lists for many reasons, maybe the most obvious being the way he lived his life. He did not loudly and demonstrably defend his movement in the spirit of a rising political or military leader. He did not lay out a case that history would judge his brand of belief superior in all future books.

His life and teaching simply drew people to follow him. He made history by starting in a humble place, in a spirit of love and acceptance, and allowing each person space to respond.His vision of life continues to haunt and challenge humanity. His influence has swept over history bringing inspiration to what has happened in art, science, government, medicine, and education; he has taught humans about dignity, compassion, forgiveness, and hope.

Monday Music - Doc Watson

This past week, the world said farewell to yet another music legend, Doc Watson. He was 89 years old. Doc was a master flat-picker with a warm baritone voice who blended traditional Appalachian folk music with blues, country, gospel, and bluegrass. If you are not familiar with his music or his story, it's high time you were.

A good place to get started might be the Terry Gross interview with Doc Watson on WHYY's Fresh Air.

FRESH AIR INTERVIEW: DOC WATSON 

From the LA TIMES:

Watson, 89, who recorded more than 50 albums and won seven Grammy Awards, died Tuesday at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C., according to his representatives at Folklore Productions, a Santa Monica management company. He had undergone colon surgery Thursday.

Although Watson is perhaps most acclaimed for his astonishing technique in both the flat-pick and finger-picking styles, his greatest contribution touched on broader concerns.

"Doc arrived at a point where there was the beginning of an audience for traditional music, but not really an informed group of people," Ash Grove owner Ed Pearl said last week.

"Doc was by far the best traditional artist I ever met at talking openly about his people, and just having a casual conversation with an audience.… He was among the most versatile and un-self-conscious bringers of Southern white culture to the Ash Grove possible, and he did that right from the beginning."

With his natural ease as a storyteller, his heartfelt baritone singing, his repository of material and his facility on guitar, Watson was a rare combination of authenticity and artistry.

His example inspired a generation of musicians to explore obscure musical pockets, as well as to upgrade their instrumental technique toward the remarkably high standards he established. He is one of the prime sources of the hybrid, roots-conscious Americana genre, and a key influence on such noted players as Norman Blake, Tony Rice, Buddy Miller and Dan Crary.

CLICK HERE to Read the Complete Article

Sunday Supplication - Faithfulness

O God, you are a faithful provider and you give order and purpose to our lives. We ask you to help us put aside all the things that are hurtful. Help us to seek the things that are true and uplifting and healing and beautiful.

Heavenly Father, forgive us our sins, and help us, in gratitude to you, to forgive those who sin against us. We recognize that our hearts are so prone to pride and unforgiveness. It is hard for us to confess our sins, even to you. Help us to see clearly how we so often offend you. And help each of us to have the humility to pray, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

O God, give us eyes to see the good things you have prepared in advance for us to do. Give us hearts that delight in your will, feet that walk in your ways, and spirits that longs to honor you in all we do. Help us to wake up and get honest about any disobedience, apathy, or distractions that are keeping us from faithfulness to you.

Through Christ, we pray. Amen.

Saturday Smile - Dino Dreams

Friday Family - Happy Birthday, Page!

Yesterday, May 31, my son, Page, turned 31 years old!

To celebrate this Golden Birthday, Cheri and I took Page and his wife, Sara, out for a delicious meal at Gorkha Palace in Minneapolis. The food was amazing, there was live ethnic music, and the service was very good. The four of us had a splendid time.

Happy Birthday, Page! We love you very much and we're so proud and thankful to have you as our son. Keep growing, seeking, loving, singing, and blessing more and more with each new year.

O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servant, our son, Page, as he begins another year. Grant that he may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen his trust in your goodness all the days of his life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

–From the Book of Common Prayer