This was helpful in terms of the reminder that we don’t need to panic or scramble. Zooming out in the historical gives better perspective in the here and now. Thanks, babe!
For school, I had to read Andy Crouch's book, "Culture Making". I have my own criticisms of the book, but his main thesis is on point, which is that you can't change culture... you can only create more of it.
I think the problem with Christianity's approach to the Culture War is that we approach it like a war. Now, I do believe that there is a spiritual battle and it is a warfare for souls, however to the world it only feeds into the belief that Christians want to force others who don't agree with us to conform to Christianity. But Crouch's point could be a valid pathway. Instead of focusing on changing culture, we should simply create more of it. Instead of forcing Christian principles (some of which I agree with) to oppose society, we should create an alternative and invite others to choose that path.
I mentioned in a previous response about framing and I think that can be done here too. Imagine if a missionary in a foreign, unreached country went overseas and stayed in their own corner of their Christian world and not engage with their secular society. Of course, they shouldn't conform to secularism, but they should engage in it missionally to win people towards Christ. I think that approach should be taken here in the US too.
A year or so ago, the youth pastor at our church was ordained and I went to his ordination service. They had a speaker (who I didn't know) who gave the message during the service. In that message he went on about technology ruining relationships and how the world has become more secular, etc... All of which isn't untrue. And he encouraged the newly ordained youth pastor to reject those things and only focus on Christ.
On one hand, I agree with him that Christ should be the main focus for Christians, pastors or not. However, I didn't agree with his exultation for a youth pastor. If I were to say something, I would have encouraged him to lean into what the youth are exposed to today, not to endorse it, but to understand it so that he could reach them. Know the songs they are listening to, the movies, what in culture they are exposed to. As a mature Christian, he can discern what is healthy or not and speak into it, but he won't know that if he were to just sit in the corner of the room where Christianity resides. Maybe I'm being a little nitpicky, but I was a little disappointed in that message, especially since both of my kids are now in youth group. Thankfully, I know the youth pastor well and he doesn't shy away with meeting the kids where they are to reach them. But I share this story to illustrate my point that instead of simply rejecting everything that is not Christian. Why not understand it to reach people and then create an alternative (culture making) for them to choose. Just my $0.02.
Great thoughts here. I think you’re right on. This is, once again, why I’m studying sociology. Understanding why we’re here and how we got here and what it all means for the world, is a huge part of addressing the world’s need for the gospel. It’s not a replacement for the gospel, but ignoring the social realities, and pretending like they don’t exist are not only shortsighted for evangelism, but they open us up to all kinds of blindspot idols as well.
Have you studied Social Psychology? Psychology is the study of individuals (micro) and Sociology is the study of society (macro). Social Psychology is the study of how individuals are impacted by groups or society as a whole. I don’t know what resources are out there, but I took one class back in undergrad and found it fascinating.
Definitely. I haven’t studied social psychology proper, but there’s quite a bit of overlap in what you’ve described. I have appreciated Jonathan Haidt’s work, who is a social psychologist.
This was helpful in terms of the reminder that we don’t need to panic or scramble. Zooming out in the historical gives better perspective in the here and now. Thanks, babe!
❤️
For school, I had to read Andy Crouch's book, "Culture Making". I have my own criticisms of the book, but his main thesis is on point, which is that you can't change culture... you can only create more of it.
I think the problem with Christianity's approach to the Culture War is that we approach it like a war. Now, I do believe that there is a spiritual battle and it is a warfare for souls, however to the world it only feeds into the belief that Christians want to force others who don't agree with us to conform to Christianity. But Crouch's point could be a valid pathway. Instead of focusing on changing culture, we should simply create more of it. Instead of forcing Christian principles (some of which I agree with) to oppose society, we should create an alternative and invite others to choose that path.
I mentioned in a previous response about framing and I think that can be done here too. Imagine if a missionary in a foreign, unreached country went overseas and stayed in their own corner of their Christian world and not engage with their secular society. Of course, they shouldn't conform to secularism, but they should engage in it missionally to win people towards Christ. I think that approach should be taken here in the US too.
A year or so ago, the youth pastor at our church was ordained and I went to his ordination service. They had a speaker (who I didn't know) who gave the message during the service. In that message he went on about technology ruining relationships and how the world has become more secular, etc... All of which isn't untrue. And he encouraged the newly ordained youth pastor to reject those things and only focus on Christ.
On one hand, I agree with him that Christ should be the main focus for Christians, pastors or not. However, I didn't agree with his exultation for a youth pastor. If I were to say something, I would have encouraged him to lean into what the youth are exposed to today, not to endorse it, but to understand it so that he could reach them. Know the songs they are listening to, the movies, what in culture they are exposed to. As a mature Christian, he can discern what is healthy or not and speak into it, but he won't know that if he were to just sit in the corner of the room where Christianity resides. Maybe I'm being a little nitpicky, but I was a little disappointed in that message, especially since both of my kids are now in youth group. Thankfully, I know the youth pastor well and he doesn't shy away with meeting the kids where they are to reach them. But I share this story to illustrate my point that instead of simply rejecting everything that is not Christian. Why not understand it to reach people and then create an alternative (culture making) for them to choose. Just my $0.02.
Great thoughts here. I think you’re right on. This is, once again, why I’m studying sociology. Understanding why we’re here and how we got here and what it all means for the world, is a huge part of addressing the world’s need for the gospel. It’s not a replacement for the gospel, but ignoring the social realities, and pretending like they don’t exist are not only shortsighted for evangelism, but they open us up to all kinds of blindspot idols as well.
Have you studied Social Psychology? Psychology is the study of individuals (micro) and Sociology is the study of society (macro). Social Psychology is the study of how individuals are impacted by groups or society as a whole. I don’t know what resources are out there, but I took one class back in undergrad and found it fascinating.
Definitely. I haven’t studied social psychology proper, but there’s quite a bit of overlap in what you’ve described. I have appreciated Jonathan Haidt’s work, who is a social psychologist.