The Christian and the AcademyKevin Davis

The importance of the academy

Prior to the 1800’s, what was the primary institution influencing the beliefs and values of society?

The importance of the academy

Prior to the 1800’s, what was the primary institution influencing the beliefs and values of society?

The church

The importance of the academy

Beginning in the 1800’s, what was the primary institution influencing the beliefs and values of society?

The importance of the academy

Beginning in the 1800’s, what was the primary institution influencing the beliefs and values of society?

The academy

The importance of the academy

How did this happen?

ChristianityCapitalism

The advance of Western civilization◦Freedom / Autonomy

Adolescence

What is “adolescence”?

“Adolescence” is a new phenomenon!

It is an invention of 20th century affluent societies.

A new “phase” between childhood and adult.

The Juvenilization of the Church

What is “adolescence”?

Marketing

Romantic

Emotional

Thomas Bergler

Professor of Ministry and Missions

Huntington University

The Juvenilization of American Christianity

Eerdmans Publishing, 2012

The Juvenilization of the Church

Interview with Bergler in Modern Reformation magazine

Q: Throughout your book you talk about how in today's youth ministry a relationship with Jesus has been turned into a romantic relationship, rather than a relationship with a historical person.

Is this what you mean by “juvenilization”?

The Juvenilization of the Church

Interview with Bergler in Modern Reformation magazine

A: …one of the negative impacts of youth and youth ministry on the church in America has been the assumption of traits that are perhaps appropriate for adolescents, but then celebrating those and making them ideal for all ages.

The Juvenilization of the Church

Interview with Bergler in Modern Reformation magazine

A: …one of the negative impacts of youth and youth ministry on the church in America has been the assumption of traits that are perhaps appropriate for adolescents, but then celebrating those and making them ideal for all ages.

The Juvenilization of the Church

Interview with Bergler in Modern Reformation magazine

A: For example, I'm not surprised that in youth ministries people seize on the analogy of falling in love as an analogy for one's relationship with Jesus. After all, what can be more powerful for an adolescent than that first time of falling in love?

The Juvenilization of the Church

Interview with Bergler in Modern Reformation magazine

A: It seems like a great analogy because it suggests that the relationship you have with Jesus is so emotionally powerful, so captivating, so obsessive even, that it should just shape everything; you should be thinking about Jesus 24/7.

The Juvenilization of the Church

Interview with Bergler in Modern Reformation magazine

A: It seems like an apt analogy to someone working with 14- to 16-year-olds because of the way they're developing emotionally.

The Juvenilization of the Church

Interview with Bergler in Modern Reformation magazine

A: But what happens when people are 44 years old, and they're still thinking about their relationship with God that way? In other words, if I'm not feeling intense emotions about Jesus, then something must be wrong.

The Juvenilization of the Church

Interview with Bergler in Modern Reformation magazine

A: But what happens when people are 44 years old, and they're still thinking about their relationship with God that way? In other words, if I'm not feeling intense emotions about Jesus, then something must be wrong.

The Juvenilization of the Church

Interview with Bergler in Modern Reformation magazine

A: Indeed, I don't think it takes until 44. First of all, the whole metaphor of "falling in love with Jesus" is on really shaky ground biblically. It's immature to relate to Jesus with these gushy feelings, and I think we have evidence to suggest that this leads to a relationship with Jesus that has all the staying power of an adolescent infatuation.

The Juvenilization of the Church

The Effects of “Adolescent Christianity”◦Loss of Inter-generational

Community◦Loss of Deep Theological Literacy◦Widespread Spiritual Immaturity◦Rampant Consumerism◦Epidemic of Religious Self-

Centerdness

What is the church to do?

The Juvenilization of the Church

What is the church to do?

There is no single or simple solution.

We need…◦Maturity◦Head and Heart◦Theological Competence◦Dialogue about consumerism /

culture◦Dialogue about “identity”◦…and more.

The Juvenilization of the Church

The current “solution” –◦Get the kids to “fall in love” with

Jesus◦Revivals and Dedications (Re-

Dedications!)◦“On fire” for Jesus!

The Academic Life and Worldview

What is a “worldview”?Widely used today and rarely

defined

Worldview defined: ◦The philosophy of one’s life◦“Philosophy” in the original,

comprehensive sense of “love of wisdom”

What is a “worldview”?Worldview includes

◦Science◦Anthropology◦Sociology◦History◦Theology◦Spirituality◦et alia

Differences in WorldviewHow does belief in God influence

a worldview?

How does belief in naturalism / materialism influence a worldview?

Science vs. RevelationHow do we know what we know?

Naturalism (materialism) claims that we can only know through observation of the world – verification / falsification

Theology claims that we can know through God’s self-disclosure, i.e., divine revelation

White Horse Inn episodeProfessor Michael Horton (Westminster Seminary California) with Brett Kunkle (Stand to Reason apologetics ministry)

White Horse Inn interviewWhy haven’t I heard these things

in the church?

Why didn’t I even know the resources – of “a thinking tradition”

Why have my pastors beenkeeping this from me?

White Horse Inn interviewOur kids should here this

(skeptical criticism of Christianity) from us first.

Equipping the Christian WorldviewWisdom not of this world

“The message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:

I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” (1 Corinthians 1:18-19)

Equipping the Christian Worldview“Where is the wise person? …Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?…we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.”(1 Corinthians 1:20, 23)

“I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned….” (Luke 10:21)

Equipping the Christian WorldviewSo, is the Christian anti-

reason?

Equipping the Christian WorldviewSo, is the Christian anti-

reason?

No!

Paul was trained by one of the top rabbis of his day.

Paul used all of his intellectual gifts in the service of the gospel.

Equipping the Christian Worldview“But in your hearts revere Christ

as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Pet. 3:15)

So, what is the “reason”?

The “reason” of faithFaith is knowledge that comes

from God’s revelation.It is rational but unknown apart

from God’s revelation

Why is it unknown?SinPrideSelf-Sufficieny

The “reason” of faithSo, there is a “logic” to our faith,

but we are blind without God.

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” - C. S. Lewis

The Weight of Glory, p. 140

“In the church of Jesus Christ, there can and should be no non-theologians.”

- Karl Barth (January 1968)

The moral challengeChristian students are

assaulted on two fronts:◦1. Intellectual◦2. Moral

◦Intellectual challenges are never separate from moral challenges and vice-versa.

◦Ultimately, the moral is more basic.

Next Week!The Moral Challenge

Postmodern “identity” politics◦Heteronormativity?◦Feminism?

Laverne Cox

First Transgender Male-to-Female on the cover of TIME