Good question… hard to answer. I grew up in a small rural “community” church … with Holiness and Arminian tendencies (but didn’t know that then… it was short on theological education) with definite hints of fundamentalism (but I learned my Bible!); I went to Wheaton in the late 1990s, so that broadened me but also esrulted in some faith crises of various sorts. I spent most of college at Lyle Dorsett’s new wave Anglican church in Wheaton and its parent church in Glen Ellyn, very much Robert Webberian ancient-future types of places…
I’ve always had my bouts with doubt/agnosticism, but I am still hanging my hat in the Christian fold broadly… Apostles’ Creed stuff is about as specific as I can get, although I am - for better and worse - Protestant by heritage and not attracted enough to convert to Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy soon. I read Tomlinson’s The Post Evangelical in 2002 during a time of deep searching (while working at a Buddhist restaurant …) when I had dropped out of church participation (not taking communion, etc.), and it all resonated with me and was helpful.
The emerging stuff by that name is more recent on my radar (since Jan 06), and overall, I am very sympathetic to what they are saying since I am very “pomo” about truth and Bible stuff (like I don’t believe it is inerrant, infallible, etc.). I’ve also more recently been exposed to liberation theology (which I generally like), and as a sociologist, I am deeply interested in the church’s encounter with the poor. Actually, I am moving to DC next year and I may end up in Ph.D. policy work and/or as a sociologist concerned with poverty & inequality stuff (although I remain interested in the role of faith in all of this and hope to keep that edge as well).
Theologically, I can still find myself everywhere from a veiled universalism to a pretty orthodox faith… very schizophrenic, and I tend to play devil’s advocate with most people I meet. Depending on the issue, you might see my heretical side or my funny side… it’s all a garbled mess sometimes. I do often find myself more akin to non-believers, but I also know somehow that Christianity is my home.
Church-wise, I’ve been everywhere from the aforementioned Anglican to Baptist (… [name] Baptist) to super-crazy charismatic. I am also very familiar with Willow Creek, including their various efforts in Chicago proper… I know many of those guys involved. I eventually landed at a really small Church of Christ in [Chicago]. Funny fit for me in that the C of C is historically rather sectarian and conservative (no instruments in worship even still), but they are surprisingly progressive in other ways and have an interesting history I have been able to learn. I started going there for a girl, and it was hard to leave after my community was established, even though the girl is ancient history.
When I read this post, it struck a chord or resonated with me as Scot put it. This story is similar to many I’ve heard on our campus (OCU), and to stories I’ve heard in the local churches I’ve served. I’m sure, some of you reading this, could sign your name at the bottom of this story, because elements of this story relates with your own story.
It seems that more and more, the younger (emerging) generations are becoming increasingly disillusioned and disenchanted with the local church and “denominations.” So what are we to do? How are we to reach young men like this for Jesus? And to pose the question that Scot asked: Do we listen long enough, love deeply enough, and think with them enough to be the presence of Jesus in such lives?
Scot McKnight is a widely-recognized authority on the New Testament, early Christianity, and the historical Jesus. He is the Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies at North Park University (Chicago, Illinois), where he is also the Department Chair and the Director of the College of Christian Life and Thought.
10 comments:
Your commentary at the bottom sounds like an acknowledgement of Barna's finding in "Revolutions". In fact, the whole story does.
I appreciate your kindness and sympathy towards this guy I honestly expected you to go off on him, if you had I would be defending him right now... but since you didn't I'll attack him for you! LOL!
Seriously, while there's room for sympathy and kindness there is also room for critique. This "testimony" scares me... but I'd dare say this, I wouldn't doubt that the student is a product of his mentors, from the pastors to the professors. When I look back on my life and where I am theologically it is absolutely a result of a conservative holiness church upbringing and the educational dogma of KMBC and WBS. I'm personally grateful for that conservative foundation it keeps me anchored in a world of theological liberalism.
Is it that we have presented Christ and his love so poorly that some are looking beyond our walls for him?
Can it be that we have treated the true doctorine of holiness so flippantly (i.e. not living it) that an entire generation now calls us liars?
Have we messed up orthodoxy so badly, that many are searching for something that is rooted a in something deeper?
Doug,
In regard to Barna's "Revolution," I disliked and disagreed with many of his conclusions. However, it is pretty hard to argue against the statistics and the research. I just believe there are has be to be atlternatives to dealing with his findings.
In regard to this story, I've discovered that he is not so different than many of people of ministered to in my local churches. The vast majority of new members I've taken in have come from a very diverse theological background (even though they didn't realize it); as a result their theology, ethics, and overall worldview was very warped and skewed.
I often when meeting with my students, I ask them "their story" and "how are they doing?" You know what I've discovered, that many have a story not that dissimiliar from this young mans and they attend OHIO CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY (or CBC)! They may not have gone to quite the extremes of this young man, but you definitely see it in their ethics and decision making.
Aaron,
Thanks for commenting. I think your right on the money. In regard to the young man's comments regarding holiness - you cannot almost picture what was presented. Perhaps some form of ultra-conservative, overly legalist form of holiness where outward was emphasized without any real regard for inward holiness.
Also, simply by the list of traditions listed one can also safely assume that more than likely his pastors were not the most educated and therefore, probably woefully inadaquate to address this young man's spiritual questions and issues. He was probably often told, "You simply have to accept these things as a matter of faith. If you doubt, you obviously lack faith."
As a result, orthodoxy nor actual holiness was probably never articulated very well.
MORE HOT CHICKS>>>PLEASE!
Dear Pastor Jake,Your new youth pastor
is an "Big E",plus Dale Jr.fan .I finally remembered who he was after an hour.That
should be a good reference,A NASCAR fan.Also
I agree with previous post "More Hot Chicks"..
PLEASE! Don't end up like "Thinking in Ohio".
GED 3.5
I'm not quite sure how you reach a person like this for Christ because I doubt very much that they would admit to the fact that they are even in need of Christ. I have friends from the college who don't attend church now but they act as if they are doing just fine ... I dont know. I can definitely relate to what he's saying myself. I cant really seem to find a church that I like at all...
does someone who affirms the apostle's Creed really need to be "reached for Christ?"
The man attends church, believes ... reached for Christ is not his problem. Does he need a deeper relationship .. perhaps ... but is that my place to call ... absolutely not.
Thank you for all your comments. In regard to the last two Anonymous posts.
1) Be careful putting two much stock into "finding a church you actually like." In all reality, we would probably never find a church we really like. However, think about that diagnosis if you take the biblical metaphor seriously. You therefore, don't like yourself. Often our orientation is incorrect, we "go" to church. When in actuality we are the church, and therefore "be" the church. We need to look for a place to plug in and get involved to fulfill our God given purpose as a "member of the body of Christ."
2) "Does someone who affirms the apostles creed really need to be reached for Christ?" Good question!
However, to quote James, "Even the demons believe that—and shudder. (2:19)" In fact, even Hitler affirmed the apostle's creed. Perhaps we should ask, when making our assessment is does this person bear fruit? Or perhaps what is your soteriology when dealing with this scenario?
I guess when I read this story, I saw a young man who all though he has a diverse christian background he still seemed desperately lost. My heart breaks for him, and others like him.
Jake, great points.
John Drury does a nice job of showing the difference of "believing that" and "believing in" However I have to agree a bit with anon 2, I find it tough to buy that one who truly believes in the apostles creed, and who seems to be bearing fruit (ie social action and the such)
I do get a sense of lostness with him ... It's late, I'll perhaps deal more later.
Dear Prof Lee,Are you sure the author
works at North Park University in Chicago? I believe in reality he
works at South Park University in the
foothills of Colorado,and he is better
known as "Kenny".Just a small correction
that I thought was needed,thanks again
for this informative blog.
Thinking in MS.
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