The Juvenilization of American Christianity

[berkeley]

Have you read this book by Thomas E. Bergler?

Originally Posted by Product Description

Pop worship music. Falling in love with Jesus. Mission trips. Wearing jeans and T-shirts to church. Spiritual searching and church hopping. Faith-based political activism. Seeker-sensitive outreach. These now-commonplace elements of American church life all began as innovative ways to reach young people, yet they have gradually become accepted as important parts of a spiritual ideal for all ages. What on earth has happened?

https://www.amazon.com/Juvenilizatio.../dp/0802866840

[Wilsonwas]

People realized Christianty is an "inside job" not based on suits and keeping up with the nice white picket fence, two cars, and stuff.

I dont care for the Jesus is my boyfriend songs....
But have no problem with jeans and maybe a polo, or similar, no printed words and rips etc.

I think Apostolics are generally kind of sticks in the mud, stuck in an era, but oh well.....

[berkeley]

That doesn’t answer the question.

[Wilsonwas]

Originally Posted by berkeley

That doesn’t answer the question.

Hmmmm, musta missed the question. Was it not -"what happened"?

[Michael The Disciple]

Pop worship music.

Some of which is glorious and wonderful.

Falling in love with Jesus.

What? You dont love Jesus? Your not burning with passion for him?

Wearing jeans and T-shirts to church.

So? Should one wear the sacred suit? The same thing the corrupt politicians wear? The CIA assassans? Mafia hit men? Wall Street kings of greed? Media types and Hollywood actors?

Well yes they do every week! How shocking!

[Michael The Disciple]

Spiritual searching and church hopping.

Ok lets get this straight. Dont bother to search the scriptures for yourself? Dont try to find the Church that is closest to a real New Testament Church?

Faith-based political activism.

So the mainline Church goers dont vote?

Seeker-sensitive outreach.

Better than no outreach at all.

Mission trips.

Yes the Churches would rather young people sit in Sunday school class and hear about how the animals came on the Ark. Or about the baby Moses.

ANYTHING except go out of the Church walls and witness to sinners!

[Wilsonwas]

Originally Posted by berkeley

That doesn’t answer the question.

Originally Posted by Product Description
Pop worship music.
yepper.....no problem

Falling in love with Jesus.
Who has a problem with that?

Mission trips. Ok this is a little odd, kinda like a human zoo visit maybe.


Wearing jeans and T-shirts to church. No prob- wear what is modest and comfy, all else is vanity.


Spiritual searching and church hopping.
......but that was ok if you were trying to outrun the worship wars?

Faith-based political activism. Here I agree....
Politics and religion should stay far from each other.



Seeker-sensitive outreach.
we should be insensitive to seekers?

These now-commonplace elements of American church life all began as innovative ways to reach young people, yet they have gradually become accepted as important parts of a spiritual ideal for all ages. What on earth has happened-

Insert my answer from my first reply.......seems answered.

Or were you asking if we read this book, in which case I have no interest

[berkeley]

Originally Posted by berkeley

Have you read this book by Thomas E. Bergler?

Originally Posted by Wilsonwas

Hmmmm, musta missed the question. Was it not -"what happened"?

[Michael The Disciple]

These now-commonplace elements of American church life all began as innovative ways to reach young people, yet they have gradually become accepted as important parts of a spiritual ideal for all ages. What on earth has happened?

Whats happened? How about no teaching on the fear of God? No teaching on being a disciple, forsaking all for Christ? How about NO STREET evangelism or any training on witnessing to the lost?

A steady diet of no one can be perfect and we need to "lighten up".

These things DESTROY a burning faith and love for Jesus.

[Wilsonwas]

Originally Posted by berkeley

I did miss it - thanks

The answer to your question is no

The answer to the question in the quote is what I gave.