The Obeisance of Idolatry

With a budget almost beyond comprehension President Obama has oiled the wheels of the Federal machine to provide greater provision to the people. The goal of getting more and more people dependent on the Federal government has taken a huge leaped in President Obama's budget. It is no secret that since the implementation of the New Deal in the 1930's and 1940's more and more people became dependent upon the Federal government to provide the needed sustenance to live. As the news of the enormous amount of Federal spending proposed to take place under Obama's new budget began to spread I came across this pertient quote by Herbert Schlossberg in Idols of Destruction. He states, Looking to the state for sustenance is a cultic act; we rightly learn to expect food from parents, and when we regard the state as the source of physical provisions we render to it the obeisance of idolatry. We need to be continually reminded to whom we are to look for susteance: God

The Here and Now of Narcissism

I have been reading Herbert Schlossberg's Idols for Destruction for the past month. It is very interesting and intriguing read. The book was written in the early 80's but the things he mentions and writes about can be seen as reality in our culture today. In the chapter on Idols of Nature he has a section titled "The Cult of Narcissism." Note what Schlossberg says, "The cult of self-expression, with all its excrescences, has become so persuasive that society is often said to have fallen into narcissism. The individual believes himself to the measure of both reality and moral principle. Thus, there are no standards, no belief in eternal truth, no objective measure of right and wrong; norms are delusions, and self-discipline serves no purpose."
I think we could easily say that our culture has reached the pinnacle of narcissism. The statement that "what is true for you may not be true for me," epitomizes the cult of narcissism. The story regarding the Miss USA pagaent and the question from Perez Hilton to Miss California is a great example of the cult of narcissism that permeates our society. I recognize that this is nothing new. However, it really serves as a reminder that this is our world, our society, our culture and our mission field may we go with the authority of Jesus Christ and proclaim him as truth.

Book Review - Liquid Life

In an effort to try to comprehend and understand culture better, I have taking on the task of attempting to read through several secular sociology books. I think these books provide a profitable aspect of where people are today. Although at times discerning the argument and thought of the author may be difficult the benefits gleaned are greatly applicable. The author Zygmunt Bauman begins the introductory chapter with these words, "'Liquid life' and 'liquid modernity' are intimately connected. 'Liquid life' is a kind of life that tends to be lived in a liquid modern society. 'Liquid modern' is a society in which the conditions under which its members act change faster than it takes the ways of acting to consolidate into habits and routines. Liquidity of life and that of society feed and reinvigorate each other. Liquid life, just life liquid modern society, cannot keep its shape or stay on course for long." Very simply 'liquid life' is simply a life that lived in constant uncertainty because society has become a 'liquid society,' a society in constant change.The book is an attempt to try and provide the reader with an awareness of the conditions that have created a life of liquidity because of the liquid society in which each individual lives and exists. The book is filled with great quotes that provide a foundational understanding of how society influences and impacts the lives of individuals.

"Flattened into a perpetual present and filled to the brim with survival-and-gratification concerns (it is gratification to survive, the purpose of survival being more gratification), the world inhabited by 'spiritual lumpenproletarians' leaves no room for worries about anything other than what can be, at least in principle, consumed and relished on the spot, here and now" (p.7)

"'Individuality' stand today, first and foremost, for the person's autonomy, which in turn is perceived as simultaneously the person's right and duty" (p.19)

"Unable to slow down the mind-boggling pace of change, let alone to predict and control its direction, we focus on things we can, or believe we can, or are assured that we can, influence: we try to calculate and minimize the risk that we personally, or those currently nearest and dearest to us, may fall victim to the uncountable and indefinable dangers which the opaque world and its uncertain future hold in store" (p.68-69)

"Consumer society rests its case on the promise to satisfy human desires in a way no other society in the past could do or dream of doing. The promise of satisfaction remains seductive, however, only so long as the desire stays ungratified; more importantly, so long as there is a suspicion that the desire has not bee truly and fully gratified" (p.80)

"Consumer markets feed on the anxiety of prospective consumers which they themselves arouse and do their best to intensify" (p.92)

If your interested in getting a cultural perspective from a well-known sociologist, I would highly recommend this book by Zygmunt Bauman.

The Weightlessness of God

One of my most favorite authors is David Wells, professor of Systematic Theology at Gordon-Conwell Seminary. His books have greatly enhanced my ability to understand the underlying currents of our culture; which have assisted me in formulating and developing ways in which to make the gospel relevant. In his book, God in the Wasteland: The Reality of Truth in a World of Fading Dreams, he writes a chapter entitled, "The Weightlessness of God." He begins the chapter by stating, "It is one of the defining marks of Our Time that God is now weightless. I do not mean by this that he is ethereal but rather that he has become unimportant. He rests upon the world so inconsequentially as not to be noticeable. He has lost his saliency for human life. Those who assure the pollsters of their belief in God's existence may nonetheless consider him less interesting than television, his commands less authoritative than their appetites for affluence and influence, his judgment no more awe-inspiring than the evening news, and his truth less compelling than the advertisers' sweet fog of flattery and lies. That is weightlessness. It is a condition we have assigned him after having nudged him out to the periphery of our secularized life. His truth is no longer welcome in our public discourse. The engine of modernity rumbles on, and he is but a speck in its path." Of course, we would almost all certainly agree that this be the picture of our fast paced modern world. But Wells continues, "it is less clear to many that it may also be the case, albeit in less blatantly and obvious ways, in the church."
I concur with Wells. Therefore, the challenge is not only to manifest God to a culture who has clearly moved him out of bounds but to reinvigorate the people in our churches to make him an active participant in their lives.

The Invisible Hand

In 1979, Christopher Lasch wrote a most intriguing book entitled The Culture of Narcissism: American Life in an Age of Diminishing Expectations. I started reading the book a few months back but got sidetracked with other interests. I intend to pick it up again because of its enormous relevancy to understanding our narcissistic culture. Nevertheless, Lasch provides a pertinent quote in regards to what I call the "invisible hand" of the mass media upon the lives of peoples. Lasch states, "The mass media, with the cult of celebrity and their attempt to surround it with glamour and excitement, have made Americans a nation of fans, moviegoers. The media give substance to and thus intensify narcissistic dreams of fame and glory, encourage the common man to identify himself with the stars and to hate the "herd," and make it more and more difficult for him to accept the banality of everyday existence."

Book Review - Lost and Found:The Younger Unchurched and the Churches that Reach them

I think as Christians we would all agree that we are at the center of an ever-changing world. A world that is rapidly becoming post-Christian. A generation of people are being raised up who have never been associated with the church nor have than they any understanding of Christianity. This generation is tagged as Young Adults. This segment of the population has become immensely absent from life of our churches. Therefore, there is a great challenge for the church in how to reach and minister to this segment of the population. Is this a daunting task? Yes. Can young adults be reached for Christ? Yes. Is there away to understand the thinking process of this segment? Yes. Ed Stetzer, along with Ritchie Stanley and Jason Hayes, have evaluated and analyzed this segment of the population and are highly optimistic that the church can reach and minister to this group of individuals. The information, evaluation, and analysis have been put into a book titled, Lost and Found.

Lost and Found is a timely read for any Pastor, minister, or church leader in need of understanding that missing segment of most churches: Young Adults. The purpose of the book is succinctly stated as being "who the younger unchurched are and how to reach them" (p.3). The book is simply divided into three parts: who they are, the ministry needs, and churches that are effectively reaching them. It is my purpose to shortly discussion each section, provide quotes, and offer an analysis of the book.

Part one provides the foundation of understanding who the young adults are that are absent from the lives of our churches. Through interviews and surveys the authors provide a solid bases of who these individuals are that are not being reached. The section offers four aspects: the types of unchurched, what they believe, what the future holds, and then a wrap-up. I think an assumption that many churches have regarding this group of individuals is that they are closed to any discussion regarding Jesus Christ. The data provided by the authors seems to point to a different direction. This then should be viewed as a great opportunity. However, the discouraging aspect is the segment has a disappointing view of those associated with the church. These are the two conclusions reached at the end of part one by the authors.

Part two provides information young adults are passion about. From research and surveys the authors identify four areas: community, depth, responsibility, and connection. Each of these areas are identified as valued areas that young adults are looking for society to provide. This portion of the book provides great insight into the thinking of young adults which is imperative in forming ministries that connect with these individuals.

Part three is the section that brings together the information and thoughts of the previous two sections by examining those churches across America that are successfully reaching the young adult segment. It is always beneficial to identify those entities that are involved in ministries that are reaching groups that are difficult to reach and in this case young adults. The authors provide good solid data that churches can study and modify to meet young adults in their context. The final section is simply the how to as provided by differing churches.

Let me briefly provide a few quotes:
"Emerging generations 'long to belong' and are hungry for a we-centered approach to growing spiritually, rather than a me-centered approach" (p.76).

"Rather than behave/believe/belong ministry, we must move toward belong/believe/become model. What this means is that an unchurched individual is immediately welcomed into the community with other Christians" (p.84).

"Young adults are looking for something more realistic - something that allows real challenges, real struggle, and real examination" (p.93).

"It's a mystery to many young adults, both inside and outside of church life, why more Christians don't take their 'responsibilities' more seriously. Young adults believe in global responsibility; they know their choices make a difference. And they are living their lives in a manner that reflects this belief" (p.111).

"Being transparent is allowing others to look into through your life, displaying a window to your soul...Those windows are also opened to move people to meaningful action. That is the kind of transparency that will connect with younger adults" (p.211).

Let me conclude by offering a few thoughts regarding the book. First, I have always enjoyed the writing of Ed Stetzer. Every book I have read written by him has always enlightened my perspective in how to effectively minister and reach people with the gospel. Lost and found is no different. If it your desire to glean an understanding of what this group of individuals think about faith, Jesus, church, and life; this book will be a great benefit. Secondly, I thought the format of the book enhanced the ability to understand young adults better. The progression from the polling, to the characteristics, to the practicality, enables the reader to develop a thorough understanding of the process it will take to reach these individuals. In closing, the book was a fantastic read and one which I will consider as one of the best reads so far this year. If you desire to reach this segment of the population then I believe this book is the one to read.