After two and a half centuries of shacking up with “the American dream,” churches have perfected a dicey codependence between consumer-driven therapeutic individualism and religious pragmatism. These theological proxies gnaw, termite-like, at our identity as the Body of Christ, eroding our ability to recognize that Jesus’ life of self-giving love directly challenges the American gospel of self-fulfillment and self-actualization. Young people in contemporary culture prosper by following the latter. Yet Christian identity, and the “crown of rejoicing” that Wesley believed accompanied consequential faith born out of a desire to love God and neighbor, requires the former.
Dean, Kenda Creasy (2010). Almost Christian : What the Faith of Our Teenagers is Telling the American Church (p. 5). Oxford University Press. Kindle Edition.
I read this today and just wanted to share it. Thanks to Lynnette for sending me an email that got me to this book.
God be with you in the Journey!
Kevin
I am a husband, father, son, brother, friend, and pastor trying to be an authentic follower of Jesus Christ.
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