Inspiration

[Judy Harder]

May 7, 2009

Are Young Americans "Losing Their Religion"?
Mike Pohlman, Editor, Christianity.com

Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?
Psalm 85:6, ESV


Was R.E.M's 1991 single "Losing My Religion" a harbinger of today's religious landscape?

The ABC News headline reads, "Young Americans Losing Their Religion." But the article, based on research done by Harvard professor Robert Putnam (author of Bowling Alone), misses the more important point of Putnam's research. And by doing so buries the real lede.

First, here's how the article opens--full of doom and gloom for the future of religion in America:

New research shows young Americans are dramatically less likely to go to church -- or to participate in any form of organized religion -- than their parents and grandparents.

"It's a huge change," says Harvard University professor Robert Putnam, who conducted the research.

Historically, the percentage of Americans who said they had no religious affiliation (pollsters refer to this group as the "nones") has been very small -- hovering between 5 percent and 10 percent. However, Putnam says the percentage of "nones" has now skyrocketed to between 30 percent and 40 percent among younger Americans.

Putnam calls this a "stunning development." He gave reporters a first glimpse of his data Tuesday at a conference on religion organized by the Pew Forum on Faith in Public Life.

The numbers look daunting and leave little hope that the church will be anything but a ghost town in the not-so-distant future.

But beyond the opening paragraphs the reader sees that all is not lost for the American church. In fact, there is a tremendous opportunity to "convert" these "nones" from non-church members to vital participants in organized religion. Notice the article's conclusion:

Given that today's young "nones" probably would be in church if they didn't associate religion with far-right political views, he says, new faith groups may evolve to serve them.

"Jesus said, 'Be fishers of men,'" says Putnam, "and there's this pool with a lot of fish in it and no fishermen right now."

In the end, he says, this "stunning" trend of young people becoming less religious could lead to America's next great burst of religious innovation.

Apparently Putnam's research (the basis of his forthcoming book, American Grace) demonstrates that what turns today's young people away from the church is the association of organized religion with politics. In other words, it's not God young people reject, but a political gospel. And in America today there is good evidence to believe that the church is awakening to this important reality.

Evangelical groups are sprouting up to help return the church to a gospel-centered focus. Theology, not politics, is what's driving growing ministries like Together for the Gospel, The Gospel Coalition and 9Marks Ministries, to name a few. Christian publishers are heeding the message as well. Book houses like Crossway, Multnomah, Moody and IVP are churning out solid books on theology, doctrine, church history and ministry methods centered on the gospel. Indeed, a popular topic in books today--started by David Wells in the 1990s--is the necessity of the church to foresake worldliness and move toward a God-centered, counter-cultural lifestyle (see, for example, Tullian Tchividjian's Unfashionable, G.K. Beale's We Become What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry and Michael Horton's Christless Christianity and forthcoming The Gospel Driven Life). Add to this the fact that some of America's fastest growing churches are robustly theological and gospel-centered (see, for example, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Redeemer Presbyterian, Mars Hill Church, The Village Church and CrossWay Community Church).

In other words, it appears that "America's next great burst of religious innovation" is already happening. And, refreshingly, this "innovation"--while using new methods and means--is taking us back to theological first things.

So, may I suggest a new headline. Something like, "With Return to the Gospel, American Church Ready for Revival." 

Intersecting Faith & Life: 

What signs of revival do you see as you survey America's religious landscape? What steps can you take at home and in your church to help ensure that the gospel is central?

Further Reading

Two complimentary books that have me thinking about this issue, and leaving me hopeful, are God is Back: How the Global Revival of Faith is Changing the World and Atheist Delusions: The Christian Revolution and Its Fashionable Enemies.

[Judy Harder]

May 8, 2009

Mom's the Word
by Laura MacCorkle, Senior Entertainment Editor

Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 9:9-10, NIV

Spelled forwards or backwards, there's no mistaking the word mom. We all know what it stands for.

Turned upside down, it also reads wow. And that's something I wholeheartedly agree with-especially now that I'm old enough to understand everything that my mom did and has done for me over the years. All I can say is "Wow!"

I also think of the word instruction when I think of my mom - or any maternal figure who was influential in my life. I probably didn't like it at the time. Okay, I know I didn't like it at the time, as I always seemed to have my own agenda. But years later, I greatly appreciate the words of instruction that were given to me. My mom's words included, but were not limited to:

If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

When in doubt, don't.

Chew with your mouth closed.

Because I said so.

So? Sew a hole in the ground. (Not really sure what that was for.)

Do your best.

Did you wash your hands? Let me smell them.

Try it. You might like it.

Hide God's Word in your heart that you might not sin against him.

Now what did Mommy say?

I continue to hear these words of instruction in my head as an adult. They're part of my mom's imprint on my life. They impart lessons of kindness, perspective, right and wrong, responsibility, attentiveness and obedience. And if I show any signs of the beginning of wisdom, I'll continue to heed these words and hopefully someday impart them to my future children.

The Bible speaks of the great value and importance of instruction and how we should perceive such words and their meaning in our lives:

"Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life" (Proverbs 4:13).

"He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded" (Proverbs 13:13).

"Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD" (Proverbs 16:20).

"Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise" (Proverbs 19:20).

"Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge" (Proverbs 23:12).

You may not have always agreed with the instruction imparted to you over the years. But, as I now am, I hope that you are cherishing the treasures given to you by your mother or anyone who has filled this role in your upbringing.

My mother sowed seeds into my life. She consistently worked my strong-willed soil. And the lack of an instant bumper crop didn't discourage her. Undeterred, she kept coming back and doing her part to ensure that good things were planted into my life. She added to my heart and to my mind, so that these instructions would hopefully take root and one day bring forth spiritual fruit.

I've not become a mother yet, but I've done my fair share of babysitting and taking care of children of all ages. So I have a tiny glimpse of what is involved in this process.

To "train up a child in the way he should go" takes patience. Sacrifice. And most of all, a great love. Your mother is an earthly example of how our heavenly Father takes care of you and provides life-giving-and life-saving-instruction through his Word.

Thank God for your mother today. And take time to honor her this Mother's Day for all that she means to you as your mom.


Intersecting Faith & Life: I don't know what your relationship is like with your mother. She may not be here any longer. Or you may not have had a strong or healthy connection. This Mother's Day, however, think of someone (your mom, a relative, a teacher or any another godly woman you see as a mentor) who has given you valuable instruction. Let her know how much she has meant to you and what an impact she has made in your life.

Further Reading

Ephesians 6:1-3
Proverbs 31:30-31