Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Almost Christian

Hi Friends,

I want to strongly encourage all my readers to visit the White Horse Inn this week and listen to their latest podcast, Almost Christian.


You can listen right on the webpage, or subscribe to the podcast and download to your mp3 player.

This podcast addresses a lot of the issues that I am concerned with, and a lot of the reasons that I write what I write. Most young people raised in the church never develop genuine faith. It is an interview with Kenda Creasy Dean, one of the researchers involved in the National Study of Youth and Religion Project, about her new book, Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers is Telling the American Church.

"The problem doesn't seem to be that churches are teaching young people badly, but that we are doing an exceedingly good job of teaching youth what we really believe: namely, that Christianity is not a big deal, that God requires little, and the church is a helpful social institution, filled with nice people."

One of the most alarming findings of this study was that it didn't matter what denomination of church they were raised in--or even if they went to church at all!--most of the young people interviewed in this five year longitudinal study did not take their faith seriously. Rather than believing anything that could be considered truly Christian, they were "moralistic therapeutic deists". In other words, God makes me feel good about myself, helps me to "be good", and gives me the things I need to be happy. Ouch.

There are some real, tangible, applicable solutions to this problem but it requires a lot more effort and motivation than we've been willing to put into the spiritual formation of our children in the past--especially by parents. Please, if you care about your children and the young people at your church, take a half-hour of your life and listen to this important interview.

By His Grace,

Tiana


p.s.--Please pass this one on to your friends...and once you've listened, please come back here and let me know what you think!

3 comments:

Erica said...

I didn't have time to listen to the entire podcast, but I liked what I heard. I thought that the findings described teenagers perfectly, especially about worshipping "whateverism". It makes it so clear how imperative it is that we as parents take an active role in our children's lives regarding our faith and what and why we believe. I want my kids to have a solid rock foundation that is a part of them, not just something we do because we should. Thanks for sharing this!

Kyle Suzanne said...

I am going to listen to the pod cast tonight while I await the twins late night feeding. But I was wondering if you have read Barnas book Revolutionary Parenting its about a survey he took of folks that raised spiritual champions.

Sarah Farrand said...

Thanks for posting this! I listened to it today (finally!), and was really challenged. I haven't followed your blog for very long, but I've really appreciated it so far! Thank you!

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About Me

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I'm a Stay-at-Home, Christian, "crunchy" mama. I have been blessed with the calling to be a godly wife and mother. I am passionate about bringing up my children in the discipline and instruction of the LORD, through home education and discipleship. Helpmeet to my best friend and soulmate, Christopher since 1/29/2000, and mama to four little blessings, including a tiny, precious, newborn baby girl.

My Writing Elsewhere...

Fixing Your Heart on Titus 2

Did you pray for your
husband today?
Monday--His Work
Tuesday--His Integrity
Wednesday--His Mind
Thursday--His Purpose
Friday--His Health
Saturday--His Protection
Sunday--His Faith

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Success is not learned. It is discovered and nurtured. What was your child born to do?
Thank goodness I was never sent to school...Beatrix Potter quote at DailyLearners.com
Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire. W.B. Yeats quote at DailyLearners.com

Our Curriculum 2010-2011

Bible--Child's Story Bible by Catherine Vos, Apologia Biblical World View Book 1, "Who is God and Can I Really Know Him?"
Catechism-- "Training Hearts, Teaching Minds" by Starr Meade
Phonics--Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
(Kindergarten), Year 1 Booklist (1st Grade)
Handwriting--Bible Copywork, made using Educational Fontware
Spelling-- All About Spelling Level 1 (1st grade)
Math--Math-U-See Primer (Kindergarten) , Math-U-See Alpha (1st grade)
World History--Simply Charlotte Mason's Genesis Through Deuteronomy and Ancient Egypt
American History--The Light and The Glory For Children Series
Art--Interest-led projects and handicrafts
Geography and Missions-- "Hero Tales" by Dave and Neta Jackson, as well as various other missionary biographies, incorporating globe and map study
*We will be studying music and phy-ed., participating in a writing club and nature club, as well as attending various field trips, with our church's homeschool group.*

Disciple Like Jesus

Disciple Like Jesus

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Raising Homemakers

Quiverfull Family

The Modest Mom

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