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Younger Evangelicals Drug of Choice

Written by Michael Cline : March 12, 2008

In a packed gym at Bethel University, a panel of engaged Christians came together to discuss issues involved in community development in the local Twin Cities area. When the floor was opened for questions, the first to come to off the lips of the moderator reading the crowd’s 3×5 cards was very telling: “Is caring about ‘social justice’ just the latest fad or trend in Christianity, or is this something that will stick around?” The speedy response from one panelist was the obvious but often neglected answer: “That depends on you.” By “you,” he meant all those in the gym taking in the insights of the panel and the stories of the irresistible revolution exemplified by Shane Claiborne.

This was “a night to change the world” (the title of the event). Whether such a designation would truly be realized was up to the throng gathered, not the lofty rhetoric of any one presenter. Demonstrating his understanding of what it would actually take to bring to fruition such a slogan, fellow Jesus Manifesto contributor/editor Mark Van Steenwyk had earlier declined an opportunity to throw out a new idea, but rather had the crowd sit in silence for 20 seconds, desperately hoping the attractive aspects of community development would do more than just bring awareness, but action. For an openly ironic benediction, Neeraj Mehta closed with the words of the multi-billionaire corporate empire Nike: “Just do it!”

Robert Webber’s foundational book The Younger Evangelicals characterizes the title group by a commitment to the plight of the poor, especially in urban hubs (among many other characteristics). He says of the younger evangelicals’ vision of the church: “The true gospel is portrayed best by the community that believes it, embodies it, and testifies to it in the midst of any given culture in all places and at all times.” (p. 133) It should be noted that “younger evangelicals” is not a label bound to a certain age group, but to people who are committed to being biblically rooted, historically informed, and culturally aware in a 21st century fashion (p. 16). The concern echoed by the panelists and Shane Claiborne was about the wide disconnect between being “aware” and “embodying.” Everyone in the gym left aware of the cause…fliers were handed out…websites were plugged…and communities and organizations already “doing it” were in attendance for anyone interested in jumping into the waters.

In many ways, the age that has brought us the younger evangelicals has also graced us with more “awareness” than ever before. Technology has made it easy. Just a few clicks of the mouse and I am in the “hall-of-fame” of recruiters for various social justice causes on Facebook. Give me the html code and I can create a banner to throw on my blog about sex trafficking, global warming, or fair trade. Marketing genius has brought a white ONE Campaign bracelet to my wrist, a global rock concert to my television, and Starbucks to my cupboards. In wearing, watching, and spending…awareness feels good. But Webber also notes that younger evangelicals supposedly realize the unity between thought and action. There is an “embodying” of the awareness that takes place. This step seldom feels good, and unlike awareness, requires sacrifice and the admission that we rarely live up to the lofty aims of most slogans and ads.

Being aware has often become an end in itself. Has “social justice” already become the latest fad? I admit, as a continually recovering social justice junkie, that it is easy to quote the number of AIDS victims in Africa while never knowing the name of my next door neighbor. College campuses in particular seem to be feeding frenzies of all things “socially just.” But is it spreading? As being “just” gains momentum in culture as a whole, community development and social causes will only further be branded and marketed as nicely packaged solutions to complex problems. And while the band plays on, many evangelicals will ceaselessly open their veins for another shot of that top-shelf awareness. The measure of our being will move from how many MySpace acquaintances we can claim, to how many causes we sign our name under. All the while, to embody the call of Christ will remain for those considered “radicals” who dare to kick the habit, and who venture out into the strange world of action. But to do so in an authentic way that refuses to blend into the crowd’s easy definitions will be the true trial.

Author Bio:: Michael Cline considers himself a freelance pastor and and over-employed learner who currently attends Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. When not snuggling with his wife, or taking a drag of awareness, he’s blogging at www.reclinerramblings.blogspot.com




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Viewing 18 Comments

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    I had a friend from seminary approach me yesterday and ask: "How is what you folks were talking about last night different from the 'social gospel.'?"

    When all of this simply flows out of a reaction against our previous failures and out of a desire to make the world a better place, it can easily fall into the old trap of "social gospel." What we need is an integrative vision. I'm afraid that some of this stuff is too easily processed through the horribly insufficient evangelical grid of "proclaimed gospel" versus "social gospel." And sometimes it easily gets coopted by the liberal perspective.

    Catholics and Anabaptists have traditionally had the tools to integrate these things into one shared vision of gospel ministry. And around the world, there are movements of holistic servants who don't draw a distinction between embodying Christ and proclaiming his message.
    • ^
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    What does the Lord require of us as humans?: to DO justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.
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    Thanks for this. One problem that I have in the youth group I work is the kids really are aware of all the problems of the world. Many of them want to move to Africa when they are older, practice social justice, and many other things. But they are also the least likely to do anything about it. With all the awareness in the world, very few of them could think of tangible ways to implement their ideas in the world. Sometimes we are bombarded with issues that we don't take the time to think about any of them.
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    The problem that many people will have who come from an evangelical background is that many such churches do absolutely nothing in terms of organized social action so it becomes very easy for them to slip back into an Evangelical coma when they return home. In Evangelicalism it's just pray, read your Bible, and wait for the world to fall apart.
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    From where I see the world, non-Evangelicals suck almost as much with this stuff, simply in different ways.
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    I suppose so - Evangelicalism is just my current vantage point so I can speak to that better than the others. How do you convince these types of people that this stuff matters? So many of them don't see a reason to get involved.
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    The old issue of walking the walk right? We can talk about this stuff all day and come up with lots of good ideas and theories but what good is that doing the homeless guy that just wants a meal and clean pair of socks?

    As discussed it's a matter of connecting awareness to action. My thought is that if we are truly striving to have a loving relationship with God and doing our best to follow Christ's way of doing this then it will manifest itself in such a way in our life that we are in fact aware of these issues and doing something about it. I think Micheal had it right on in saying that action "requires sacrifice and the admission that we rarely live up to the lofty aims of most slogans and ads". At the end of the day I think a lot of times it comes down to the fact that people like the IDEA of being about it but can't, won't or don't follow through because they truly aren't striving to follow Christ or connect with the Father.

    Social justice should be another means to connect with God by us sharing His love in us with others. As is true with prayer, reading the bible, sharing wisdom, teaching God's word, etc. And if we are doing so in the loving spirit of God are we not proclaiming the Gospel? Are we not fulfilling the mission Jesus put before us? Sure there are more direct ways people associate with proclaiming the Gospel (i.e. preaching, witnessing, church planting, etc) but when someone out of love, compassion and selflessness for another person does something to ease their suffering is this not proclaiming what Jesus was all about? All love comes from God so when we do something out of love we are sharing Jesus with that person which to me is what proclaiming the Gospel is.

    I think people get too hung up on definitions and meanings of words that do little more than give academics and theologians something to talk or write about. In this way I don't think we can assume because a church doesn't actively talk about or preach about "social justice" in the way it's commonly understood doesn't mean they are waiting "for the world to fall apart". Absolutely there is more to do in areas of social justice. The same could be true of any aspect of our faith though. At the end of the day though, do we individually or as a body of believers feel that we are putting God's loving relationship first in our life or not? To answer your question Luke, to convince people why they should get involved should be the same reasons they go to church to worship, why they pray, why they read their bibles, why we accept that Christ redeemed us from sin, ect; It's how we facilitate spiritual growth within ourselves and as a body ultimately strengthening our loving relationship with the Creator.
    • ^
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    It's all about awareness...
    http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/2008/...
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    The new wave of "awareness" cannot even be considered a true call for action; it is merely an arousal of attention with no substance.
    It has only bred a consumer friendly subgenre of activism.
    Buying bracelets and t-shirts will never change the world and it will never legitimize the avarice of capitalism; obviously, it alleviates the problem financially, but ultimately (how cliche it may sound), the change relies solely upon the individual (who subsequently contributes to the Body of Christ).
    For the Christian and the rest of the world, cultural lies and evils must be uprooted within ourselves through repentance in order to adhere to the teachings of Christ; we must reject the implementation of American and worldly lifestyle in order for us to fully align with the Gospel. I struggle so much with being economically responsible, and I am so far from being "Shane Claiborne". Regardless, I believe that God will honor my effort, as He has just recently brought to light this sin.
    The tides have been shifting toward this direction of New Monasticism, and I feel that it is a righteous response to a recently uncovered, ancient truth that has been buried underneath the layers of sinful, wasteful, and greedy living.
    Hopefully, God will utilize this movement (not a fad, as consumer activism is a fad) to make right any wrongs within the Church, and to compose a holy community of interdependence and submission to the Body of Christ.
    • ^
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    For those easily offended, this link may not be for you.

    But for those who enjoy a good satire and can see the truth behind the laughing, check out "Stuff White People Like #18--Awareness."

    http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/2008/...
    • ^
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    Sorry Adam and Michael...the link you both share caused your comments to be marked as "spam." That is why both comments just now showed up.
    • ^
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    Don't talk about it; Be about it. Love God; Love People.
    • ^
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    Yeah, I think part of the problem is that I am waiting for someone to start something, like I am using that as an excuse to be passive. I should just do something.
    • ^
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    I agree with the sentiment, Pablito. But while most talk is cheap, not all talk is cheap. Sometimes people need to start with talking. It is the sort of abstract talking that is disconnected from follow-through that is worthless.

    I think people get so swept up in grandiose things that get action-constipated. They talk and talk about how they'd like to go overseas or be a part of Christian Peacemaker Teams or whatever that they don't put real thought and energy into what is in front of them. We need to give ourselves permission to start small.
    • ^
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    Zechariah 4:10
    Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.
    • ^
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    I just want to make sure that everyone who reads this post knows that I am not "despising small beginnings" (thanks for the wake up call Emily), In many ways, I am just as much a part of the problem as I am the solution. I hardly know my neighbors names. I sign up on Facebook for a lot of the gimmicky branding of social justice causes. I even have the html badge on my blog.

    We do have to begin small. But we need to be mindful of the coopting and the branding that takes place that allows us to sign up without ever picking up our feet.
    • ^
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    Right on, Michael. And I think the "gimmicky branding of social justice causes" is what doesn't give us, as Mark said, "permission to start small," and doing actual, but little things, like stepping out and meeting your neighbors. The "awareness" frenzy, I think you are talking about, is like a lofty list of new years resolutions (a list that is easy to make, in the same way complaining is easy). If we were just committed to trusting and following Jesus moment by moment without lists and causes that so easily get stored away in our minds and checked off before they are accomplished, we could see the little things add up. Only the branch on the vine produces fruit. You don't latch on to the branch till you're inspired by a cause and then you run off. You stay connected to the vine moment by moment, little thing by little thing. I'm NOT against dreaming big, because the Spirit of Jesus ignites us with giant dreams (like land flowing with milk and honey, a world liberated from pain that feels like childbirth, triumph over evil, trully big stuff). But Jesus doesn't give us big dreams so that we run away with them and end up accomplishing nothing because we're not connected to him, instead, we stay close at hand for all the little instructions that follow the dream. Long story short: talk helps to stir stuff up in our hearts, but only following Jesus real close gets stuff done (at least stuff that will last).
    • ^
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    we're all part of a grand mosaic; the overall vision of God brought about in this world through Jesus Christ. and yet without each individual small piece making up the entire mosaic there could be master piece. we have to be able to see the larger picture we are creating and yet not stuck because we are consumed with the idea of painting the entire picture in one sweeping motion.... each conscious choice and action we each make in loving communion with Christ is another stroke in completing the overall master piece of God. some of us may have bigger brushes than others but that doesn't make any part less significant or meaningful to beautiful vision of the Father's kingdom we are painting.

    so whether your brush is large, medium, small or some where in between; whether your a skilled artists with lots of training or your painting by the numbers; whether your painting a large section in the middle of the painting or a small part in the one of the corners... the point is that God is calling us all to be part of the master piece and paint!!
 

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