Thomas Bergler
Eerdmans Publishers, 2012, 291 pp., $25.00
Will we ever grow up? Bergler argues in The Juvenilization of American Christianity that the faith in our country of the 1930s and ’40s faced the dilemma of a rapidly changing youth culture that chose to adapt to the new culture rather than risk losing its young people. Bergler suggests that in doing so, the church has paid a high price for Christian vibrancy. The price has been a tradeoff of obligation for consumption.
Prior to the emergence of youth culture, people engaged in church out of tradition, commitment and identity. This was replaced with a sense of narcissism in which people gravitated toward a feel-good faith and a faith community that meets their needs. In this context, the church has succumbed to caring for disciples rather than making disciples.
This is the ultimate missiological discussion starter. How do we contextualize the gospel to a narcissistic culture? Who are we trying to reach? What kinds of people are we hoping to produce? Are we victims of cultural narcissism or purveyors of it?
