A quiet revolution over the past seventyfive years has resulted in the juvenilization of american christianity. The term juvenilization of poverty is one used to describe the processes by which children are at a higher risk for being poor, suffer consistent and longterm negative effects due to deprivation physical, mental, and psychological, and are disproportionately affected by systemic issues that perpetuate poverty. The juvenilization of american christianity by thomas e. This is a must watch for anyone not attending church. The juvenilization of american christianity grand rapids. The juvenilization of american christianity the way of. He serves as professor of ministry and missions at huntington university where he has trained youth ministers for twelve years. Juvenilization began in the 1930s and 1940s as christians faced what everyone was calling the crisis of civilization. Berglers discussions of history are in service of his key argument that while it was a good thing for youth ministry to develop in the united states and elsewhere, such a development has unwittingly become a poison to the american church. Book trailer for the juvenilization of american christianity. Taming the juvenilization of american christianity. The juvenilization of american christianity by thomas bergler grand rapids. May 02, 2012 in the juvenilization of american christianity thomas bergler traces the way in which, over seventyfive years, youth ministries have breathed new vitality into four major american church.
Finally, the journey to adulthood became longer and more confusing, with. Please begin by explaining how the whole idea of youth, youth group, and teenager arose in common understanding today. Beginning in the 1940s, bergler takes the reader on an historical journey through the development of youth ministry and youth culture in the united states to outline the origins and process of the juvenilization of american christianity and how it has benefitted and hurt each of the major streams of. Jul 09, 2012 the title of this book made me get it and read it. Juvenilization of american christianity antioch school. First, new and more powerful youth cultures created distance between adults and adolescents. What thomas bergler calls the juvenilization of american christianity has allowed some teenagers and young adults to embrace their faith more fully at a deeper emotional level. This socalled quiet revolution happened over a period of about 80 years and had the noble intention of reaching the young and so it did. The juvenilization of american christianity in journal of youth and theology. On one hand, it has kept american evangelical christianity vibrant. In the juvenilization of american christianity, he explains how evangelical youth ministries, by attempting to beat american youth culture at its own game, pushed churches to champion sensational and selfcentered models of worship. Jul 12, 2014 this is a must watch for anyone not attending church.
Yet, as thomas bergler, author of the juvenilization of american christianity writes, thats precisely whats happened. In his new book, the juvenilization of american christianity, thomas bergler offers an explanation for these damaging characteristics of the modern church. The juvenilization of american christianity christian. The bulk of the book is a somewhat historical progression of the juvenilization of american christianity with evidence drawn from these case studies, but with an emphasis on each of the case studies oneatatime. Bergler, presents a historical overview of the conditions in the midtwentieth century which produced the environment for contemporary expressions of christianity which lack seriousness, rigor, and depth of intellectualism and spirituality. Berglers research helps the church understand and diagnose many of the weaknesses that plague the contemporary evangelical church. Berglers the juvenilization of american christianity raises significant questions about such a statement. On the other, he identifies christian smiths moralistic, therapeutic deism as the current expression of a juvenilized american christianity p. Juvenilization is the process by which the religious beliefs, practices, and developmental characteristics of adolescents become accepted as appropriate for adults. The juvenilization of american christianity white horse inn. Page 2 the juvenilization of american christianity fellowship hall. Its time for the church to grow up christianity today. While juvenilization has brought certain benefits to the church, bergler argues, its liabilities outweigh those benefits. Fellowship by john macarthur given at the shepherds conference 2014 at.
In a final chapter, bergler summarizes the positive results and the negative implications of his study. American evangelicals recreated oldtime religion in the trappings of youth counterculture, and in so doing inaugurated a new juvenilized version of christianity. The juvenilization of american christianity by thomas bergler. The juvenilization of american christianity was named one of ten books every preacher should read, by r. Juvenilization definition of juvenilization by the free. The juvenilization of american christianity logos bible.
It began with the praiseworthy goal of adapting the faith to appeal to the young, which in fact revitalized american christianity. He has taught youth ministry for twelve years and is the author most recently of the juvenilization of american christianity eerdmans, 2012. In all, the juvenilization of american christianity and from here to maturity will richly repay every christian leader who takes the time to read them. Youth, christianity, and the crisis of civilization explains the emergence of youth ministry in the 1930s and 1940s. Berglers long cover story, when are we going to grow up. The juvenilization of american christianity book, 2012. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. The juvenilization of american christianity christianity today. Bergler has written an important book for the historian of american christianity.
The juvenilization of american christianity thomas bergler pdf. Sep 19, 2012 in his new book, the juvenilization of american christianity, thomas bergler offers an explanation for these damaging characteristics of the modern church. He attributes the principal problems to juvenilization, a process by which religious characteristics of adolescents became considered appropriate for adult christians. The juvenilization of american christianity page 2. In early january 20, sixty thousand young people ages 1825 attended passion, a fourday conference in atlanta, ga full of concerts, speakers, and local charity drives. The juvenilization of american christianity dts voice. The juvenilization of american christianity provides a fine history of one of the most significant revolutions in twentiethcentury christianity. For more details on the costs and benefits of juvenilization, see thomas e. Juvenilization has arrested the spiritual growth and maturity of even adult believers. The juvenilization of american christianity thomas bergler pdf by. For all but the evangelical camp, juvenilization has been a challenge and a struggle. The juvenilization of american christianity thomas e.
Sep 14, 2016 my concern is the juvenilization of american christianity being employed to attract young people who have been sesame streeted into believing that anything worthwhile must be entertaining. Juvenilization article about juvenilization by the free. Christian teenagers and youth leaders staged a quiet revolution in american church life which can properly be called the juvenilization of american christianity. The juvenilization of american christianity fare forward. The juvenilization of american christianity christianity today page 1 of 7 christianity today, june, 2012 august 22, 20 the following article is located at. Review of the juvenilization of american christianity by thomas bergler. Like many bookreading pastors, i pay attention to suggested reading lists. The juvenilization of american christianity stand up for. In berglers analysis, no aspect of american christianity was left unscathed by the effects of juvenilization. Overcoming the juvenilization of american christianity grand rapids. On the one hand, juvenilization has kept american christianity vibrant p. It is common to hear thirty, forty, or even fiftyyearolds say things like, i guess i have to start thinking of myself as an adult now.
Mar 03, 2015 juvenilization began in the 1930s and 1940s as christians faced what everyone was calling the crisis of civilization. Bergler find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. The juvenilization of american christianity thomas e bergler. The buddy of christ furthermore, while new prose crafted for a juvenilization may stand in for other material from the source text, it does not necessarily stand for. Second, christians responded by creatively adapting the faith to adolescent tastes. Juvenilization is the process by which the religious beliefs. Several television programs such as south park and the simpsons have produced episodes that ruthlessly mock christian youth culture. Bergler shows too how this juvenilization of churches has led to.
Read the juvenilization of american christianity pdf by thomas bergler eerdmans pop worship music. In the 1940s and early 50s, secularism and moral permissiveness seemed to menace the youth flock. The researchers stress that moralistic, therapeutic deism is not unique to teenagers. The juvenilization of american christianity by thomas. Jan 17, 2014 african studies american studies ancient near east and egypt art history asian studies book history and cartography biblical studies classical studies education. As they lived through the massive disruptions of the great depression, world war ii, and the cold war, adults feared that unless young people were saved and mobilized for christ, american freedom and democracy might collapse. For a number of years now, al mohler, the president of the southern baptist theological seminary, has published a top ten list of books that would be helpful to those in the ministry. Leaders who can help the church grow up the journal of youth ministry 9. It is the religion of american culture that has supplanted historic christianity. Bergler is associate professor of ministry and missions at huntington university, indiana. Thomas e bergler thomas bergler traces the way in which, over seventyfive years, youth ministries have breathed new vitality into four major american church traditions african american, evangelical, mainline. Award of merit for the juvenilization of american christianity, the church and pastoral.
My concern is the juvenilization of american christianity being employed to attract young people who have been sesame streeted into believing that anything worthwhile must be entertaining. Review of the juvenilization of american christianity, by. In the juvenilization of american christianity thomas bergler traces the way in which, over seventyfive years, youth ministries have breathed. The juvenilization of american christianity the poached. Bergler americans of all ages are not sure they want to grow up. Anyone concerned with the church and its ministries can learn from reading this book and reflecting on the changes that bergler describes. Beginning in the 1930s and 40s, christian teenagers and youth leaders staged a quiet revolution in american church life that led to what can properly be called the juvenilization of american christianity. The juvenilization of american christianity and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Many emerging adults ages eighteen to twentythree want. The juvenilization of american christianity the reformed reader. In the juvenilization of american christianity thomas bergler traces the way in which, over seventyfive years, youth ministries have breathed new vitality into four major american church traditions african american, evangelical, mainline protestant, and roman catholic. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app.
Bergler, the juvenilization of american christianity eerdmans, 2012. Project muse the juvenilization of american christianity. Most scholars believe that the idea of adolescence was more or less invented. Apostolic friends forum the fellowship hall fellowship hall. Instead, the juvenilization of american christianity emerges in its final chapter as a polemic work. The juvenilization of american christianity and from here to maturity, by thomas e. Expert guidance on how to grow up in christ this book is a followup to thomas berglers acclaimed work the juvenilization of american christianity, which documents how church youth ministries over the past several decades have contributed to a process of adolescent spiritual traits becoming accepted and even celebrated by christians of all ages. Young people, with their passion and authenticity, are the gold standard of christian spirituality 2. The juvenilization of american christianity the reformed. The juvenilization of american christianity, by thomas e. Review of the juvenilization of american christianity by.
It began with the praiseworthy goal of adapting the faith to appeal. And while evangelicals saw great growth and rising popularity of their brand of christianity, it by no means resulted in a healthy, mature. Jun 11, 2012 yet, as thomas bergler, author of the juvenilization of american christianity writes, thats precisely whats happened. Beginning in the 1940s, bergler takes the reader on an historical journey through the development of youth ministry and youth culture in the united states to outline the origins and process of the juvenilization of american christianity and how it has benefitted and hurt each of the major. The juvenilization of american christianity june, 2012 november 20, 2017 johnfea this is a fascinating article by thomas bergler, a professor at huntington university in indiana and a historian of christian youth culture. Bergler made a splash with his book and muchdiscussed ct cover story the juvenilization of american christianity, arguing that wellintentioned efforts to reach young people. The juvenilization of christianity by thomas bergler explores the wideranging ramifications of this revolution across. Mark regnerus and jeremy uecker, premarital sex in america. The juvenilization of american christianity bergler, thomas on. How young americans meet, mate, and think about marrying new york. The search for a grownup youth culture reflections. The juvenilization of american christianity berean research. Berglers thesis is that during the mid20th century, a crisis in civilization arose the world wars, the rise of communism and fascism, etc. The juvenilization of american christianity is a grandiose title that doesnt deliver as much as it implies.
When my wife and i were growing up, our mainline congregations would periodically sponsor youth sunday. This quiet revolution has resulted in the juvenilization of american christianity, according to historian thomas bergler. Larry eskridge institute for the study of american evangelicals, wheaton college one of the key themes within the american church since the 1930s and particularly since the 1960s has been the change in how congregations approach youth ministry and youth culture. The term connotes not just the mere existence of child poverty but the increase. Bergler, the juvenilization of american christianity grand rapids. Bergler article pdf available january 20 with 162 reads. The juvenilization of american christianity were all adolescents now.