Thomas bergler the juvenilization of american christianity book

The juvenilization of american christianity book, 2012. Anyone really trying to understand the dynamics of american christianity must read this book. Lutheran quarterly bergler does an outstanding job describing youth culture. Bergler provocatively and persuasively argues that, for american christianity at the dawn of the twentyfirst century, every sunday is. The book covers the american cultural shift in focus towards youth beginning in the 1930s to the present time. The juvenilization of american christianity the reformed.

Eerdmans, 2012 raises many important points that deserve careful reflection and discussion by the church, and particularly in that segment of the evangelical church that is. Not too long ago, there were no church youth groups. Thomas berglers the juvenilization of american christianity served as a catalyst for a muchneeded conversation and selfassessment for. Thomas bergler on the effects of juvenilization on american. 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. The juvenilization of american christianity by thomas.

In a final chapter, bergler summarizes the positive results and the negative implications of his study. But their belief that evangelizing young people was the key to. Both should be required reading for sessions and youth leaders. The juvenilization of american christianity, by thomas e.

Bergler dropped a bomb on the playground of evangelicalism with his the juvenilization of american christianity. 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 christianity by thomas bergler explores the. 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. Bergler describes juvenilization as the process by which the religious beliefs, practices. The juvenilization of american christianity dts voice. The juvenilization of american christianity thomas e bergler. The juvenilization of american christianity by thomas e. In the spring of 2012, american religious historian thomas e. Terry linhart, youth specialties roundtable, episode 3, march 19, 20. He has written what amounts to a history of the creation, rise and evolution of youth ministry in the american church. His main argument is that since american christianity at the time thought that the youth were the future, it bred a christianity that was juvenile. Thomas bergler, the critic of juvenilization, wants to put us back on the path to spiritual maturity. An important book appeared earlier this yearone that warrants widespread attention in the north american church.

In the juvenilization of american christianity, bergler examines the historical origins of youthcentered religion and the significant impact this trend has had on presentday american religion. Bergler, the juvenilization of american christianity eerdmans, 2012. The juvenilization of american christianity by thomas bergler author. If honest, i have to admit that some of these scenarios might have been justified. When my wife and i were growing up, our mainline congregations would periodically sponsor youth sunday. Book trailer for the juvenilization of american christianity by. The sunday morning service was turned over to the youth group, under the supervision of one of the ministers. Bergler explores how the effects that american christianity has undertaken since the 1940s.

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. Bergler, a student of george marsden and associate professor of ministry and missions at huntington university in, locates the origins of. 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. The juvenilization of christianity by thomas bergler explores the wideranging ramifications of this revolution across the denominational spectrum, examining not only its impact upon young people but also the larger implications positive and negative for the entire church. Bergler s chronicle of the juvenilization of the church is particularly instructive for leaders in the local church. In the ninth spot for the best books that i read in 2016 is a followup book to thomas berglers the juvenilization of american christianity this book, from here to maturity was written in 2014 after the initial volume was written in 2012 dealing with the immaturity of american churches.

Bergler is associate professor of ministry and missions at huntington university in indiana. The juvenilization of american christianity kindle. 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. 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 had contributed to a crisis of spiritual immaturity. To give them an academic and historical account of the religious evolution, i would simply hand them a copy of the juvenilization of american christianity by thomas bergler.

Thomas bergler from here to maturity the englewood. Church leaders failed to subject cultural norms to biblical scrutiny. The juvenilization of american christianity is a grandiose title that doesnt deliver as much as it implies. Bergler shows too how this juvenilization of churches has led to. Bergler has written an important book for the historian of american christianity. The juvenilization of american christianity and from. Bergler noted that he wrote the second book as a response to the heavy. Bergler, the juvenilization of american christianity grand rapids. Back then, of course, as thomas bergler recounts in his new book the juvenilization of american christianity, christian leaders were primarily concerned about the threats of communism and juvenile delinquency preachers saw the two as deeply related rather than technology and sex. Bergler is associate professor of ministry and missions at huntington university, indiana. On the one hand, juvenilization has kept american christianity vibrant p. He argues that the story of juvenilization is a story not of a sinister plot or a noble crusade, but of unintended consequences and unquestioned assumptions juvenilization, 5. Finally, bergler deals with each of the movements in a very charitable manner, attributing to each movement the best of motives, and lauding them with genuine praise in the successes achieved, while at the same time delivering his wellformulated verdict.

I call the book disturbing because its going to shake us up. Bergler made a splash with his book and muchdiscussed ct cover story the juvenilization of american christianity, arguing that wellintentioned efforts to. Several months ago, i read a fine book by thomas e. Bergler offers incrediblydetailed insight regarding the metamorphosis of the church. The process by which things that might be normal and good for a teenage spiritually come to be accepted and even idealized. Juvenilization of american christianity antioch school. The juvenilization of american christianity quotes by. 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. 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. Author thomas bergler here describes what have been the effects good and bad of juvenilization on the shape of american christianity. On the other, he identifies christian smiths moralistic, therapeutic deism as the current expression of a juvenilized american christianity p. Ordained servant online orthodox presbyterian church. Bergler opens by stating, beginning in the 1930s and 1940s, christian teenagers and youth leaders staged a quiet revolution in american church life which can properly be called the juvenilization. Project muse the juvenilization of american christianity.

And some result from what thomas bergler calls the juvenilization of christianity or a lack of spiritual maturity. Bergler structures his argument around a range of religious traditions. This book is an essential companion to the juvenilization of american christianity. Bergler, in his book the juvenilization of american christianity provides a history of one of the most significant revolutions of the twentiethcentury church. Instead, most remained optimistic that youth culture could be easily tamed or ignored.

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. Instead, the juvenilization of american christianity emerges in its final chapter as a polemic work. Thomas bergler juvenilization of american christianity. The juvenilization of christianity by thomas bergler explores the wideranging ramifications of this revolution across the denominational spectrum, examining not only its impact upon young people but also the larger implications. Bergler explores indepth the problem of the juvenilization of american christianity primarily through four case studies that are interwoven through the book. Juvenilization critic, thomas bergler, says its time. Overcoming the juvenilization of american christianity. Its time for the church to grow up christianity today. Eerdmans bookstore was pleased to welcome thomas bergler, author of the juvenilization of american christianity, for a book talk and signing august 16, 2012. In his new book, the juvenilization of american christianity, thomas bergler offers an explanation for these damaging characteristics of the modern church. Like many bookreading pastors, i pay attention to suggested reading lists. In the juvenilization of american christianity thomas bergler traces.

The juvenilization of american christianity thomas e. The juvenilization of american christianity by thomas bergler. Thomas berglers the juvenilization of american christianity shows readers how youth groups got to this point in time, and how the church has changed along the way, so that they might have a clearer idea of how to get to their destination of a fully lived faith. 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. Thomas bergler, associate professor of ministry and missions at huntington university, has written a disturbing book that will be released in april.

The juvenilization of american christianity and from here to maturity, by thomas e. Buy the juvenilization of american christianity by thomas bergler isbn. In the juvenilization of american christianity thomas bergler traces the way in which, over seventyfive years, youth ministries have breathed. In his book, the juvenilization of american christianity, thomas bergler, addresses some of the seismic changes in the american church. 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. The juvenilization of american christianity grand rapids.

One of the authors main points in this book is that many christians in america have a juvenilized faith. Bergler is associate professor of ministry andmissions at huntington university. He teaches youth ministry courses and serves as senior associate editor of the journal of youth ministry. Bergler is a professor at huntington university in indiana and a church historian specializing in youth ministry. Overcoming the juvenilization of american christianity grand rapids. The juvenilization of american christianity jordan monge. Thomas bergler, the juvenilization of american christianity. Its a problem that plagues contemporary society, says professor tom bergler, whose new book, the juvenilization of american christianity.

Youth for christ, a dynamic parachurch ministry founded to do youth evangelism and its influence on evangelical churches. The juvenilization of christianity by thomas bergler explores the wideranging ramifications of this. Below is an interview with thomas bergler on his forthcoming book, the juvenilization of american christianity eerdmans, april 2012, discerning how youth ministry has influenced the church at large. Thomas berglers the juvenilization of american christianity wm. The juvenilization of american christianity by thomas bergler grand rapids. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. But in such an atmosphere, it was unlikely that anyone would pay much attention to how youth and their preferences could and would dramatically reshape the face of american christianity.