In the spring of 2012, american religious historian thomas e. Bergler, a student of george marsden and associate professor of ministry and missions at huntington university in, locates the origins of. Overcoming the juvenilization of american christianity grand rapids. 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. An important book appeared earlier this yearone that warrants widespread attention in the north american church. 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. 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 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. Bergler, the juvenilization of american christianity eerdmans, 2012. 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. Bergler describes juvenilization as the process by which the religious beliefs, practices. 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 and missions at huntington university in indiana. Author thomas bergler here describes what have been the effects good and bad of juvenilization on the shape 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. Bergler s chronicle of the juvenilization of the church is particularly instructive for leaders in the local church.
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 kindle. The juvenilization of american christianity jordan monge. Bergler structures his argument around a range of religious traditions. In the juvenilization of american christianity thomas bergler traces. Thomas bergler on the effects of juvenilization on american. In his new book, the juvenilization of american christianity, thomas bergler offers an explanation for these damaging characteristics of the modern church. On the one hand, juvenilization has kept american christianity vibrant p. Buy the juvenilization of american christianity by thomas bergler isbn. Bergler is associate professor of ministry and missions at huntington university, indiana.
He teaches youth ministry courses and serves as senior associate editor of the journal of youth ministry. On the other, he identifies christian smiths moralistic, therapeutic deism as the current expression of a juvenilized american christianity p. The juvenilization of american christianity dts voice. When my wife and i were growing up, our mainline congregations would periodically sponsor youth sunday. The juvenilization of american christianity and from here to maturity, by thomas e. And some result from what thomas bergler calls the juvenilization of christianity or a lack of spiritual maturity. Project muse the juvenilization of american christianity. He has written what amounts to a history of the creation, rise and evolution of youth ministry in the american church. The process by which things that might be normal and good for a teenage spiritually come to be accepted and even idealized. 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. 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.
The juvenilization of american christianity grand rapids. Not too long ago, there were no church youth groups. The juvenilization of american christianity by thomas. Instead, the juvenilization of american christianity emerges in its final chapter as a polemic work. Ordained servant online orthodox presbyterian church. In a final chapter, bergler summarizes the positive results and the negative implications of his study. Terry linhart, youth specialties roundtable, episode 3, march 19, 20. Bergler provocatively and persuasively argues that, for american christianity at the dawn of the twentyfirst century, every sunday is. The juvenilization of american christianity by thomas bergler. 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. The juvenilization of american christianity book, 2012.
Thomas bergler juvenilization of american christianity. But their belief that evangelizing young people was the key to. Book trailer for the juvenilization of american christianity by. Bergler has written an important book for the historian of american christianity. The juvenilization of american christianity thomas e. Bergler dropped a bomb on the playground of evangelicalism with his the juvenilization of american christianity. Anyone really trying to understand the dynamics of american christianity must read this book. Bergler explores how the effects that american christianity has undertaken since the 1940s.
This book is an essential companion to the juvenilization of american christianity. Church leaders failed to subject cultural norms to biblical scrutiny. 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. 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. 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. 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. In his book, the juvenilization of american christianity, thomas bergler, addresses some of the seismic changes in the american church.
Several months ago, i read a fine book by thomas e. The juvenilization of american christianity by thomas e. The juvenilization of american christianity and from. Bergler made a splash with his book and muchdiscussed ct cover story the juvenilization of american christianity, arguing that wellintentioned efforts to. 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. 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 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. Its time for the church to grow up christianity today. Bergler is associate professor of ministry andmissions at huntington university. Bergler offers incrediblydetailed insight regarding the metamorphosis of the church.
The juvenilization of american christianity by thomas bergler grand rapids. Bergler, the juvenilization of american christianity grand rapids. Thomas berglers the juvenilization of american christianity served as a catalyst for a muchneeded conversation and selfassessment for. Instead, most remained optimistic that youth culture could be easily tamed or ignored.
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. 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 book covers the american cultural shift in focus towards youth beginning in the 1930s to the present time. Bergler explores indepth the problem of the juvenilization of american christianity primarily through four case studies that are interwoven through the book. Bergler shows too how this juvenilization of churches has led to.
Eerdmans bookstore was pleased to welcome thomas bergler, author of the juvenilization of american christianity, for a book talk and signing august 16, 2012. Its a problem that plagues contemporary society, says professor tom bergler, whose new book, the juvenilization of american christianity. The juvenilization of american christianity by thomas bergler author. Thomas bergler, associate professor of ministry and missions at huntington university, has written a disturbing book that will be released in april. Bergler, in his book the juvenilization of american christianity provides a history of one of the most significant revolutions of the twentiethcentury church. 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 is a professor at huntington university in indiana and a church historian specializing in youth ministry.
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. The juvenilization of american christianity quotes by. Both should be required reading for sessions and youth leaders. The juvenilization of christianity by thomas bergler explores the wideranging ramifications of this. 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. The juvenilization of american christianity, by thomas e. Youth for christ, a dynamic parachurch ministry founded to do youth evangelism and its influence on evangelical churches. The sunday morning service was turned over to the youth group, under the supervision of one of the ministers. The juvenilization of american christianity the reformed. 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. Thomas berglers the juvenilization of american christianity wm. The juvenilization of christianity by thomas bergler explores the. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
The juvenilization of american christianity is a grandiose title that doesnt deliver as much as it implies. Bergler noted that he wrote the second book as a response to the heavy. Juvenilization critic, thomas bergler, says its time. Like many bookreading pastors, i pay attention to suggested reading lists. 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. If honest, i have to admit that some of these scenarios might have been justified. 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. Overcoming the juvenilization of american christianity.
227 506 275 971 39 874 1075 466 295 1101 1615 792 1160 1379 1156 166 1200 765 651 1564 684 900 263 811 1531 1233 476 1527 591 753 253 956 678 8 140 1392 438 1170 246 1046 1095 907 1239