DOCSLIB.ORG

ARTICLES Public Schools Are Not Religion Free Zones J. Brent Walker ...20 BOOK REVIEWS the Early Church On

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
ARTICLES Public Schools Are Not Religion Free Zones J. Brent Walker ...20 BOOK REVIEWS the Early Church On Christian Ethics Today A Journal of Christian Ethics Volume 22, Number 1 Aggregate Issue 92 Winter 2014 “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’” Isaiah 40:3; John 1:23 ARTICLES Pope Francis and The Joy of The Gospel Walter B. Shurden ............................. 2 Evangelicals and Climate Change Charles Redfern ................................................. 5 Black Baptists and Same Sex Marriage Aaron Douglas Weaver ..................... 9 The Re-assassination of MLK Wendell Griffin .............................................................14 Sexual Predators Beware! Rita Hoyt Jenkins ................................................................17 Public Schools are not Religion Free Zones J. Brent Walker .........................20 Marriage and Contraception Nathan C. Walker .......................................................21 A “Duck Call” For All J. Randall O’Brien ..............................................................................22 God as Sister, God and Sister Martin E. Marty ...........................................................23 BOOK REVIEWS The Early Church on Killing, by Ron Sider Reviewed by Tony Campolo ...24 By the Rivers of Water, by Erskine Clarke Reviewed by Darold Morgan ...25 VERSE Bringing Transcendence in Play James A. Langley ................................................27 KUDZU by Doug Marlette Pope Francis and The Joy of the Gospel By Walter B. Shurden mazon gives it five stars! I think Francis’ intent could not be more Persons, and the Lay Faithful. Surely Ait may be the most important clear or upfront: “In this Exhortation his primary target was the entire religious book of 2013, but I did not I wish to encourage the Christian Church he leads. And while being see it make any of the “Best Religious faithful to embark upon a new cautious about reading non-Catholic Books of 2013” lists. chapter of evangelization marked by biases into the words of Francis, I It is The Joy of the Gospel: this joy [of the gospel], while point- thought Francis had some rather EVANGELII GAUDIUM, written ing out new paths for the Church’s specific Catholic targets in mind. by Pope Francis I. With this, his first journey in years to come.”2 This One of those targets appeared to be Apostolic Exhortation delivered on “Exhortation” from this happy Pope those bishops and priests who would November 24, 2013, Francis I, like is about the “joy of the gospel.” It deny the Eucharist to politicians and John XXIII a half century before him, is about the “joy of the gospel” that leaders whose opinions on social threw open the windows to let some provides the motivation for evange- issues, such as abortion, differed fresh air into the Roman Catholic lism, for missions, and for outreach with their own. Francis said, “The Church. Protestants and all religion- to all people, especially to the poor. It Eucharist, although it is the fullness ists and non-religionists would profit is about the primacy and joy of grace of sacramental life, is not a prize for from inhaling some of this invigorat- that precedes what Francis calls evan- the perfect but a powerful medicine ing air. gelization. This is primarily a work of and nourishment for the weak . Shortly after being elected the missiology. Do not listen to anyone Frequently, we act as arbiters of grace 266th Pope, the former Jorge Mario who tells you differently. rather than its facilitators. But the Bergoglio jested with the Cardinals, The document has an introduc- Church is not a tollhouse; it is the “May God forgive you for what you house of the Father, where there is have done.” If The Joy of the Gospel is a place for everyone, with all their a signpost of where he wants to take This “Exhortation” from this problems.”3 the Catholic Church, the Cardinals happy Pope is about the “joy But I suspect that he had a much will need no forgiveness. wider audience in mind than the This warm, joyous, biblical, pas- of the gospel.” Catholic Church alone. His genuine toral, relevant, prophetic, and, at ecumenical embrace is reflected in times, personal statement has been paragraph 201 where he voices his egregiously mischaracterized by the tion and five chapters. Chapter 1 of “trust” in “all Christians” to accept his public media and pundits such as this missionary essay is entitled The renewed call to “spiritual conversion, Rush Limbaugh. This is not a docu- Church’s Missionary Transformation, the intensity of the love of God and ment whose primary purpose is to chapter 2 is Amid the Crisis of neighbor, zeal for justice and peace, assail Wall Street. However, with its Communal Commitment, chapter [and] the Gospel meaning of the comprehensive description of evan- 3, a chapter on preaching from one poor and of poverty.” While he cer- gelization, it certainly does not give who is not an exceptional preacher, is tainly did not direct this Exhortation unregulated free market capitalism The Proclamation of the Gospel, and explicitly toward “followers of non- a pass. One certainly understands Chapter 4 is The Social Dimension Christian religions,” Muslims, and all why it gives extreme conservatives of Evangelization. Chapter 4 is the “non-Christians,”4 Francis doubtless theological and economic reflux. But chapter that has drawn the most criti- will be pleased if these groups peek contrary to what you may have heard cism, and one suspects that it is the over his shoulder and sense his open- or read regarding the document, you only chapter that the most virulent ness. Moreover, one cannot doubt need to hear Francis clearly say that critics have read, caring little for the that Francis would be especially “this Exhortation is not a social docu- central theological theme of Pope pleased if heads of state and world ment.”1 Surely he must have known Francis. Chapter 5, containing a governmental leaders would heed his that some would interpret it precisely Pentecostal echo, is entitled “Spirit- words on the social dimensions of the as a “social” document, and he obvi- Filled Evangelizers.” gospel. Again, however, Francis is pri- ously did not care. He did not care To whom did Francis address this marily issuing a wide-ranging spiritual because he deeply believes that the Exhortation? Part of the long and call for Christians to evangelize, and “social” is a vital part of Christian awkward title identifies his audience: this includes the transformation of evangelization. To the Bishops, Clergy, Consecrated structures as well as persons. 2 • WINTER 2014 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY The primary theme: the joy of unintentionally dismisses all the slick for tenderness and openness to the the Gospel: But what does Francis techniques and clever strategies in most marginalized among us. actually say in the document? He evangelism textbooks that have come Decentralization and theologi- repeats many of the themes that the from Christian publishers. He says, cal humility within the Catholic public media have picked up and “ . anyone who has truly experi- Church: Because he is conscious of spread abroad about him, especially enced God’s saving love does not need “the need to promote a sound `decen- his concern for the poor and the much time or lengthy training to go tralization” in the Church,” Francis lowly. But here you learn that his out and proclaim that love.”11 To be does not believe that “the papal mag- concern for the poor, his motivation sure, this proclamation is not simply isterium should be expected to offer a for lifting the lowly, comes deeply a word we speak. “An evangelizing definitive or complete word on every from his faith. Writing this essay as community gets involved by word and question which affects the Church a pastoral theologian, not a social deed in people’s daily lives; it bridges and the world.” “It is not advisable,” welfare worker, Francis has one over- distances, it is willing to abase itself if he says, “for the Pope to take the place arching and general theme in this necessary and it embraces human life, of local Bishops in the discernment of particular document. It is a theme touching the suffering flesh of Christ every issue which arises in their terri- that the media has not discerned. This in others. Evangelizers thus take on tory.”15 “Excessive centralization,” he theme, as stated above, is that IT IS the `smell of the sheep.’”12 repeats, “rather than proving helpful, JOY, THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL, While the overarching theme is complicates the Church’s life and her THAT CREATES A MISSIONARY abundantly clear, one cannot help but missionary outreach.”16 AND EVANGELIZING CHURCH. notice recurring secondary themes. Along with decentralization, Francis Where there is no joy, where spiri- There are many subthemes one can calls for the Church to rediscover tual ardor has evaporated, there is no identify. Here are four that caught my some theological humility. He speaks reaching out by the church.5 attention. often of the need for the church itself Because “there are Christians whose Inclusion, Not Exclusion: This to be evangelized. “The Church is lives seem like Lent without Easter,”6 Pope has open arms, and he wants a herself a missionary disciple; she needs Francis invites all Christians, with Church with open doors. Speaking to grow in her interpretation of the some Baptist sounding language, “to revealed word and in her understand- a renewed personal encounter with ing of truth.” The social sciences, Jesus Christ or at least an openness to Where there is no joy, philosophy, theology and pastoral 7 letting him encounter them.” When where spiritual ardor has practice “can enable the Church to we encounter or have a renewed grow.” He acknowledges that the call encounter with God’s love, “we are evaporated, there is no for theological growth and open- liberated from our narrowness and reaching out by the church. ness will cause consternation among self-absorption.” And “here we find some.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • How the U.S. Christian Right Is Transforming Sexual Politics in Africa
    Colonizing African Values How the U.S. Christian Right is Transforming Sexual Politics in Africa A PUBLICATION OF POLITICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES BY KAPYA JOHN KAOMA Political Research Associates (PRA) is a progressive think tank devoted to supporting movements that build a more just and inclusive democratic society. We expose movements, institutions, and ideologies that undermine human rights. PRA seeks to advance progressive thinking and action by providing research-based information, analysis, and referrals. Copyright ©2012 Political Research Associates Kaoma, Kapya John. ISBN-10: 0-915987-26-0 ISBN-13: 978-0-915987-26-9 Design by: Mindflash Advertising Photographs by: Religion Dispatches, Michele Siblioni/AFP/Getty Images, Mark Taylor/markn3tel/Flickr This research was made possible by the generous support of the Arcus Foundation and the Wallace Global Fund. Political Research Associates 1310 Broadway, Suite 201 Somerville, MA 02144-1837 www.publiceye.org Colonizing African Values How the U.S. Christian Right is Transforming Sexual Politics in Africa A PUBLICATION OF POLITICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES BY KAPYA KAOMA POLITICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES i Colonizing African Values - How the U.S. Christian Right is Transforming Sexual Politics in Africa Foreword ganda’s infamous 2009 Anti-Homosexuality Bill, onstrates in Colonizing African Values that the Ameri- which would institute the death penalty for a can culture wars in Africa are growing hotter. Tracing U new and surreal category of offenses dubbed conflicts over homosexuality and women’s repro- “aggravated homosexuality,” captured international ductive autonomy back to their sources, Kaoma has headlines for months. The human rights community uncovered the expanding influence of an interde- and the Obama administration responded forcefully, nominational cast of conservative American inter- the bill was tabled, and the story largely receded ests.
    [Show full text]
  • Tabalujan, Benny Simon (2020) Improving Church Governance: Lessons from Governance Failures in Different Church Polities
    Tabalujan, Benny Simon (2020) Improving church governance: Lessons from governance failures in different church polities. MTh(R) thesis. https://theses.gla.ac.uk/81403/ Copyright and moral rights for this work are retained by the author A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge This work cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Enlighten: Theses https://theses.gla.ac.uk/ [email protected] Improving Church Governance Lessons from Governance Failures in Different Church Polities by Benny Simon TABALUJAN A thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Theology (University of Glasgow) Edinburgh Theological Seminary 10 December 2019 © Benny Tabalujan, 2019 i Abstract This thesis focuses on the question as to whether using a particular church polity raises the likelihood of governance failure. Using the case study research method, I examine six case studies of church governance failures reported in the past two decades in the English media of mainly Western jurisdictions. The six case studies involve churches in the United States, Australia, Honduras, and Singapore. Three of the case studies involve sexual matters while another three involve financial matters. For each type of misconduct or alleged misconduct, one case study is chosen involving a church with congregational polity, presbyteral polity, and episcopal polity, respectively.
    [Show full text]
  • Minister in Gay Prostitution Scandal to Make 'Groundbreaking' Announcement Recommend 89 People Recommend This
    EDITION: U.S. INTERNATIONAL Sign up Log in Home Video NewsPulse U.S. World Politics Justice Entertainment Tech Health Living Travel Opinion iReport Money Sports Feedback Minister in gay prostitution scandal to make 'groundbreaking' announcement Recommend 89 people recommend this. By the CNN Wire Staff June 2, 2010 1:56 a.m. EDT NewsPulse Most popular stories right now Ted Koppel mourns son's death Stuck blade stalls BP effort to STORY HIGHLIGHTS (CNN) -- Ted Haggard, the megachurch pastor and former National cap well Ted Haggard's career as a Association of Evangelicals chief whose career was undone by a gay pastor went south after a sex prostitution and drugs scandal in 2006, is expected to talk about the UK police find body believed to and drugs scandal in 2006 next step in his career Wednesday. be suspected Haggard admitted to the sex 40 years of marriage, then the allegations, but said he tossed With his family by his side at his Colorado Springs home, Haggard is the drugs separation expected to a make "surprise groundbreaking" announcement, He also stepped aside as pastor according to a news statement Tuesday. A jazzy wedding for 'Glee's' of the 14,000-member New Life Church Jane Lynch In 2006, Haggard admitted he had received a massage from a Explore the news with NewsPulse » Denver, Colorado, man who claimed the prominent pastor had paid him for sex over three years. Haggard also admitted he had bought methamphetamine but that he threw it away. After the allegations were made public, Haggard resigned as president of the influential National Association of Evangelicals, an umbrella group representing more than 45,000 churches with 30 million members.
    [Show full text]
  • UNDENIABLE the Survey of Hostility to Religion in America
    UNDENIABLE The Survey of Hostility to Religion in America 2014 Edition Editorial Team Kelly Shackelford Chairman Jeffrey Mateer Executive Editor Justin Butterfield Editor-in-chief Michael Andrews Assistant Editor Past Contributors Bryan Clegg An Open Letter to the American PEople UNDENIABLE To our fellow citizens: The Survey of Hostility to Religion in America Hostility to religion and religious freedom in America—institutional, pervasive, damaging hostility—can no longer reasonably be denied. And 2014 Edition yet there remain deniers. Because denial of these attacks is a mortal threat to the survival and health of Kelly Shackelford, chairman our republic, Liberty Institute and Family Research Council collaborated in 2012 to publish a survey documenting the frequency and severity of incidents Jeffrey Mateer, executive editor of hostility. In the 2013 survey entitled Undeniable, the research team led by Justin Butterfield, editor-in-chief a Harvard-trained constitutional attorney found almost twice the number of incidents in the previous twelve months than all the incidents found from Michael Andrews, assistant editor several years’ past. The rate of hostility was increasing at an alarming rate. This year in Undeniable: The Survey of Hostility to Religion 2014, the team Copyright © 2013–2014 Liberty Institute. of researchers again documented an alarming increase in the number of All rights reserved. hostile incidents toward religion from the year before. The rate of hostility is continuing to climb. We offer Undeniable 2014 to you, the American people, as an alarm bell This publication is not to be used for legal advice. Because the law is ringing in the night. We believe the many public opinion surveys showing constantly changing and each factual situation is unique, Liberty Institute that you, the people, are still a religious people.
    [Show full text]
  • “Loving the Sinner, Hating the Sin”: an Analysis of American
    1 “LOVING THE SINNER, HATING THE SIN”: AN ANALYSIS OF AMERICAN MEGACHURCH RHETORIC OF HOMOSEXUALITY Presented to The Faculty of the Department of Religion The Colorado College In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Bachelor of Arts By Ann Duncan May/2014 2 Introduction Recently the issue of homosexuality has come to represent a majorly divisive factor within American Christianity as more and more churches are defining their boundaries, or lack thereof, at homosexuality: many congregations believe that practicing homosexuality is not an acceptable aspect of one’s life that will allow passage into God’s Kingdom or salvation. Within megachurches, Protestant churches having at least 2,000 attendees per week, homosexuality often presents itself as a divisive and controversial issue. Megachurches tend to be situated on the more conservative and evangelical end of the spectrum of Protestant Christianity and, therefore, many of their congregations have expressed disapproval of homosexuality; they preach doctrines providing content for rhetoric following the guidelines of sexual purity as follows from divine law within their congregations. These doctrines include the biblical literalist approach to abiding by divine law, the presence of sin in today’s world, and the conscious choice to continue living a life in sin. It is through the combination of these doctrines, one choosing to act in a sinful manner going against the divine law accepted when one takes a literal approach to the Bible, which allows megachurches to arrive at the conclusion that the “homosexual lifestyle” constitutes a sin worthy of condemnation. However, megachurches are also using rhetoric of love and acceptance regardless of sexuality.
    [Show full text]
  • Spreading the Gospel of Climate Change: an Evangelical Battleground
    NEW POLITICAL REFORM NEW MODELS OF AMERICA PROGRAM POLICY CHANGE LYDIA BEAN AND STEVE TELES SPREADING THE GOSPEL OF CLIMATE CHANGE: AN EVANGELICAL BATTLEGROUND PART OF NEW AMERICA’S STRANGE BEDFELLOWS SERIES NOVEMBER 2015 #STRANGEBEDFELLOWS About the Authors About New Models of Policy Change Lydia Bean is author of The Politics New Models of Policy Change starts from the observation of Evangelical Identity (Princeton UP that the traditional model of foundation-funded, 2014). She is Executive Director of Faith think-tank driven policy change -- ideas emerge from in Texas, and Senior Consultant to the disinterested “experts” and partisan elites compromise PICO National Network. for the good of the nation -- is failing. Partisan polarization, technological empowerment of citizens, and heightened suspicions of institutions have all taken their toll. Steven Teles is an associate professor of political science at Johns Hopkins But amid much stagnation, interesting policy change University and a fellow at New America. is still happening. The paths taken on issues from sentencing reform to changes in Pentagon spending to resistance to government surveillance share a common thread: they were all a result of transpartisan cooperation. About New America By transpartisan, we mean an approach to advocacy in which, rather than emerging from political elites at the New America is dedicated to the renewal of American center, new policy ideas emerge from unlikely corners of politics, prosperity, and purpose in the Digital Age. We the right or left and find allies on the other side, who may carry out our mission as a nonprofit civic enterprise: an come to the same idea from a very different worldview.
    [Show full text]
  • 2017 Official General Election Results
    STATE OF ALABAMA Canvass of Results for the Special General Election held on December 12, 2017 Pursuant to Chapter 12 of Title 17 of the Code of Alabama, 1975, we, the undersigned, hereby certify that the results of the Special General Election for the office of United States Senator and for proposed constitutional amendments held in Alabama on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, were opened and counted by us and that the results so tabulated are recorded on the following pages with an appendix, organized by county, recording the write-in votes cast as certified by each applicable county for the office of United States Senator. In Testimony Whereby, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great and Principal Seal of the State of Alabama at the State Capitol, in the City of Montgomery, on this the 28th day of December,· the year 2017. Steve Marshall Attorney General John Merrill °\ Secretary of State Special General Election Results December 12, 2017 U.S. Senate Geneva Amendment Lamar, Amendment #1 Lamar, Amendment #2 (Act 2017-313) (Act 2017-334) (Act 2017-339) Doug Jones (D) Roy Moore (R) Write-In Yes No Yes No Yes No Total 673,896 651,972 22,852 3,290 3,146 2,116 1,052 843 2,388 Autauga 5,615 8,762 253 Baldwin 22,261 38,566 1,703 Barbour 3,716 2,702 41 Bibb 1,567 3,599 66 Blount 2,408 11,631 180 Bullock 2,715 656 7 Butler 2,915 2,758 41 Calhoun 12,331 15,238 429 Chambers 4,257 3,312 67 Cherokee 1,529 4,006 109 Chilton 2,306 7,563 132 Choctaw 2,277 1,949 17 Clarke 4,363 3,995 43 Clay 990 2,589 19 Cleburne 600 2,468 30 Coffee 3,730 8,063
    [Show full text]
  • Ccu's New President
    STUDENT CENTER UPDATE CCU2THEWORLD ALUMNI STORIES FALL 2016 CCU’S NEW PRESIDENT: DR. DON SWEETING Feature Story (Page 10) ccu.edu/alumni LETTER FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT | Fall 2016 Dear Friends, The past year has been a whirlwind of emotions. We grieved, as a community, the loss of our great leader, President Bill Armstrong. And, on October 1st, we welcomed a new president at the helm of our beloved university. As always, it is our goal to keep you informed about and also proud to be associated with Colorado Christian University. In this edition of BEYOND, you will see some of the ways CCU is engaging with the broader community through public policy and political science; some of the wonderful events and various programs going on; and you’ll learn about the man whom the board of trustees unanimously voted to be our next president. As we move forward into a new era at CCU, we do so trusting always in the grace and sovereignty of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are excited to introduce you to CCU’s new president, Dr. Donald Sweeting. You can read more about him on page 10, but I’d like to share with you my perspective on the man God has appointed to this position. After a decade under the guidance and leadership of President Bill Armstrong, this University needs a president who stands boldly for the convictions and values that CCU holds. Dr. Sweeting does just that. And, having served on CCU’s board of trustees for 11 years, Dr. Don Sweeting has an inside understanding of the University’s Statement of Faith, Strategic Objectives, mission and vision statements, and our pursuit to become a great university.
    [Show full text]
  • Unrisd United Nations Research Institute for Social Development
    UNRISD UNITED NATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Religion, Politics and Gender Equality Country Report: USA Janet R. Jakobsen, Elizabeth Bernstein Department of Women’s Studies, Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, USA Final Research Report prepared for the project Religion, Politics and Gender Equality September 2009 The United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) is an autonomous agency engaging in multidisciplinary research on the social dimensions of contemporary devel- opment issues. Its work is guided by the conviction that, for effective development policies to be formulated, an understanding of the social and political context is crucial. The Institute attempts to provide governments, development agencies, grassroots organizations and scholars with a better understanding of how development policies and processes of economic, social and envi- ronmental change affect different social groups. Working through an extensive network of na- tional research centres, UNRISD aims to promote original research and strengthen research capacity in developing countries. UNRISD, Palais des Nations, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland phone 41 (0)22 9173020; fax 41 (0)22 9170650; [email protected], www.unrisd.org The Heinrich Böll Foundation is a Green Think Tank that is part of an International Policy Net- work promoting ecology, democracy, and human rights worldwide. It is part of the Green politi- cal movement that has developed worldwide as a response to the traditional politics of social- ism, liberalism, and conservatism. Its main tenets are ecology and sustainability, democracy and human rights, self-determination and justice. It promotes gender democracy, meaning so- cial emancipation and equal rights for women and men, equal rights for cultural and ethnic mi- norities, societal and political participation of immigrants, non-violence and proactive peace poli- cies.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Economic Battle Plan
    Phil Robertson - Unplugged 2.48 [Economic Battle PlanTM points: 65) Background Briefing: While the world around us may seem crazy, there is a bigger plan. Security threats, economic details, money, and fights for freedom may at times feel overwhelming. Sometimes, it is good to sit back and keep perspective on what is most important in life. This week your briefing moves from the DC swamp to the beautiful Louisiana swamp for a fresh perspective with Phil Robertson. Learn the most important topic he discussed with President Trump. Your Mission: Love your God, Trust Your God, Fear Your God, Practice Capitalism. (OSINT)– Open Sourced Intelligence Briefing Open Sourced Intelligence Briefing. This includes quotes, dialogues and summaries of Economic War Room conversations with Kevin Freeman and Phil Robertson. Phil Robertson is an American icon, professional hunter, businessman (Duck Commander company), and reality television star on the popular series “Duck Dynasty.” He is also featured on the television show Duck Commander, a hunting program on the Outdoor Channel as well as “Into the Woods”, on BlazeTV.com. “If we have food and clothing. We will be content with that. America has lost is the ability to be content. They are always nervous. They seem to be mad when they get up in the morning and they have their hand out. The young people especially, you know, ask ‘who’s going to help me? You owe me! ‘Entitlements,’ just the word gets me. They’re entitled because they are alive and breathing on planet Earth?” –Phil Robertson page 1 Phil Robertson - Unplugged 2.48 [Economic Battle PlanTM points: 65) 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Bruxy Cavey and the Meeting House Megachurch: a Dramaturgical Model of Charismatic Leadership Performing “Evangelicalism for People Not Into Evangelicalism”
    Bruxy Cavey and The Meeting House Megachurch: A Dramaturgical Model of Charismatic Leadership Performing “Evangelicalism for People Not Into Evangelicalism” by Peter Schuurman A thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfilment of the thesis requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 2016 © Peter Schuurman 2016 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Author’s Declaration I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public. ! ii ! Abstract Megachurch pastors—as local and international celebrities—have been a growing phenomenon since the 1960s, when megachurches began to proliferate across North America. Why are these leaders and their large congregations so popular in an age of increasing “religious nones”? Commentators in both popular and academic literature often resort to characterizing the leadership with stereotypes of manipulative opportunists along the lines of Sinclair Lewis’ Elmer Gantry (1927) or narrow characterizations of savvy entrepreneurs who thrive in a competitive religious economy. Similarly, writers assume megachurch attendees are a passive audience, or even dupes. This dissertation challenges the Elmer Gantry stereotype and the religious economic perspectives by examining one particular megachurch pastor named Bruxy Cavey in the context of his “irreligious” megachurch community called
    [Show full text]
  • Megachurches, Pastoral, and Theologies of Consumption
    disClosure: A Journal of Social Theory Volume 19 Consuming Cultures Article 12 4-2010 After the Garden is Gone: Megachurches, Pastoral, and Theologies of Consumption Andrew Battista University of Kentucky DOI: https://doi.org/10.13023/disclosure.19.12 Follow this and additional works at: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/disclosure Part of the English Language and Literature Commons This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License. Recommended Citation Battista, Andrew (2010) "After the Garden is Gone: Megachurches, Pastoral, and Theologies of Consumption," disClosure: A Journal of Social Theory: Vol. 19 , Article 12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13023/disclosure.19.12 Available at: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/disclosure/vol19/iss1/12 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by disClosure: A Journal of Social Theory. Questions about the journal can be sent to [email protected] Battista Andrew Battista church is similar Lo many olher garganluan worship cenlers, in that it claims Lo welcome diversity but is comprised mainly of a white, educated, middle-class core. According to the After the Garden is Gone: Hartford Institute for Religion Research, which has provided Lhe mosl thorough research aboul the megachurch movemenl available thus far, megachurch members are "more Megachurches, Pastoral, and affiuenl on average Lhan churchgoers of lhe nation as a whole."3 Over one-fourth of Theologies of Consumption megachurch allendees have a household income of over $100,000, and nearly two-thirds I werit to the Garden of Love, And saw what I never had seen: make al least $50,000.4 Soulhland, a massive estate that many Lexington residents A Chapel was built In the midst, pejoratively refer to as "Six Flags over Jesus," is one example of a trend where evangelic~! Where I used co play on the green.
    [Show full text]