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Reframing the Gospel for Millennials: a Study in Shame, Identity, and Belonging Douglas Heck [email protected]

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Reframing the Gospel for Millennials: a Study in Shame, Identity, and Belonging Douglas Heck Dheck16@Georgefox.Edu Masthead Logo Digital Commons @ George Fox University Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations 2-1-2019 Reframing the Gospel For Millennials: A Study in Shame, Identity, and Belonging Douglas Heck [email protected] This research is a product of the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program at George Fox University. Find out more about the program. Recommended Citation Heck, Douglas, "Reframing the Gospel For Millennials: A Study in Shame, Identity, and Belonging" (2019). Doctor of Ministry. 315. https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/dmin/315 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at Digital Commons @ George Fox University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctor of Ministry by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ George Fox University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY REFRAMING THE GOSPEL FOR MILLENNIALS: A STUDY IN SHAME, IDENTITY, AND BELONGING A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF PORTLAND SEMINARY IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF MINISTRY BY DOUGLAS HECK PORTLAND, OREGON FEBRUARY 2019 Portland Seminary George Fox University Portland, Oregon CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL ________________________________ DMin Dissertation ________________________________ This is to certify that the DMin Dissertation of Douglas Heck has been approved by the Dissertation Committee on February 11, 2019 for the degree of Doctor of Ministry in Semiotics and Future Studies Dissertation Committee: Primary Advisor: Phillip Carnes, DMin Secondary Advisor: A. J. Swoboda, PhD Lead Mentor: Leonard I. Sweet, PhD Copyright © 2019 by Douglas Heck All rights reserved ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Many loving people have added treasures to my life and made this journey possible. Without their inspiration, this journey would never have begun. The hunger for seeking the meanings of signs and for deeper knowledge was inspired by Derek Brown, whose faithful friendship, theological investment, spiritual fathering, and modeling how to follow Jesus have changed the course of my life, marriage, and ministry. I am also ever-encouraged by Dr. Shirl DeBay, my ever-positive mom and willing late-night volunteer editor. I am deeply indebted to Horizon Church, where I pastor, for supporting me in every way, including releasing finances, time commitments, and ministry attention to allow me to refocus my energy during this undertaking. Especially significant in this is my son, and close associate minister, Daniel Heck. Ultimately, I acknowledge the sacrifice and enduring love of my wife, Ellen, who has given up countless weeks and months in order to see this dream completed. Her ever- available attention to discuss and listen to new ideas take voice provided the place where embryonic truths began to live and breathe. Her partnership in learning, giving, and following Jesus is my greatest encouragement. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................. III ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................ VII CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCING THE PROBLEM .......................................................... 1 The Millennial Generation Is Leaving the Church ...................................................... 1 Dissertation Summary................................................................................................ 2 Understanding Core Human Needs ............................................................................ 3 Defining Shame ......................................................................................................... 7 The Expanding Communication Gap ....................................................................... 11 Statistical Evidence of the Exodus ........................................................................... 12 Research Revealing Six Core Reasons for This Exodus ........................................... 15 Churches Are Overprotective ............................................................................. 16 Christianity Is Shallow ....................................................................................... 18 Church Seems Anti-Science ............................................................................... 20 Questions of Sexuality ....................................................................................... 22 Church Appears Exclusive ................................................................................. 23 The Church Feels Unfriendly to Those Who Doubt ............................................ 24 Reframing the Gospel for an Appropriate Presentation ............................................ 27 Describing Holistic Scripture Interpretation ....................................................... 27 Using a Holistic Gospel as the Bridge ................................................................ 30 Navigating Three Primary Mindsets......................................................................... 33 The Three Mindsets Described ........................................................................... 33 Blended Mindsets are Emerging......................................................................... 36 How to Assess the Mindsets in Individuals ........................................................ 38 CHAPTER 2: BIBILICAL FOUNDATIONS— THE HUMAN NEED FOR HONOR, IDENTITY, AND BELONGING .................................................................................. 41 Taking a Fresh Look at Scripture ............................................................................. 41 Hiding ..................................................................................................................... 43 A Deeper Look into the Origin of Guilt, Shame, and Fear ........................................ 47 Guilt .................................................................................................................. 48 Shame ................................................................................................................ 49 Fear ................................................................................................................... 51 Comparing the Resulting Theological Mindsets ....................................................... 54 Theological Blind Spots ........................................................................................... 59 Solution for Fear: The Ransom Theory of Atonement ........................................ 64 Solution for Shame: The Satisfaction Theory of Atonement ............................... 65 Solution for Guilt: Penal Substitutionary Atonement .......................................... 66 Shame Status-Reversal as a Primary Biblical Theme ............................................... 68 The Ephesian Application Using Guilt, Shame, and Fear ......................................... 71 CHAPTER 3: SHAME DYNAMICS ........................................................................... 74 iv Emerging Awareness of Shame/Honor Dynamics in Today’s Culture ...................... 75 Comparing Honor/Shame vs. Guilt/Innocence Worldviews...................................... 80 America’s Quest for Wholehearted Living ............................................................... 85 Pastoral Awareness and Applied Grace .................................................................... 88 CHAPTER 4: IDENTITY – THE PRIMARY QUEST ................................................. 94 Who Am I? .............................................................................................................. 94 Identity through Temperament Assessment Tools .................................................... 97 A Biblical Look at Personality Traits ....................................................................... 99 The Design-Gifts in Scripture ................................................................................ 100 Design-Gifts as Seen in the Creation Story ....................................................... 104 Design-Gifts as Seen in the Temple Implements .............................................. 109 Design-Gifts as Seen in Jesus’ Mission Statement ............................................ 116 Design-Gifts as Seen in the Sevenfold Spirit of God ........................................ 121 Design-Gifts as Seen in the Seven Churches of Revelation............................... 125 Conclusion: Human Identity Revealed by Design-Gifts ......................................... 136 CHAPTER 5: BELONGING ...................................................................................... 139 Belonging is a Primary Biblical Theme .................................................................. 139 What is Loneliness? ............................................................................................... 141 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs ................................................................................ 145 An Alternative View: The Community vs. Individualism Argument ...................... 147 Pseudo-Community and Change Dynamics ........................................................... 151 CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION .................................................................................... 159 Reframing the Message ......................................................................................... 160 Walking Out of the Cave of Shame .......................................................................
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