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 kindle edition. The juvenilization of american christianity logos bible. Thomas e bergler thomas bergler traces the way in which, over seventyfive years, youth ministries have breathed new vitality into four. Regardless, the juvenilization of american christianity, in thought or print, is a worthy shot across the bow of our field that should be chewed carefully, an endeavor that hopefully will cause more and more youth workers to move beyond simple howto books. 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. The juvenilization of american christianity kindle edition by bergler, thomas. For a number of years now, al mohler, the president of the southern baptist theological seminary, has published a top ten list of books. The juvenilization of american christianity is a thorough book that consists mainly of a history of youth ministry and youth programs dating back. In a final chapter, bergler summarizes the positive results and the negative implications of his study. Every other friday we scour the eerdmans library looking for books with a bit of dust and a trove of wisdom. 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. Eerdman s, 2012 it reminded me of a time i was at a christian thrift shop and.
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. Stay updated on the latest news and books from eerdmans. 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. The juvenilization of american christianity, by thomas e. The juvenilization of american christianity by thomas bergler grand rapids. Thomas bergler juvenilization of american christianity feature.
Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Bergler is associate professor of ministry and missions at huntington university, indiana. It is a groundbreaking analysis, one of those explanations that accounts for. The juvenilization of american christianity and from here to maturity, by thomas e. The juvenilization of american christianity university. Book trailer for the juvenilization of american christianity by. And while evangelicals saw great growth and rising popularity of their brand of christianity, it by no means resulted in a healthy, mature.
Bergler reading has long been a vice of mine although it is one of those necessary vices that is important. These nowcommonplace elements of american church life all. Dean its getting harder and harder to find books that stand out as stellar enough to recommend to everybody you know, and this is just as true in the christian book scene. Jun, 2012 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. The juvenilization of american christianity dts voice. Youth, christianity, and the crisis of civilization explains the emergence of youth ministry in the 1930s and 1940s. Most likely, some christian products such as cds, books, or tshirts are for sale. In the juvenilization of american christianity thomas bergler traces the way in which, over seventyfive years, youth ministries have breathed. Oct 03, 2018 regardless, the juvenilization of american christianity, in thought or print, is a worthy shot across the bow of our field that should be chewed carefully, an endeavor that hopefully will cause more and more youth workers to move beyond simple howto books to deeply think about our calling to reach teens with the gospel. The article is adapted from berglers new book on the subject. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the juvenilization of american christianity. The juvenilization of american christianity the way of. The juvenilization of american christianity the reformed. Berglers research helps the church understand and diagnose many of the weaknesses that plague the contemporary evangelical church.
This book does a wonderful job of giving us a vision of a disease affecting the church. 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. The juvenilization of american christianity thomas e bergler. Bergler, the juvenilization of american christianity eerdmans, 2012. 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. Jun 29, 2012 the juvenilization of american christianity. Beginning in the 1940s, bergler takes the reader on an historical. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The juvenilization of american christianity university exchange. He serves as professor of ministry and missions at huntington university where he has trained youth ministers for twelve years. Jul 09, 2012 the title of this book made me get it and read it. For all but the evangelical camp, juvenilization has been a challenge and a struggle.
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. The juvenilization of american christianity and from. Eerdman s, 2012 it reminded me of a time i was at a. The juvenilization of american christianity by thomas. Christian teenagers and youth leaders staged a quiet revolution in american church life which can properly be called the juvenilization of american christianity. First, new and more powerful youth cultures created distance between adults and adolescents. On the one hand, juvenilization has kept american christianity vibrant p. The juvenilization of american christianity berean research. The juvenilization of american christianity was named one of ten books every preacher should read, by r.
The juvenilization of american christianity gene veith. Regardless, the juvenilization of american christianity, in thought or print, is a worthy shot across the bow of our field that should be chewed carefully, an endeavor that hopefully will cause more and more youth workers to move beyond simple howto books to deeply think about our calling to reach teens with the gospel. 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. As they lived through the massive disruptions of the great. 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. 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 oneat. This socalled quiet revolution happened over a period of about 80. The juvenilization of american christianity book, 2012.
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. If god doesnt punish america, hell have to apologize to sodom and gomorrah. The juvenilization of american christianity stand up for. Buy the juvenilization of american christianity by thomas bergler isbn. It is best because it is so clever, but also because it is. 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. 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. The juvenilization of american christianity christian. I looked at the books that i read this past year and found that my reading preferences have changed significantly in the last several years and that. 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. Jun 07, 2012 the article is adapted from berglers new book on the subject. The juvenilization of american christianity discussing books. The retention of juvenile characteristics in the adults of a species, as among certain amphibians. The juvenilization of american christianity is one of the best book titles that i have known.
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. Todays off the shelf features a selection from thomas berglers the juvenilization of american christianity, which received an award of merit from christianity today in 2012. Mar 03, 2015 juvenilization began in the 1930s and 1940s as christians faced what everyone was calling the crisis of civilization. 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. This book is a followup to thomas bergler s 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, the juvenilization of american christianity eerdmans. As they lived through the massive disruptions of the great depression, world war ii, and. Juvenilization is the process by which the religious beliefs,practices, and developmental characteristics of adolescents become accepted as. Anyone concerned with the church and its ministries. Anyone concerned with the church and its ministries can learn from reading this book and reflecting on the changes that bergler describes. The juvenilization of american christianity provides a fine history of one of the most significant revolutions in twentiethcentury christianity. So wrote the reverend billy graham citing his late wife ruth in a recent prayer letter to america. 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. The juvenilization of american christianity is a grandiose title that doesnt deliver as much as it implies. Bergler is the author of the juvenilization of american christianity 3.
Even if the church itself is not much into merchandising, its a safe. Book trailer for the juvenilization of american christianity. In the 1940s and early 50s, secularism and moral permissiveness seemed to menace the youth flock. 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 kindle. The juvenilization of american christianity provides a fine history of one of the most significant revolutions in twentiethcentury christianity anyone concerned with the church and its ministries can learn from reading this book and reflecting on the changes that bergler describes. Dean its getting harder and harder to find books that stand out as stellar enough to recommend to everybody you know, and this is just as.
The juvenilization of american christianity by thomas e. Like many bookreading pastors, i pay attention to suggested reading lists. Mark regnerus and jeremy uecker, premarital sex in america. 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. 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 american christianity by thomas bergler pop worship music. Sep 16, 2014 the juvenilization of american christianity grand rapids. Its time for the church to grow up christianity today. Juvenilization definition of juvenilization by the free. 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 book is beneficial for the conversation it will stimulate. The juvenilization of american christianity grand rapids. Bergler has written an important book for the historian of american christianity. Bergler, presents a historical overview of the conditions in the midtwentieth century which produced the environment for contemporary. Juvenilization began in the 1930s and 1940s as christians faced what everyone was calling the crisis of civilization. Berglers long cover story, when are we going to grow up. Bergler shows too how this juvenilization of churches has led to.
Award of merit for the juvenilization of american christianity, the church and pastoral. Bergler, the juvenilization of american christianity grand rapids. The juvenilization of american christianity by ciernick. Bergler refers to this phenomenon as juvenilization, that is, the process by which the religious beliefs, practices, and developmental.