I’ve written about The Theory of the Fourth Turning a number of times on my other blog, but wanted to also bring it up here because I think it provides an interesting framework in which to look at some of the issues facing the church.
I can’t even do it justice to try to explain it here. You have to look at the charts and just read about it. But I think when you do, some things will start to make more sense.
For example, Marie left this comment today:
I consider Lindsay’s characterizations of Rachel Held Evans to be unsubstantiated and quick to judge. She considers Rachel as trying to be hip or cool–ever read her post “Blessed are the Uncool?” In fact, even a cursory reading of her blog belies indications of attempts to have some kind of popular, “cool” persona. Lindsay, you may disagree with RHE’s conclusions, and that is one thing, but your judgmental commentary is out of line.
Which was in response to this comment written by Lindsey:
I get turned off by RHE & Hatmaker and those progressives because they try so hard to be controversial in a “hipster” kind of way. Like you said, the book’s premise was just silly and weird. But silly and weird sells in those circles.
I like some of what RHE & Hatmaker, et al have to say. I do. But when they start talking about the Bible being a “good story” they lose me.
It’s like this – they try so HARD to be “out of the box” for Jesus they forget who Jesus is and was along the way. Or that’s my take. It seems like a constant reinvention of being hip, cool, whatever.
People can talk about postmodernism and all that. But so much of what the church is going through is just part and parcel with the HUGE shift taking place right now in our nation’s history. If you want to understand more about why Obama was reelected, why people in their twenties are acting hip and people in the over forty group are turned off by it, etc. then read the following links. It is really fascinating and I think it will help people understand their own generational perspective and those around them.
There are many more links you can read in their left sidebar. These are just three that give you a general overview.
If you are wondering when things are going to get better and we will move from the Crisis that started in 2008… They predict we will hit the next High somewhere around 2029. Strap yourselves in for the next 17 years. And ask yourself how the Body of Christ should look at this information. What kind of impact will this Crisis period have on the church? How can we most effectively minister in this context? For those of us with young children, how do we effectively raise them into adulthood during a Crisis?
And even more interesting as it relates to our discussions here about women in the church, is this chart that mentions gender roles in the ebb and flow of history. If you scroll down and look at the line “Gap Between Gender Roles” it looks as though we have left the time of minimal differentiation between the sexes and are moving through a widening gap and on toward maximum.