Even as a kid, I never liked the fact that some of my Christian friends were banned from watching the "Smurfs", "Scooby Doo", or "Shera". I see why churches and parents practice "safety culture," but it teaches kids very little about the world they are constantly challenged to be radical Christians in. How can they serve effectively without knowing the culture?
I’m planning to write about the homeschooling culture I grew up in, which is a perfect example of a “radical” lifestyle choice that is also based on safety.
I feel this tension too, between "go big for God or go home" and "don't let the world taint you." I remember when I went to a Christian college, they had this policy about students practicing "responsible discernment." I laughed at the time, looking around and feeling skeptical that any 18 year old would be responsible and discerning in their choices, but the older I got, the more it makes sense. Maybe developing responsible powers of discernment would help us navigate these tensions!
Ah, discernment, such a misused word. At my Bible college it really just meant “come to the same conclusions about what is right and wrong as we have.”
Even as a kid, I never liked the fact that some of my Christian friends were banned from watching the "Smurfs", "Scooby Doo", or "Shera". I see why churches and parents practice "safety culture," but it teaches kids very little about the world they are constantly challenged to be radical Christians in. How can they serve effectively without knowing the culture?
🙋🏽♀️I was one of those kids.
I felt bad for you (haha). On the flip side, as a product of neglect, I watched many things I should not have been allowed to watch.
Every upbringing has its strengths and weaknesses.
Interesting and insightful. I wonder if even our notions of “radical” still fall within “safety.” I suspect mine do.
But, goodness, I have a lot of hope this we are in a moment of shedding the merely cultural. I pray it is so, anyway.
I’m planning to write about the homeschooling culture I grew up in, which is a perfect example of a “radical” lifestyle choice that is also based on safety.
😲
I feel this tension too, between "go big for God or go home" and "don't let the world taint you." I remember when I went to a Christian college, they had this policy about students practicing "responsible discernment." I laughed at the time, looking around and feeling skeptical that any 18 year old would be responsible and discerning in their choices, but the older I got, the more it makes sense. Maybe developing responsible powers of discernment would help us navigate these tensions!
Ah, discernment, such a misused word. At my Bible college it really just meant “come to the same conclusions about what is right and wrong as we have.”