20AR25-01
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AR 25:1 - A great new multi-media apologetics resource
In this issue:
APOLOGETICS - a great new multi-media resource from the UK
EDUCATION - why pre-teen suicide for girls is up 151%
EVANGELISM - how to "understand cultural context and create an appropriate tool"
ROMAN CATHOLICISM - has the traditional Latin Mass become "discriminative, sexist, and oppressive"?
Apologia Report 25:1 (1,458)
January 8, 2020
APOLOGETICS
Have you heard of *The Big Conversation?* It's "a unique video series from Unbelievable?, the flagship apologetics and theology discussion show <www.bit.ly/35zDqE4> on Premier Christian Radio in the UK" and funded by the Templeton Religion Trust.
We learned of this resource from watching "A conversation on faith, culture and the modern world" <www.bit.ly/35bi5R6> with Dave Rubin and John Lennox. Rubin, a well-known moderate, gay atheist and popular Internet talk show host, has been growing more open to Christianity in recent years - as you will see here. Lennox, a speaker with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, is Professor (emeritus) of Mathematics at the University of Oxford and Fellow in Mathematics and the Philosophy of Science. He is also an adjunct Lecturer at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, and a Senior Fellow of the Trinity Forum.
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EDUCATION
Jonathan Haidt <www.bit.ly/2QvKltK> (psychology, NYU Stern School of Business; founder, Institute for Humane Studies <theihs.org>) has released a valuable YouTube update regarding his findings as published in The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure [1]. In this video Haidt covers:
1) cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive distortion, the development of undergraduate student emotional protectionism, and Gen-Z's delayed child development
2) the resulting current epidemic of psychological problems and great risk for teen girls and greatest risk for pre-teen girls
3) the related devastating influence of social media <thecoddling.com>), as well as today's consequences of emphasizing "intersectionality" and binary (privileged/oppressed) sensitivity. <www.bit.ly/39oKxCw>
Visit <www.bit.ly/37fmOTw> for more on Haidt in past issues of Apologia Report.
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EVANGELISM
The shame about academic book reviews is the huge delay that can occur before we learn of them. In this case, it's largely my fault (RP). Evangelism in a Skeptical World, by Sam Chan [2] was released in March of 2018 and reviewed by Larry Lindquist (Denver Journal, v22 - 2019) about a year ago, but I only just noticed it.
What makes the delay especially painful is how good the book appears to be. Lindquist reports that "The book would be a wonderful addition to the texts used in a course on culture, missiology or evangelism [as well as two chapters that could] even be used as helpful tools in a homiletics course. I was quickly impressed with the practical application, anecdotes, and cultural relevance in this book."
Lindquist concludes: "The book is structured well, bathed with scripture references, and flows nicely. The reader will not be bogged down with the tedium of other academic texts. There are engaging anecdotes and pithy quotes throughout the book."
The final chapter addresses questions "that confront those who share the Gospel to a skeptical audience." These include: "What about other religions? Christians are judgmental hypocrites. The Bible is wrong. How can a loving God allow suffering? Science disproves Christianity. How can a loving God send people to Hell?"
Lindquist (Senior Professor of Leadership, Denver Seminary) includes a lot of detail about the overall package. "Evangelism in a Skeptical World includes two DVDs. Dr. Sam Chan teaches 16 lessons that basically mirror the content of the book. Since the content of the book and DVDs is nearly the same, I believe the intent of the author to simply offer two delivery formats rather than to use the two in combination." And, "Throughout the book, the author highlights web links that direct the reader to helpful resources." Chan (who is both a Ph.D. and M.D.) surprised Lindquist. "I must confess that I anticipated the author's gifts might not include teaching in front of a camera. I was very wrong!"
Content includes "definitional minutiae" revealing that Chan has "a wonderful ability to make complex theological terms and concepts ... understandable. I especially enjoyed his three models of conversion, [all of this] without boring the reader."
Chan "focuses on understanding biblical metaphors as they relate to sharing the Gospel." He "discusses six strategies for sharing Jesus. I was especially impressed with the explanation of Plausibility Structures (what a culture considers believable [epistemology])." He "rehearses the shift from modernity to postmodernity. The author's conclusion is that postmodern culture values authenticity and being real. If you enjoy formulaic structure, you will love this...."
Chan works to "assist the reader in cultural exegesis and the creation of a more effective evangelistic approach for that culture. If we overadapt to culture, we slip into syncretism. If we underadapt, legalism will result. Dr. Chan finds the 'sweet spot' between these two errors. This book seeks not to suggest a universal evangelistic tool/formula but rather it seeks to equip the reader with the skills to understand cultural context and create an appropriate tool for that culture." Lindquist found this alone "worth the price of the book."
Last, Chan "offers clear, strategic steps in creating evangelistic talks. If you are invited to speak at an evangelistic retreat, revival or wedding ... these chapters will serve you very well." <www.bit.ly/39pz6ur>
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ROMAN CATHOLICISM
The dispute over the meaning, definition and utility of the word "cult" has, for over a decade, been driven by social scientists who recommend abandoning the term. We noticed that many others soon followed their lead. Yet there were exceptions and the trend may be reversing as the term grows more common in the popular media. And now this.
With "The Latin Mass Becomes a Cult of Toxic Tradition" (National Catholic Reporter, Nov 5 '19), journalist Zita Ballinger Fletcher complains: "One culture within the Catholic Church needing major reform is that surrounding the practice of the Latin Mass.
"In a previous era, the Latin Mass was merely a uniform and standard way of celebrating the liturgy in the United States. In the wake of much-needed reforms instituted by the Second Vatican Council, the Latin Mass has become a rallying point for change-resistant sects within the church. The ultra-conservatism practiced by these Latin Mass groups is radical and narrow-minded. They utilize the Latin Mass structure to wield control over believers - particularly women, who are reduced to a state of discriminatory subjugation in Latin rites. The stubbornly resistant, anti-modern practices of these Latin Mass adherents border on cultism.
"The Latin Mass fosters clericalist structures in the church. The liturgy - spoken in an ancient language no longer in modern vernacular usage - places all power in the hands of the priest. The priest keeps his back turned to the people for most of the ceremony. Aside from making occasional responses, the congregation plays no active part in worship. All people inside the church are expected to kneel on cue at various points. The priest is at the center of the spectacle. He is separated from the people he is supposed to serve by an altar rail - a barrier that gives him privileges. To receive the Eucharist, people must kneel at his feet.
"Instead of a unifying form of worship, the Latin Mass has become an instrument of oppression and a gathering point for Catholic fundamentalists.
"Meanwhile, the Latin tradition oppresses women. Women are expected - indeed, in some cases commanded - to wear skirts instead of trousers, cover themselves with long clothing and wear veils over their heads. No such rules exist for the men. It is discrimination, and therefore the Latin Mass actively endorses sexism. Instead of a unifying form of worship, the Latin Mass has become an instrument of oppression and a gathering point for Catholic fundamentalists." <www.bit.ly/2St1k1n
POSTSCRIPT Feb 1 '20 -- Warning: This could make you smile: <www.bit.ly/37OZRaz>
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SOURCES: Monographs
1 - The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure, by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt (Penguin, 2019, paperback: 352 pages) <www.amzn.to/2SLvGwh>
2 - Evangelism in a Skeptical World: How to Make the Unbelievable News about Jesus More Believable, by Sam Chan (Zondervan, 2018, hardcover, 288 pages) <www.amzn.to/2SCOGN9>
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