Saturday, June 27, 1998

A quick scan of the literary landscape reveals some rough terrain ahead

By Tom Schaefer
Knight Ridder Newspapers

A quick scan of the cultural landscape, via the latest books and magazines, reveals some rough terrain ahead. Be sure you have a qualified navigator as you venture out:

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Open The Door -- the May/June issue of the magazine, that is -- and you'll discover our own Virginia Stem Owens. She's the director of the Milton Center at Kansas Newman College and is featured in a six-page interview.

Although the magazine has a decidedly irreverent tone, it occasionally publishes some insightful articles along with its wacky attempts at humor. The interview with Owens is a case in point -- of insightful articles.

In the Q&A, Owens criticizes the way in which Christianity often apes mainstream culture. One example:

"Advertising is the primary art form in America, there's just no denying that," she says. "Most people get their aesthetics through commercials. ... if that's how people are getting their sensory input, then you can see why it's easy to make the leap into 'We need to do it, too.'f" We meaning the church.

The truth is, churches often try to promote themselves by using recycled marketing techniques. The result is that faith becomes another pick-and-choose commodity.

But let's move on. Owens also isn't big on the effects of cyberspace on Christianity.

"There are lots of people who are writing books on the Internet, but who's reading them?" she asks. "And the chat rooms! I cannot imagine people having time to do that kind of thing. But obviously they do. It's a strange phenomenon, and I have no doubt it's going to be affecting us as much as television already has."

There's more, but to get the best of Owens, check out some of her books: "Assault on Eden," "The Total Image: Selling Jesus in the Media Age," "Feast of Families" and "Looking for Jesus." She'll definitely open some doors to spiritual insights.

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Remember the seven last words of the church: "We've never done it that way before"? The expression is often used by folks who are unhappy with any kind of change in their church. ("Sing a hymn after the sermon? Why, we've never done it that way.")

George Barna, who conducts demographic and marketing research for secular and religious groups, has a new book titled "The Second Coming of the Church" (Word Publishing) that looks at the signs of the times and concludes:

"Despite the activity and chutzpah emanating from thousands of congregations, the church in America is losing influence and adherents faster than any other major institution in the nation. Unless a radical solution for the revival of the Christian Church in the United States is adopted and implemented soon, the spiritual hunger of Americans will either go unmet or be satisfied by other faith groups."

While Barna sees complex problems, he offers basic solutions that aren't breaking any new ground. He urges Christians to: "live according to a biblical worldview," "train new leaders," "re-engineer the local church." He also believes that spiritually alive families are the key to any revival, in church and nation.

At best, Barna's book is a wake-up call to those who still think the seven last words of the church won't adversely affect its future. What is unclear is whether the future is now and the damage already done.

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More from the research gurus of our land: George Gallup Jr. presents the results of his survey on violence and risk behaviors that teenagers face. Many of today's 10-to 14-year olds are in danger of becoming casualties of drug and alcohol abuse, violence, suicide, AIDS, teen pregnancy and failed educations. (Any recent news events come to mind to validate that assertion?)

According to Gallup, one weapon that's needed -- and is missing -- from young people's self-defense arsenal: solid values.

Gallup presents his survey results, including a nine-year study by the Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development, in the book "Scared: Growing Up in America" (Morehouse Publishing). It includes resources, checklists and advice from authorities in various social-science fields.

The book is a reality check for those who work with young people -- parents, teachers, clergy and counselors. Arm yourselves with it.

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Perhaps this quote from Sylvia Ronsvalle, who conducts research on financial contributions to churches, gets at the heart of religion's influence -- or lack of it -- in today's culture:

"If you want to know what we learned in 25 words or less, giving is down because we don't love God as much as we love a lot of other stuff."

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(Tom Schaefer writes about religion and ethics for the Wichita (Kan.) Eagle. Write to him at the Wichita Eagle, P.O. Box 820, Wichita, KS 67201, or send e-mail to tschaefer(at)wichitaeagle.com )

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(c) 1998, The Wichita Eagle (Wichita, Kan.).

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