Don't forget we're here forever
Gracious Rebel
Shipmate
in Purgatory
This is the title of a newish book by journalist Lamorna Ash investigating young people's encounters with a wide variety of forms of Christianity. (The title comes from The Simpsons apparently). I've just finished reading it, also today listened to a podcast where she was interviewed about the subject (it's on BBC Sounds, an episode of a series called 'Radical').
The book has a lot to commend it. She is warm sensitive and empathetic to all those she speaks to, but also questioning, critical, analytical etc. She has certainly done her homework....I've been a Christian since my teens, and brought up in a Christian household since birth, plus I've had over 20 years here on the Ship to absorb lots of info about other Christian traditions, and yet I still found I was learning basic facts about the history and practice of Christianity that was new to me.
It's scholarly (with excellent detailed footnotes that are worth reading for themselves!) yet accessible. I think you can tell I'm a fan of this young woman and what she has achieved here.
I fear it won't be taken as seriously as it ought to be by some churches, particularly those of an evangelical flavour, due to the inclusion of certain details about her personal life, that in the eyes of many would probably discredit her as a true 'seeker'.
Has anyone else read it? Do you think it rings true? What do you think the established churches (of any kind) can learn from what she has to say?
The book has a lot to commend it. She is warm sensitive and empathetic to all those she speaks to, but also questioning, critical, analytical etc. She has certainly done her homework....I've been a Christian since my teens, and brought up in a Christian household since birth, plus I've had over 20 years here on the Ship to absorb lots of info about other Christian traditions, and yet I still found I was learning basic facts about the history and practice of Christianity that was new to me.
It's scholarly (with excellent detailed footnotes that are worth reading for themselves!) yet accessible. I think you can tell I'm a fan of this young woman and what she has achieved here.
I fear it won't be taken as seriously as it ought to be by some churches, particularly those of an evangelical flavour, due to the inclusion of certain details about her personal life, that in the eyes of many would probably discredit her as a true 'seeker'.
Has anyone else read it? Do you think it rings true? What do you think the established churches (of any kind) can learn from what she has to say?
Comments
Another book that might interest you is "When the music fades" by Lucy Goldsmith.
Also Giles Fraser, in episode 3 of his R4 series "Churchgoing", makes some interesting comments about younger people and Christianity.
I am not sure what to say about what established churches can learn, but they should surely listen. She's a voice from a young unchurched generation, without the "baggage" of evangelical youth groups, and she has that freshness because she's coming to things without certain preconceived ideas or hangups.
Missed that!
Nerdish explanation: it's from a fairly early episode explaining why there are no pictures of Maggie in the Simpson home. Basically Homer quits working at the nuclear power plant and takes a job he loves at a bowling alley(?) but on discovering Marge is pregnant again realises they won't be able to make ends meet so reluctantly begs for his old job back. Mr Burns allows him back but posts a sign in his workspace reading "Don't forget: you're here for ever". Shortly after, the sign is covered and surrounded with pictures of Maggie, making it read "Do it for her". I consider it a classic of the genre of "stories that pretend to be heartwarming that are actually about how awful capitalism is". How it relates to the book in question I can't say.