In a 1958 radio talk, C.S. Lewis stated that “Love for one’s country becomes a demon when it becomes a god.” He cited examples of damage done in the name of patriotism, such as the trampling of native American tribes and the gas chambers of Nazi Germany.
“On the lunatic fringe,” said Lewis, “it may shade off into that popular Racialism which Christianity and science equally forbid.”
Was Lewis predicting the America of today? Certainly, he was making observations from the past as well as the political temperament of his day. But whether he realized it or not, C.S. Lewis clearly depicted what we currently have in our nation. Under the guise of “making America great again,” Americans have elected a man who wants to keep immigrants out—especially those who do not help make us great again.
Subtle racism under the pretense of patriotism. Love for country.
Now, I’m not here to talk about Trump or patriotism; I’m here to share observations about my generation of Anabaptists.
Anyone could have looked around, sixty years ago, and made the same point Lewis brought out in his radio talk. Similarly, what are things we could know about our future by simply acknowledging what’s going on around us, today?
The generation before us laid the groundwork for rethinking the way we do church—the way we do life, really. Because of our parents, many of us are free to question the status quo. Unfortunately, they did not enjoy that privilege—at least not to the extent we do.
We are free to revisit the methodology of church, romance, family, discipleship, and with that revisiting, comes radical possibilities. Some good, some not good.
I’d like to make ten bold predictions about my generation of Anabaptists in light of what I am hearing and seeing as we “rethink” life. I call them “bold” for two reasons. First, I’m the one making them. That’s pretty bold. Keep in mind I could be flat-out wrong. So, what follows is bold; not perfect.
Secondly, I call these predictions bold because they run against popular thought. Some things everyone sees coming—self-driving cars, for instance. With the advancement of technology, one-day we will likely have cars that don’t need human drivers.
Nobody needs predictions about things we can see, so I’m going to be “bold” and make a few observations you may not be thinking about at the moment.
Here they are:
1. Because of a growing emphasis on spiritual transformation from the inside out, fewer people stress external distinctives and, therefore, increasingly fewer churches will have external requirements for membership.
2. Anabaptist thought will permeate more of Christendom at large than is visible to the eye. Much of the Anabaptist church will divide into the “uber liberal” and “uber conservative” groups. However, there will arise those who hold to historically “Anabaptist” values (i.e. suffering love, discipleship, two-kingdoms) along with a robust emphasis on the Gospel, the Holy Spirit, Christ-centered community, and faithful mission. These people may not always look traditionally “Anabaptist.”
3. Unless we begin diligently seeking God through Scripture and allowing His Holy Spirit to truly transform our lives (including our values), the millennial generation will usher in an era of Christians who do not know God. As it stands, we are only about as focused on Christ as is needed to get away from our past. An argument could be made this was set in motion long ago, back when we lost our focus on Christ and became obsessed with outward appearance. But we—millennials—are still responsible for curbing (or, God forbid, inducing) the consequences for the next generation.
4. Because millennial couples are so focused on family, we are losing commitment and faithfulness to Christ and His community. We have seen the consequences of being too involved in ministry or work; we don’t want to neglect those most important to us. But we are capsizing our love for God, and this will hasten the ushering in of a generation who doesn’t know Him or care about what’s on His heart.
5. The millennial generation will need a robust response to polyamory. You thought the LGBT community was tough? Try convincing someone that it’s not God’s design for marriage to have multiple sex partners when Scripture is full of polygamy. Polyamory (the practice of intimate relationships with more than one partner, with the knowledge of all partners) takes it to another level. Some already describe it as “consensual, ethical, and responsible non-monogamy.”
6. Despite New Testament emphasis on “submitting one to another,” people will become less submissive because of a growing distrust for political leaders (and religious leaders). Leadership is in crisis, and that crisis (and the results of the crisis) is seeping into the church.
7. Unless we rigorously fight off our tendencies toward independence and individualism, we will become lonelier, our relationships will become shallower, and our addictions will become stronger. Millennials are addicted to individualism. But individualism does not cultivate the freedom, relationships and community we are looking for.
8. Unless we learn from older people living victorious private lives, and apply what we learn, our emphasis on “love” and “caring for people where they are at” will usher in a generation who does not know victory. Empathy is a healthy start. It is not the same, however, as empowerment.
9. Despite growing sympathy for minority groups, the millennial generation won’t change any concerning white supremacy. We are better than generations past at recognizing racial injustice. We are not any better (it could be argued we are worse) at not being “cliquish.” And “cliquishness” is what cultivates white supremacy.
10. The millennial generation will not see Christ return. How’s that for bold? But then again, I could be wrong. Let’s be vigorous in living faithful to Christ and then we’ll be ready whenever He returns.
Don’t get your panties in a wad—these predictions only come from me. More specifically, they are simple observations I see as I listen to and watch my generation that could be pointing to something significant down the road.
Can we avoid catastrophes ahead by being honest about our weaknesses? Can we grow and build on the maturity given us from generations past by being faithful in our strengths? These are the real things we need to do something about.
Which “predictions” resonate with you? What would you add? Share in the comments below.
