The Cultural Demise and the Demands of a Christian Worldview

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1 The Cultural Demise and the Demands of a Christian Worldview Dr. Rich Knopp Professor of Philosophy & Christian Apologetics Project Coordinator, Room For Doubt Lincoln Christian University - Lincoln, IL Session Web Page:

3 Top 10 Differences if the Bible Had Been Written by College Students 10. The Last Supper would have had Starbucks coffee. 9. The 10 Commandments would be reduced to 5, be double-spaced, and written in a very large font. 8. The time to get a college degree would have somehow been confused with the 400 year Egyptian captivity. 7. The tithe would be 90% and called tuition. 6. The animal sacrifices would somehow have involved professors.

4 Top 10 Differences if the Bible Had Been Written by College Students 5. The reason why Cain killed Abel: Abel got an A on his paper but Cain got a D. 4. The name for the end of the world would not be Armageddon but Final Exam. 3. Paul would have commanded a three-week mid-term break. 2. Instead of God creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh, He would have put it off until the 6th day and done it all in 3 hours. 1. The reason why Moses and the Israelites walked in the desert for 40 years: They didn't want to ask directions and look like freshmen.

5 The Cultural Demise and the Demands of a Christian Worldview I. The Demise of the Christian Worldview II. Factors Determining the Demise III. Addressing the Demise

6 Introduction A. Christian Worldview Consensus B. Christian Worldview Convictions Truth (e.g. Eph 6; 1 Tim 2) Certainty, Proof, Confidence, Boldness (Acts 1:3; Acts 2:36) Reasonable Faith (1 Pet 3; Acts 17, 18, 19) Dangerous Doubt (Mt 14:30-32; Matt 21:21; James 1:6)

8 I. THE DEMISE OF THE CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW IN OUR CULTURE

9 Born Again vs. Biblical Worldview Barna % % Adults CHURCHED Teens % 2.0% 0.5% All Adults All Teens Yrs.

10 Churched Teens : Experience vs. Biblical Worldview % 92% 89% % 0 Bible Stories Bible Persons Fun / Positive Biblical Worldview

12 Worldview Weekend Test Strong Biblical Moderate Biblical Secular Humanist Socialist Communist Fall 2006 Fall 2008 TOTAL Results Fall 2010 Fall 2012 Spring 2015 Lincoln Christian ID101 (Intro to Worldviews)

13 Indianapolis Suburban Church

14 Indianapolis Suburban Church Strong Biblical Moderate Biblical Secular Humanist Socialist Communist Age 66+ Age By Age 231 responses Age Age Age Age

15 Churched Youth Disengaged by Age 30? 59% Barna Research, Three Spiritual Journeys of Millennials

16 Churched Doubters & Dropouts D. Kinnaman, You Lost Me % 32% 36% 20 0 Had Significant Doubt Felt Like Rejecting Parents Faith Can t Ask Questions in Church

17 The Rise of the Nones

The Nones 50 Pew Research Center, 2012 and 2014 All Americans 40 19 Million

18 The Nones 50 Pew Research Center, 2012 and 2014 All Americans Million INCREASE % 19.3% 22.8% (56 Million) %

19 Nones Among Millennials 50 Pew Research Center, 2012 and % 34% 36% 30 22% % (25-33) 2014 (18-24)

20 The Nones 100 Drew Dyke, The Leavers, Christianity Today % 66% From Religious Homes De-Converted

21 Most Frequently Mentioned Factor by De-Converts... sharing their burgeoning doubts with a Christian friend or family member only to receive trite, unhelpful answers. Drew Dyck, The Leavers: Young Doubters Exit the Church, Christianity Today, posted 11/18/2010.

22 Religious Affiliation by Age Unaffiliated (Nones) Black Protestant White evangelical Protestant Public Religion Research Institute March 2013

23 II. FACTORS DETERMINING THE DEMISE OF THE CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW

24 II. Factors Determining the Demise A. General Considerations 1. Prominent Skeptics

So if we can plant the seeds of doubt in our children, religion will go away

25 Lawrence Krauss Atheist Physicist/Cosmologist, Arizona State University Change is always one generation away. So if we can plant the seeds of doubt in our children, religion will go away in a generation, or at least largely go away. And that s what I think we have an obligation to do (Solon [Nov. 4, 2014]).

26 II. Factors Determining the Demise A. General Considerations 2. Internet Accessibility

27 Internet Accessibility Larry Taunton, Listening to Young Atheists: Lessons for a Stronger Christianity When our participants were asked to cite key influences in their conversion to atheism people, books, seminars, etc. we expected to hear frequent references to the names of the New Atheists. We did not. Not once. Instead, we heard vague references to videos they had watched on YouTube or website forums (The Atlantic online [June 6, 2013]).

28 II. Factors Determining the Demise A. General Considerations 3. More High-Information Seekers

29 More High-Information Seekers Larry Barnett s Next Generation Project We found that the presence of doubt much more strongly predicted leaving Christianity for high information seekers. [H]igh information seekers with doubts are about two to four times more likely to disconnect from Christianity than other doubters who are not high information seekers. According to our research, high information seekers are not intrinsically more difficult to disciple, but only when they have unanswered questions or unresolved doubts about Christianity s truth claims.

30 High Information Seekers Over 70% of Millennials go to college. Only 1/2 of their parents. Only 1/3 of their grandparents.

31 II. Factors Determining the Demise B. Why Churched Kids Leave 1. Self imposed change Lifeway Research The most frequent reason for leaving church is, in fact, a self-imposed change, I simply wanted a break from church (27%). The path toward college and the workforce are also strong reasons for young people to leave church: I moved to college and stopped attending church (25%) and work responsibilities prevented me from attending (23%).

32 II. Factors Determining the Demise B. Why Churched Kids Leave 2. Intellectual skepticism & doubt

Intellectual Skepticism & Doubt Why did they fall away from the faith in which they were raised? This was an open-ended question there were no multiple-choice answers.

33 Intellectual Skepticism & Doubt Why did they fall away from the faith in which they were raised? This was an open-ended question there were no multiple-choice answers. 32% said they left faith behind because of intellectual skepticism or doubt. ( It didn t make any sense anymore. Some stuff is too far-fetched for me to believe. I think scientifically and there is no real proof. Too many questions that can t be answered. ) (p. 89).

34 Intellectual Skepticism & Doubt David Kinnaman 12% say it s completely true and 23% say it s completely or mostly true that they have significant intellectual doubts.

35 Why are Teens Leaving the Faith? (Brian Housman Lifeway) Shallow belief system No room for doubt Exclusive faith No answers for opposition (science & philosophy) Church is intolerant Church is against science Church is not relevant (personally & professionally)

36 II. Factors Determining the Demise C. Discipleship Deficiencies The dropout problem is, at its core, a faith-development problem; to use religious language, it s a disciple-making problem (David Kinnaman, You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church...and Rethinking Faith) David Kinnaman

37 III. ADDRESSING THE DEMISE OF THE CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW

38 Discipleship Deficiencies Contentment with Milk (Hebrews 5). Mind-less Christianity. GAP: Belief // Behavior. GAP: Sacred // Secular. Don t know WHY we believe nor WHY WE DON T believe something else. Miss the BIG picture.

39 Discipleship Deficiencies Contentment with Milk (Hebrews 5). Mind-less Christianity. GAP: Belief // Behavior. GAP: Sacred // Secular. Don t know WHY we believe nor WHY WE DON T believe something else. Miss the BIG picture. Worldview Tool Prospects MEAT of Maturity. A Christian MIND. INTEGRATION. Relevance of faith to ALL of life. A tool for comparison & apologetic CONVICTION. A FRAMEWORK for the BIG picture.

40 Functioning Components MIND Basic Beliefs WILL Desires; Motives ATTITUDE Emotion; Conscience ACTIONS Habits BEHAVIOR SPEECH Language

41 MIND Basic Beliefs WILL Desires; Motives Core ATTITUDE Emotion; Conscience ACTIONS Habits BEHAVIOR SPEECH Language

42 A Christian Worldview is... MIND Basic Beliefs WILL Desires; Motives ATTITUDE Christian Worldview Emotion; Conscience ACTIONS Habits BEHAVIOR... a way of life with basic beliefs, priority values, and SPEECH Language preferred behavior that are consciously directed by a love for God and His Word for humanity.

all your SOUL, and with all your MIND, Mind Will

43 The Greatest Commandment Mark 12:30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your HEART, and with all your SOUL, and with all your MIND, Mind Will Attitude Action Behavior Speech and with all your STRENGTH.

44 Apologetic Interaction Cultural Impact Medical Care Missions Islam Socio-Academic Influence Atheism Anthropology Theology Prisons Relational Investment Poor Paganism Spouse Individual Involvement Children Sociology Law Deism Crisis Care Media Mind Reading Parents Boss Hungry Animism Education Music Will Attitude Leisure Brother(s) Integrity Employees Politics Nihilism Elderly Sister(s) Sexuality Money Cults Philosophy Actions Speech Homeless Co-Workers Work Language Friends Economics Disasters Education Biology Church Leaders Grandparents Existentialism Orphan New Age Boy/Girl Friend Art Child Care Psychology History Social Justice Pantheism Unwanted Pregnancy Postmodernism

45 Apologetic Interaction Cultural Impact Medical Care Missions Islam Socio-Academic Influence Atheism Anthropology Theology Prisons Relational Investment Poor Paganism Spouse Individual Involvement Children Sociology Law Deism Crisis Care Media Mind Reading Parents Boss Hungry Animism Education Music Will Attitude Leisure Brother(s) Integrity Employees Politics Nihilism Elderly Sister(s) Sexuality Money Cults Philosophy Actions Speech Homeless Co-Workers Work Language Friends Economics Disasters Education Biology Church Leaders Grandparents Existentialism Orphan New Age Boy/Girl Friend Art Child Care Psychology History Social Justice Pantheism Unwanted Pregnancy Postmodernism

46 Apologetic Interaction Do not be taken captive... (Col. 2:8) Cultural Impact Medical Care Missions Islam Socio-Academic Influence Atheism Anthropology Theology Prisons Relational Investment Poor Paganism Spouse Individual Involvement Children Sociology Law Deism Crisis Care Media Mind Reading Parents Boss Hungry Animism Education Music Will Attitude Leisure Brother(s) Integrity Elderly Employees Politics Nihilism Sister(s) Sexuality Money Cults Philosophy Actions Speech Homeless Co-Workers Work Language Friends Economics Disasters Education Biology Church Leaders Grandparents Existentialism Orphan New Age Boy/Girl Friend Art Child Care Psychology History Social Justice Pantheism Take every Unwanted thought Pregnancy captive Postmodernism (2 Cor. 10:5)

47 III. Addressing the Demise B. Discern the Times and Trends (1 Chron. 12:23 38).

49 DOLCE AND GABBANA

50 1 Chron. 12: Now these are the numbers of the divisions equipped for war, who came to David at Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the Lord. 24 The sons of Judah who bore shield and spear were 6,800, equipped for war Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command... New American Standard Translation

51 TRENDS TRENDS Global American County/Community Religious

52 III. Addressing the Demise C. Create a Better MOOD. D. Employ Better METHODS. E. Present Better MATERIALS.

53 C. Create a Better MOOD. 1. Highlight the MOTIVE for Christian faith. 1. More than the WHAT of faith. 2. The WHY of faith (1 Pet 3:15). 2. Pursue a better OBJECTIVE. 1. Belief THAT. 2. Trust IN. 3. Love FOR (Mk 12:30; Cf. Matt 16 and John 21). 3. Be SENSITIVE. 1. The HOW of apologetics (1 Pet 3; 2 Tim 2:24-25; Jude 22). 2. An atmosphere of humility.

We need to be able to deal with doubt lovingly, helpfully, and especially without ever scolding or

54 An Atmosphere Dallas Willard the great problem facing the gospel of Jesus Christ is not the doubt that is outside the church; it is the doubt that is inside the church. We need to be able to deal with doubt lovingly, helpfully, and especially without ever scolding or shaming anyone for doubting. We must allow people to be who they are and then be able to meet them where they are (25; emphasis added).

56 A place to ask questions. A place to find answers.

57 Check out the website.

58 RoomForDoubt Follow our Facebook Page

59 WORKSHOPS

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61 Publications

62 Chicago and New York City Spotlight Robert Sloniger Endowment for Chicago Engagement Exegeting the City (New York)

63 LCU Special Events Strauss Lectureship Elders & Church Leaders Conference (February 2015) - Mark Mittelberg

64 SIX-WEEK MESSAGE & CURRICULUM SERIES FOR CHURCHES Mark Mittelberg Executive Producer Garry Poole Curriculum Writer Lee Strobel Consultant

65 MESSAGE & CURRICULUM SERIES FOR CHURCHES Week 1: The Upside of Doubt Week 2: How Can We Be Sure God Actually Exists? Week 3: Isn t the Bible Full of Myths & Mistakes? Week 4: Why Do Christians Say Jesus is God s Son? Week 5: Why Would God Allow Tragedy & Suffering? Week 6: Tolerance, Truth, and the Exclusive Claims of Christ

66 Core of Pilot Churches 7 Core Churches Average Attendance: Over 4,300 per week Six-Week Message Series & Curriculum

67 East 91st St. Christian Church Indianapolis

68 CENTRAL ILLINOIS CAMPAIGN Antioch Christian Church, Decatur Boiling Springs Church of God, Decatur College Park Christian Church, Normal First Baptist Church, Decatur First Christian Church, Blue Mound First Christian Church, Clinton First Christian Church, Decatur First Christian Church, Moweaqua Galilee Baptist Church, Decatur Grace United Methodist, Decatur Leroy Christian Church, Leroy* Life Builders Church, Decatur 25 CHURCHES Maranatha Assembly of God, Decatur Mound Chapel Church of God, Decatur Mound Road Christian Church Mount Zion Christian Church, Mt Zion New Beginnings Church of God, Decatur New Life Pregnancy Center* Northwest Christian Church, Decatur* Passion Community Church, Mt Zion Riverside Baptist Church, Decatur St. Paul's Lutheran, Decatur Tabernacle Baptist Church, Decatur Temple Baptist Church, Decatur* Westminster Presbyterian, Decatur

69 WAND TV NEWS COVERAGE

70 WAND TV NEWS COVERAGE Q&A OPEN MIC NIGHT ( )

71 ROOM FOR DOUBT CAMPAIGN

72 Metropolitan Engagement LCU Campus Events Website & Digital Resources 6-week Church Message & Curriculum Series Publications Seminars/Workshops for Churches, Conferences, & Conventions

73 D. Employ better METHODS. 1. Be APPRECIATIVE of tough questions. Over 33% of young adults: Christians are too confident they know all the answers. Unexpressed doubt.

74 John 1: Behold, the Lamb of God... Matt. 11: Are you the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?

75 D. Employ better METHODS. 2. Be COMPREHENSIVE in applying Christian faith. Church anti-intellectual (18%) Church anti-science (25%) Church not relevant to career (24%)

76 D. Employ better METHODS. 3. Be INTERROGATIVE. Jesus: 173 Questions Mark 11:27-33

77 D. Employ better METHODS. 4. Be COMPARATIVE.

78 Christian Standard June 2014 You do not want to go away also, do you? Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life? (Jn 6:67-68)

79 E. Present Better MATERIALS. 1. The CORE PRINCIPLES

80 E. Present Better MATERIALS. 2. The matter of MATTER.

81 Candid Comments Alex Rosenberg Prof. of Philosophy, Duke University Why is there a universe at all? No reason at all. Why is there a multiverse in which universes pop into existence for no reason at all? No reason at all! It s just another quantum event. What science and scientism tell those who hanker for more is Get over it! The Atheist's Guide to Reality: Enjoying Life without Illusions (pp )

each with different laws of nature (emphasis

82 Science OR Philosophy? quantum theory predicts the multiverse the idea that ours is just one of many universes that appeared spontaneously out of nothing, each with different laws of nature (emphasis added; Hawking is speaking of his position in his book, The Grand Design, 2010).

83 E. Present Better MATERIALS. 3. The matter of LIVING matter.

84 Just Right for Human Life Physical constants and their ratios: Expansion rate of universe Strength of gravity Strong nuclear force Weak nuclear force (& other forces) Electro-magnetic force Proton/Electron mass Mass density of the universe MANY more

85 It Began Just Right E.g. Number of electrons to protons: Must be accurate to 1 in 10 to the 37th power. Cover North America in stacked dimes to the moon. ADD a BILLION other continents. Mark ONE dime.

86 It Began Just Right E.g. Relative strength of GRAVITY.

87 Four Fundamental Forces: 1. Strong nuclear force 2. Weak nuclear force 3. Electromagnetism 4. Gravity Change gravity strength by 1-inch equivalent: Gravity changes by one BILLION times!

88 The Wonders of the DNA Molecule 1 gram of DNA: can store 468,000 DVDs of info. 4 Bases: 3 billion pairs in humans. 100 trillion cells in average human. DNA would stretch out 113 BILLION miles!

89 Impact Fred Hoyle ( ) Agnostic/Atheist A common sense interpretation of the facts suggests that a superintellect has monkeyed with physics, as well as with chemistry and biology, and there are no blind forces worth speaking about in nature (emphasis added).

90 DNA for Life Fred Hoyle, The Intelligent Universe. Chance of life starting on earth? 1 in 10 40,000 Estimated number of atoms in the universe? P a n s p e r m i a

91 E. Present Better MATERIALS. 4. The matter of MEANING.

92 Candid Comments Alex Rosenberg Atheist; Prof. of Philosophy, Duke University The love of stories comes to us in a package that also includes the illusion of free will, the fiction of an enduring self, and the myth of human purpose. A scientistic worldview has to give up all of that. So, individual human life is meaningless, without a purpose, and without ultimate moral value (Rosenberg, The Atheist's Guide to Reality: Enjoying Life without Illusions [Kindle Edition, p. 19]).

93 E. Present Better MATERIALS. 5. The matter of MORALITY.

94 E. Present Better MATERIALS. 6. The matter of MORTALITY. My great-nephew s car

95 E. Present Better MATERIALS. 6. The matter of MORTALITY.

96 E. Present Better MATERIALS. 6. The matter of MORTALITY.

97 E. Present Better MATERIALS. 7. The matter of the MESSIAH.

98 Addressing the Demise Create a Better MOOD Employ Better METHODS Present Better MATERIALS The IMPORTANT Matters The Matter of MATTER The Matter of LIVING Matter The Matter of MEANING The Matter of MORALITY The Matter of MORTALITY The Matter of the MESSIAH

99 Hebrews: A Better Way Better than the angels (Heb 1:4) Better than Moses (Heb 3:3) Better high priest (Heb 4:14-8:5) Better hope (Heb 7:19) Better covenant (Heb 7:22; 8:6) Better promises (Heb 8:6) Better sacrifice (Heb 9:23) Better possession (Heb 10:34) Better country (Heb 11:16) Better resurrection (Heb 11:35)

100 Better

101 The Cultural Demise and the Demands of a Christian Worldview Dr. Rich Knopp Professor of Philosophy & Christian Apologetics Project Coordinator, Room For Doubt Lincoln Christian University - Lincoln, IL Session Web Page:

Learning to Speak with Conviction When There is Room for Doubt North American Christian Convention June 24, 2015

Learning to Speak with Conviction When There is Room for Doubt North American Christian Convention June 24, 2015 Event Webpage: www.worldvieweyes.org/nacc15.html 1 Richard A. Knopp, M.A., M.Div., Ph.D.