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Noxon, who is not writing from a Christian worldview, writes:
Evidences of the presence and influence of rejuveniles is all around. The Cartoon Network boasts bigger overall ratings among viewers aged eighteen to thirty-four than CNN, Fox News, or any cable news channel. Half of the visitors to Disney World are childless adults, making the Magic Kingdom the number-one adult vacation destination in the world. Department stores stock fuzzy pajamas with attached feet in adult sizes. . . . The Entertainment Software Association reports that the average age of video game players is twenty nine, up from eighteen in 1990. (3)
Also, from the back cover:
Once upon a time, boys and girls grew up and set aside childish things. Nowadays, moms and dads skateboard alongside their kids, captains of industry pose for Business Week holding Super Soakers, and young people delay marriage and childbirth longer than ever--in part to keep family obligations from interfering from their fun.
Noxon also makes a distinction between "childlike and childish" (223), with the former being the acceptable alternative to traditional adulthood. For him, even amidst a lifestyle characterized by late night hours of video gaming, moving back in with parents after college, and remaining deliberately single or childless, one may still be considered an adult. He argues that because they are able to maintain complex relationships and display responsibility (even if it is to manage a mass tournaments of adult dodge ball), rejuveniles are qualified adults who have indeed grown up, just not in the way our parents and grandparents did. In his most defining statement, he writes:
[Rejuveniles] might not be married, they might not have kids, they might build their life around values older people find self-serving, but they're still adults--they're just a different sort, less mature in some ways, but, it must be said, far more in others. Yes, they're less self-sufficient, but they're also more self-aware. Yes, they're less dependable, but they're also more adaptable. And yes, their crisscrossing career paths can look like proof of indecisiveness or all-around flakiness. But these same qualities can also be seen as evidence of an open and adventurous spirit, one that would rather explore and experiment that settle down, stick to it, and hope for the best. (162-163)
As I read this book I thought of a lot of people by name, many of whom are Christians. Whenever I get that cringe feeling in my soul when I hear of directionless believers spending their money selfishly and who are celebrating a whimsical, "adventurous" life, should I just pass
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I do think we can say that adulthood universally boils down to two non-negotiable characteristics: Gospel-marriage (for those who are not called to gospel celibacy) and Gospel-parenthood. Now, I realize that being married, per se, and having children, per se, does not make one an adult any more than being unmarried makes one childish. But, there is a clear Scriptural distinction between childhood and adulthood (e.g., 1 Cor. 13:11) and, it is sinful to not grow out of the former. Thus, it is crucial to recognize the things that keep one in childhood and prevent one from becoming a respectable adult in the eyes of Jesus.
Noxon is right when he points out that the widespread presence things like divorce and the ability to travel anywhere in the world at a relatively cheap price all contribute to the molding of a culture. He is quite helpful for my thinking on some of the things he says. I think there are some changes taking place in our minds regarding what it means to grow up, and not all are sinful. But, in the end, I think adulthood belongs to and is defined by God. There are non-negotiables, namely, marriage and parenthood, and the reality of selfishness is not something to be taken lightly, especially for Christians. Youth pastors need to know how their young people are growing up, and they need to have an understanding of what promotes true maturity and what keeps it from flourishing.
I enjoyed this book. Blake, I know you will get to it soon. I can't wait to talk about it with you.
Peace. Comments? Questions? Differing viewpoints?
(Sculpture found at Rednose Studios)
4 comments:
Thanks for these two good posts honey! I enjoy reading your reviews! It is always good to hear these things and look INWARDS at ourselves too and see where we are being immature, selfish, childish, etc. Thanks for the reminders via The Booked Blog (still MY favorite booked blog no matter what anyone else starts)
:)
Plev,
I think Mohler may catch up with us by next week. Oh well. Great review. I hope to get to it in the next couple of years. Looks real good.
EP,
Great review (Mohler-esk if I say so myself). It make me wonder though... I'm married with a daughter; I'm 23 with a salaried job; BUT... I have 3 of the players that I created on my Wii with at least 1000 points in Tennis(which is professional level). What does that mean?
Shanz,
Thanks. Oh, and what that means is that you are a rejuvenile to the T! However, I think I got you beat: I am in 2024 in my NCAA Dynasty with Texas. I just finished my recruiting and am scheduled to play #11 Mississippi State at home in what hopes to be a thrilling season opener for both schools. State has never traveled to DKR, but know well of the hostile environment of the Horn's fans.
Dude, you totally need to grow up!
EP
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