Dr. Angus Menuge
Grand Reunion, 2012 – Columbia, IL
Dr. Menuge tackles the complex problem of Post-Christian Christianity with a multi-dimensional approach that confronts the root of the problem rather than the symptoms. This approach deals with the will, intellect, and imagination of a person, specifically of those coming from the modern and post-modern worldview, with the goal of restoring the idea that Christianity is objectively true.
Naming the Beast – The Roots of Our Post-Christian Malaise
In their book Soul Searching (2005), Christian Smith and Melinda Denton show that a pervasive attitude among American youth is Moralistic Therapeutic Deism (MTD). MTD infects people of all religions and none, and promotes the ideals of being good (moralism), feeling good (therapy) and a vague higher power who is there if needed, but otherwise uninvolved in our lives (deism). MTD provides a set of post-Christian lenses which radically reinterpret and subvert basic Christian teaching. God’s Law is reduced to personal directives for successful living, and the Gospel is replaced with the promise of self-acceptance. The result is what Mike Horton calls “Christless Christianity,” a religion that maintains Christian vocabulary but sees the victorious self as its own savior.
I will identify some of the ideological foundations of MTD. These factors conspire to create the “imperious self,” which denies original sin and seeks fulfillment by realizing its own desires. The attempt is made to rewrite the orders of creation God instituted to preserve this world, with tragic consequences for family, state and church. The imperious self also fails to find happiness. Those who try to save themselves only lose themselves, consumed by their conflicting and insatiable desires.
Taming the Beast: Some Strategies for Rebuilding the Christian
Dr. Meuge tackles the complex problem of Post-Christian Christianity with a multi-dimensional approach that confronts the root of the problem rather than the symptoms. This approach deals with the will, intellect, and imagination of a person, specifically of those coming from the modern and post-modern worldview, with the goal of restoring the idea that Christianity is objectively true.
The Role of (Cultural) Apologetics During and After Catechetical Instruction
If we apply the medieval trivium to catechetical instruction and the ensuing education of Christian youth, it seems that there has been due attention to grammar (knowing Christian doctrines), but not enough emphasis on logic (tracing the consequences of these doctrines) and rhetoric (personal application). I believe that, aside from poor parenting and a Biblically illiterate society, one reason for this is that we do not sufficiently train our youth in cultural apologetics so that they can accurately identify and effectively respond to cultural movements and worldviews in tension with Christian doctrine. As a result, even knowledgeable Christians easily welcome Trojan horses into their hearts and minds. I will suggest some ways to incorporate cultural apologetics into the education of our youth both during and after catechetical instruction.