Kingdom Through Culture: The New Apostolic Reformation and its Cultural Appeal, Part 1
Introduction
Drawing popular scrutiny during the 2012 presidential election,1 the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) embraces the largest non-Catholic segment of world Christianity.
Discussion
“...a resistant and insidious strain of narcissism, an addiction to jesusy entertainment, and a self-soothing pseudo-gospel.”
Body
“Keith and I would likely have diverging ideas about how to fix this problem, but he’s absolutely right about this. Moving away from a sung liturgy, the Psalter, and robust hymnody has largely turned the service of Word and Table into a Christian parody of the rock concert.” - Ponder Anew
Discussion
The Temptations of Evangelical Worship: It’s not about manufacturing positive religious feelings.
Body
“…many weeks what we mostly want is for worship to give us a good spiritual feeling. I suspect that by our inattention to what we’re singing. We sing various choruses that say, ‘Bring down your glory’ and ‘show us your face.’ But we do not know what we’re asking for. People in the Bible who actually encountered God’s glory fall on the ground in fear.” - Christianity Today
Discussion
Matt Chandler warns Church is no longer about discipleship but 'being entertained'
Body
“Matt Chandler, lead pastor of The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas, recently criticized the amusement-driven church and encouraged Christians to participate in the Body of Christ for the purposes of discipleship and community — not entertainment.” - Christian Post
Discussion
Church Entertainment Fatigue—Are People Tired of the Church’s Glitzy Stage?
Body
“When a local congregation creates a culture of church entertainment in an attempt to build a congregation, it will only be a matter of time before they begin to experience the negative consequences that emphasis will bring.” - Christian Leaders
Discussion