Thursday, March 5, 2009

Are "Christian Hipsters" Christian?

Via Vinegar and Honey, I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised to learn about "Christian hipsters" at Andrew Sullivan's. So, who are these folks, and more importantly, what do the stand for? Not much, actually, at least in terms of Christian moral traditionalism:

A "Christian Hipster" as described in this article merely describes a person who both believes in Christ and explores the world for themselves, rather than taking their Pastor/Mother/Father/Dobson's opinion as unquestionable. I don't resent being lumped in with what should be a larger portion of American believers. I revel in it!
Mother/Father? Geez, and that's not all: "Are You a Christian Hipster?"

Christian hipsters don’t like megachurches, altar calls, and door-to-door evangelism. They don’t really like John Eldredge’s Wild at Heart or youth pastors who talk too much about Braveheart. In general, they tend not to like Mel Gibson and have come to really dislike The Passion for being overly bloody and maybe a little sadistic. They don’t like people like Pat Robertson, who on The 700 Club famously said that America should “take Hugo Chavez out”; and they don’t particularly like The 700 Club either, except to make fun of it. They don’t like evangelical leaders who get too involved in politics, such as James Dobson or Jerry Falwell, who once said of terrorists that America should “blow them all away in the name of the Lord.” They don’t like TBN, PAX, or Joel Osteen. They do have a wry fondness for Benny Hinn, however.

Christian hipsters tend not to like contemporary Christian music (CCM), or Christian films (except ironically), or any non-book item sold at Family Christian Stores. They hate warehouse churches or churches with American flags on stage, or churches with any flag on stage, really. They prefer “Christ follower” to “Christian” and can’t stand the phrases “soul winning” or “non-denominational,” and they could do without weird and awkward evangelistic methods including (but not limited to): sock puppets, ventriloquism, mimes, sign language, “beach evangelism,” and modern dance. Surprisingly, they don’t really have that big of a problem with old school evangelists like Billy Graham and Billy Sunday and kind of love the really wild ones like Aimee Semple McPherson.
These guys sound like "Christian leftists" (or "moral pussies," frankly). Notice how pretty much the entire "hipster" spiel mounts its attack on Biblical literalism and right-wing theological traditionalism, especially of the post-Reagan-era variety.

The problem here is that when folks move away from contemporary evangelicalism or charismatic ethical doctrines, "Christian hipsters" shift from eternal moral standards and ethical rationalism to a loose self-reverential standpoint. That is to say,"Christian hipsters" are opposed to a moral hierarchy of ecclesiastical goodness, and are hence less rational since their theology is based on subjective wants rather than on objective standards of righteousness.

Or, if you're not a "Christian hipster," you're a "Christianist."

4 comments:

  1. A "Christian Hipster" as described in this article merely describes a person who both believes in Christ and explores the world for themselves, rather than taking their Pastor/Mother/Father/Dobson's opinion as unquestionable.

    NEWS FLASH, "Hipsters" ... you are describing the doctrine of the "Priesthood of the Believer", which historically is a central tenet of evangelical churches ... including the modern ones you appear to despise.

    Get a clue. The VAST majority of evangelicals don't hold our leaders to be "unquestionable". That is why there are so many different churches in the phone book ... and why we're your first line of defense against the imposition of theocracy of any kind (including the secular-progressive strain that worships man).

    The question is, "hipsters", do you consider God and his Word "unquestionable" ... are you seeking to determine what His will is and conform to it, or do you seek to DEFINE His will for Him, as you see fit? If the latter is true, you are hardly new to the point of being "hip" ... you are as old as Adam and his falling-out with the Almighty.

    I think, Professor, that you hit it on the head ... for the "hipsters" still embrace the central tenet of the Leftist view of Christianity: a disdain for those who believe that God and His Word are bigger than they are, to the point that it affects their life in the real world. It's easy to admire those like Billy Graham out of nostalgia, while avoiding a serious consideration of what they are saying.

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  2. As Liberation Theology is anti-Christian Communism wrapped in Christian words and symbols, so these "hipster Christians" are new age self-esteemists (equally anti-Christian) wrapped up in Christian words and symbols. To reject the Bible as the Word of God is to reject God. Living a little differently and a little more up to date than stereotyped Christians is perfectly alright but denying the Biblical standards of faith and behavior is totally unacceptable. It is true that no one ever lives up to them because the principles are perfect and we are not, but denying their truth and validity is worse than failing to live up to them.

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  3. I interviewed Brett McCracken the other week about his views on Christian Hipsters. Feel free to repurpose:

    http://www.conversantlife.com/life-with-god/interview-with-brett-mccracken

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