Dr. Watson, yes! Your article captures the essence of what J.D. Walt over at Seedbed referrers to as Holy Discontent. Many of us believers can sense that the religious status quo that exists within Western Christianity just ain’t gonna cut it. I truly believe that God, in his wisdom, has allowed all this constant chaos to occur so that we can come to the end of our selves, and therefore accept the reality for us to accept some radical rethinking about how we do church.
Thank you for this. I came into my own in Christianity in the 70s and 80s when anti-traditionalism seemed like the only way to break the dead nominalism of the mainline denominations. Over time though I watched, as we all did, the rise of vacuous teaching and, for lack of a better word, Walmart church culture. I am seeing this desire and return to traditionalism but my concern is that this swing will go from one extreme to the other. I hope we can return to gatherings with a deeper and more meaningful sense of the sacred and not just a new set of clothes for the church. I hope local churches become communities with generational depth. And I deeply hope that we don't return to the petty tribalism and disunity of our heavily denominational and fragmented past. The body of Christ only accurately reflects His image when it is whole. Thanks again!
Dr. Watson, thanks for another wonderful piece. The secular world wants us to believe that people no longer care about matters of faith but empirical evidence, some of which you cited reveal otherwise. Strong faith communities that preach the unchanging truth of Scripture and help their adherents to embody strong Christian values (in word and deed) and not ones that pander to the pantheon of gods of this age with constantly changing values will continue to thrive. The time has come for us to have contemporary Daniels and his three friends in our modern day "Babylon" who will stand up for the courage of their conviction and they will never be alone even if they appear to be in the minority. The Church of Christ has great work to do to reach those outside the church but we must adopt the ways of Apostle Paul by engaging the world and its corrupted values and pointing those who are misguided to the saving grace of God embodied in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, especially of those who believe. Thank God for critical thinkers and opinion molders like you helping us not to settle for lower than God's best for us. We must not embrace weak resignation in the face of pervasive evil we are called to deplore. Grace and peace!
Spot on. Catholic fathers and men of faith are starving for exactly this: a sturdy, traditioned community that offers more than superficial connection or self-help spirituality. Men are looking for something that challenges, changes, and roots them in truth. Hyper-individualism leaves them isolated, and lukewarm faith communities don't offer the structure or purpose they need to lead their families and steward their vocations.
The rise of 'trad' movements isn't a trend, it's a response to a vacuum. Faith lived seriously, with clear demands and deep sacramental life, isn't just enduring; it's thriving because it answers the real hunger for meaning and purpose. This is the challenge (and the opportunity) for Christian men today. Are we stepping up?
Love this! I work in a public school, and I’m convinced that the way to reach the next generation is by being “radical”. Young people want a faith that demands something of them. I think that churches should gently let people know that if they only want Sunday Christianity, they will probably feel uncomfortable in our pews- that true Christianity demands a change in our worldview, culture and friend group. People will line up for that, and if a few people go “hardcore” about it, that draws the center in their direction. Great article!
"Liquid modernity" doesn't encourage standpoints. But a counterpoint is the Amish, as you say. They are an "island in the stream" (borrowing from Hemingway). So too, churches like Simply Jesus where I live. They are unembarrassed about joyous witness to the trustworthiness of Scripture and salvation in Jesus Christ. They occupy the site of a departed United Methodist Church. Empty parking lots are overflowing again, and robust, traditional family formation is manifest in fecundity.
I have to say that I recognize the resurgence of traditionalists & I'm ambivalent. Back in 2013, it made complete sense. I was fully behind Fr. Benedict Groeschel, for example, when he chastised the US Church. But then around 2020, I saw the results.
You had 'small t' tradition sometimes at odds with the deposit of faith & Tradition. You had traditionalists questioning Vatican II.
Pope Francis was being questioned about the Synod on Synodality - a reform in line with the documents of Vatican II; and the crowning irony: this was no "spirit of Vatcan II" heresy which we'd been guilty of a decade ago. Rather this was the universal Church finally acting on the Council's documents after half a century of deliberation. Reaction in much of the West has been ridiculous. We've ended up airing our dirty laundry in front of continents which currently have Churches facing martyrdom & daily confessions.
So I really want this traditionalist movement to show some patience & restraint.
I’ve recently been placed into a new Global Methodist Church start & am trying to encourage these concepts within this congregation. Any other suggestions on articles or books to read, podcasts to listen to, etc…?
Sometimes great examples are the most convincing. There are some up and coming churches that have grown by structuring themselves to encourage genuine commitment and a great respect for those who have gone before us. Check out Bridgetown church, which thriving in Portland, Oregon (the epitome of a post-Christian city). The founder, John Mark Comer wrote “Practicing the Way.” What’s great about a church like that is the energy that they breathe into a very orthodox, traditional form of the faith while embracing a modern aesthetic. They’re the kind of people that make fasting cool again. 😂
Dr. Watson, yes! Your article captures the essence of what J.D. Walt over at Seedbed referrers to as Holy Discontent. Many of us believers can sense that the religious status quo that exists within Western Christianity just ain’t gonna cut it. I truly believe that God, in his wisdom, has allowed all this constant chaos to occur so that we can come to the end of our selves, and therefore accept the reality for us to accept some radical rethinking about how we do church.
Thank you for this. I came into my own in Christianity in the 70s and 80s when anti-traditionalism seemed like the only way to break the dead nominalism of the mainline denominations. Over time though I watched, as we all did, the rise of vacuous teaching and, for lack of a better word, Walmart church culture. I am seeing this desire and return to traditionalism but my concern is that this swing will go from one extreme to the other. I hope we can return to gatherings with a deeper and more meaningful sense of the sacred and not just a new set of clothes for the church. I hope local churches become communities with generational depth. And I deeply hope that we don't return to the petty tribalism and disunity of our heavily denominational and fragmented past. The body of Christ only accurately reflects His image when it is whole. Thanks again!
Dr. Watson, thanks for another wonderful piece. The secular world wants us to believe that people no longer care about matters of faith but empirical evidence, some of which you cited reveal otherwise. Strong faith communities that preach the unchanging truth of Scripture and help their adherents to embody strong Christian values (in word and deed) and not ones that pander to the pantheon of gods of this age with constantly changing values will continue to thrive. The time has come for us to have contemporary Daniels and his three friends in our modern day "Babylon" who will stand up for the courage of their conviction and they will never be alone even if they appear to be in the minority. The Church of Christ has great work to do to reach those outside the church but we must adopt the ways of Apostle Paul by engaging the world and its corrupted values and pointing those who are misguided to the saving grace of God embodied in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, especially of those who believe. Thank God for critical thinkers and opinion molders like you helping us not to settle for lower than God's best for us. We must not embrace weak resignation in the face of pervasive evil we are called to deplore. Grace and peace!
YES! Thank you for a good insight. Structure in a gelatinous society is a marvelous image. :)
Spot on. Catholic fathers and men of faith are starving for exactly this: a sturdy, traditioned community that offers more than superficial connection or self-help spirituality. Men are looking for something that challenges, changes, and roots them in truth. Hyper-individualism leaves them isolated, and lukewarm faith communities don't offer the structure or purpose they need to lead their families and steward their vocations.
The rise of 'trad' movements isn't a trend, it's a response to a vacuum. Faith lived seriously, with clear demands and deep sacramental life, isn't just enduring; it's thriving because it answers the real hunger for meaning and purpose. This is the challenge (and the opportunity) for Christian men today. Are we stepping up?
This is clear, helpful and encouraging.
Love this! I work in a public school, and I’m convinced that the way to reach the next generation is by being “radical”. Young people want a faith that demands something of them. I think that churches should gently let people know that if they only want Sunday Christianity, they will probably feel uncomfortable in our pews- that true Christianity demands a change in our worldview, culture and friend group. People will line up for that, and if a few people go “hardcore” about it, that draws the center in their direction. Great article!
I want an industrial strength faith. YYYEEESSS
"Liquid modernity" doesn't encourage standpoints. But a counterpoint is the Amish, as you say. They are an "island in the stream" (borrowing from Hemingway). So too, churches like Simply Jesus where I live. They are unembarrassed about joyous witness to the trustworthiness of Scripture and salvation in Jesus Christ. They occupy the site of a departed United Methodist Church. Empty parking lots are overflowing again, and robust, traditional family formation is manifest in fecundity.
Thank you, David. Yes, and amen. May it be so.
Well said, brother. Wow!
I have to say that I recognize the resurgence of traditionalists & I'm ambivalent. Back in 2013, it made complete sense. I was fully behind Fr. Benedict Groeschel, for example, when he chastised the US Church. But then around 2020, I saw the results.
You had 'small t' tradition sometimes at odds with the deposit of faith & Tradition. You had traditionalists questioning Vatican II.
Pope Francis was being questioned about the Synod on Synodality - a reform in line with the documents of Vatican II; and the crowning irony: this was no "spirit of Vatcan II" heresy which we'd been guilty of a decade ago. Rather this was the universal Church finally acting on the Council's documents after half a century of deliberation. Reaction in much of the West has been ridiculous. We've ended up airing our dirty laundry in front of continents which currently have Churches facing martyrdom & daily confessions.
So I really want this traditionalist movement to show some patience & restraint.
All the chatter sounds too much like hanging a bell on the cat to warn of danger.
Yes, exactly why we became Catholic 3 years ago!
I’ve recently been placed into a new Global Methodist Church start & am trying to encourage these concepts within this congregation. Any other suggestions on articles or books to read, podcasts to listen to, etc…?
Sometimes great examples are the most convincing. There are some up and coming churches that have grown by structuring themselves to encourage genuine commitment and a great respect for those who have gone before us. Check out Bridgetown church, which thriving in Portland, Oregon (the epitome of a post-Christian city). The founder, John Mark Comer wrote “Practicing the Way.” What’s great about a church like that is the energy that they breathe into a very orthodox, traditional form of the faith while embracing a modern aesthetic. They’re the kind of people that make fasting cool again. 😂