June 25, 2007

a new beginning...again and again...a new teleology?

Has anyone else heard of the notion of "whitewater culture?" As I understand it, essentially means a culture that is fundamentally based on change. Change is the ever-constant norm. Some pundits somewhere suggest that Western culture, especially contemporary American culture is a "whitewater culture." All is in flux. There are no institutions, communities or even lifestyles that can maintain a consistent culture...morality, ethos. Our ethos is change. All that inhibits change of any sort is, interestingly, prohibited.

I know, stasis is bad...or something. Undesirable? Progress is not the same as change. It is only one kind of change. But have we come to a point where we can no longer discern that difference? It such a strange question. Culture is culture, right? Maybe. Maybe not.

I am wondering more and more if we are addicted to change in our culture. I wonder if, like so many before us, we have found ourselves in an unhealthy culture...a fallen state once again. Theologically, I know that we are always in a fallen state...and in a risen state.

If whitewater culture is the fallen state, then what is the risen? Still water? Living water moves...it is the promised water of Christ. But it is not whitewater...well...I dunno. What do others think?

Shoul the church change as often as the culture? Ofter alternative after alternative? Or should the church be an alternative...a place of quietude? Changelessness...but not regressive...somehow.

Posted by tripp at June 25, 2007 07:04 PM
Comments

A church is always IN a culture. So if the culture is changing, the church will also be changing -- even if it's trying not to. As Einstein pointed out, there is no such thing as stasis. Everything is always moving in relation to everything else. So goes the church.

Posted by: Megan at June 26, 2007 11:23 AM

Sure...but to what degree can anyone (any institution or community) guide cultural change?

Posted by: Tripp at June 26, 2007 11:27 AM

Anglo,

While you are in DC be sure and find the following people: Rich Rose (pastor of FBC Ithaca, NY) Jonathan Malone (pastor of Lower Merion B.C. in Philadelphia) Peter Carman (pastor of Lake Ave. Baptist Church in Rochester, NY) Jamie Washam (pastor of Underwood Memorial B.C. outside of Milwaukee) Jerod Hugenot (pastor of a church in Vermont or NH, cant remember). Be sure and go to the Roger Williams Fellowship dinner and the Baptist Peace Fellowship breakfast, the BJC events and the Baptist Principles gathering. Go to those events and you will get to see and meet the majority of folk who are like minded and crazy in a good way.

have fun in D.C.

Theobilly

tell 'em you know me and they'll probably carry you on their shoulders through the whole event.

Posted by: Theobilly at June 26, 2007 12:46 PM

To what degree can anybody or any institution guide cultural change -- I would say the answer to this question is as varied as individuals, institutions, cultures, and moments in time.

In other words, there are no guarantees that any institution or person will be able to guide any particular culture towards change at any particular moment in time.

All you can do is try.

Posted by: Megan at June 26, 2007 01:23 PM

Went to seminary with Peter Carman, but I doubt he remembers me.

Posted by: AKMA at June 26, 2007 07:12 PM