In this book Todd Brenneman "shows how evangelicals use tropes of God as father, human beings as children, and nostalgia for an imagined idyllic home life to provide alternate sources of social authority, intended to help evangelicals survive a culture that is philosophically at odds with conservative Christianity."
Brenneman divides Homespun Gospel into four penetrating chapters. The chapter titles alone give the reader some idea of what he or she is going to hear as they make their way through this helpful book. 1) God's in the Business of Giving Mulligans: Sentimentality and Therapeutic Culture. 2) You Are Special: The Anti-Intellectualism of Sentimental Evangelicalism. 3) New York Times Best-Selling Author" Christian Media and the Marketing of Sentiment. 4) America Looks Up: Sentimentality, Politics, and American Evangelicalism.
In the author's introduction the reader receives a brief survey "toward an emotional history of evangelicalism." One of the reasons Brennan chooses to trace this theme through the writings of Max Lucado is because of how uber popular Lucado is. With over one hundred million products, 25 titles aimed at adult audiences, 30 books for kids and teens, and a megachurch that averages around 7,000 attendees at its various campuses Max Lucado has greatly influenced the church's theology. "Lucado's message, found throughout his products, is one of a fatherly God desperately in love with His children. On the surface, it is a positive affirmation with a readily apparent appeal" (p. 1)." Christian authors who portray "a God who is infatuated with human beings and who desires to know the intimate details of an individuals existence while at the same time craving the same type of affection in return" have tapped into a huge market of consumers (p. 3).
In the introduction and throughout his book Brennan provides lengthy citations from Max Lucado (In the Grip of Grace), Joel Osteen (Your Best Life Now) and Rick Warren (The Purpose Driven Life). All of these pastors promote the "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life" mantra. "Theirs is not a habitually judgmental (John 3:36) or wrathful God (Heb. 12:29) but one who is familial and loving. This is their consistent assertion in sermons and writings" Such pastors command sizable audiences in their churches and substantial readerships both in the U.S. and abroad" (p. 3).
Todd is correct when he later notes that "It is not theologians or seminary professors who are making the most impact in evangelicalism. It is these personable ministers who have cultivated publishing and product empires through their emotional appeals; (for an overview of the media outlets and message of these ministers and others see Shayne Lee and Phillip Luke Sinitiere, Holy Mavericks: Evangelical Innovators and the Spiritual Marketplace)" (p. 3).
Brennan goes onto quickly highlight from church history the ministries of Charles Chauncy, George Whitefield, and Jonathan Edwards. He then compares the theology of Edwards (who wrote the theological masterpiece Religious Affections) with the contemporary church. "The emotionality at the core of modern evangelicalism, however, does not represent this self-reflective attention to the role of emotion. Instead, evangelicals have come to trust that EMOTION (emphasis mine) IS THE KEY TO A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. It is found in evangelical sermons, evangelical music, evangelical books, evangelical art, evangelical movies, and evangelical politics. Emotion is everywhere in contemporary evangelicalism. Yet it is a specific type of emotionality, one best labeled as sentimental" (p. 4).
"Sentimentality is a very important and overlooked key to interpreting modern evangelicalism" (p. 4). A few paragraphs later the author adds this most helpful summary. "Despite evangelicalism being thought of as a religion of the heart, too often scholars have paid attention to the mind of evangelicalism, not recognizing that most evangelicals have abandoned the life of the mind in favor of a religious life of emotion." This statement helps us see why preaching today is often very surfacey and so light when it comes to doctrine. This assessment also sheds light on why churches often prefer sentimental, syrupy praise songs that are typically presented in a concert like environment (note the rise of Hillsong-esq churches).
Brennan goes onto say, "Modern reliance on sentimentality actually promotes narcissism encouraging a belief that the individual is the center of the world and is the focus of God's attention." Ministries that have already embraced church growth methodology (Willow Creek/Saddleback) will find a happy match in this kind of sentimental teaching. The impact of this marriage has not helped Christ's church grow in the knowledge and grace of the Lord. But before we discuss the implications we first need to define the key terms...
TO BE CONTINUED
