James K.a. Smith said this quote

“ The question of the relation between modernity and postmodernity revolves around the issue of 'legitimation.' Modernity, then, appeals to science to legitimate its claim - and by 'science' we simply mean the notion of a universal, autonomous reason. Science, then, is opposed to narrative, which attempts not to prove its claims but rather to proclaim them within a story. ”

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We have created youth ministry that confuses extroversion with faithfulness. We have effectively communicated to young people that sincerely following Jesus is synonymous with being 'fired up' for Jesus, with being excited for Jesus, as if discipleship were synonymous with fostering an exuberant, perky, cheerful, hurray-for-Jesus disposition like what we might find in the glee club or at a pep rally.

~ James K.a. Smith

James K.a. Smith Christianity Church Discipleship Extroversion Introversion Youth Ministry

We all - whether naturalists, atheists, Buddhists, or Christians - see the world through the grid of an interpretive framework - and ultimately this interpretive framework is religious in nature, even if not allied with a particular institutional religion.

~ James K.a. Smith

James K.a. Smith Belief Morality Postmodernism Presuppositions Religion Worldview

It's not that we start with beliefs and doctrine and then come up with worship practices that properly express these (cognitive) beliefs; rather, we begin with worship, and articulated beliefs bubble up from there. Doctrines are the cognitive, theoretical articulation of what we understand when we pray.

~ James K.a. Smith

James K.a. Smith Doctrine Prayer Worship

By using repetition, images, and other strategies - all of which communicate truths in ways that are not cognitively or propositional - marketing forms us into the kind of persons who want to buy beer to have meaningful relationships, or to buy a car to be respected, or buy the latest thing to come along simply to satisfy the desire that has been formed and implanted in us. It is important to appreciate that these disciplinary mechanisms transmit values and truth claims, but not via propositions or cognitive means; rather, the values are transmitted more covertly...This covertness of the operation is also what makes it so powerful: the truths are inscribed in us through the powerful instruments of imagination and ritual.

~ James K.a. Smith

James K.a. Smith Consumerism Desire Disciplines Imagination Marketing Ritual Values