Evangelism and Happiness in Modern Faith

So we're back with my buddy Dr. Andrew Root and his brand new book Evangelism in the Age of Despair - and no, before you ask, this is definitely not your typical door-to-door evangelism handbook. Andy's doing what he does best here, which is taking some heavy theological machinery (theology of the cross, Charles Taylor, French philosophers you've never heard of) and making it speak to the very despair of our concrete cultural moment. The basic argument? Our whole pursuit-of-happiness project has been a spectacular failure, leaving us isolated and constantly chasing distractions. Perhaps the church's calling isn't to add happiness to people's lives but to accompany them into their sorrow. It's evangelism as consolation rather than conversion, which sounds both obvious and revolutionary at the same time. We dive into why the optimistic 90s crashed into our current age of anxiety, how social media turned authenticity into competitive rage, and what it might mean for pastors to be professionally human rather than professionally shiny. Plus, we got questions from actual Substack subscribers who read the thing, which is always dangerous territory. This will not make you feel better about anything, but it might make you think differently about what the gospel actually is.

Join us at Theology Beer Camp this October 16-18 in St. Paul, MN.⁠⁠⁠ (Andy is coming too!)

Andrew Root is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary, USA. He writes and researches in areas of theology, ministry, culture, and younger generations. Check out some of his most recent books  Andy has worked in congregations, parachurch ministries, and social service programs. He lives in St. Paul with his wife Kara, two children, Owen and Maisy, and their dog. When not reading, writing, or teaching, Andy spends far too much time watching TV and movies.

You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube

Previous Visits with Andy Root

• Incarnation as Resistance
• Life Together in Turmoil & Bonhoeffer’s Experiment in Community
• Resonance in an Accelerated Age
• Secular Mysticism & Identity Politics
• the Church after Innovation
• Churches and the Crisis of Decline
• Acceleration, Resonance, & the Counting Crows
• Ministry in a Secular Age
• Christopraxis with Andy Root
• Faith Formation in a Secular Age
• the Promise of Despair

⁠⁠Theology Beer Camp ⁠⁠⁠⁠is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. This event features a lineup of well-known podcasters, scholars, and theology enthusiasts who come together to "nerd out" on theological topics while enjoying loads of fun activities. Guests this year include John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Philip Clayton, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Jeffery Pugh, Juan Floyd-Thomas, Andy Root, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Noreen Herzfeld, Reggie Williams, Casper ter Kuile, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠Get info and tickets here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Online Class:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, & the Holy Ghost⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Beer Camp | St. Paul, MN | October 16-18, 2025

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