The podcast explores the decline in mental and spiritual health among Gen Z, highlighting the influence of safetyism and fragility. It discusses the challenges faced by young Christians in college and the importance of embracing the realistic yet hopeful narrative of the gospel. The speaker emphasizes finding strength and resilience in Jesus despite the hardships Christians often encounter.
Safetyism and fragility contribute to the decline in mental and spiritual health in Generation Z.
Christian beliefs require strength, independence, and resilience in a society that values comfort and rejects adversity.
Deep dives
Decline in Mental and Spiritual Health of Gen Z
There has been a concerning decline in mental health among the Gen Z population, including increases in anxiety, depression, suicide, and self-harm. Alongside this, there has also been a decline in religious affiliation and Christianity in particular. These dual realities of declining mental and spiritual health may be attributed to a common cause or contributing factor that affects both aspects of well-being.
The Untruth of Fragility and Safetyism
The prevalence of safetyism and the untruth of fragility contribute to the challenges faced by the younger generation. Safetyism, inherited from parenting techniques, has led to an expectation of comfort and an aversion to adversity and discomfort. This mindset, coupled with the idea that what doesn't kill you makes you weaker, has created a generation that struggles to handle trials and setbacks. This culture of safety and fragility has negative consequences for both mental and spiritual health.
Christianity as a Risky Proposition
As Christianity becomes less popular and respected in society, embracing the faith becomes increasingly challenging for young people. It requires strength, independence, and resilience to hold onto Christian beliefs in a world that sees discomfort as a warning sign and labels Christian values as immoral. The cost of belief has risen, and this poses a challenge to the faith of the younger generation. However, amidst the discouragement, the gospel offers a better story—one that acknowledges the realities of a fallen world while providing hope and the reassurance that Jesus has overcome the world.
Today’s generation of young people is more anxious, more depressed, and less Christian than ever before. What is causing this? Chris Colquitt, campus minister for Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) at Northwestern University, explores how safetyism and fragility are hazards to Generation Z's mental health and spiritual health.
Colquitt says the Christian gospel provides realism that challenges our fragility (“In this world you will have trouble,” John 16:33), but also hope to sustain us ("But take heart! I have overcome the world.”).
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