119: Orphaned Believers: Sara Billups on Church, Culture Wars, and Spiritual Growth
Nov 12, 2024
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Sara Billups, author of "Orphaned Believers," sheds light on the evangelical church's culture during the 80s and 90s. She discusses how end times theology and culture wars shaped believers' identities and fears. The impact of consumerism and the prosperity gospel raises questions about faith commodification. Sara emphasizes the transformative power of authentic community and navigating personal spiritual journeys within imperfect church environments, highlighting the importance of relationships in spiritual growth.
The cultural narratives of the 80s and 90s shaped evangelical identities through fear, focusing on opposition instead of grace and community.
A shift from a consumer-driven faith to genuine spiritual formation is vital for cultivating a deeper, more authentic relationship with Jesus.
Deep dives
The Concept of Orphaned Believers
Many individuals are wrestling with the value of staying within the church, particularly as they feel disconnected or disappointed. Church is often viewed as the primary means through which one can experience Jesus, and this creates a tension for those feeling estranged from their faith communities. The discussion highlights that even when individuals have distanced themselves from a traditional church environment, they can still engage with the Christian narrative. This sentiment emphasizes the importance of spiritual community and belonging, especially for those grappling with their beliefs.
Cultural Influences on Faith
Growing up in the evangelical culture of the 80s and 90s had a profound impact on personal faith journeys, intertwining religious beliefs with societal fears and expectations. The conversation recounts how figures such as Sarah Billups' father were shaped by the era’s emphasis on end-time prophecies, instilling a sense of fear and urgency around their faith. Many children raised during this time internalized these teachings, which often focused on impending doom rather than on grace and community. This backdrop encourages reflection on how cultural narratives around faith can distort spiritual understanding and create a fear-based relationship with God.
The Nature of Culture Wars
The podcast captures the essence of how the evangelical community actively engaged in cultural wars during the 80s and 90s, defining identity through opposition rather than proactive service. Key issues such as abortion, music censorship, and perceived threats to morality became rallying points for many, framing a sense of spiritual exceptionalism within the community. This institutional focus on what to be against instead of what to uplift led to a disconnect from genuine service and compassion. There is a critical awareness that fostering a relationship with neighbors through love is more meaningful than engaging in battles over societal issues.
The Shift Towards Spiritual Formation
The need for a deeper understanding of spiritual formation emerges as a response to the shallow engagement prevalent in consumer-driven church culture. Many find themselves questioning whether their faith journey is authentically shaped by Jesus or merely by the surrounding cultural influences. Shifting from a consumerist approach to one rooted in personal and collective spiritual formation allows individuals to cultivate a richer and more authentic faith experience. Emphasizing the importance of listening, silence, and community fosters a transformative journey towards a faith that resembles the teachings of Jesus rather than the norms of contemporary culture.
Sara Billups joins Amy Fritz on the Untangled Faith podcast to discuss how the focus on end times, culture wars, and consumerism in the evangelical church formed many of us growing up in the 80s and 90s.
"If I'm being formed by these forces, in what ways am I being formed by Jesus?" – Sara Billups