RELEVANT - Issue 92 - March/April 2018

92 AVA DUVERNAY | M AT KEARNEY | N.T. WRIGHT SOCIAL CLUB MISFITS | DONALD MILLER | JON FOREMAN NATHANIEL RATELIFF | KIM WALKER-SMITH | TEDASHII F A I T H , C U LT U R E & I N T E N T I O N A L L I V I N G

John Legend As he prepares to portray Jesus on TV, the actor, singer and activist (and former church choir director) opens up about his own spiritual journey.

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RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

CONTENTS

T H E M A G A Z I N E O N FA I T H , C U LT U R E & INTENTIONAL LIVING

MAR-APR 2018 // ISSUE 92

March-April 2018, Issue 92

It’s our quinceañera issue, what’d you get us?

Publisher & CEO | CAMERON STRANG Brand Director | JESSE CAREY Managing Editor | ANDRE HENRY Contributing Editor | TYLER HUCKABEE Production Editor | KATHY PIERRE Senior Writer | TYLER DASWICK Editorial Assistant | LESLEY CREWS Contributing Writers: Seth James, Rachel Givens

52

Creative Director | JOHN DAVID HARRIS Designer | ALEXA MENDEZ Director of Web Development | DANIEL MARIN Director of Audio and Visual Media | NATHAN GRUBBS

Features

Audio Producer | CHANDLER STRANG Contributing Photographers: Ryan McGinley, Dylan Reyes, Dustin Condren, Eliot Lee Hazel, Brantley Gutierrez, Maeghan

John Legend

Donohue, The Walt Disney Company, Ken Sharp, Brad Elterman Director of Business Development | AME LYNN FUHLBRUCK

p.52

Account Manager | HEATHER VOORHEES Account Manager | KAYLEE SANFORD

The Grammy- and Oscar-winning singer will play the titular role in Jesus Christ Superstar on NBC. He’s ready.

Marketing Director | CALVIN CEARLEY Circulation and Traffic Manager | CAROLINE COLE Brand Experience Coordinator | MORGAN HICKEY Support Coordinator | MIKAYLAH ROUCHARD

3 6 // OUR 15TH ANNIVERSARY

Facilities Manager | MARK JACKSON

We’re old enough to be a high-schooler, and celebrating with our favorite people.

80

Operations Manager | JESSICA COLLINS Project Manager | BRIDGET DOMBKOSKI Finance Director | MICHAEL BOWLES

5 8 // THE U.S. AND CHILD SOLDIERS American taxes fund countries that exploit children, but you can do something about it.

4 6 // SOCIAL CLUB MISFIT S

Ava DuVernay

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: www.RELEVANTmagazine.com/advertise

p.64

All this wisdom could hardly be contained within these three pages.

The director’s work on Selma and 13th was essential and searing, and A Wrinkle in Time will be one of the year’s biggest movies. And yet, DuVernay insists she’s not just another blip in a trend, but rather part of a “historical continuum.”

7 2 // STAGES OF A RELATIONSHIP

8 0 // MAT KE ARNE Y

From spark to date to unknown, millennials chart a strange, unique relationship course.

“Music will swing back to authentic lyrics. It always does.”

7 6 // 5 STEPS TO A NEW CHURCH

8 2 // TIME TO MEET THE DEVIL

The rap duo is back, and they brought their whiteboard with them.

6 8 // N.T. WRIGHT ON PAUL

Church-shopping is tough, but our writer went in like a carryout pizza: hot and ready.

A rise in exorcisms gives a more literal context to “spiritual warfare.”

RELEVANT MEDIA GROUP 55 W. Church St., Suite 211, Orlando, FL 32801 RELEVANTmediagroup.com TO SUBSCRIBE RELEVANTmagazine.com/subscribe Rates: 1 year (6 issues) U.S. $26.99, Canada $36.99, International $45.99 SUBSCRIBER SERVICES WEB: RELEVANTmagazine.com/subservices Phone: 866-402-4746 EMAIL: support@relevantmagazine.com BULK DISCOUNTS: 866-402-4746 RETAIL DISTRIBUTION Michael Vitetta, Curtis Circulation Company mvitetta@curtiscirc.com

1 2 // FIRS T WORD

8 8 // RELE VANT SELECT S Our favorite new artists, and the books,

2 0 // CURRENT The rising perfectionism crisis in our generation, the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s

music and movies you should be adding to your collection this month.

Issue #92 March/April 2018 (ISSN: 1543-317X). RELEVANT is published 6 times a year in January, March, May, July, September and November for $26.99 per year by RELEVANT Media Group, Inc., 55 W. Church St., Suite 211, Orlando, FL 32801. Periodicals postage paid at Orlando, FL, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER:

assassination, apps that help you change the

9 6 // L AS T WORD

Send address changes to RELEVANT Magazine, P.O. Box 531147,

world, Arcade Fire, spring cleaning with a

How to find silence in a world full of pings,

Orlando, FL 32853.

purpose and much more.

buzzes and chimes.

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2018

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I T ’ S N O T J U S T W H AT Y O U S T U D Y I T ’ S W H O YO U S T U DY W I T H

“Who am I? Where do I fit? What difference do I make? While questions of identity, belonging, and purpose cut across all life stages, young people feel them intensely.”

KARA POWELL Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute and Associate Professor of Youth and Family Ministry

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2018

ANCIENT FAITH. MODERN LIFE. RADICAL VOCATION. R A DV O C O N F E R E N C E 2 0 1 8 R A DVO C O. O R G 017

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

FIRST WORD a letter from the publisher

you like John Piper? I prefer Carl Lentz.). And when you’re plugged in and hear about all the injustice

It’s Our 15-Year Anniversary (Mind Blown) We started RELEVANT with a big dream and a clear mission. Fifteen years later, everything’s changed—except that.

happening, cause fatigue is real.

Pessimists would say the world is getting worse, faith is waning and the outlook is bleak. But I wholeheartedly disagree.

We started RELEVANT to show God is relevant to every aspect of our lives—not just a Sunday service—and to give voice to what

RELEVANT’S

He is doing today. Thankfully, He’s

FIRST ISSUE

always doing something new.

Life and culture may always be changing and more rapidly than ever before, but none of this is news

MOVEMENT,

to God. I believe He still has a plan

SWITCHFOOT,

and a purpose. ifteen years ago this month, RELEVANT

F

FEATURED THE 24/7 PRAYER

Every new year presents new

COMMON,

debuted in print. To say things were a little

challenges and opportunities. The

JULIANA

different when our magazine hit in 2003 is

key is holding everything with an

an understatement.

open hand, pressing in to hear God’s

THEORY AND

America was just starting multiple

voice and obeying what He prompts

BRIGHT EYES.

post-9/11 wars. You didn’t need a “job” or “money” to get

us to do. Over the last 15 years,

THE FACT WE

approved for a mortgage. Hillsong United was a local Sydney

we’ve blown up our business plan

<GASP> COVERED

youth group band. The most notable faith moment in pop

and started over more times than I

culture was probably Morgan Freeman’s scene in Bruce

can count. The formats and methods

Almighty. And online dating consisted of typing a/s/l in an

may change, but the mission

AOL chat room.

remains the same.

But something was brewing. God was stirring a new

The key is to stay malleable,

generation who saw things differently. They were asking

humble and hungry. If we stay

questions; they weren’t OK with the status quo. They were

close to God, we’ll find ourselves in

passionate about God—and also justice, authenticity and

the sweet spot of His will for us in

impacting culture. They wanted to be known more for what

any season (This is a lesson I keep

they’re for than what they’re against. They wanted to make

learning the hard way.).

a difference.

A movement was forming, and we launched RELEVANT to help give voice to it.

Since then, we’ve seen more things change than I can list.

MUSIC GOT THE MAGAZINE BANNED BY MANY CHRISTIAN RETAIL CHAINS.

As incredible—and hard and humbling—as these first 15 years have been, I honestly can’t shake the feeling we’re just getting started.

Technology has revolutionized everything. We are globally

I can’t wait to see what God is going

aware, always plugged in, and people have the opportunity

to do in the next 15.

to make a real difference like never before.

SECULAR

Thank you for reading.

To mark just how far we’ve come, on page 36 you’ll find a 15-page special section looking back on the last 15 years.

We talked to faith leaders about the trends and shifts they’ve seen, as well as the opportunities and challenges for all of us moving forward.

Let’s be honest, this generation is at a crossroads. As much as technology has connected us in the last 15 years, it’s separated us. The generation gap is wider than ever. Church

C A MER ON S T R A NG

“streams” are getting more defined than ever before (Oh,

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CURRENT A B I M O N T H LY L O O K A T F A I T H , L I F E A N D C U LT U R E

Young Americans Might Just End Religious Divisiveness in America

‘Heresy’ Is Having Its Hollywood Moment

The rising generation doesn’t view faith as something that divides culture.

WHAT THE ... HECK? This spring,

I

f you flip on the TV or scroll through social media, it’s easy

by religion.

Part of the reason why this is so significant

to see America has become

is because it represents a significant cultural

a divided place. But a recent

shift compared to recent generations: 2016

study conducted by MTV and

research from the University of Minnesota

PRRI of a cross-section of young millennials

(which featured more older Americans than

and members of Generation Z found that the

the MTV study) found most people believed

up-and-coming generation no longer views

religion was actually more divisive than race

faith as something that divides communities.

in America.

The respondents were asked about

Considering that other studies have

whether they feel the country is divided over

found that nearly 80 percent of the same

things like politics, wealth, race and religion.

demographic say they believe in God and a

Though they overwhelmingly said politics

majority say religion is important to them,

divide (77 percent), a majority said wealth

the attitude shift could mean in the future,

causes division (57 percent) and half saw

religion won’t fade out of American life, but

race as a dividing factor in America. Just 38

instead will become something that is no

percent felt America was currently divided

longer so culturally divisive.

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two movies are releasing that tell the stories of people who have questioned the existence of hell— and how it affected their lives.

In Come Sunday, Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Carlton Pearson, a real-life pastor who lost his large ministry after he stopped believing in hell (Pearson’s mentor, evangelist Oral Roberts, is played by Martin Sheen.).

The film is based on an episode of This American Life and is produced

by Ira Glass.

Likewise, the documentary The Heretic tells the story of Rob Bell, who famously became an evangelical outsider after his book Love Wins questioned the reality of damnation.

2018

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02/09

CURRENT

[S T. S C R O O G E ]

Christians Donate Less Than Other Religions CHRISTIANITY MAY BE THE UNITED STATES’ BIGGEST RELIGION, but when it

Fun fact: She’s the most followed person on Instagram.

Evangelist Selena Gomez?

FOR SOMEONE WHO’S JUST 25, Selena

experienced Him firsthand. “You are

Gomez has quite the resumé: She’s a

already being pursued by God who knit

platinum-selling pop star, reluctant tabloid

you together and called you His, but you

fixture (which constantly speculate about

still don’t know that this can be more than

her romantic life), mental health advocate

a nightly prayer,” she wrote, encouraging

and now a speaker at church events.

the audience to seek a deeper relationship

Recently, Gomez was a guest at the

with God. “You don’t know that this will

Hillsong Conference in L.A., where

become the most important relationship,

she took the stage and got emotional

but just wait. Selena, you are enough!

while reading a letter she’d written to

Not because you’ve tried hard … You are

her younger self that documented her

enough because you are a child of God

life-changing encounter with faith. She

who has been pursued from the very

told those in attendance that for years,

beginning. You are enough because His

she knew about God, but never actually

grace has saved you and covered you.”

comes to actually donating to religious institutions, Christians fall way behind both their Jewish and Muslim neighbors. A Pollfish. com survey found that, on average, Jews donated $1,442 annually to religious groups and Muslims gave $1,309.

Christians, however, gave just $817 to Christian charities and churches. The number is especially surprising considering most churches consider tithing—giving 10 percent of your income to a church or charity—a biblical mandate.

AVERAGE ANNUAL CHARITABLE DONATIONS

BY FOLLOWERS JEWS

M U S LIMS

CHRISTIANS

$1,442 $1,309 $817

MISC.

MAR-APR

For his 81st birthday, Pope Francis

A Bentley University study reported

Cardi B recently secured five top

celebrated with a 13-foot pizza.

77 percent of millennials agreed

10 songs on the Billboard Hot R&B/

He shared it with sick children at

they’d be more productive under

Hip-Hop chart within the same week.

the Pediatric Dispensary of Santa

flexible working hours. Probably

That’s the most ever simultaneous

Marta. Papa John wasn’t invited.

explains your boss’s long lunches.

top 10 hits for a woman.

022

2018

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03/09

CURRENT

THE HOT LIST Bimonthly Cultural Power Rankings

H E RO E S O F CO LO R [Hottest]

Meet the Vending Machines Giving Free Food to the Homeless The machines feed people while also helping them get their lives on track.

Black Lightning is crushing it on TV, and Black Panther is dominating cinemas.

Where’s Miles Morales?

A NONPROFIT called Action Hunger

has developed an innovative way to feed members of the homeless

# M E TO O

community and keep them engaged

[Hotter]

with groups that can assist them.

We keep waiting for it to slow down, but you can’t stop what won’t stop.

‘THE OFFICE’ [Hot]

They’ve created vending machines stocked with healthy foods and snacks as well as hygiene items like toothbrushes. Everything in the vending machines is free, but in

The beloved sitcom will

order to access it, you have to have

return to NBC in 2018-19

a special card issued by a nearby

The machines are available 24/7 so

(without the World’s

shelter. If a homeless person checks

users don’t have to plan their lives

Best Boss).

in with the shelter—ensuring they

around shelter meal times, making

stay connected to a local community

it easier for them to find stable jobs.

support system—then they can use the machines three times a day.

The idea is to give people more flexible access to healthy foods.

After the successful debut in the U.K., machines are being placed in New York City and other big U.S. cities this year.

YO U T U B E STA RS [Cold]

Vloggers PewDiePie and Logan Paul were obnoxious even before their controversies.

M U S I C F E ST I VA L

Study: Fewer People Pray When They Get Stressed Out

LINEUPS [Colder]

Where have the rock acts gone? And what’s with all the Eminem?

L AVA R BA L L

ACCORDING TO A RECENT STUDY from the American Psychological Association, Americans are just

as stressed now as they were a year ago, reporting an average stress level of 4.8 out of 10.

However, when asked how they were dealing with stress, only 29 percent of Americans said they turned to prayer. That’s a big change in the course of just a decade: 10 years ago, 37 percent of Americans prayed during times of stress. It’s been a slow but steady decline since.

[Coldest]

Still waiting on our Big Baller Brand shoes, FYI.

MAR-APR

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2018

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RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

04/09

CURRENT

Inside Ozzy Osbourne’s Weird Quest to the Ark Encounter

The average adult spends almost three hours on their phone a day.

HEAVY METAL ICON Ozzy

Osbourne and his son recently made an interesting trip for their A&E reality show, Ozzy and Jack’s World Detour: They visited Kentucky’s Ark Encounter.

The life-size replica of Noah’s Ark is an outgrowth of the Creation Museum, founded

by Ken Ham to educate the public about his Young Earth creationism theology that the world is 6,000 years old. Ham tweeted: “The TV program turned out well! We praise the Lord for all the opportunities He gives us to share the truth of God’s Word & the gospel with people around the world.”

Social App-Tivisim MAKING A DIFFERENCE doesn’t have to be hard. With modern mobile technology,

humanitarian efforts now sit right in your pocket, on your nightstand or at your fingertips.

No more complicated pledging or fussy online registrations forms; these are one download away on the App Store. Here’s a look at some smartphone applications that make helping others as easy as scrolling your newsfeed:

1

3

SPOTFUND

2

With an Instagram-like interface, the app helps you find compelling stories around the globe and connects you with charities making a difference, so you can measure your impact.

CHARITY MILES

This app helps you get in shape and make a difference. For every mile you walk, bike or run, corporate partners of the app make a donation to the charity of your choice.

4

APPOLITION

The app connects to your debit card, rounding up purchases to the nearest dollar and sending the change to the National Bailout fund, helping incarcerated people make bail.

FORWARD

Forward lets you post pictures of used stuff and browse items others posted. Instead of throwing it out, it helps you give it away or connect with a charity looking for donations.

MISC.

MAR-APR

A Michigan restaurant is offering

The fossil of a giant penguin was

A New York City doctor known as

a $60 taco made of Wagyu beef,

found on a New Zealand beach.

the “airline food bully” has ranked

foie gras, caviar, black truffles, ice

The creature was estimated to

every airline’s general food offerings.

plant leaves (?) and Hawaiian salt.

be nearly 6-feet tall and 220

The best? Delta. Coming in last?

The twist: You have to buy three.

pounds. That’s an NFL-sized

Spirit and Hawaiian.

026

2018

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05/09

CURRENT

MISC.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has a new president, 93-yearThe perfect

old Russell M.

way to one-up

Nelson. An apostle

your vinyl snob

with the church for

friend.

33 years, Nelson took over after the death of Thomas S. Monson. He, too, will serve for life.

Arcade Fire Is on a Mission to Help the People of Haiti IF YOU WERE IN NEW ORLEANS the week before

one way they’re raising money for a group she

Mardi Gras (we’re assuming you weren’t there

founded called Kanpe (“stand up” in Creole).

for Mardi Gras), you may have witnessed a

Prepare for a new-look Dunkin’ Donuts. The coffee

The group is heavily involved in education,

unique sight: members of Arcade Fire marching

leadership, agriculture and health programs in an

alongside the Preservation Hall jazz band. “The

effort help “the most vulnerable Haitian families

Krewe du Kanaval” collaboration was the band’s

toward their financial autonomy.” It’s an issue

brainchild to showcase the “historical, cultural

the couple is deeply passionate about. Following

and spiritual link between New Orleans and

President Trump’s disparaging remarks about

Haiti,” a place close their heart. The family of

the nation, Butler tweeted, “Haiti is one of the

Regine Chassagne—who’s married to frontman

most special and amazing places I’ve been on this

Win Butler—is from Haiti. The parade is just

earth, and we need more Haitian-Americans.”

and pastry chain is trying an overhaul to just “Dunkin.” The revamped stores will include mobile-order pickup stations and mobile-order drivethrus. The donuts will be in glass cases, too. Sounds kind of like Starbucks.

Megachurches Seriously Lack Diversity UNSURPRISINGLY,

Sunday morning seems to remain the most segregated hour of the week.

Based on a new study by Church Clarity of the country’s 100 largest churches, diversity of both race and gender continues

to be lacking in church leadership. Of 100 megachurches, only seven have a senior pastor who was nonwhite and only one has a woman in a senior pastor role— and she co-pastors with her husband.

Compare that to the

7%

fact that the U.S. population is about 38 percent people of color and about 50 percent women. The study makes it clear that in the United States, the majority of churchgoers seem to almost exclusively be led by white men.

38% 62%

93%

Tide Pods? The trend became so popular the company had

MEGACHURCH PASTORS

GENERAL POPULATION

Patriots star Rob Gronkowski do a P.S.A. warning them against it. Teens are

WHITE

MAR-APR

Remember when teens were eating

028

PEOPLE OF COLOR

weird, man.

2018

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06/09

CURRENT

Perfectionism Is Fueling a Millennial Mental Health Crisis Attempting to live the “perfect” life and land the “perfect” job is taking its toll.

A

NEW STUDY from York

from 1989, millennials are now

St. John University

33 percent more likely to believe

and University

their environment demands

of Bath indicates

perfection (“socially prescribed”

that millennials are striving for

perfectionism), 16 percent

perfectionism more than past

more likely to expect perfection

generations of young people. The

from others (“other-oriented”

study, published in Psychological

perfectionism) and 10 percent more

Bulletin, defined perfectionism as

likely to harbor an irrational desire

the best and, as a result, move up the

“an irrational desire to achieve

to be perfect themselves.

cultural ladder.

along with being overly critical of oneself and others.”

Compared with young people

The blame has to lie with cell

“Meritocracy places a strong need

phones and social media, right?

for young people to strive, perform

Not exactly, according to the

and achieve in modern life,” lead

THEY REPORT INCREASINGLY UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS FOR THEIR LIVES.

researchers. The study

author, Thomas Curran, told Science

concedes that increased

Daily. “Young people are responding

use of social media does

by reporting increasingly unrealistic

mean young people

educational and professional

compare themselves

expectations for themselves. ”

more often to others, but

Curran warns that this heightened

it pays more attention to

competitiveness and perfectionism

what it calls a growing

could be having a negative effect on the

culture of “meritocracy,”

overall mental health of millennials,

where academic systems

especially considering that their

encourage competition

expectations for themselves grow

among students to be

more challenging to meet over time.

MISC.

MAR-APR

The movie version of Donna

Remember Carman? The CCM

Emily’s List, a site that trains women

Tartt’s best-seller, The Goldfinch,

mainstay announced on social

to run for office, reported 26,000

is stacked. Stranger Things vet

media that he’s married now, to Mrs.

women have wanted to start a

Finn Wolfhard and Baby Driver’s

Dana Licciardello. So turns out he

campaign in the past year, up from

Ansel Elgort will both star.

had a last name this whole time.

900 from 2015-16.

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2018

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RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

50 Years Later, Continuing Dr. King’s Dream Fifty years after his assassination, civil rights leaders are resurrecting Dr. King’s Poor People’s Campaign.

FIFTY YEARS AGO , on April 4, the

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated at a hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. Just a year earlier, King had announced it was time for the next phase of the justice movement: the Poor People’s Campaign.

According to a 2017 study from the Urban Institute, the wealth of the average white family in 1963 was $121,000 greater than the wealth of families of color (adjusted for inflation). It was becoming apparent to civil rights leaders that their initial goal of integration would do little to address the systemic economic legacy of racism.

“Now our struggle is for genuine equality, which means economic equality,” King said just days before his murder. “For we know now that it isn’t enough to integrate lunch counters. What does it profit

[THE

N U M B ER S]

THEN & NOW

UNEMPLOYMENT Unemployment among black workers has fallen by about 3 percent in the last 50 years.

1963

2013

68%

65%

TOTAL UNEMPLOYMENT

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032

2018

Leaders Still Carrying the Torch a man to be able to eat at an integrated

white people has actually grown since

lunch counter if he doesn’t earn enough

the 1960s. The wealth of the average

money to buy a hamburger and a cup of

white family is now seven times greater

coffee?”

than that of the average black family (a

Reflecting on the 10 years of protest activity he’d led, even with all of its

racial justice advocates still hold that

victories, King admitted the plight of

economic reform is one of the most

minorities had not drastically changed.

meaningful steps to be taken to make

So, he envisioned millions of people

DR. BERNICE KING

$700,000 difference). This is why many

Dr. King’s daughter is the CEO of the Martin Luther King Center for Nonviolent Social Change.

King’s dream of racial equality a reality.

of all races camping out at the capital to

The Rev. Dr. Willie Barber and other

demand economic reform. They’d stay

activists are taking the baton from King

encamped there until the government

as they launch a new Poor People’s

responded to their demands. It was

Campaign. Barber rose to prominence as

ALANA SIMMONS

a justice advocate in North

She founded the Hate Won’t Win movement after her grandfather was killed in the Emanuel AME church massacre.

Carolina’s Moral Mondays movement, a group that protests injustices they perceive in local politics.

CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS REALIZED

Barber has been

INTEGRATION WOULD NOT ADDRESS

touring churches to enlist

ECONOMIC INEQUALITY.

participants in a march on

LECRAE

Washington that resembles the effort King envisioned.

The rapper has been using his platform to shed light on racial injustice in the Church and culture at large.

A multi-ethnic coalition for racial justice, the new Poor called the Poor People’s Campaign.

But King was killed just as the

People’s Campaign aims to move King’s dream forward.

campaign was to launch.

“Some of us have decided that this

Today, experts suggest that the

50th anniversary of the Poor People’s

economic disparities King set his sights

Campaign can’t be a commemoration,”

on ending have still not changed greatly.

Barber says. “We’re not willing to just

The wealth gap between white and non-

remember the crucifixion [of Dr. King].”

INCOME

POVERTY

WEALTH

Black Americans earn 66 cents for every dollar earned by whites.

Black people make up a disproportionate amount of the country’s impoverished.

All wealth has increased, but white wealth is now $700k more than black wealth.

1963

55¢

1959

75%

1963

2013

66¢

2016

67%

2017

DOLLAR

TOTAL POVERTY

033

13%

15%

AVERAGE WEALTH

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

09/09

CURRENT

[ T H E C H E AT S H E E T ]

How to Spring Clean While Making A Difference If the springtime sunshine reveals more mess than order at your place, here are some ethical ways to tidy up.

AFTER HOARDING EVERYTHING through months

something with your donations.

of cold, springtime means it’s time to simplify

must grow, and I have to evolve everything around me to support

your surroundings. Instead of throwing

1. DRAFT A VISION.

that evolution,” Roberson says. You

everything on the curb and waiting for an

Take 10 minutes to write a

can think of this sacrificially, too.

anonymous truck to roll through, this year

description of your ideal post-

What would it look like to live in

let’s be more intentional. We called on Faith

clutter space. What in your

a sacrificial space? What doesn’t

Roberson, professional organizer and owner of

current situation aligns with your

belong there?

Organize With Faith, for tips, and we paired her

aspirations, and what doesn’t?

advice with organizations that will actually do

“In order to be truly alive, I

2. STREAMLINE YOUR CLOSET.

Focus on how each piece of clothing makes you feel instead of the cost, Roberson says. How do you feel when you put it on? If the answer points toward the donation pile, toss it. Give to organizations that are sure to distribute your items instead of reselling them, like Dress for Success and Career Gear for clothes and Share Your Soles for shoes.

3. PURGE THE TOY BOX.

“Children are decisive by nature,” Roberson says. “They’ll happily express what they are willing to pass along” (Just be sure to respect your kid’s decision.). A daycare, a children’s home, abuse shelter or even a local doctor’s office can all be places where old toys can bring joy to another person.

4. CLEAR YOUR BOOKSHELF.

Roberson’s trick: See books as temporal experiences, “like going on a trip or to a concert,” instead of objects to hoard at home. The memory of reading the story is more important than keeping the item, so donate it. Liberation Library sends books to young people in Illinois prisons and juvenile detention centers.

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2018

ACCURATE. READABLE. SHARABLE.

Learn more at CSBible.com.

035

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

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2018

how people worship, how

started with a simple

they consume and engage

premise: that God is

culture, how they stand

relevant to every aspect

against injustice and even in

of our lives. Whether

the values they live by.

it’s labeled “sacred”

RELEVANT’s goal hasn’t

or “secular,” is part of

simply been to cover it all,

the traditional church

but to truly examine it by

experience or is part of

talking to the people on the

the larger cultural one,

front lines, and figuring out

is serious or goofy, every

how to hear Truth in all the

individual part of our lives

noise. Here’s a look back at

matters to Him.

where we’ve all been, and

In the last 15 years, we’ve seen massive changes in

037

a look ahead to where God might be taking us next.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

15 YEARS OF RELEVANT

IN 2003, RELEVANT was

FA I T H

Digitized Religion

15 YEARS OF RELEVANT

The rise of the so-called “nones”—people who claim no religion—was one of the biggest stories of the last 15 years, and was fueled by millennials leaving the Church.

But behind the sobering statistics is evidence of a new era of faith that is more devoted and more tech-savvy than ever before.

The Deepening Faith of the Millennial Generation Stats about the dwindling number of Christians hide some encouraging news.

IF YOU LOOK at the headlines, faith in the millennial

generation isn’t in a great place. You’ve probably heard about the rise of the “nones,” and it’s true: 35 percent of millennials don’t identify with any religion, more than double the number of Boomers who say the same thing.

In the past 15 years, millions of millennials have walked away from the Church, but a closer look reveals a more nuanced picture. Faith among millennials may not be as widespread as it used to be, but it is getting deeper for those who remain.

Research has found millennial Christians who do care about their faith actually have more respect for Scripture than older generations. They believe the Bible came from God, and 87 percent of them read it multiple times a week—more than any generation before them.

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038

How one church helped the Church embrace the age of the internet.

RELIGION IS AN ancient

concept, but it’s managed to evolve with every major cultural shift—from the crusades to the printing press. And in the last 15 years, the digital age has reshaped how people practice faith. Since opening its “internet campus” in 2005, Oklahoma City’s Life.Church (yes, the church name is a URL) has officially become the biggest church in America, attracting more than 53,000 weekly attendees across 28 campuses. It also is the church behind YouVersion, the free Bible app that has been downloaded a staggering 300 million times, bringing the Bible to people in more than 1,000 translations and 40 languages. Life.Church open sourced their approach, launching a free ministry resource database called Open Network to bring other churches into the internet era.

2018

C U LT U R E

Mainstream Hip-Hop Started to Embrace Faith Some of the key moments: 2004: KANYE WEST “JESUS WALKS” West led the way, as he so often has, with a blistering number that was basically your grandma’s poem about the two sets of footprints transformed into a revolutionary banger.

2008: ERYKAH BADU

Modern Worship Rising FIFTEEN YEARS AGO, worship music

worship leaders like Matt Redman

was something you played at church.

and Chris Tomlin, who transformed

Sure, there were worship albums from

worship music into a global

the likes of Vineyard and Maranatha,

phenomenon, completely reshaping

but they were mainly bought by

the Contemporary Christian Music

worship pastors looking for some

industry.

tunes to teach the band.

But things changed. Bands like

Today, it’s Hillsong United, Jesus Culture, Elevation, Bethel and others

Sonicflood and Delirious? started

who are helping to carry the torch. In

finding ways to make worship music

fact, songs from Hillsong alone have

more interesting. Along with bona fide

logged more than 1.5 billion streams.

039

“MASTER TEACHER” Badu’s masterpiece left a huge impact (it coined “stay woke”), but it also celebrated communing with God. 2010: THE ROOTS “DEAR GOD 2.0” The Roots were already giants in 2010, which made their vulnerable cry for God’s help all the more striking.

2012: KENDRICK LAMAR “M.A.A.D CITY” Lamar’s domination kicked off with his dazzling exploration of the tension between faith and culture.

2016: CHANCE THE RAPPER “BLESSINGS” When the praises go up, the artificial walls between the sacred and the secular come down.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

15 YEARS OF RELEVANT

Music helps shape culture, and the last decade and a half has seen a revolution take place across two genres. Worship has gone from a pre-sermon activity to a global phenomenon, attracting millions.

And more recently, mainstream urban music has been returning to its Church roots, with artists getting explicit about faith.

JUSTICE

15 YEARS OF RELEVANT

For decades, many Christians were nervous about getting involved in justice issues, preferring to focus on the spiritual world. But over the last 15 years, a major shift has happened and a new generation of believers are embracing social justice as an outgrowth of their faith.

The Justice Movements That Defined an Era Here are four movements that changed the way we thought about social justice.

1

CLEAN WATER

3

Charity: water, Blood:Water and other nonprofits sprung up, launching social campaigns to bring water to places that don’t have any. They were some of the first examples of how the internet could mobilize millions around a common cause, stopping disease at its root.

2

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SLAVERY

Human trafficking remains not just a scourge, but maybe the scourge of humanity, with an estimated 20.9 million victims worldwide—20 percent of whom are children. The last 15 years have seen a huge uptick in advocacy for these people by various organizations.

BLACK LIVES MATTER

It took some tragic deaths and systemic injustice to wake the Church up to the reality that racism did not die with Jim Crow. Activists braved tear gas and arrests to raise awareness about ongoing racism in America and America was forced into a reckoning.

4

CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION

Global Christian persecution has never been as widespread.

But as the internet has made it almost impossible to look away, advocates for religious liberty have taken up the cause and are fighting for the rights of all people to worship as they please.

040

The AIDS Crisis: How the World—and Church— Woke Up

In 2003, WHO declared that the AIDS-HIV crisis in Africa showed “no signs of abating,” claiming the lives of an astonishing 3 million people that year alone.

These numbers were chilling on the page, and they lit a fire under the collective consciousness of the

world in a way few could have anticipated.

Charities were started, celebrities spoke out, governments and churches got involved, and against all odds it worked. In 2016, only 750,000 died from AIDS. Still too many but an amazing drop in just a few years.

2018

Tech That Changed Everything

LIFE

Three innovations that revolutionized our lives

From connecting with friends to watching Friends, things will never be the same.

BINGE WATCHING

STREAMING TV Services like Netflix made us think about TV differently: Appointment viewing has given way to a new era of high-quality programming, ready to binge on demand.

THE REAL BLACK MIRROR

IPHONE Apple’s revolutionary device did something no other phone had done: They put the internet into a pocketsized computer that was actually easy to use.

Millennials: Let’s Talk About Sex YES, THIS GENERATION MAY BE less

sexually active. Researchers believe a

fact, they are getting married and

religious than prior generations, but

variety factors are at play.

having kids later than any generation

they are also far less promiscuous.

Coming of age in the wake of an

on record.

Research has found that millennials

economic crash, as well as being the

report fewer sexual partners and

most indebted generation history

may have different ideas about the

have less sex than any generation

(thanks to student loans), has made

importance of fidelity. Baby boomers,

in the last 60 years. They are also

many millennials more cautious

who raised millennials, recorded the

waiting until later in life to become

about entering into relationships. In

highest divorce rates of all time.

041

Thanks to their parents, they also

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

15 YEARS OF RELEVANT

LIKE!

SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook (started in 2004), Twitter (2006) and Instagram (2010) have forever changed the way humanity connects, creates and consumes information.

Economic turmoil, evolving social norms and increasing debt changed how many millennials think about work, relationships and money.

But most notably in the last 15 years, it’s been the rapid advent of new technology that has reshaped the way we live our day-to-day lives.

15 YEARS OF RELEVANT

BACK FORTH A RELEVANT roundtable discussion on the last 15 years of faith and culture and what it means for the future.

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042

2018

FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS, RELEVANT

Way—or festivals or any of these

Church in the South. So when peo-

has had a unique vantage point cov-

things—not

financially

ple speak about Christian art, I think

ering the intersection of faith and

represents is that people are spending

you’ve got Christians in different parts

culture, and chronicling what God

their money in other ways. The Church

of the country with different perspec-

is doing in this generation. A lot has

has attached itself to different capital

tives on that very same topic.

changed since the magazine first de-

in interesting ways over the last cou-

buted in March 2003, and things are

ple centuries. And we deem certain

PROPAGANDA: This empire was built

changing faster than ever. To mark

things kosher or Christian, and we sell

on an industry or a marketplace that

our

them as such.

needed categories. It was like this reck-

15th

anniversary,

RELEVANT

succeeding

So, essentially, you are selling a

oning where the term doesn’t even

with some of the important voices in

product, but it’s stamped: “We are affil-

serve all of [Christendom]. There are

American Christianity over the last 15

iated with Christ.” And then the stores

Christians who are “not allowed” at

years—people who have helped shape

that sell these things are also in that

this table. And then somebody finally

the way we talk about faith. Here is

same box. But the reality is, there’s no

went, “I don’t know, man. I feel like

part of that conversation:

such thing as a Christian CD, there’s no

what you’re selling me is safety. Not

such thing as a Christian store. There’s

the faith.” I think it was a reflection of

a building that houses a bunch of piec-

what was happening as a culture as a

es of art that may or may not be good,

whole. And then technology and cul-

CAMERON: When RELEVANT debuted

that may or may not represent good

ture moved on, but the industry didn’t

back in 2003, Christian and main-

theology.

keep up, and in the meantime, artists

SHIFTS

stream entertainment looked a lot

kept making music and writers kept

different. Since then, we’ve witnessed

EUGENE: I’ve always known this, but it

writing and had to find other ways to

the precipitous decline of the Christian

has never been so poignant and so real

support themselves.

retail industry and Christian music

that this country is an incredibly large

festivals, as well as the success of a lot

country with lots of different views

KIM: Artists and bands and worship

of Christian artists in the mainstream.

and nuances. It just reveals that even

teams that we love, they’re a lot more

Why do you think things have changed

within the so-called nomenclature of

accessible now. That’s the power of

so much over the last 15 years, and

Christian culture, there’s just such a

the internet and social media. I think

what does it mean for the future?

broad perspective and view. [What is

it’s just easier to hear new music, to

called] the evangelical Church in Se-

connect, to watch live streams of fun

attle isn’t even called the evangelical

shows and share moments. There’s

JON: The ultimate thing that Life-

OUR GUESTS:

PROPAGANDA RECORDING ARTIST, POET AND ACTIVIST

SARAH PULLIAM BAILEY RELIGION REPORTER FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

EUGENE CHO

JON FOREMAN

DON MILLER

AUTHOR AND PASTOR

SWITCHFOOT FRONTMAN

AUTHOR AND SPEAKER

043

KIM WALKER-SMITH WORSHIP LEADER

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

15 YEARS OF RELEVANT

founder Cameron Strang sat down

this convenience factor, for a lot of

gatekeepers of the industry, the pub-

DON: Do you remember the end of M.

people, being able to access the artist

lishers. They used to be the curators,

Night Shyamalan’s movie The Village,

and the music and the different things

and you looked to them for what you

where you kind of discover the mon-

from home now.

should read, what you should watch.

sters are there just to protect this tribe

And now the word-of-mouth game has

from the ways of the world? I think

totally changed.

we’re rolling the credits on that movie

CAMERON: Because of the democrati-

zation of technology over the last de-

in terms of the Christian subculture.

cade, you can now create your own

JON: All of these things that we’re

platform and influence and sell direct-

talking about are human institutions,

ly to people who follow you. Whereas

and there’s a really great difference

MUSIC

before, you had to go to the Christian bookstore to find

CAMERON: Fifteen years ago,

out what was being said.

it was like Christians or Chris-

SARAH: It seems like there

were big titans, like Billy Graham, James Dobson, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell Sr. But now it seems like there are a million little kingdoms. Like 15 YEARS OF RELEVANT

you have people who follow Beth Moore, Jen Hatmaker, David Platt or Ann Voskamp, Rob Bell or whoever you name. And whoever you follow, it says something about yourself. “Oh, you’re in that Reformed camp. Oh, you’re in that more Charismatic camp.”

DON: In the old days before

the internet, you could just willy-nilly say the Bible said pretty much anything you

tian artists were always trying

“I think people really want to know how to think about these big issues of the day from a Christian perspective.”

– Sarah Bailey

so hard to be taken seriously.

Now 15 years later, you have Chance the Rapper doing stuff with Kirk Franklin; you have Kendrick talking extremely openly about his faith; Ty Dolla $ign is on Lecrae’s album; Kesha’s doing a prayer song.

Why do you think that is happening now?

EUGENE: I’ve always believed

that good, compelling, inspiring,

prophetic

larger consciousness. You’ve got

these

musicians

who

have made it very clear they are not Christian artists, that they’re not interested in going

wanted and people just didn’t

through the processes that

have the knowledge, the ref-

the Christian industrial com-

erences or the ability to re-

plex forces their artists to go

search the other tribes out

through, but they’re produc-

there who were speaking against those

between Christendom and the Church.

ing some incredible art and music. It

ideas to affect our beliefs.

I think that’s really helpful in this kind

not only speaks to the Church or those

And now, more and more, when

of conversation. You’re talking about

who call themselves Christians; it has

a Christian leader gets up and says

kingdoms other than the Kingdom of

a message that’s also incredibly ap-

something, people kind of go, “Huh,

Heaven, you know?

pealing and engaging with the larger

maybe I’ll make up my own mind about that.”

SARAH: I think it’s really shocked the

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provocative,

art will somehow rise to the

Ultimately, the Church is an entity

culture.

created by Christ, and it’s not gonna be outlasted by any of these things that

KIM: People want to be real. They want

are gonna crumble.

to be honest. They want to be them-

044

2018

5 Biggest Faith Stories of the Last 15 Years selves. I think we all want lyrics and po-

bit saturated, too. When The Passion of the

etry and art that will connect to us, that

Christ came out, it was like, “Oh my gosh,

speaks to us so we can go, “Yes, I know

Hollywood is caring about faith!” And now

what that feels like,” or “Yes, you just put

it just feels like there is something biblical

language to my experience.”

coming out every couple of months, so it doesn’t feel as special.

SARAH: I also think that people love see-

1. POPE FRANCIS The only story bigger than the nearly unprecedented event of Pope Benedict XVI’s voluntary stepping aside was the man

ing their faith represented in the main-

EUGENE: I have not watched a quote-un-

picked to replace him. As head of

streams. You see this among Mormons,

quote Christian movie since The Omega

the Catholic Church, Pope Francis

you see this among Muslims; this is not

Code about 20 years ago. I think I’m still

unique to Christians. You see it at the Em-

recovering from it, actually.

mys, the Oscars, the Super Bowl ... when someone acknowledges their faith, that’s

WORSHIP

the stuff that goes viral. There’s a big emphasis, I think, on identity and owning [it], and faith is just a part of that.

FILM

unleashed a revolution on the religion few could have imagined before him.

2. PERSECUTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

CAMERON: Hillsong United, Bethel, Jesus

Few modern news items can match

Culture, Gateway and countless others:

the sheer horror of the war ISIS

What do you think has led to the explo-

waged on other religions in the

sion of modern worship we’ve seen over

Middle East.

the last 15 years?

3. RISE OF THE NONES

the rise of Christian movies: Fireproof and

EUGENE: It’s not as complex as we want it

all those. They’re typically not the same

to be. Whether we want to admit it or not,

production value as Hollywood films, but

[churches] have become events that we go

they were very successful selling tickets

to. I’m not saying that they “are” events

to Christians that didn’t typically go to

but that’s just part of the dynamic of going

one religious belief in particular—

movies. So when Hollywood tried to rep-

to a church: a designated time that you go

now make up nearly a quarter of

licate that success with big-budget films

to. We don’t go merely to be entertained,

American adults.

like Russell Crowe’s Noah, Christian Bale’s

but if we’re all being honest, we’re all con-

Exodus or even Martin Scorcese’s Silence,

sumers.

The fastest-growing religious demographic in America is none at all. “Nones”—people who are atheist, agnostic or don’t subscribe to any

4. BONO REINTRODUCES

they’ve all flopped. Why? JON: It’s interesting because everyone I PROPAGANDA: The last thing I want to see

know learned how to play in context. And

is another Bible movie starring white peo-

as schools are taking away music pro-

ple. I’m like, “Y’all’s main characters are

grams, the context for music often hap-

still white, and your bad characters are

pens at church.

still brown.” I watched Exodus: Gods and

JUSTICE TO THE CHURCH When the AIDS crisis began to ravage parts of Africa in the early 2000s, Bono served as an unlikely figure who helped to unite churches and leaders like Rick Warren with movements to help those in need.

Kings, and I’m a Christian Bale fan. I loved

KIM: When I get around people who are

him as Batman, but fam, you not Moses.

10, 15, 20 years or more younger than

So I think until Hollywood recognizes

me, I am recognizing something in them:

5. THE DEATH OF THE

that if you’re going to try to get people of

It just seems like they have this really

CHRISTIAN INDUSTRIAL

faith in this building, you really have to

incredible ability to see through every-

COMPLEX

stick to the text. And then, you just have

thing. They know when you’re just kind

The fissures started small but

to find people who look like the region

of yanking them along on something, and

became impossible to ignore the

they’re in.

they know when something is real and authentic. And I think that that’s part of

SARAH: Yeah. I think the market is a little

the experience and what they’re looking

crumbling foundation of Christian retail subculture. The festivals, the music, Testamints, you name it. It all fell apart, leading to broader explorations of faith and art.

045

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

15 YEARS OF RELEVANT

CAMERON: Over the last 15 years we saw

10 People Who Changed The Faith Conversation 1

RICK WARREN The pastor of

2

LECRAE

3

Nobody brought

ROB BELL In an era that had

4

STEVENSON

5

BETH MOORE Caring friend.

Saddleback

faith, culture and

only ever wanted

With Just Mercy,

Fearless firebrand.

Church brought

justice together

answers, Bell’s

Stevenson made the

Wise mentor. Moore

evangelicalism into

more boldly than this

NOOMA video series

union between grace

has been it all

the new millennium

man, who proved

and best-selling

and justice palpable

during her long and

and continues to be

that faith doesn’t

books taught people

and proved it was

amazing career—and

an icon of how to do

have to be forced

to stop being afraid

a vital necessity in

she seems to just be

it right.

into pop music; it

of questions.

the American legal

getting started.

can just be forceful.

system.

for and why they’re being drawn to

I think that it’s especially important

more worship bands and worship-type

for young people, especially those who

events and gatherings. It is more about

are just moving away from home to

These women were really willing to

the experience and connecting to God

go through that, and kind of establish

challenge what was core to the Chris-

in a deeper, more meaningful way.

their own faith and have a relation-

tian faith and what was peripheral,

ship with God that is their own.

what was cultural. You were able to

FAITH TRENDS 15 YEARS OF RELEVANT

BRYAN

CAMERON: Blue Like Jazz was a pivotal

Sarah Bessey, Kristen Howerton, Jen Hatmaker, Nadia Bowles-Weber.

test the waters on a blog, rather than DON: The question isn’t, “Do we have

a publisher having to take a chance on

all the answers,” it’s, “Did God give us

you. A blog post could go viral and no

all the answers?”

harm done. There were a lot of risks

book for many RELEVANT readers. It

And the secondary questions is: “If

was one of the first widely successful

He gave us all the answers, could you

books that embraced rethinking faith

even fit them all in your head?”

taken for a lot of people.

PROPAGANDA: I can’t have this con-

as a natural part of spiritual growth.

Like, why would He? A parent

versation without bringing up the ra-

Why do you think, in the last 15 years,

doesn’t sit down with their 2-year-old

cial tone of that. There’s always been

it’s kind of become acceptable for a

and give them all the answers to life’s

somewhat of an unspoken kind of

generation that was raised to “just be-

questions. It’s ridiculous. I think that’s

asterisk that, if you were a person of

lieve” to start openly embracing doubt

what was happening.

color, you had to kind of bury a little

as part of their faith journey?

bit of your opinion.

EUGENE: If we surround ourselves

Like, you’re going to have to be a Re-

KIM: I personally love it so much. I love

merely with just doubt; if we’re mere-

publican and [bury] these things that,

the wrestling and the questions, and I

ly surrounding ourselves only with

if you were black or Latino, kind of

think that there’s just something in all

questions, then I fear this rise of what

rubbed you the wrong way. And then

of us that ... we want to feel accepted

I consider to be a very dangerous part

when someone finally went, “No dude,

and loved exactly where we are, and

of our spirituality; this instant cyni-

you don’t have to eat from this table.”

I think that is the beautiful thing of

cism that I think sometimes exists in

I think that, for me, and the people

Jesus. He meets us right where we are

individuals and maybe in our modern

around me, it kind of emboldened our

and He loves us right where we are.

society and Church today.

faith.

of understanding over the last 10-15

SARAH: I would say along with Blue

EUGENE: I think there is a trend,

years that God doesn’t expect per-

Like Jazz in 2003, came blogs. If you

even if it may be slow, even if it may

fection from us, and He does meet us

look at a lot of these blogs, they were

be messy, for the eager Church to ex-

where we are, and that He can handle

willing to challenge some of the core

amine its complicity of racism and

our big questions and our wrestling

assumptions that people had. Espe-

especially in the last five years with

and our doubts.

cially women like Rachel Held Evans,

the movement of Black Lives Matter,

I think we have gotten to a place

MAR-APR

046

2018

6

STEPHEN

7

COLBERT

BONO

8

In 2003, Bono was

RACHEL HELD

9

EVANS

BOB GOFF The charming uncle

10

JUDAH SMITH As a pastor in

The toast of late-

the biggest rock ‘n’

She was one of the

of Christian culture,

Seattle and LA,

night comedy is

roll star in the world.

first to see social

who is always

Smith disciples

also a fiercely well-

That’s right when

media not just as

ready with a kind

celebrities like

informed Catholic,

he made faith-

a place to tweet

word, a fun story

Justin Bieber,

who is liable to take

based compassion

links to her blogs,

or a real challenge,

brings theology-

any conversation

for impoverished

but also as a place

Goff lives his life

rich teachings to

into wild, theological

nations central to his

to blur the lines

as a testament

thousands weekly

waters.

platform.

between writer and

to the power of

and is even working

reader.

extravagant virtue.

on a new TV show.

with some of the realities of systemic

I think it’s a challenge for your av-

injustice, whether it be incarceration,

erage 100-person church down the

are we inevitably going to have two

immigration, whether it be with the

road that is supposed to take care of

issues of police brutality. I think there

the community. I think it’s a really big

KIM: I think it’s really scary and hard

is a trend within the Church to really

challenge for those kinds of churches

to navigate [these conversations] at

take a look at its complicity—particu-

to survive when people are flocking in

times. And most people in churches

larly its silence.

numbers to the big ones.

want to love and want to be in those

very different types of Christianity?

conversations, but don’t always know how and don’t always know what to

ways is getting bigger, but in many

say. But I think even that is a good

ways is getting smaller in that we’re

place to start.

CAMERON: Looking back at the last

only talking to people that look, act,

It’s the humility, again, going back

15 years, what are some of the other

think, believe and vote like us. And I

to [saying], “Hey, I want to go back to

Church trends that stand out to you?

think that’s a little bit disheartening.

a conversation about this; I want to talk about this; I have a lot of fears and

PROPAGANDA:

I

think

the

seek-

CULTURE WAR

er-friendly church thing and the multisite church thing really stuck out

concerns, but I want to do it in a way that’s honoring and respectful. How can I do this?”

to me. It’s like, y’all, do we—and I’m

CAMERON: There’s a huge gap between

gonna include myself—do we hear

what matters to our generation and

PROPAGANDA: I’m convinced one of

ourselves right now? Some of us are

to our parents’ generation. The old-

the biggest defining changes is that the

trying to get clean water. You’re wor-

er generation is typically more vocal

term “evangelical” has much less to do

ried about whether or not the service

about what they’re

offers Wi-Fi.

against; they want to

legislate

Chris-

SARAH: Evangelicals have always been

tianity.

really good at mimicking the culture,

it seems like this

and some people would think that’s a

generation is more

bad thing. But they’re good at copying

moved by social jus-

trends in marketing and business and

tice and human dig-

they’re good at following the trends,

nity as an outgrowth

so they notice Instagram is popular;

of their faith. How

we’re gonna get on Instagram. The

do you guys see this

multisite thing is taking off; we’re gon-

playing out? Can the

na do the multisite thing.

gap be closed? Or

And

then,

047

“Whether we want to admit it or not, [churches] have become events that we go to.” – Eugene Cho

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

15 YEARS OF RELEVANT

CHURCH TRENDS

JON: I think the community in some

with your faith than it does your poli-

tioning earlier about how younger

than other presidents. But there was

tics. So I think that if we just come to

evangelicals are more progressive.

a lot of fear built up under Obama on

that reckoning and say, “What do we

And they are; we see in polls, they

the issue of religious freedom and es-

mean when we say this?” I think that

are more liberal than their parents

pecially as it related to contraception

that’s the way forward.

on most issues: climate change, immi-

and gay marriage. And I think those

I can’t help but look at this from a

gration, you name it, they’re probably

two issues really freaked a lot of con-

black perspective and say, “In some

more liberal than their parents. That

servative evangelicals out because

senses, it’s about doggone time.” Be-

said, we haven’t seen a huge shift in

they were afraid: “Oh, are you going

cause I feel like, if we’re gonna go

the voter bloc.

to remove our federal funding if we

back through history, the moral rud-

When we look at evangelical vot-

don’t have gay employees? Are you

der of the American Church has been

ing patterns, they haven’t changed. If

going to force us to provide contracep-

the black folks. We were the ones who

anything, the people who did come out

tives that we consider to be of abortive

were finally like, “Hey, you know slav-

to vote in this last election were very

factions?”

ery’s crazy, right? Hey, you know Jim

strong for Trump.

JON: I think all these terms are help-

Crow’s crazy. You know you shouldn’t DON: Politics are going to keep show-

ful to a degree: evangelical, protestant,

ing us this dissonance. The Democrats

conservative. They help us understand

SARAH: I think a lot of people think

do not have a lock on the teachings of

things, but they are also boxes that are

that the catch-all term, evangelicals,

Jesus. They are not going to help us

untrue. Like, we talked about earlier

is no longer useful as a quick identi-

follow Jesus. The Republicans are not

with “conservative”: what are we actu-

fier of who you might be or who you

going to help us follow Jesus. It’s just

ally conserving? For a protestant, what

align yourself with. It used to be a

that when you are a Christian, you’re

are you protesting? When we start to

helpful term to separate yourself. It

trying to figure out which political

have those kinds of conversations, I

was a helpful term to situate yourself

party you’re supposed to belong to be-

think it can bridge the differences and

between fundamentalist and mainline

cause you think in binary. The truth is,

the disagreements because we begin

Protestant.

you can’t really belong to either par-

to find the commonalities in the things

And now, a lot of people just don’t

ty. You’d have to let go of aspects of

that we can agree on.

think it’s helpful at all. Especially

your faith in order to do that. But you

when you have a lot of black Protes-

do have to compromise with these two

tants who identify theologically with

political parties in order to just have a

evangelical thinking and theology, but

government that functions.

15 YEARS OF RELEVANT

do that.”

THE FUTURE CAMERON: As we’re pivoting from

they wouldn’t culturally identify as evangelical. It’s become really unhelp-

SARAH: President Obama did so much

what was to what will be, what do you

ful and really unclear.

evangelical outreach, and he spoke

see as the biggest opportunities and

the language so much more smoothly

challenges facing the Church moving

Cameron, I think you were men-

forward?

“When I think about my heroes, they are people who do what needs to happen in secret.” – Jon Foreman

MAR-APR

048

PROPAGANDA: I think, looking for-

ward, if we can just have that symbiotic relationship between the individual and the collective that just steps back and says, “What does it really mean to love my neighbor? How can I live out this faith as subversively as Jesus did?” and let that be [what] defines our time.

KIM: I think there needs to be this rec-

2018

5 People Who Make Us Excited About the Future of Faith

onciliation and this honor for each

There’s a church in Ohio called

other. I think if we are to truly be the

Crossroads, but across the street from

Church and to honor each other, we

the church they’ve bought this used

should really love each other like the

car lot, and they turned the building

Word commands us to.

into an entrepreneurial help center.

I think that part of loving each othCHANCE THE RAPPER

er is honoring each other and honor-

So they literally help people get businesses started.

ing where the other person is. I think

So the more the Church can under-

conversation sits Chance, a dominant

that’s really easy to do when it’s your

stand the way business works and

force and beloved pop culture icon who

peer, when it’s someone who agrees

help people start and sustain busi-

never misses an opportunity to let peo-

with you. It’s really difficult to do

nesses, the more they’re going to sus-

ple know Who’s really in charge.

when it’s someone you don’t see eye-

tain the basic necessities of life.

At the forefront of the faith and culture

to-eye with, or when it’s someone who

AUSTIN CHANNING BROWN The writer and speaker is finding new

may be a completely different genera-

EUGENE: I think what it means to be a

tion from you.

global Christian is to be mindful of our context in our culture, in our cities, in

JON: I’ve got a friend who goes down-

our nation, so that we’re not perpet-

American Church, marrying boldness

town every Sunday morning, and he

uating this Western Exceptionalism. I

and conviction with grace and patience,

sweeps the bridges where a lot of

think it’s very significant.

and a dedication to dignity.

these homeless folk live. He’s just this

ways to bring racial justice to the

SARAH: I think a lot of churches have

gives them water and food.

stayed on the sidelines on a lot of po-

It’s not a huge movement, and he

litical issues, by saying, “Oh, we don’t

doesn’t want it to be. He just wants

endorse from the pulpit. It’s not our is-

it to be him. And I think for me, that

sue. It’s not a Gospel issue.” But as we

written by Houston and his team being

was one of those things where it’s like,

go forward, churches are not going to

sung by tens of millions of people in

“OK, I want to do that. That’s what I

be able to stay silent on the issues of

churches around the world every week.

want to be imitating.”

the day, whether it’s gay marriage or

JOEL HOUSTON Hillsong United continues to dominate the worship landscape, with songs

I see that in the next generation.

They want the real, and they want bigger

than

Donald Trump.

I think people really want to know

JENNY YANG

something

something

how to think about these big issues of

As vice president of advocacy and

that’s just hyped [online]. That’s where

the day, whether it’s racism and white

policy for World Relief, Yang is making

I see the Church’s strengths lying.

supremacy—as you see things like

care and concern for immigrants a cornerstone of her work, and is reshaping how her community thinks about immigration as well.

Charlottesville unfold—people want DON: If there’s one mistake that I think

to know how to think about this from

younger millennials (those who are

a Christian perspective. And the #Me-

under 30) are making, it’s the sort of

Too movement with sexual harass-

anti-corporation, anti-money, anti-en-

ment, and the treatment of women.

CHAD VEACH

terprise mentality. We need to pivot

I think in the future, from a polit-

Veach founded L.A.’s Zoe Church which

our understanding to say that money

ical standpoint, we’re going to see

has attracted Hollywood influencers

isn’t a bad thing, it’s just a tool and

a reshaping of political parties and

including Chris Pratt, Hailey Baldwin,

we’ve got to use it to create equality

identity politics. And I think, going

in a society.

forward, they’re going to be looking

Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber with Veach’s approachable teaching style and practical approach to ministry.

I just wish there were more Chris-

to Fox News or John Oliver or church

tian economists, because I think if you

leaders. And I think that’s going to be

really want to study a culture you just

the challenge and opportunity looking

have to study its money.

forward.

049

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

15 YEARS OF RELEVANT

unknown guy who talks to folks and

THE NEXT 15 We’ve consulted with the finest futurists in the world (and disregarded most of what they’ve said), to come up with these fearless predictions for what the next 15 years will bring.

A DWAYNE “THE ROCK” JOHNSON PRESIDENCY will usher in nearly a decade of prosperity, peace and delightful 15 YEARS OF RELEVANT

Jumanji sequels.

Online churches will become the exciting new way people don’t go to church.

A CREATIVELY TAPPED-OUT HOLLYWOOD will release like four sequels to the film Avatar, a movie no one has thought about since its release a decade ago.

RELEVANT will shutter its doors indefinitely after a Facebook commenter accuses it of being “more like IRrelevant.”

Publisher Cameron

The “future” finally arrives as Dippin’ Dots formally replaces traditional ice cream.

MAR-APR

Strang says,

APPLE WILL REVOLUTIONIZE THE MUSIC INDUSTRY with iDisks—10inch circles with a full album on them that you insert into an audio player.

“No more scrolling through countless music options,” the company boasts.

“Now each album gets its own, uniquely packaged iDisk.”

ALL ONLINE COMMUNICATION will be in the form of invitations from old high school friends asking you to join their very exciting essential oil/ legging/make-up/ vitamin businesses.

“There is no way we can recover from this devastating burn.”

AMERICAN SEMINARIES will begin offering degrees in Fog Machine Operation as the modern worship movement continues to increase the demand for ministers trained in setting the right mood for the climax of “Oceans.”

Rob Bell will release his massive best-of compendium titled “5,390 Questions I’m Just Asking.”

050

2018

051

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

LEGE HAS

MAR-APR

052

2018

END IT

The R&B star will soon take on the role of Jesus— something he’s been preparing for his whole life.

BY J E S S E C A R E Y

W

hen John Legend

will take the lead role in a live adap-

other up-and-coming artist: rapper

steps into the role

tation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s mas-

Kanye West.

of Jesus in front of

sively popular—and controversial—

Not long after, he was signed to a re-

millions of viewers

musical Jesus Christ Superstar on NBC.

cord deal that not only led to a Gram-

on Easter Sunday,

If you’ve listened to his music, in-

my and a double-platinum album,

cluding his most recent album, Dark-

but also made him the go-to singer

ness and Light, his Grammy-winning

for unique collaborations thanks to

debut Get Lifted, his Oscar-winning

his gospel-infused sound. Since then,

“I grew up with not only my par-

single for the film Selma, “Glory,” or

he’s teamed up with the likes of Jay-Z,

ents being very religious, but also

really any of the other releases in his

Chance the Rapper, Mary J. Blige, Lau-

my grandfather was our pastor,” he

15-year career, those deep Christian

ryn Hill and Alicia Keys.

explains, describing his childhood in

roots probably won’t be a surprise.

he’ll be in familiar territory.

In many ways, he’s been preparing for this role his entire life.

They all came to him for a sound

Springfield, Ohio. And when he says

“I grew up playing gospel music,”

that’s familiar to anyone who’s ever

that his family was “very” religious,

he explains. For nearly a decade—be-

listened to gospel and who’s also been

he’s not exaggerating. Church is in

fore he became one of music’s biggest

a fan of R&B.

John Legend’s blood.

stars—he served as the choir director

“Gospel music, particularly—and

at Bethel AME Church in Scranton,

the black church—have been a part of

Pennsylvania.

black music culture for so long,” he ex-

He continues: “My grandmother was our church organist. My uncle took over for my grandfather when

While working at the church, Leg-

plains, discussing the draw of so many

he passed away. I have uncles on my

end—whose real name is John Ste-

kinds of artists to traditionally Chris-

dad’s side who are also ministers and

phens—released

and

tian music. “If you just go back and

pastors, and one of my uncles is a bish-

toured the East Coast, playing his sig-

look at Aretha Franklin, she grew up

op in Cincinnati.”

nature brand of gospel-inspired R&B.

in a church and made gospel albums.

In other words, John Legend is inti-

It was then that he was discovered

If you look at Marvin Gaye, he grew

mately familiar with Jesus’ teachings.

by music producer Devo Springsteen,

up in the Church and made songs that

On the evening of April 1st, Legend

who hired him to write hooks for an-

talked about his faith and Jesus and his

solo

053

demos

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

views on spirituality. Stevie Wonder

to engage political issues he sees as

is mass incarceration, an issue that

has done it. I think all the great artists

dangerous. His often-fiery tweets fre-

disproportionately affects people of

we grew up listening to, they grew up

quently advocate for issues affecting

color in America.

in the black Church and that tradi-

the poor. And, unsurprisingly, much of

“It was something I felt personally,

tion doesn’t just go away even though

the motivation stems back to the days

dealing with it in my family and with

you’re making secular music.”

he sat in a pew in Ohio, learning about

other friends I grew up with who were

Christ’s teachings.

in prison for quite a long time or in

That’s an idea that John Legend

MAR-APR

keeps coming back to. The Church, the

“Jesus was kind of a revolutionary

music, it never leaves you, even if you

in his own way,” Legend says, as his

and out of jail for one reason or anoth-

decide to walk away from it.

grandfather’s pulpit influence begins

It’s an issue he’s had to deal with

Legend is no longer involved in the

to peek through. “He was fighting the

throughout his life, and now, he’s us-

Church and doesn’t consider himself

power and speaking out for the un-

ing his platform to make a difference.

“religious,” but he insists, “All of that

derdog almost all the time throughout

“If you look at the statistics and you

is still with me.” In some ways, his ca-

His life. That’s why He was so dan-

look at the policies we’ve had in place

reer is more aligned with the message

gerous, and that’s why the powers

for the last several decades, we’ve be-

of Jesus than it has ever been.

that be wanted Him to not be around

come the most incarcerated country

anymore. I think there’s been more of

in the world by far,” Legend explains.

UNTO THE LEAST OF THESE

a conversation about that lately too. I

“That massive scale of incarcera-

If you follow Legend on Twitter, you

think that’s a good thing.”

tion we have here has contributed, I

er,” he explains.

may be surprised to find a very dif-

The conversations Legend is fre-

think, to a lot of social problems and

ferent side of a person known for his

quently engaged in are about how so-

made life really difficult for not only

soulful songs and laid-back, ultra-cool

ciety treats those the Bible calls “the

the people who got locked up but for

on-stage

passionate

least of these,” the poor, the forgotten,

their families, their communities and

about social injustice and not afraid

the down-trodden. One of these topics

for our society. I think we’ve spent so

persona.

He’s

054

2018

much money and energy on polic-

ect, an upcoming HBO documentary,

challenge a value that needs to be

ing and locking people up that we’ve

due out this spring, about the 1968

examined: patriotism.

neglected all kinds of other ways we

Olympic protests by John Carlos and

“It’s a more nuanced definition of

could edify our communities. We

Tommie Smith, who raised their fists

what patriotism means, and the idea

spend often tens of thousands of dol-

to protest racial discrimination after

that loving a country doesn’t mean

lars a year on locking one person up.

medaling in the Mexico City games.

loving it and ignoring all the things

There’s an opportunity cost: We’re

With Drawn Arms is being co-pro-

that are wrong with it,” he says. “It

not investing in things that will pre-

duced by actor Jesse Williams.

means loving it enough to speak out

vent folks from getting in trouble in

Yes, the story takes place exactly 50

when you know you can make it a

the first place and making our society

years ago this year, but Legend says

better place if we treated each other

more loving and more just.”

its message is just as relevant today.

better, if we had more justice, more

In response to the issue, Legend

“It seems so timely right now as

peace and less bigotry and less divi-

called

we have these conversations about

sion. I think this project honors that

FreeAmerica, which is dedicated to

the football players kneeling during

spirit of a more courageous patri-

helping people who are finding real

the anthem at the NFL games, led

otism, one that actually wants the

solutions to the problems at the heart

by Colin Kaepernick and the con-

country to get better and whose love

of the mass incarceration epidemic,

troversy that’s arisen around it,” he

is directed toward making the coun-

and advocating for legislative chang-

says, referencing the

es to help end it. But at the core of the

demonstrations

program is a single ethos: to listen.

dozens of NFL play-

launched

an

organization

by

“Before we even got behind a lot

ers protesting racial

of policy changes, what we did was

injustice and police

we went around the country and

brutality.

just visited prisons and visited state

says it’s important to

legislatures and visited with district

tell the story because

attorneys and police officers and sur-

athletes have always

vivors of crime, all these folks who

played a major role

have a stake in the system right now,

in shifting culture’s

and we tried to listen and amplify

view of social issues.

voices that may not have been heard as much,” he explains.

Legend

“I have no doubt that the message of Christian love has stayed with me.”

“I think this story’s such an iconic

“In addition to that, we pursue

and powerful story to tell that is in

more tangible things like changing

the spirit of what we’re talking about

Once again, when Legend talks

laws, and electing district attor-

in the discussion right now publicly,”

about these issues, he begins to slip

neys we think have the right point

he explains. “I think it’s an example

from pop star to preacher, perhaps

of view,” Legend says. “We’ve been

of one, the cost of it because they

inadvertently channeling his grand-

getting involved in electoral politics

really did make some sacrifices that

father’s

in some ways as well, and in the leg-

gave them some short-term pain and

it’s controversial—but it’s also im-

islative process as well. Between all

loss, but it was for a greater cause

portant. It can’t be ignored. In many

of those things, we’ve already made

that they believed in. I think we’re

ways, it’s a lot like the Gospel itself.

some progress in changing laws and

seeing the same thing happen with

electing people who we think will

Kaepernick.”

do a better job of making the system

try more just.”

passion.

He

understands

For Legend, the decision to make a film about a controversial protest

Legend understands that for many

isn’t about politics, it’s about a belief

Americans—and many NFL fans—

in what’s right. He doesn’t seem over-

His passion for using cultural in-

that the protests have been contro-

ly interested in being political; he

fluence to enact social change has

versial, and some may have consid-

just wants to tackle issues that affect

also inspired another recent proj-

ered them to be offensive, but they

people in need. He points again to the

more fair.”

055

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

example of Jesus.

That experience too has weighed on him—in

“I think it’s important that we continue to ex-

a good way. It’s made him even more aware of

amine [Jesus’] words and not to project what our

why the message he’s carried with him since he

own political motivations are onto Him, but to

was a child is still so important.

actually pay attention to what He actually said,”

“It just makes me more aware of the challeng-

he explains. “What He said about the poor, what

es parents face raising kids,” he explains. “I feel

He said about loving one another and all the

really blessed that we have had all the success

things that He preached, I think sometimes we

we’ve had, and that pretty much every door

lose sight of that.”

will be open for my daughter, but seeing the

He compares the application to Jesus’ mes-

challenges we face and then knowing it’s much

sage to a more modern example, Dr. Martin

harder when you don’t have the money you

Luther King, Jr., and some people’s tendency to

need, when you’re worried about keeping a roof

use his name and image to champion their own

over your head or worried about whether you’ll

pet causes, instead of seeing them for what they

even have health insurance, and all these other

really are.

issues. I think I even

“A lot of times, both figures get appropriated

have more empathy

for whatever cause someone wants to put them

for parents and kids

on,” he says. “But a lot of times people take them

going through those

out of context and don’t listen to their actual

things right now. I

words they said. I think we’d be wise to really

think it makes me

pay attention to what Jesus said and not try to

even more politically

project our own political views onto His words.”

aware and passionate about doing what

A DIFFERENT KIND OF RELIGION

we can as a society to

As Legend got older, his belief system and worl-

make it a little easier

dview began to change. However, unlike many

for these parents and

people who left religion, Legend wasn’t hurt by

these children grow-

the Church—he still talks of it fondly—he simply

ing up.”

stopped believing like he once did.

“I’ve just done a lot of reading,” he explains.

MAR-APR

Along those lines, Legend

started

an

“I feel like I’m not as dogmatic or fundamental-

organization

called

ist in any way, because I’ve come to the under-

The Show Me Cam-

standing that I don’t have all the answers, that

paign that’s aimed at

my responsibility is to ask questions and learn

helping people escape

and grow.

poverty and create

“I think we’d be wise to really pay attention to what Jesus said and not try to project our own political views onto His words.”

“I’ve kind of just opened my mind and al-

a better life for their

lowed it to not forget all the things I learned as

own children by mak-

a kid, but also be open to other ways of think-

ing sure they have op-

ing, but still carrying that tradition of love and

portunities for a better future.

respect for each other, and wanting peace, and

“Our main focus is on education,” he says of

wanting a community that’s safe and just where

The Show Me Campaign. “We’ve done things

we all take care of each other and care about

like creating a fund that supports innovative

each other.”

teachers who are doing exciting things in the

If you read the tabloids or entertainment

classroom that can really improve kids’ ability

magazines, you may have seen that Legend and

to learn. We’ve done things like providing schol-

his wife—model and TV host Chrissy Teigen—

arships to girls in Africa who want to go to sec-

will soon welcome their second child.

ondary school. We’ve done all sorts of things tar-

056

2018

geted toward improving our school systems here in the United States.”

In many ways, everything up to this point has led him to take on a

While Legend may no longer be

role that is so loaded with other peo-

religious, he carries a moral burden

ple’s expectations, yet so poised to

with him. He sees success as a plat-

challenge them.

form. He sees fatherhood as a win-

No matter what a person’s reli-

dow to better understand the needy.

gious beliefs are, no matter what po-

He sees a society that’s deeply in need

litical party they belong to, Legend

of people who will live Jesus’ mes-

wants people to see Jesus as someone

sage—even if they, and he, aren’t sure

whose message still matters.

who He really is.

“I have no doubt that the message of Christian love has stayed with me,”

JOHN LEGEND, SUPERSTAR

he says.

One of the reasons Jesus Christ Super-

Yes, even people who didn’t grow

star was so controversial when it first

up in a family of preachers and pas-

came out in the 1970s was because

tors can be activists, love others and

the musical chose not to focus on Je-

want to change culture, but for Leg-

sus’ divinity. Instead, the production

end, those impulses were ingrained

is about the relationship between

in him from a household raised on

Jesus and His disciples, particularly

gospel and the Gospel.

Judas, the man known forever for his betrayal of Christ.

“I know that there are people who have the same kind of sense of re-

In the play, Jesus isn’t always a

sponsibility for their community and

wise, patient teacher. He’s an emo-

love for their community who aren’t

tional human who’s facing a public

religious, are not Christian,” he says,

execution, all while wrestling with

reflecting back. “But I think it cer-

the relational dynamics of His follow-

tainly didn’t hurt for me to have that

ers, friends and family. It’s not always

message preached to me in church

flattering because the musical isn’t

every week by my pastor, who was

about the divine; it’s about humanity.

my grandfather, and then at home by

Maybe that’s why John Legend

my parents.”

is such a good choice to play Him

All of those countless hours of ser-

in NBC’s Easter production of Jesus

mons and worship services will help

Christ Superstar Live. Legend’s views

when Legend takes the stage as Jesus

about Jesus are no longer about re-

in the televised musical, but even

ligion. They’re about a message that

when the curtain drops on Easter

carries with it a deep sense of hu-

Sunday, that message will stay with

manity and reaching those who need

him, because that’s still what fuels

it most.

John Legend—the singer, the activist,

Though that doesn’t mean he’s not feeling the weight of taking on the

the father—in the real role that he was always born to play.

role, “He’s probably the most well-regarded and well-known figure in human history,” Legend says. “And then combine that with the fact that many folks still worship Him today, so it’s plenty of pressure.”

057

JESSE CAREY is the brand director at RELEVANT. You can find him on Twitter @jessecarey.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

Why Are American Taxes Funding Child Soldiers?

The U.S. is violating its own law to fund countries that prey on children. You can help stop it.

BY J E S S E C A R E Y

MAR-APR

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2018

R Right now, an estimated 300,000 children globally are being robbed of childhoods. They do not go to school. They don’t spend their days playing with friends. Many no longer see their families.

These hundreds of thousands of children are soldiers, and they are fighting on the front lines of some of the world’s most deadly conflicts.

Across parts of North Africa, the Middle East and Asia, children are frequently recruited—or kidnapped—and forced to fight. According to Human Rights Watch, they are frequently sexually abused and are often subjected to some of the harshest conditions and most dangerous missions—including being used as human shields.

In 2008, the United States decided to take dramatic measures to prevent the spread of the use of child soldiers. As part of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008—named for the famous British Christian abolitionist responsible for the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act of 1807—Congress passed the Child Soldiers Prevention Act (CSPA).

It was a revolutionary piece of legislation that placed real consequences on countries preying on the most vulnerable.

The law says that no country that uses child soldiers may receive U.S. military aid.

The intention of the law is twofold: Primarily, it attempts to serve as a deterrent from using child soldiers—after all, the U.S. spends billions assisting other countries in a variety of military campaigns across the world. But the law also ensures that American taxpayer money isn’t used for buying weapons or equipment that will end up in the hands of children forced to fight in conflicts around the globe.

In theory, the law strikes a major blow to the recruitment of child soldiers.

But starting in 2010 under President Obama and as recently as September 2017 under President Trump, the United States government has done something that’s flown under the radar of many activists fighting to end child slavery: intentionally ignored its own law.

059

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

As a result, American taxpayer money is currently sup-

Molyneux says that the CSPA could be a pow-

porting the use of child soldiers in several countries, and

erful tool to end child slavery, however, he says,

the highest levels of Congress, the State Department and

“The law has never really been used to its full

White House all know about it.

effect.”

A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT

grants a single person—the sitting president—

Every year, the State Department issues the “Trafficking

the authority to issue waivers to any country

in Persons Report,” a document that tracks human traf-

that uses child soldiers if it is deemed to be in

ficking, slavery, the use of child soldiers and other human

the U.S.’s “national interest” to do so. And since

rights violations across the world. The report itself says

2008, nearly all of the penalties meant to be lev-

it “is the U.S. Government’s principal diplomatic tool to

ied on countries that use child soldiers have been

engage foreign governments on human trafficking.”

waived.

One of the major flaws of the law is that it

The reason why it could be so effective in preventing

At times, Molyneux says, partially waiving

these types of abuses is because of the potential, signif-

these penalties, can make sense. “We have some-

icant consequences for countries that violate human

times recommended the use of partial waivers

rights. Within the report each year is a list of countries the

tied very much to efforts to reduce recruitments

State Department has identified “as having governmental

of children and to prioritize initiatives that are

armed forces or government-supported armed groups

seeking to do that,” he says. In other words, if a

that recruit and use child soldiers.” If a country lands on

country is making significant strides in reducing

the report, that means, according to the law, they should

the use of child soldiers, Molyneux suggests that not entirely withholding military support might be appropriate. But in the last decade, both Trump and Obama have issued wide-ranging

Countries the State Department says use child soldiers will receive $140 million in U.S. military assistance, despite laws prohibiting it.

waivers via executive order.

During Obama’s time, almost all of the restrictions were waived, Molyneux says. And though Trump hasn’t issued waivers as broadly, he, too, has given most of the countries on the list a pass.

Part of the problem is the idea of “national interest” is so broad. Many of the countries on the list use U.S. military support to fight radical Islamic insurgencies.

In the view of the president, even if those governments are using child soldiers to fight the ter-

not receive any military support from the United States.

rorists, it may be in the “interest” of the U.S. to

Currently, eight countries—Democratic Republic of the

essentially ignore our own law.

Congo, Mali, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen—are on the list.

THE 8 OFFENDERS

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

But it also implicates the United States—and its taxpayers—in their recruitment.

“In theory, under [the CSPA], the U.S. government is

“U.S. military aid is obviously this really broad

supposed to be able to block military aid that otherwise

term that applies to all kinds of material aid that

would have gone to the states on the basis of their child

the U.S. might give to another country,” Moly-

recruitment,” explains Tim Molyneux, the Child Rights

neux says. “So it might include arms sales and

Program Manager at Child Soldiers International, an in-

equipment sales and literally, you know, giving

ternational advocacy group that works to end the use of

guns to other countries. Militaries that use child

child soldiers.

soldiers or [use children for] training or support

KIDS IN CONFLICT

MALI

NIGERIA

SOMALIA

OF CONGO According to Child-Soldier. org, one in 10 of the world’s child soldiers are here.

MAR-APR

Following a conflict in 2012 and a jihadist uprising, the use of child soldiers has become commonplace.

The U.S. says the country uses children in “hostile environments” while battling Boko Haram.

060

The country has used thousands of child soldiers in its fight against al-Shabab dating back 2012.

2018

for peacekeeping operations and so on and

As the memo reads: “All relevant bureaus, offices and embas-

so forth … In many cases, we’re not actually

sies agreed that there was sufficient information to establish

talking about arms sales, it may just be train-

that Afghanistan, Burma and Iraq had governmental armed

ing and other stuff.”

forces or government-supported armed groups that recruited

But no matter what the military assistance

or used child soldiers … Based on those facts, it is difficult to

functionally looks like in individual coun-

defend the decision not to list those countries as a legal matter.”

tries, by ignoring the CSPA by issuing waivers to governments that knowingly recruit child soldiers, the purpose of the law is defeated.

But even more concerning than the legal implications of Tillerson’s move is what it could mean for children.

The memo continues, “It has risked sending a message to

Because of the waivers issued by Presi-

the authorities in all three countries—and to the internation-

dent Trump, this year the eight countries the

al community—that minimal efforts are enough; that we as

U.S. State Department says use child soldiers

a government are not interested in upholding internation-

will receive $140 million in U.S. military as-

al norms, nor in holding countries accountable for ongoing

sistance. That’s money the law says they

abuses against children.”

shouldn’t be able to have.

A few days after Tillerson’s decision, a horrific campaign of ethnic cleansing broke out in Burma, with the Rohingya com-

THE SILENT SCANDAL

munity suffering mass rape, executions and displacement.

“The decision is inconsistent with U.S. law.”

Many of those forced to participate in the campaign of vi-

“This decision compromises U.S. credibility.”

olence were child soldiers—ones, who, as of November, are

“The decision undermines the [State] Depart-

left out of the CSPA’s protection.

ment’s work and harms children.”

These surprisingly blunt statements are

WHERE WE GO FROM HERE

three headings of a memo the public was nev-

In July 2017, a new bill co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of

er meant to see.

four lawmakers was introduced “to ensure effective imple-

Officially marked “Not for Further Circula-

mentation of the Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2008” and

tion,” the memo was leaked to reporters last

“to prohibit assistance from being provided to, or licenses for

fall and offered a concerning look at how the

direct commercial sales of military equipment issued to, the

U.S. is now addressing child soldiers.

government of a country whose police or other security forc-

The document is a “dissent memo,” a vehicle for officials to raise concerns about actions within the State Department without

es recruit and use child soldiers.”

However, after passing in the House, the Senate is still yet to finalize the bill.

risking losing their jobs. It made it all the way

Shannon Dick of the Stimson Center, a nonpartisan policy

to the desk of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

research center, says it simply isn’t priority for many law-

before being leaked to the press.

makers. “Many members are uncomfortable getting out in

Weeks earlier, Tillerson took an entirely unprecedented step of personally deciding that three countries—Afghanistan, Burma and Iraq—should be left off of CSPA entirely,

front of cutting military assistance to governments that may play a role in U.S. counter-terrorism activities.”

She says in order to move forward, it may take the efforts of voters to get informed and get active.

despite recommendations from State Depart-

“Readers can bring this issue up with their members of

ment officials and intelligence gathered by

Congress, and let them know it’s a priority,” she says. “They

the department itself.

can educate lawmakers on the CSPA and the issue of child

A representative for Tillerson said he made

soldiers, as many are not aware of these issues.”

the decision for “technical” reasons, though

Even though the issue isn’t currently a priority for law-

his decision may actually be a direct violation

makers, for children around the world, the stakes couldn’t

of the law.

be any higher.

SOUTH SUDAN Three years after falling into civil war, the use of child soldiers has been documented on all sides.

SUDAN

SYRIA

Like its Southern neighbor, internal conflicts have fueled the recruitment of young children into battle.

Along with chemical weapons and war crimes, Assad’s government has used kids in his ongoing war.

061

JESSE CAREY is the brand director at RELEVANT. You can find him on Twitter @jessecarey.

YEMEN Both the Houthis rebels and government force have used kids in a conflict that has killed nearly 9,000.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

With Into the Night, the breakout rap duo is daring to challenge preconceptions.

BY SETH JAM ES

MAR-APR

062

2018

his breath when he heard a voice in his head

Club Misfits so dynamic. They lean into what

tell him, “Jump. Come on, man. Just jump.”

makes them unique, and that’s why being so

Thankfully, his friends intervened. For

honest is so important to who they are.

many people, the experience would have been a wake-up call. But from there, it only

***

got worse for Fern as drugs began to distract him from his burgeoning passion for music.

When Marty and Fern were putting the

Not long after that experience, a verse Fern

ideas that would become Into the Night on

laid down on a friend’s track garnered the at-

their whiteboard, a theme began to emerge:

tention of Sony Music Latin, but what should

They wanted the album to defy labels and

WHEN HIP-HOP DUO Social Club Misfits—made

have been a milestone professionally marked

challenge how people think about what

up of rappers Fern (Fernando Miranda) and

a low point personally. He’d found himself

“Christian” hip-hop really is.

Marty Mar (Martin Lorenzo Santiago)—got

deep in the world of cocaine—so deep that he

together to start writing the follow-up to their

actually started dealing it.

breakout 2017 album, The Misadventures of Fern & Marty (which hit No. 8 on Billboard’s rap charts), they started with an unexpected tool: a whiteboard.

“We’re not pastors; we are musicians; we are artists,” Marty says. “This is a gift God

The lifestyle soon caught up with him. In 2004, he was arrested for drug trafficking.

gave us: to write songs. It wasn’t to preach and lead a church.”

It was in the chapel of a South Florida

It’s an important distinction for the duo.

prison that Fern re-embraced the faith he

Yes, they write about their faith and their

“The whiteboard is our compass,” Marty

was raised with. For the next three years, he

own lives. But their whiteboard—the place

says, reflecting on creating their brand-new

dedicated himself to growing closer to God, as

where their lyrics are born—isn’t a place

album, Into the Night.

well as his family who regularly visited him.

where thoughts filter through the lens of

It’s there, before the microphones are on or

It got him thinking about his next steps

the recording equipment is running that the

when he got out. The experience with Sony

pair begins to dump all of their ideas, emo-

confirmed he had what it took for a career in

When discussing the album, Fern would

tions and experiences to start figuring out

music, and when he was released, music be-

tell fans this: Get rid of the labels and the

how those things will become something that

came his main focus.

preconceptions. On their whiteboard, there’s

won’t just make for a great album, but will really impact fans’ lives.

And when it comes to what gets put on the whiteboard, they hold nothing back.

“Some of it’s really crazy, I’m not going to lie,” Marty says, laughing. “I might have to

Eventually, he met fellow South Florida rapper Marty, and they formed a duo thencalled “Social Club.”

what’s safe or what could be heard from a pulpit. It’s raw. It’s real.

only honesty.

“Listen to it the same way you would listen to Rick Ross,” Fern says. “We gave you our sto-

Marty’s story is different than Fern’s, but in some ways, it’s more relatable to many fans.

ries, our point of views. It just so happened, and graciously enough, we met God in our

“Honestly, I didn’t hit rock bottom when I

travels and now we speak through those eyes.

met God,” he says. “I wasn’t at a rock bottom

Can’t help it. Can’t control it. But at the end of

The whiteboard is a place where real-life

situation. I was living life, and I was good. But

the day, we still put out stories like any other

stories become lyrics. It’s a place where Fern

my friends, who I love, brought me to church

mainstream [artist]. We just come through

and Marty get to be brutally honest and deep-

and I was like, ‘Wow. God is good.’ Every-

with different angles.”

ly personal. And on Into the Night, it shows.

body’s situation is different.”

erase some stuff off the whiteboard.”

*** Years ago, Fern, a pastor’s kid from Puerto

They aren’t concerned with trying to push

The duo released an album online called

an agenda or put their convictions on anyone

Misfit, which garnered the attention of major

else. “When you get past religion and you re-

record labels.

alize it’s relationships, it just becomes that

The

music—with

its

combination

of

Rico, was in a hotel room in Florida hosting a

trap beats, hints of island influences and

party that spiraled out of control.

club-friendly,

He and his friends were drinking heavily

OVO-style

much more real,” Fern says. “That you can see in our music. It’s just real.”

arrangements—is

part of what makes them stand out.

and doing cocaine when Fern started not to

It’s this kind of juxtaposition of styles,

feel right. He went out on the balcony to catch

stories and personalities that make Social

063

SETH JA MES is a music writer who lives in the Hollywood Hills.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

The Wrinkle in Time director has quickly become one of this generation’s most important voices.

BY TYLER HUCKABEE

MAR-APR

HERE’S THE THING about Ava Du-

of at least $100 million. She’s feeling

itual allegories inspired by L’Engle’s

Vernay. Talking to her, you feel like

pressure, but DuVernay is not the

own deep Christian faith.

you’re in the hands of a consummate

type of person to let it get to her. No,

It’s a bold move for DuVernay, com-

director. Not just a person who knows

for her, the consummate director, it’s

ing off of personal, more intimate

how to make a good movie, but some-

actually motivating.

fare like her acclaimed documentary

one who could get any large group

“I think most artists place artistic

13th or her Best Picture-nominated

of people to do just about anything.

pressure or creative pressure on

Martin Luther King Jr. biopic, Selma.

She exudes authority. When you talk

themselves to reach higher, to try

This may be her most high-profile

to her, you get the feeling you are

new things, to try to tell stories and

project to date, but she’s sticking with

speaking with someone who knows

create images that are as visceral and

the formula that has brought her this

how to deal with situations in which

dynamic as they can,” she says. “So

far: her unique ability to tell unfor-

the stakes are high. And now, she’s at

that’s the pressure I’m feeling.”

gettable stories that are laced with

the point in her career where they’ve

The pressure she’s talking about is,

never been greater. After early crit-

of course, regarding her adaptation

ical acclaim (she’s been nominated

of A Wrinkle in Time, Disney’s up-

“[I’m] kind of like, ‘Oh gosh, did I

for Golden Globes, Emmys, Oscars,

coming blockbuster based on Made-

nail it?’” she says. “And my answer to

and a ton of other major awards),

line L’Engle’s beloved sci-fi story. The

that, to myself, in my head, is that I

she’s now become the first woman of

book was revolutionary for combin-

know for sure—while I don’t know

color to helm a movie with a budget

ing science-based fantasy with spir-

the answer to the question of ‘Did I

064

powerful social messages and an uncompromising work ethic.

2017

065

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

“While we

And now, the $100-million A Wrinkle in Time, which, for DuVernay, the choice to

and essential.

“I’m a student of history and while this

foreground

make was intensely personal.

might feel like a dark time for many, it’s not

“I wanted to get back to a woman-centered

our darkest time,” she says. “So I think it’s

ourselves in the

story,” she says. “I read it, and I immediately

important, while we foreground ourselves in

felt that it was mine. I really fell in love with

the present moment, we have to do so with a

the character.”

real acknowledgment of the past and how far

The story follows Meg Murry, a 13-year-

we’ve come and an acknowledgment of hope

present moment,

old on an intergalactic, dimension-spanning

we have to do

quest to find her missing father. “As I was

“We hear those words ‘hope for the future’

entering pre-production, my father passed

a lot, but when you really break them down,

away,” DuVernay says. “So there were some

it’s that the steps we take are forward move-

connections there that were personal to me,

ments. We need to be centered in a sense that

and I really felt responsibility to take the sto-

there is more to do and there is more avail-

ry in my hands and deliver this classic that

able to us and there is cause for celebration

has been around for 60-plus years and try to

and a promise of possibility, and all of those

tell it with kind of every ounce of my heart.”

things are something to smile about and

so with a real acknowledgment of the past and how far we’ve come.”

for the future.

something to be filled with light about.”

LIGHTNESS AND DARKNESS

Those sorts of deeply emotional themes

More than just relating to the protagonist, Du-

have shown up in Selma and DuVernay’s ac-

Vernay senses that the story tells a fundamen-

claimed television series Queen Sugar, a stir-

tal story about the reality of the universe. She

ring family drama that unflinchingly tackles

references the story’s idea about light and

topics like race, activism and greed.

darkness, which is prominent in the book. At one point in the novel, “Mrs. Who” (played by Oprah Winfrey in the film) even quotes the Gospel of John, “And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.”

nail it?’—I know the answer to the question of if I did my best. And I did.”

DuVernay sees deep meaning in these ideas.

“This conversation about lightness and

Based on a relatively brief career, it seems

darkness, about the best in us and the worst

DuVernay’s “best” is more than enough to nail

of us, and how to reconcile those in each oth-

it. She’s hardly done anything less.

er and in ourselves, is at the core of the book,” she says. “Those are deeply emotional themes

THE RISE

that people are dealing with in their everyday

A project of A Wrinkle in Time’s scope would

life and I think that resonates for people.”

be a big deal for any film director, but DuVernay is feeling the spotlight in a unique way.

It was only a few years ago that she was

The book was published in 1962, but the themes resonate especially well today, given the current state of cultural turmoil.

a relative unknown. A Compton, California,

“The book and movie are about an em-

native, DuVernay began her career in jour-

brace of hope and the ways in which we do

nalism and public relations before finally

that—the journey that each person can take

trying her hand at filmmaking, first with

to get to a place where you live in a hopeful

documentaries and then with a 2010 feature

space,” DuVernay says. “It doesn’t mean to be

called I Will Follow, which cost her $50,000 of

naive, and it doesn’t mean to turn your back

her own money. Four years later, Selma was

on tragedy.”

released in theaters, and DuVernay’s life has hardly slowed down since.

For DuVernay, hope isn’t a vague feeling of optimism but something far more practical—

Ava DuVernay directs 14-year-old Storm Reid, who plays Meg Murry in A Wrinkle in Time.

MAR-APR

066

2017

But it’s one thing to stoke those themes out

self. While these characters’ ethnicities are

feels so ferociously important right now. It’s

of dramas, it’s quite another to make them

not explicitly stated in the book, they’re cod-

not just her talent, but her determination to

pop in a $100-million Disney movie. DuVer-

ed as white (and have been depicted as white

make everyone feel seen—even, perhaps es-

nay describes that challenge as a “joy.”

in almost all of the book’s artwork), so it’s rev-

pecially, the people who usually aren’t. There

olutionary casting, and it made waves.

aren’t many blockbuster movies that are made

“It’s actually difficult in any film to penetrate plot and get to a personal place,” she

“I get—I don’t know—a hundred tweets a

says. “But it’s a space where I feel comfortable

day of people telling me that they cry at the

and I like to be. And so I just applied every-

trailer or the thought of the trailer because it

There’s been a lot of media chatter about

thing I know about that kind of work to [A

is a very emotional experience when you’ve

A Wrinkle in Time in that context, as it comes

Wrinkle in Time].”

been absent to suddenly be present in a pow-

on the heels of Marvel’s Black Panther and

erful and strong way,” DuVernay says.

just a year after Moonlight won the Oscar for

REPRESENT

Whether it be Selma, Queen Sugar or even

And it’s not just emotional for fans. It, too, is personal for DuVernay.

specifically with minorities in mind; it took someone like DuVernay to make it happen.

best picture. The conversation claims a new “trend” toward black representation in Holly-

13th, her documentary about the blight of

“It’s hard to explain what an emotional ex-

mass incarceration in America and its roots

perience it is to finally see yourself, whether

wood, but DuVernay is skeptical on that point.

“These are not the first sci-fi films with

in slavery, racial justice has been close to the

you’d be a woman in a role or person of color

black people,” she says. “I think that part of

heart of every project DuVernay’s taken on.

in a role,” she said.

the bias of Hollywood is calling it a ‘trend.’ I

With Wrinkle, DuVernay tackled the issue

But the movie’s diversity isn’t relegated

don’t think it’s a trend. I think it’s a part of a

through representation. She cast two of the

strictly to the cast. DuVernay tried to bring a

proud black lineage of black filmmakers who

three supernatural figures who guide Meg on

holistic multicultural perspective to the en-

are making films with black heroes ... I don’t

her quest as women of color (Oprah Winfrey

tire production—everything from costume

think it’s a trendy thing, it’s something that is

and Mindy Kaling), and cast a little-known

design to set pieces.

part of kind of a historical continuum.”

black actress named Storm Reid as Meg her-

And this, perhaps is part of why DuVernay LOOKING AHEAD

Ava DuVernay is already looking ahead to the future. She’s a busy woman, with a new documentary about the Central Park Five on the horizon, another season of Queen Sugar in the works and a few mystery projects she won’t say anything about yet.

And part of that busyness, it seems, is that DuVernay’s not taking anything for granted.

She’s aware of the rarity of her current stratosphere, and she intends to make the most of it by telling the sorts of stories that she’s uniquely equipped to tell and widening the world for anyone who will come after her.

“I’m in a really privileged position as a woman filmmaker, as a black filmmaker because at the current moment there’s not a shortage of opportunity to tell the stories and that’s not something that I was able to say even two years ago, three years ago,” she says. “It’s something that a lot of filmmakers never get to say, so I feel really grateful.”

T YLER HUCK A BEE lives in Nashville and is a contributing editor at RELEVANT.

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Scholar N.T. Wright believes many Christians have gotten the apostle all wrong.

BY A N D R E H E N RY

FOR

YEARS,

believing creatives of all sorts have eschewed the dreaded title “Christian artist.” We don’t

say that Christian chefs make “Christian food,” some variation of the argument goes, so why must we have “Christian movies” and “Christian music”? In his new book, Paul: An Autobiography, renowned biblical scholar and historian N.T. Wright suggests the same about the New Testament writer: that the apostle is not just one of the most prominent biblical authors, but that he is one of the greatest thinkers of all time. Period.

We recently spoke with Wright about this new take on Paul, what we’ve gotten wrong about him and the major studio film about the apostle starring Jim Caviezel and James Faulkner that hits theaters March 28.

RELEVANT : One might expect a

RELEVANT: So you’re saying that

Jews, who don’t think Jewish-ly.

renowned theological scholar

what Paul wrote has something to

Paul is determined to be loyal to the

to write about Paul’s thoughts,

bring to bear on history in general.

Jewish traditions but to say things in

but you’ve chosen a genre that

a way that will grab his hearers. He’s

focuses on Paul as a person. What

WRIGHT: Absolutely. I mean, I

got to figure out how to do that. We

were some of the challenges

started off studying ancient history

see this in some of the great poems.

of approaching this work as a

before I started theology. I was

biographer?

looking at people like the Emperor

that “Christ was in the form of God,

Take the poem in Philippians 2,

Augustus, and philosophers like

but He did not regard His equality

WRIGHT: I was trying throughout to

Seneca and so on before I ever

with God as something to exploit” as

bring Paul up as a three-dimensional

turned my attention to Paul. I want

so on and so on. Nobody was saying

character so that when we then

to say, Paul is up there along with

that sort of thing before Paul so far

meet him in his writings, it’s not

people like Cicero and Seneca.

as we know. Nobody

just, “Oh here’s a book by somebody

He didn’t write as much but, he

during Jesus’ lifetime

called Paul.” But, “Oh my goodness,

was every bit as influential. When

was saying that, but

yes, now, of course this is what he

we come back to our own age, over

Paul realized that

wants to say to the group ...” It was

the last 200 years, Paul is up there

was a way of praying

the attempt to get the real flesh-and-

with Thomas Jefferson or Karl

the Jewish prayer of

blood man back up and running.

Marx or Václav Havel or people

monotheism [with]

like that. These are great thinkers

Jesus in the middle

church groups, beyond the Jewish

who have actually changed the way

of it.

groups, beyond the world of

that history moves through their

scholarship certainly and to say to

thinking, actions and writings.

My hope was to go beyond the

ordinary readers, “Here is one of the

That’s revolutionary. It’s deeply loyal to Jesus,

N.T. WRIGHT is the former Bishop of Durham in the

great public intellectuals of all time,

RELEVANT: The book describes Paul

but it is expressing

writing in vivid, exciting prose—and

as an “inventor of new paradigms”

that loyalty in a

sometimes verse—wrestling with

for how we understand Jesus and

whole new way,

some of the biggest issues that any

what He accomplished. What does

enabling people way

human being ever faced—love and

that mean?

outside the Jewish world to pray

death and life and God and all of

Church of England and one of the world’s leading Bible scholars.

Jewish-ly, but Jesus-ly. That was a

that—and then coming up with

WRIGHT: When Paul is going out

some dramatic and startling things

into the non-Jewish world, he has to

to say.” Everyone needs to deal with

address people in the marketplace

RELEVANT: Many Christians don’t

this man.

at Athens or down by the river in

like to think about the involvement

Philippi or wherever, who are not

of human beings in writing

radical innovation.

James Faulkner as the lead in the upcoming film Paul, Apostle of Christ.

069

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

“THIS IS SOMEBODY WHO IS ACTUALLY AS MUCH OF A PHILOSOPHER OR A KIND OF A LOCAL POLITICAL ACTIVIST AS HE IS A RELIGIOUS TEACHER OR ... EVANGELIST.”

version of a modern Christian, if you see what I mean.

RELEVANT: What would you

Scripture at all, let alone to talk

I want to say something

[who experience] that kind of

about a specific person writing

hope a movie about Paul would

similar, not exactly the same,

dogmatism have said, “Oh dear,

capture?

most of the New Testament.

but something similar about the

what a terrible man he sounds.”

Why is it important that readers

Bible, that it is fully the word

understand the person behind

of God, and it is fully human

know him, I mean, you have to

somebody in the movie industry

the words of the Bible?

words.

face the fact that Paul is the one

or in television hears the word

who writes that amazing poem

St. Paul, they think religion. In

Certainly with Paul, we

[But] in fact, when you get to

WRIGHT: In my world, when

WRIGHT: For me, the paradigm,

can see, you take a letter like

about love to the Corinthians.

your world and mine, religion is

of course, is Jesus Himself who,

Corinthians, where he wears

You can be quite sure that

something that’s quite different

as the Church has always said, is

his heart on his sleeve. His

somebody who writes a poem

from politics, economics, society,

fully divine and fully human.

heart has been wounded and

like that is not likely to face the

etc. It’s something that some

bruised, and he tells them that.

Corinthians coming back [at

people do on the side, and they

Paul himself is actually saying,

him] and saying, “Well, that’s

think that it’ll do them good and

“Here’s how it is with me, and

all very well Paul, we wish you

get them to heaven or whatever.

I’m telling you straight from the

were like that and what a pity

shoulder, this is what’s been

you aren’t.” Or whatever.

PAUL GETS HIS DUE

Religion in the first century is not like that at all. Paul belonged

going on and it’s been tough.”

Then, in Acts when Paul

in the middle of the rough and

I think if we just glance

is giving his farewell speech

tumble of everyday life. He was

over that, we are doing a great

to the elders from Ephesus it

starting new communities that

disservice to the divine element

says that, when he told them

were living in a different way,

in Scripture as well as the

that he would never see them

giving allegiance to a different

human element.

again, they were all in tears.

Lord, other than Caesar, living

This is a man who inspired

by a different economic system.

RELEVANT: Many people who

enormous affection and love

are used to thinking of Paul, the

and admiration.

person, don’t like him. Why do you think that is?

But this is what’s so difficult for people today to get their heads around, that this is

RELEVANT: There is a major

somebody who is actually as

movie about Paul that’s coming

much of a philosopher or a kind

This Easter week will

WRIGHT: I’ve known plenty of

out this year (Paul, Apostle

of a local political activist as he

see the release of Paul:

people who thought that Paul

of Christ). Do you have any

is a religious teacher or in our

Apostle of Christ, a

was either dislikable or was

pet peeves when it comes to

sense an evangelist. Because the

biblical epic that will

actually wicked or whatever.

film adaptations of Biblical

whole thing works differently

explore how an obscure

Again and again, they just

literature?

from how we in the modern

pharisee from Tarsus

haven’t understood him. They

became the pivotal

haven’t got inside his skin.

figure in the spread of

What’s happened again and

West have imagined it. That’s WRIGHT: I mean, as an ancient

the really hard thing for us to

historian, I don’t like watching

figure out. I look forward one

Jesus’ teaching. The

again is that Paul is being used

movies about the ancient

day to somebody getting that

dulcet-toned James

by some dogmatic teachers

world in general. Because I’m

straight.

Faulkner will handle

in the church to say, “Here

constantly struck by the things

the title role while Jim

is what Paul said, and we’re

that they get wrong. [If one is

Caviezel—no stranger

going to beat you up with it,

not careful, one may] commit all

to robes and sandals

and you’ve just got to shape

sorts of anachronisms that you

himself—will play Luke,

up and [get in] line.” People

try to make Paul into an early

A NDRE HENRY is the managing editor of RELEVANT and tweets @andrehenry.

the physician who smuggles Paul’s letters to the young Church.

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2018

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THE 6 S TA G E S O F E V E RY M I LLE N N I A L R E L AT I O N S H I P Things change. Love doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. At least, not too much.

BY TYLER HUCKABEE

2018

IT’S

Yeah, dating follows very few blueprints in this strange new era. A lot of the maps you were raised to follow feel outdated. The pickups are now put downs, and all the keys you’ve got have stayed the same but the locks got changed.

But there are still a few guidelines that can help even the most luckless single out there, and if you’re finding yourself bewitched by

A TALE AS OLD AS TIME: Boy meets girl. Boy

the fickle mistress of commitment this year,

asks girl out. Or girl asks boy out. Or they ha-

then take the following to heart.

ven’t actually met yet, but they both swiped right. Or some algorithm determined that their interests, religious views and love for bingeing old episodes of Parks and Rec means they are compatible. Or they’re going on

1.

THE SPARK

Ah yes, the spark. It needs no introduction and has remained a staple of any relationship from time im-

dates but they aren’t going out yet. Or it’s sort

memorial. In the days of yore, the

of assumed they’re going out but neither of

woman was just thrown into a lake and if she

them actually asked the other out so the rela-

didn’t drown, it was assumed there must be

tionship sort of just happened by osmosis. Or

some sort of spark with the town mayor.

they’ve just been hanging out in groups for a while and then one day—bam!—married.

Today, the spark is almost ephemeral. You know it when it happens, but it’s hard to describe it before it does and even tougher after the fact. There are the sweaty palms, weak knees and other descriptors from the first few bars of “Lose Yourself.” There’s the nervous banter, the fact that you start looking for them in a crowd or getting anxious when they don’t immediately respond to a text. There’s the fact that you laugh at their jokes with the force of a jackhammer. All these things are signs of the spark. Sometimes it lasts for a day or two, and sometimes it chains itself to you—a constant feeling of nauseous delight that you drag around like a sack of jelly beans. It’s terrible.

073

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

If you’re feeling the spark, take a step back

are trying to determine the extent to which

and enjoy it. Just because you’re in the first

they’re supposed to be romantic. In this

stage doesn’t mean you need to slog through

scenario, there are a series of Rube Gold-

all of them.

berg-type actions that could turn the event

2.

into a date (like hand-holding or one person THE ALIGNING OF INTERESTS

paying for the whole meal) and if they don’t

This is a time-honored phase of

happen well, then, it wasn’t a date. Or it

love that predates the royal fami-

wasn’t entirely a date.

ly and will outlive the world’s em-

It’s better to call a spade a spade at the

pires. It usually happens around

outset. If you’ve felt the spark and you think

the same time as the spark, but it also outlasts

it might go somewhere special, ask them on

it. It’s the alignment of interests, a little game

a date—using those words: “Would you like

in which the two of you figure out what things

to go on a date?” Sure, it takes putting your-

you both enjoy. This often involves some savvy

self out there, but the risk of being let down

negotiation, because you’ll probably be feeling

is much better than asking someone to go to

pretty generous with your “interests” when

coffee, having a good time and then realizing

you’re crushing on someone. OK, so maybe

you still don’t know where you stand.

you don’t technically love archery, but he does

Relationships take intentionality, and be-

and, well, you like The Hunger Games which

ing upfront about your intentions is part of

has some archery in it, so it’s not a total lie.

honoring and respecting the other person.

This little bartering session becomes a

No matter how far your relationship goes,

bit awkward down the road, when you sud-

always remember that this person has a real

at personally. Are you ready for a new rela-

denly have to explain why you don’t know

life outside of your interest in them.

tionship? Is this a rebound? Are you using

all the lyrics to K-Ci and JoJo’s “All My Life”

4.

this other person to fill a void in your life THE HUDDLE

that might be better handled alone? How

In romantic comedies, the Hud-

is your relationship with God, and is it in a

dle usually takes place over a

good place to be in a relationship? These are

few pints of ice cream among

the sorts of questions that get asked in the

ly align. But don’t force them to. Be upfront

best friends, but the Huddle can happen

Huddle. If it feels uncomfortable, that means

about your real interests and don’t fudge

anywhere. The gym, with family over the

you’re doing something right. These aren’t

the facts. After all, if the sole foundation of

holidays, over text with your college room-

fun conversations, but realizations like this

your relationship is that the two of you like

mate or just on the couch with your cat. The

are easier to come to before a relationship

the same movies, you’ve probably got some

point isn’t the location, but the subject: You’re

starts than afterward.

tough questions to ask yourselves.

weighing the pros and cons of a new relation-

even though you swore up and down it was your favorite song. That’s why this stage of a relationship is best skipped if possible. Yes, pay attention to where your interests actual-

ship with a patient, trusted sounding board.

3.

THE FIRST DATE

In which case, the cat should be saved as a

The first date is more than just

last resort.

5.

IT’S OFFICIAL

Of all the stages, this one is the most concrete. There’s a definite

a first date. It’s a declaration of

The quality of the Huddle depends on just

intent. Or, at least, it should be.

how honest the other people in it are willing

official with someone. It’s a sea

A lot of first dates end up as an

to be. They won’t just ask about the person

change. One moment, you’re single, avail-

ambiguous hangout in which both parties

you’re interested in but about where you’re

able, “just seeing people.” The next, you’re

MAR-APR

074

moment in which you become

2018

“official.” You’re “dating.” You’re “taken.”

question that is bound to clear up some of the

Whatever the terminology, there’s a certain

unspoken misunderstandings between you,

amount of concrete-ness to them. Being offi-

and as a bonus, it works as a nice segue into

cial is a tangible thing, and it sets up certain

less abstract topics.

rules around your life.

looks like and, unfortunately, a lot of couples

6.

don’t really discuss those expectations. There’s

end in tears, but getting too caught up in fret-

a notion in the world that the “So, can I call

ting about all that now will keep you from

you my girlfriend?” conversation has univer-

starting in the first place.

What are those rules? Well, that’s where things can get nebulous. Different people have different expectations about what official

A rarely asked, but helpful, question to avoid this confusion is a simple one: “How do you define ‘dating?’”

THE UNKNOWN

From here, you’re on your own.

Maybe your new relationship will lead to the altar, maybe it’ll

sally understood implications, but the reality

Whatever happens, don’t forget to take

is that your understanding of dating is shaped

care of yourself in the midst of it all. Pray.

by years of unique experiences, from the

Hang out with other friends. Get some alone

home you were raised in to the church you

time. A new relationship is no excuse to stop

attend to the most recent movie you watched.

working on yourself.

A rarely asked, but helpful, question to

For now, just try to pace yourself through

avoid this confusion is a simple one: “How do

the stages, soaking in whatever experience

you define ‘dating?’” It’s a fun, unobtrusive

you can along the way.

075

T YLER HUCK A BEE lives in Nashville and is a contributing editor at RELEVANT.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

MAR-APR

076

2018

BY TYLER DASWI CK

Moved to a new place and need to find a church?

Suck it up. It’s easy. Here’s what you do.

I moved to a new city recently.

neither I, nor anyone I know, has ever

Aside from my coworkers, I

done as it relates to their church-shopping

don’t know a single person here,

experience. I asked for professional help.

so that means I’m flying blind

Kara Powell is executive director at the

when it comes to tracking down

Fuller Youth Institute. It’s her job to look at

a solid faith community.

youth movements in churches and comb

If you’ve ever visited a

data to learn exactly what young people

new church, then you know

want in a church. At this juncture, I had

the moves. You want to visit,

no idea what I wanted. I knew the kind of

but you don’t want it to be a whole thing.

church I liked, but finding it was proving

No welcome team. No “visitor reception

tough. If anyone could help me get my

packets.” Just let us have a cup of coffee,

bearings, it was Powell. She’s a pro.

worship and a sermon, and let us go home

Powell has researched over 250 churches

to make up our minds about this place in

in the United States. Most congregations,

peace, thank you very much.

she says, are shrinking in size and growing

Wait, you say, can’t you just ask your

older. It’s vital that these churches find a

coworkers for help? Psh, I could, if I was a

way to engage with millennials, but the

rookie. Let’s make one thing clear: I work

research says that “old-school” church

alone. Only sticklers waste time “consulting

values like dense theological teaching or

their friends” about churches. I set out in

pious worship aren’t as important to young

my new surroundings ready to people-

people as another, perhaps more “new

watch, take names and fill out precisely

school” factor: community.

zero “connection forms.”

“For people in their 20s, the need for

I know this is going to blow your mind,

community with people in their life stage

but that plan bombed. Sunday after Sunday,

is obvious,” Powell says. “A lot of churches

I slid into the back row of churches with

think that community needs to be really hip

names like “New Life Community” and

and cool, but that’s not what we found. It

“Zenith” only for them all to run together.

was more about community that was warm

Sure, there were style changes, but after about a month I had a steady progress sheet of “alright” churches. What was wrong with my church-shopping game?

and welcoming. Warm is the new cool when it comes to young people.”

I could track with that. I became a Christian in college, and one of the things

After a month of botched church visit attempts, I sucked it up and did something

077

that made for an instant evacuation whenever I tried out a church was if I felt

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

THE CHURCH-SHOPPING REPORT CARDS

they were pandering to me. If a space

Our completely official grades for church

a “loft,” I was going to ghost on them

experience, style and, of course, fog

faster than a wildly awry Tinder date.

was modeled after a coffeehouse or a production studio or, heaven forbid,

machine deployment.

“Don’t be cool,” I wanted to tell them.

“Just be real.”

So my time with Powell reoriented me toward a new goal: Don’t find a church, find a community.

Done and done. That sounded

THE INDIE-FOLK CHURCH

simple enough, so I figured that’d be

WORSHIP STYLE: MTV UNPLUGGED

the extent of my professional advice.

AVERAGE AGE: 28 BUT FEELS 38

“Slow down,” Powell says. “There are

PASTOR TYPE: COFFEE-SHOP POET

some new rules to follow.”

SCREEN DESIGN: LOW-BUDGET PRAISE POSTURING: 25% PRAYER HANDS,

RULE NO. 1: ADHERE TO YOUR PREFERENCES, BUT DON’T BE AFRAID TO FLEX.

25% RAISED HANDS, 16% EYES CLOSED, 34% CHILL FOG MACHINE USAGE: 8/10

I’ve been doing things

THE STADIUM ROCK CHURCH

my way since the start. If it’s my

WORSHIP STYLE: HILLSONG BUT WITH

taste to go to bigger churches with a

MORE LASERS

modern worship style and scholarly teaching, I’m gonna stick with that.

AVERAGE AGE: 35 BUT FEELS 25

Indie-acoustic churches or suit-and-

PASTOR TYPE: SEATTLE TRANSPLANT

tie affairs? Please. I know how I like

SCREEN DESIGN: DAFT PUNK CONCERT

my Jesus, and that means served up

PRAISE POSTURING: 15% PRAYER HANDS,

without a fussy, geriatric choir.

51% RAISED HANDS, 11% EYES CLOSED, 2%

Powell said I should spend roughly

CHILL, 21% JUMPING,

80 percent of my time church-

FOG MACHINE USAGE: 9.3/10

shopping at places that fall within my personal church values and about 20 percent of the time experimenting.

THE WHOLESOME FAMILY CHURCH

“This is one of the best times to

WORSHIP STYLE: YOUR GRANDMA’S

question your assumptions on what

CHRISTIAN RADIO

church means to you, so don’t waste

AVERAGE AGE: A NICE, RIPE 47

this opportunity by only looking

PASTOR TYPE: LIVELY OLD FELLOW

at churches that fall into a narrow

POWERPOINT DESIGN: BUSINESS

strike zone. Question your initial

PRAISE POSTURING: 18% PRAYER HANDS,

assumptions.”

7% RAISED HANDS, 14% EYES CLOSED,

MAR-APR

So, in other words, try a different

61% CHILL

style one out of five times? I can work

FOG MACHINE USAGE: 0/10

with the brass on that.

078

2018

RULE NO. 2: TRY MULTIPLE CHURCHES MULTIPLE TIMES.

all my dating prospects” or “let’s take

In other words: Jesus didn’t pander to

surreptitious pictures of the guy trying

people or put on a front to make Himself

to stay awake” than the things Powell

more appealing, and your church

was telling me about. Her point: If the

shouldn’t either. The message of Christ

That violates one of the

goal is to find community, I need to pay

should stand its own.

pillars of my MO: “Don’t let

attention to the kind of community the

them remember your face.” I’m trying to stay invisible in there, and now Powell’s

church fosters.

Powell’s advice: Show up five minutes

RULE NO. 5: DON’T GO IT ALONE.

telling me to revisit the scene of the

early, then have one five-minute

This is when Powell laid

crime? Ridiculous.

conversation before you leave: “Try

down the final-act plot

to meet a leader. Whether it’s a senior

twist on me: Try not to

Powell says once you’ve discerned an elite tier of churches you like, go back

pastor or worship pastor, introduce

to each of them one or two more times.

yourself and say it’s your first time. Ask

“You can’t always judge the depth of a

what they love most about the church,

community in a first visit. Go to a small

what they’re most excited about for the

isolation,” Powell says. “[Find] a close

group or an outreach where you come to

upcoming year at their church or what

friend or mentor who could listen, ask

understand how committed this church

their biggest prayer is these days.

questions and help you figure out what

is to being authentic and caring about

“Based on their [affectation] toward

their neighbors. You can tell a lot about

you as a guest, what does that tell you

a church by what it says on a Sunday

about the church itself?”

morning, but you can tell more about a

fly solo. Church-shopping shouldn’t be a solitary affair, she says.

“Ideally this is a decision not done in

you’re feeling or thinking.”

It wasn’t the churches that were failing me in my streak of mission

A pretty far cry from my usual visiting

screw-ups, it was me who was failing the

church by what it does outside of Sunday

techniques, but I understand where she’s

churches. I needed to invite someone

mornings.”

coming from.

into the church-shopping process with

Visit a church at a non-Sunday

me because Powell says it isn’t enough to

small group or Saturday feeding of the

RULE NO. 4: PUT JESUS FIRST.

homeless. I had to admit, seeing a church

The critical, unbreakable

Finding a new church is rarely as simple

outside of its Sunday morning context

rule Powell gave me: “Pay

as picking a new go-to pizza place.

made sense.

attention to how much

Church-shopping in a new city is about

they talk about Jesus.” It

having intention with the community.

function, she says, like a Tuesday

try and discern things on my own.

RULE NO. 3: SHOW UP EARLY, AND ASK QUESTIONS.

sounds obvious, but Powell says when

That’s how you find out who’s really

a church is putting the life of Christ

living the Gospel and who’s just putting

forward, it’s reflected in how they

on a performance.

Powell cut to the chase:

engage with the non-church community

“It’s tempting when you’re

around them. When a church is growing

like a spy and more like a tourist trying

visiting a place to slide in

So now when I visit a church, I’m less

and letting Jesus lead, they demonstrate

to soak up every experience that I can. It

as unnoticed as possible, but I think it’s

with their involvement with their

involves a little more vulnerability than

a mistake. You find out a lot in the five

neighbors and impact in the lives of

I’d like but, if you can’t be vulnerable at

minutes before or after the worship

their congregation.

church, where can you be?

service starts. So I would say get there

Plus, on a ground level, a church that

early. You learn a lot by watching people

talks a lot about Jesus is prioritizing the

greet each other as they come in.”

Gospel above their own presentation.

I’m no stranger to people-watching

“Christianity and Christian culture can

during service, but to be honest it’s

kind of be awkward or confusing, but

more along the lines of “let’s gauge

Jesus is always compelling,” Powell says.

079

TYLER DASWI CK

is RELEVANT’s senior writer. He’s on Twitter @tylerdaswick.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

MAT KEARNEY MAR-APR

The singer-songwriter has found himself at a crossroads, and this time, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forging his own path.

BY R ACH E L G IVE N S

080

2017

I

“I remember my first music

“You’re like, ‘Yes. That’s true.’”

CRAZYTALK, he’s continuing

video,” Mat Kearney says, think-

Kearney understands the tension between

to experiment. The album

ing back to his 2006 breakout

creating music to appeal to the masses and

fuses Kearney’s vocals with

album, Nothing Left to Lose.

being tuned in to your own creative desires.

trip-hop and big electronic

“[Columbia Records] spent like

He’s dealt with the urge to write songs that

underpinnings.

$250,000 on it.”

felt more true to trends than true to himself.

“It’s so interesting because

“Now we’ll spend that much

“There are times where creatively I haven’t

when I started doing music,

on the whole recording and

listened to that voice,” he says. “And it doesn’t

playing with ‘genre,’ people

marketing of a record,” he says,

ring true, and I don’t want to listen to those

hated it or they loved it,” he

reflecting on the massive chang-

songs anymore.”

says, remembering how Roll-

es that have taken place in the

Kearney has evolved as a musician—the

ing Stone criticized the way

streaming era of pop music,

newest album sounds different from any-

he merged different styles

where artists releasing music online can top

thing he’s ever released. In many ways, CRA-

in his music. “Now it’s like

the charts and traditionally powerhouse art-

ZYTALK represents a return to his songwrit-

I meet artists ... and they’re

ist release albums unannounced, sometimes

ing roots. He’s not concerned with trying to

like,

with little marketing.

figure out how to navigate an industry in con-

with that thing that was

stant flux. Kearney just wants to be real.

genre-bending.’”

Not only were multiple songs from Kear-

‘Dude,

I’m

obsessed

ney’s debut featured on primetime TV shows

“I started writing music in a season of my

Once again, Kearney has

and in movies, but the album was also nomi-

life where people were telling me I wasn’t

found himself at the cross-

nated for a Dove Award from the Gospel Mu-

defined by mistakes, and God really loved me

roads of an industry.

sic Association.

and was fighting for me, and there was a jour-

Music may be leaning to-

ney to be had with that,” he says. “And I don’t

ward the dark and contro-

know of a more important message.”

versial, but that’s not him.

In many ways, Kearney’s music represented the tension of a music industry at a crossroads. It was “secular” and “Christian” at the

Kearney is no longer inter-

same time. It had indie music cred with main-

***

ested in following an indus-

stream pop appeal. It was rock, but it was also

Kearney has been spending a lot of time

try that’s always changing.

hip-hop. It was something totally unique but

alone in the studio lately. This time around,

Now, he only wants to be

also oddly familiar.

he’s decided to become a producer in addi-

true to himself.

Twelve years later, Mat Kearney finds him-

tion to a singer-songwriter—a decision that

“[Music will] swing back

self—and his industry—at a crossroads. And

many artists are now taking, bypassing ma-

to real, authentic lyrics,” he

with his latest album, CRAZYTALK, he’s again

jor label budgets to make and release albums

says. “It always does.”

ready to defy expectations.

independently. And as you listen to the new album, it’s clear his music is better for it.

*** “Pop music is so dark and swaggy and druggy right now,” Kearney says, reflecting on the state of music in 2018.

“Money definitely does not equal success in recording,” he says.

Kearney remembers recording his very first record in a small basement in Nashville

It’s not hard to find examples. Post Malone’s

with very little outside help, and it led to a

“Rockstar,” a non-ironic ode to “poppin’ pil-

deal with Columbia Records. For the next

lies,” and Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow,” an ode to

album, he had all of the money, producers

$700 Christian Louboutin shoes, were among

and resources he could ever want. But things

the most popular songs of the last year. The

didn’t go as planned.

Killers’ latest single, “The Man,” boasts, “I got

“We went to the fancy studio and spent a

news for you baby, you’re looking at the man.”

ton of money making it, and I hated it,” he

Taylor Swift famously declared that the old,

remembers. “We ended up finishing it back

innocent Taylor Swift “is dead” on the open-

in the basement, and all the good stuff came

ing of her new album.

from there.”

However, there are outliers Kearney refer-

This time around, all of the solitude has

ences, like Chance the Rapper, who are open-

led to a breakthrough. He’s always been

ly dealing with more thoughtful themes while

comfortable bending genres—often merging

honestly wrestling with faith. “There’s a rea-

acoustic singer-songwriter melodies with

son why Chance strikes a chord,” he says.

spoken-word, hip-hop and pop beats. For

081

R ACHEL GIVENS is a writer and editor living in Portland.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

A look at the rise of exorcisms and the changing face of spiritual warfare in America

MAR-APR

082

2018

BY T Y L E R H U C K A B E E

to an exorcism. Anneliese Michel, Alt believed, was possessed by a demon.

Multiple demons, in fact.

evil thoughts.

Possession is the rarest form of demonic oppression, but it’s on the rise.

Or, at least, people seem to think it is.

THE DEVIL WE KNOW

“It definitely is real,” says Jonathan

This event, which took place from

Martin. “I would say, just based on the

roughly 1970 to 1973, formed the ba-

literature that I’ve read around pos-

sis of The Exorcism of Emily Rose, the

session and all those kinds of things as

2005 supernatural horror directed

well as a few experiences I’ve had, that

by Scott Derrickson. The movie took

there certainly seems to be something

a lot of liberties with the plot, but it

organized about Satan.”

remained one of the more theologi-

Martin is an author and pastor in

cally informed supernatural films in

Tulsa, Oklahoma, who has what he

When Anneliese Michel was 16 years

the Hollywood canon, owing largely

calls a “curiosity” about the world of

old, she had a seizure. Doctors in her

to its reliance on Catholic teaching. In

spiritual warfare.

small municipality in Bavaria, Germa-

real life, Michel’s bout with what she

“The first proper appearance of Sa-

ny, diagnosed her with epilepsy. Her

and her family believed to be demon

tan in the Bible is in the book of Job,”

condition worsened, and she was tak-

possession ended tragically when she

Martin says. “The word that appears in

en to a psychiatric hospital, where she

died of malnutrition from not being

Hebrew is literally ‘the Accuser.’ It’s an

was prescribed anti-convulsion drugs.

able to eat. She was 23 when she died

office. It’s a title. He is the Accuser of

They did little to alleviate her symp-

and weighed just 68 pounds.

the brethren. So I feel like there’s this

toms, which grew not only worse, but

A lawsuit sprung from her death,

through line throughout all of Scrip-

increasingly bizarre. Michel described

which led to Michel’s parents and the

ture that first and foremost Satan is

seeing a “devil face” throughout the

two priests in charge of her exorcism

embodied as accusation.”

day. She was prescribed more drugs.

being found guilty of homicide by neg-

Martin says this idea, of Satan rel-

She began to hear voices telling her

ligence. The Catholic Church retooled

ishing in being an “accuser,” can be

that she would “rot in hell.” Most sinis-

its rules around exorcisms in the wake

subtly manifested through real-world

ter of all, she developed an intolerance

of the negative press.

interactions.

for religious objects.

If that makes it sound like there’s

“What is more evil than scapegoat-

Michel had been raised a devout

a lot of red tape around the Catholic

ing another person, making ourselves

Catholic, and she began to suspect her

Church’s dealing with demon posses-

feel righteous at someone else’s ex-

condition was not medical, but spiritu-

sion, you haven’t heard anything yet.

pense?” he explains. “That’s part of

al. She asked for an exorcism, but local

Rome recognizes various degrees of

what I feel like is happening now. I

priests refused, saying her condition

demon oppression. There’s infesta-

find it interesting the Catholic Church

did not meet enough of Rome’s criteria

tion—similar to a haunting, in which

is reporting a record number of exor-

to qualify. By the time Michel turned

objects move and creepy noises issue

cisms. I feel like ‘the accusation’ is out

20, her life had become a nightmare—

from nowhere. There’s vexation, in

of control in the world right now.”

she was eating spiders and spending

which people appear to be physically

No one’s keeping exact numbers,

days in a dog-like state—and a priest

attacked by demons, showing bruises

but the Pope Leo XIII Institute was

named Ernst Alt was finally convinced

and bite marks. There’s obsession, in

founded in Libertyville, Illinois, in

to implore the local bishop to agree

which people can’t seem to turn off

2010 in direct response to the Catholic

083

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

Church’s sense of a growing need

if you know in your head that Satan

for more trained exorcists. The In-

isn’t a mustache-twirling guy with

stitute graduated its second class of

horns and sharp teeth, it’s still hard

52 freshly minted exorcists in the

to push back against the onslaught

fall of 2017.

of cartoonish imagery that’s invad-

When contacted by RELEVANT,

According to Gallup, around 79 percent of Americans believe in God, while just 61 percent believe in the devil.

the Institute said they do not refer

were a kid.

priests to the media, but Msgr. John

One way Christians have pushed

Esseff, president of the institute’s

back against this idea is by mak-

board of directors, told the Catholic

ing the notion of spiritual warfare

Register that he was “hopeful bish-

a visceral one. In the ’80s and ’90s,

ops are becoming more aware of

Christian author Frank Peretti be-

their role as the ‘chief exorcist’ for

came a minor celebrity for his Ste-

the diocese.”

phen King-esque tales of Christians

“There is also still some resis-

waging prayerful combat with the

tance of the reality of Satan,” he

supernatural forces of evil in books

continues. “... As if there is just evil

like This Present Darkness, Piercing

and not the devil.”

the Darkness and The Oath. Hugely successful Christian recording artist

CULTURE WARS

Carman would regale listeners with

This idea is not limited to the Cath-

stories

olic Church. The idea of Satan is

in which he—a God-fearing Chris-

something talked about frequently

tian—would humiliate Satan.

in Sunday School—largely because

of

supernatural

Well-intentioned

combat,

though

these

the concept of a mystical super vil-

tales may have been, they stood in

lain is a good way to hold the atten-

stark contrast to most Christians’

tion of 7-year-olds. But as Christians

experiences with the devil—and

get older, talk about Satan and de-

only further enforced the notion

mons fades.

that he wasn’t quite real. That, ac-

There are a number of reasons for this, but a big one among many

cording to some people, might be part of the plan.

evangelicals seems to be that all this talk about Satan and demons is just

THE RESISTANCE

a bit silly.

“I find it interesting that some of the

Stats back this up: Belief in Satan

times I’ve experienced evil in the

isn’t as popular in the U.S. as belief

ways that I thought were most like

in God (according to Gallup, about

disturbing or profound were in the

79 percent of Americans believe in

ecclesiastical setting as opposed to,

God, while just 61 percent believe

you know, a Marilyn Manson show,”

in the devil), but even among those

Martin says.

who do believe, for many, he does

As an example, he relates a time

not factor into their lives in a seri-

he was in a denominational meet-

ous way.

ing and tempers began to flare over

Maybe that’s because so much of

MAR-APR

ed your idea of the devil since you

the issue of women in ministry.

our talk around the devil is shaped

“More and more people were

by cultural representations. Red

kind of railing against it,” he re-

tights, pointy tail, pitchfork—even

counts. “Then it just got super dark.

084

2018

THE VATICAN’S 4 TYPES OF DEMONIC ACTIVITY The Catholic Church has outlined different ways of understanding how demons work to better comprehend the idea of “possession.”

1.

INFESTATION Priests describe this as demonic activity associated with a specific place—think a haunted house.

2.

VEXATION

3.

Priests say this occurs when a person begins to be physically harmed by demonic forces.

4.

OBSESSION Whereas vexation is physical, the Church says this stage is where demons actually mentally attack.

POSSESSION Possession, like is seen throughout Scripture, happens when someone’s body is “taken over” by demons.

The energy behind it, I mean, it was

so. We are really faced with a cruel

who claimed he was waylaid from

so blatant like it was ugly, it was

dilemma. When the humans disbe-

answering prayers for 21 days while

gross and I just remember feeling

lieve in our existence, we lose all the

he and the archangel Michael con-

like, ‘Man, there is something in

pleasing results of direct terrorism

tended with a “Prince of Persia”—

the air here that is wrong.’ It felt

and we make no magicians. On the

something biblical scholars believe

like people are not ... in their right

other hand, when they believe in us,

to be a reference to a demon. But for

minds here. You think about like

we cannot make them materialists

the most part, the Bible’s focus tends

the mob that crucified Jesus, there’s

and skeptics.”

toward things that seem compara-

something about that kind of mob

This, according to Martin, is the

mentality once it starts to kind of

real heart of any conversation about

tively mundane.

For humans, at least, the battle

run amok.”

demonic oppression. Not spinning

against Satan does not often look

That story doesn’t have the sort

heads and crucifixes, but the lack

like exorcisms. “Submit yourselves

of sizzle that would inspire a Hol-

thereof. If the devil is real—and the

therefore to God. Resist the dev-

lywood movie like Michel’s, and it

general consensus of church history

il and he will flee from you” says

may be a more effective demonic

is that he is—then the battle being

James 4:7, making victory over Sa-

strategy for that reason.

waged against him is an important

tan sound about as complicated as

C.S. Lewis’ classic spiritual sat-

one and the flashy demon posses-

losing weight.

ire The Screwtape Letters follows a

sion tricks are a very minuscule

fictional elder demon advising his

part of it.

That, according to Martin, is the point—although we often tend to fo-

rookie nephew in the ways of keep-

cus too much on the latter, and not

ing a young Christian from getting

SUBMISSION

too close to God or, as they have it,

For his incendiary place in pop cul-

“This submission to God is the

“The Enemy.” In one of these letters,

ture, the Bible speaks very little of

key part,” he says. “I think mostly

Screwtape writes:

enough on the former.

the devil. Revelation spins a dramat-

in terms of how spiritual warfare

“I wonder you should ask me

ic origin story of an angel who fell

is accomplished is mostly through

whether it is essential to keep the

from heaven, taking a third of the

spiritual disciplines that cause us to

patient in ignorance of your own

angels with him. Jesus is tempted by

come into a deeper place of surren-

existence. That question, at least

Satan in the desert, and casts out His

der to God.”

for the present phase of the strug-

fair share of demons—once, memo-

gle, has been answered for us by

rably, into a herd of pigs.

the High Command. Our policy, for

And there is the occasional wild

the moment, is to conceal ourselves.

detail in there. In the Old Testa-

Of course this has not always been

ment, Daniel speaks with an angel

085

T YLER HUCK A BEE lives in Nashville and is a contributing editor at RELEVANT.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

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2018

Our World Is Messed Up. RELEVANT’s January interview with Russell Brand hit home for us here at Yellowstone Theological Institute.

With forceful eloquence, Russell’s four-letter word choice hit the nail on the head.

We’ll paraphrase: our world is a mess.

He’s right.

But there’s a better way.

Join us on this mission—this adventure—to bring hope back to our broken world.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YTI, CHECK US OUT AT

yellowstonetheology.org.

087

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R E L E VA N T SELECTS

FILM/TV MUSIC BOOKS

NEW RELEASES YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats The soul man and his band want this one to feel worth it.

OLLOWING UP THEIR ACCLAIMED SELF-TITLED

want—and I need—everybody to feel like they’re a part of

2015 DEBUT, Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night

this band,” Rateliff says. “I want them to feel like they’re

Sweats are back with Tearing at the Seams.

contributing artistically and emotionally to the experience

TEARING AT

This one is way more than the desperation

of writing and creating this music. We’ve all had to make

THE SEAMS

move that marked their last effort. The 2015 album was

sacrifices to be in The Night Sweats and I want them all to

[STAX RECORDS]

the group’s last shot at the music industry—if it sank, they

know that it’s worth something.”

For Rateliff, this

F

were out—but unexpected success pulled them back in.

Now their focus is on maintaining that surprise momentum as they adjust to life as full-time musicians. “I

MAR-APR

That drive toward unity shows. Look, you’ll never see us write this sentence again, but trust us on this one: The

album is about the group.

Night Sweats are worth it.

088

2018

02/03

SELECTS

IF ONLY YOU KNEW

WONDERFUL WONDERFUL

JAMIE IVEY

THE KILLERS

[B&H BOOKS]

[ISLAND RECORDS]

Author Jamie Ivey believes in the power of transparency. Her new book is about how she began to embrace her own weaknesses—

JOSHUA

and how it changed her life.

Behind all of the swag and bravado of their fifth album (see “The Man”), The Killers bring a surprising amount of vulnerability and heart with songs about mental health, shame and a whole lot of faith.

JOE PISCATELLA [NETFLIX]

The story of a “teenager vs. superpower” follows Joshua Wong as he leads the Hong Kong Occupy Movement,

Justin Timberlake

aimed at holding the Chinese Communist Party accountable.

The pop superstar returns with the team that started it all.

IT’S BEEN MORE THAN 16 YEARS since Justin

EVERGREEN

Timberlake teamed up

AUDREY ASSAD

with producing duo The

[FORTUNATE FALL

Neptunes (Pharrell Williams

RECORDS]

and Chad Hugo) on his

Four years after she

solo debut Justified. This

released her last album

time, Pharrell and JT (with

of original music, the

a team that also includes

singer-songwriter returns with a collection

Timbaland), are capturing

of musings about doubt,

what Timberlake has called

questions and, most of

a “Southern American”

all, hope, in an ode to

sound, without forgetting

“wounded faith.”

his club roots. They’ve also leaned on genre-melding collaborations with artists like country star Chris Stapleton and R&B singer Alicia Keys. Though it’s not the “campfire” album he’d hinted at, Man of the Woods finds us listening to a Timberlake who’s still evolving. This guy’s older,

COCO

more mature, but still fun.

LEE UNKRICH [PIX AR]

With stunning visuals, Pixar’s latest is a tribute to Mexican culture through the lens of an

MAN OF THE WOODS [RCA RECORDS]

Timberlake is leaning into his Tennessee roots on this one.

epic adventure—all while tackling big themes like death and family.

MAR-APR

090

2018

Lucy Dacus Witness the rapid rise of a gifted songwriter.

A

YEAR AND A HALF AFTER the release

of her debut, No Burden—which was recorded in a single day—Lucy Dacus has returned with Historian. The

album had a bigger budget but maintains her gritty ethos, further establishing her as a next-big-thing.

But if you ask her, her rapid rise is still somewhat of a surprise. “Where I am now is kind of a shock to me,” she says. “The ‘why me’ question is as elusive to me as everyone else.”

HISTORIAN [MATADOR]

The album further establishes her as one of indie-rock’s most unique singersongwriters by channeling ‘90s-era alt-rock and deeply personal lyrics.

LADY BIRD

a charming, funny

BLESSSED ARE

extroverted? That’s the

GRETA GERWIG

and deeply moving

THE MISFITS

question at the heart of

[A24]

story centered on the

BRANT HANSEN

complicated relationship

[THOMAS NELSON]

Hansen’s book, which shows why those who don’t always “fit in” are

From filmmaker Greta

children have with

Gerwig, the breakout

their mothers and the

Why are so many church

uniquely positioned to

indie comedy set in

redemptive power of

programs and ministries

do big things for the

the early aughts is

unconditional love.

geared toward the

Kingdom of God.

Tedashii “NEVER FOLD BECAME this encouragement to myself and others,” Tedashii says. Unpacking its meaning, he explains, “Don’t look back. Don’t quit.” Since losing his young son, Tedashii’s music has

NEVER FOLD [REACH RECORDS]

Giant club beats are

become a way for him to encourage others

paired with thoughtful

who have experienced unimaginable loss

lyrics about loss, faith and

to persevere with the help of others, God

social justice in Tedashii’s

and, yes, even music. The album is equal parts inspirational and challenging, but still fully hopeful.

latest offering, which presents the full spectrum of his emotions and his talents behind the mic.

089

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

Elevation Collective The megachurch worship outfit is getting experimental.

FOR THEIR LATEST ALBUM, Elevation

renditions of some of the most

Worship teamed up with gospel

treasured songs in Elevation’s

heavyweights like Israel Houghton,

catalog. “We’ve seen the impact

Kierra Sheard, Tasha Cobbs Leonard,

our songs have made beyond the

Tye Tribbett and Travis Greene to

walls of our church,” says Elevation

form a supergroup called “Elevation

songwriter Chris Brown. “We’ve

Collective.”

seen them reach people in different

Their first project, Evidence, offers fresh, imaginative and interesting

BORNS BLUE MADONNA

EVIDENCE [ELEVATION]

churches, and it’s inspired us to

The songs are powerfully reharmonized as rock-gospel anthems with notes of indie, pop

partner with some amazing artists.”

and trap.

[INTERSCOPE]

There’s a classic rock attitude that Garrett Borns brings to his latest collection of fist-pumping indie-pop bangers and falsettofueled ballads.

THEY WERE INSPIRED BY HEARING NEW INTERPRETATIONS OF THEIR SONGS.

THOR: RAGNAROK TAIKA WAITITI [ MARVEL]

Just when we thought the MCU couldn’t do anything new, the new installment in the Thor story combines ‘70s-era B-movie action, a Mark Mothersbaugh-synth score and big laughs.

BRAVE ROSE MCGOWAN [HARPERONE]

THE FRIEND

WONDER

SIGRID NUNEZ

STEPHEN CHBOSKY

[RIVERHEAD]

[LIONSGATE]

The story of a woman who takes over

Based on an acclaimed children’s

in adulthood: Hollywood

ownership of her friend’s dog after her

novel, Wonder follows a boy with

and the sexual predators

tragic suicide is a moving examination

a facial deformity, who challenges

who are now coming to

of grief, loss and companionship.

others’ ideas about true acceptance.

091

The actress recounts growing up in a cult, but also standing up against the abuse of another cult

justice.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

03/03

SELECTS

MGMT The East Coast indie duo has found their ‘pop juice’ again.

LITTLE DARK

M

GMT HAD BEEN EXPERIMENTAL TO A FAULT. The duo’s last two

albums, 2010’s Congratulations and 2013’s MGMT, alienated

critics and fans alike, admits frontman Andrew VanWyngarden. “A lot of people

AGE [COLUMBIA]

After two swings and misses, the indie-pop pairing has rediscovered the ‘80s influences

wrote us off,” he says. “They were like, ‘They

that drove their

have no pop juice left in them.’”

initial success.

The pair stepped back and realized they were masking their influences—Hall and Oates, Talking Heads—and they chose to embrace them again on Little Dark Age. The result is MGMT’s loosest album in years, with punchy hooks, goofy lyrics and bright vibes.

It’s a solid return to form. Welcome back.

WHAT IF GOD’S FAVOR LOOKS DIFFERENT THAN YOU IMAGINED? “Can the people of God face trouble in the world and still know themselves to be highly favored? Brian Jones’s Finding Favor convincingly, winsomely cries, yes!”

ALAN D. WRIGHT , author of Free Yourself, Be Yourself

#BLESSED ivpress.com

MAR-APR

092

2018

Coast Modern FOR A TWO-MAN BAND, Coast Modern manages to create a pretty massive sound.

The duo of Luke Atlas and Coleman Trapp

COAST MODERN

is influenced by their native Southern

[+1 RECORDS]

California, with sunny harmonies and bright

Electro-pop fuses

indie-rock choruses, but their wall-of-sound approach is a timeless ode to classic pop forerunners. The band cites everyone from the Beatles to Weezer as influences, and

with indie-rock on the windows-down collection of songs about falling in and out of love.

when you hear the new self-titled record, you’ll know why.

WHAT ARE WE DOING

author Marilynne

SNARES LIKE A

get down and dirty with

HERE? ESSAYS

Robinson contemplates

HAIRCUT

their new garage rock

MARILYNNE ROBINSON [FARRAR]

Pulitzer Prize-winning

“

God, theology, beauty

[DRAG CIT Y]

collection of essays that

masterpiece that’s all fuzzed-out guitar, highenergy drumming and

are as entertaining as

The duo of Randy Randall

heart-on-your-sleeve

they are challenging.

and Dean Allen Spunt

songwriting.

my Home

GOD GAVE ME HIMSELF AS

NO AGE

and more in this stirring

”

Available Wherever Books Are Sold

093

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

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RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

LAST WORD A Thought Before We Go

“I neglect God and His angels,

Most High” and the “shadow of

for the noise of a fly,” said the

the Almighty.”

poet John Donne. The solution?

Stillness. Or more specifically, His still, small voice.

Silence in a World Full of Noise

Silence is anything but passive

But my favorite descriptor might be the “hiding place.”

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble

waiting. It’s proactive listening.

and surround me with songs of

Noted author Henri Nouwen

deliverance (Psalms 32:7).

believed that silence was an act

Did you know that God is

of war against the competing

singing songs of deliverance

voices within us. And that war

all around you all the time?

isn’t easily won because it’s a

You can’t hear them because

daily battle. But each day God’s

they’re outside your range of

voice gets a little louder in our

hearing, but you’re surrounded

lives until He’s all we can hear.

by a sonic shield. Those songs

Hearing God’s voice means first

He wrote, “Every time you listen

of deliverance are powerful

cutting out the distractions.

with great attentiveness to the

enough to break any bondage,

voice that calls you the Beloved,

overcome any addiction and

you will discover within you a

solve any problem. Those songs

desire to hear that voice longer

are the reason no weapon

and more deeply.”

formed against you will prosper

BY M A R K B AT T E R S O N

S

eventeenth-

His whisper quiets us, calms us,

century

stills us.

French

The quietest room in the world is the anechoic chamber

By definition, white noise

(see Isaiah 54:17).

The voice can reproduce only

at Orfield Laboratories in

what the ear can hear. I’m not

philosopher

is a sound that contains every

Minneapolis. One-foot-thick

sure what problem you need to

Blaise Pascal

frequency a human can hear.

concrete walls and three-foot-

solve or what issue you need

once observed, “The sole cause

And because it contains every

thick fiberglass acoustic wedges

to resolve, but my prayer is

of man’s unhappiness is that

frequency, it’s very difficult to

absorb 99.99 percent of sound.

that you’ll learn to discern His

he does not know how to stay

hear any specific frequency,

Background noise measures

voice. When you do, His songs of

quietly in his room.”

especially the still small voice of

−9.4 decibels. All you hear in an

deliverance can set you free!

God. As such, chronic noise may

anechoic chamber is the sound

Quit hiding from God.

problems, then the solution to

be the greatest impediment to

of your heart beating, blood

Hide yourself in Him.

those problems is a prescription

our spiritual growth.

circulating and lungs breathing.

If our problems are hearing

that is as old as the psalms. It’s

When our lives get loud, with

That’s the sound of silence, and

so critical to our spiritual vitality

noise filling every frequency, we

it reminds us that it’s in God that

that it’s worth meditating on one

lose our sense of being. We run

“we live and move and have our

word or phrase at a time:

the risk of turning into human

being” (Acts 17:28).

Be.

doings rather than human

Be still.

beings. And when our schedules

Be still, and know.

get busy, we lose our sense of

Be still, and know that I am

balance, which is a function of

God (Psalm 46:10).

the inner ear.

Have you ever tried to quiet

If you want to hear the heart of God, silence is key.

If you want the Spirit of God to fill you, be still.

The psalmists didn’t have an

Can I go out on a limb?

anechoic chamber to retreat to,

a loud room? Attempting to yell

Your life is too loud.

so they retreated to God. They

above the crowd usually doesn’t

Your schedule is too busy.

referred to Him as their refuge,

work, does it? It’s far more

That’s how and why and when

their fortress and their ever-

effective to shush the crowd.

we forget that God is God. And

present help in time of need.

That’s the method God employs.

it takes very little to distract us.

They spoke of the “shelter of the

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096

M A R K B AT T ER S ON is lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. and author of numerous books including Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God.

2018

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