Rebellion vs. Rebelution by Elizabeth

On January 11th, readers were given the following assignment:

In “Challenge of Youth” (1974), Professor Friedrich Heer documents and analyzes historically-significant youth movements, from the time of ancient Greece through the hippie era, and concludes that:

“[T]he harsh light of historical fact [is] that every significant youth movement is in its own time crushed by the forces in power, and its spirit frequently perverted or bent to other uses[.]”

It is also interesting to note that Professor Heer identifies the common characteristic among all youth movements as being “the symbolic rejection of the father (authority), and frequent adoption of a new ‘father’…” and references Malachi 4:6 (“…turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers…”) to conclude that “it is the fathers who have the last word.”

As a presuppositionally-Christian youth movement, how do you think the Rebelution differs (or should differ) from the youth movements Professor Heer described?

Rebellion vs. Rebelution by Elizabeth

The Rebelution is a movement that recognizes and embraces the authority of both our Heavenly Father and earthly fathers. This differs from the movements studied by Professor Heer. Youth movements of the past have lacked wisdom and direction as they sought to break away from the old and forge their way into new ideas and thought processes contrary to those previously held. The Rebelution is not calling for an overthrow of rules or responsibilities as some have, but of low standards and spiritual incompetence.

“Do Hard Things” is a motto more young people should adopt. It is a turning back to a world view previously held by generations of God fearing Christians who understood the role young people can have in His Kingdom. The Rebelution inspires Christian youth to live out their faith in practical ways that proclaim the power and love of Christ our King. This makes it vastly different from the radically self centered youth revolutions of history.