Today I was talking with a friend via email. I love my smarter than me friends … which is all of them. They get me to thinkin'.
I have been reading a lot of commentary today. The constant theme I am seeing is dissatisfaction with the established mindsets of both sides of the culture war. And it isn't simply the Left hating the Right and vice versa. It's also a dissatisfaction of both sides with both sides. I am sensing that a true "change" is coming to the United States but I think Obama is just one symbolic part (at the moment) of the overall picture.
Bad Metaphor Alert: It would seem people don't want a game changer … they want a different game altogether. I know I do (without abandoning the core principles of my faith and the country we live in.)
I am very skeptical that Obama can take us there because the problems transcend his pay grade. Sorry… couldn't resist. Restated: the problems manifest in many more ways than public policy.
Regardless, there is a book I recommend quite often called The Fourth Turning by Strauss and Howe. In it they say a lot of very smart things that go sailing way above my head. However, the book floored me with their observations and very well thought out analysis and theories. Their assessments of social dynamics and inter-generational conflicts and complementarities is astounding. And from what I see through the filter of a lay-person's perspective, they seem to be quite accurate.
One example is that when GenX comes to power (which would be about now) the utopian vision casting Boomers (from any angle) will be cast off of their self-imposed pedestals and the people will demand pragmatic answers at every level of society.
One odd observation they make is that this casting off of unrealistic expectations will Include the eventual rebellion against plastic surgery and choosing to be authentically old! These guys get really detailed.
If I remember correctly, The Fourth Turning means that every "generation" of a nation runs 80 to 100 years and there are four "turnings" within that time span. The fourth one is a negative world changing kind of thing that threatens the nations existence and forces each generation to their best or worst. They do an *amazing* job of documenting this in US History and a little bit into World History. The next "fourth turning" is predicted to occur when the GenX'ers are in full power but it will be the Millenials who actually pull off what the GenX'ers plan to do to rescue us. This will give GenX an opportunity for great good or great evil. It will also give the Boomers an opportunity to become practical wisdom sharers or drift off into the despair of unrealized expectations of the "perfect" world (whatever they had defined that to be.) The Fourth Turning said that the Millennials will be self-focussed like the Boomers (GenX is too scattered as the "abandoned" generation) but will demand practical answers.
The ideal that Strauss and Howe put forward as strengths for each generation is that the GenX would be practical, taking life experience advice from wise boomers and allowing/working with the young to actually accomplish the sacrifice needed to survive "The Fourth Turning." Here is my nutshell bullet point list …
Boomers – Wise Vision Casters working with
GenX-ers: Pragmatic Problem Solvers working with
Millennial: Brave Implementers.
That breakdown is my analysis of their analysis so take it with a healthy grain of salt.
I know … It's all so complicated. Just read the book. There is so much more to it than that AND I hope I got that part right.
Why is this coming up? Because I am sensing that this is the "point" the United States is coming too. I pray to God that we don't have a "fourth turning" any time soon but if Strauss and Howe are correct, we need to re-orient away from the same old same old culture war mantras and start focussing on what can actually be accomplished.
That's saying a lot without a lot of practical "today" application but … that's where my meditations are at currently.
This book is not a Christian book even though it starts with a quote from Ecclesiastes and says that it is a secular prophecy. Meaning, it doesn't incorporate any sense of the United States being a Christian nation reliant on God. It does acknowledge the spiritual inclinations as they play out in society and in the generations. I read the book five or six years ago but as events unfold… I am always reminded of it and drawn back to it. After skimming through the highlights and dog ears of the book I am again amazed at the wisdom found in it. If you read it, I would love to know your thoughts.
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
Alright. It's on my list, right after I finish Absalom, Absalom! (I hate you southerners and your incomprehensible authors!)
Well honey, it's 'cause you're not from here! We love 'em and hate 'em equally. Gotta love those page long paragraphs!
And, I want to read this, too. Thanks for sharing!
Alright. It's on my list, right after I finish Absalom, Absalom! (I hate you southerners and your incomprehensible authors!)
Sy Rogers speaks about this book and the 4th turning a lot. It's pretty crazy.
page long? There's one in here that goes from page 147 to page 150, and is followed by one from 150 to 153, which is followed…
I know. That's how I first heard about it. Sy … I love 'em and … he is a little crazy which makes me love 'em more
Hi Jonathan!
I don't believe you. :-p
well I really don't know what either of you are talking about because that is just the way people are sposed to talk ain't it? I mean if you keep breaking up paragraphs it ruins the flow and if I have to break up the flow of my Aunt Sarah (my real Aunt Sarah) vs. the skunk vs. the weiner dog name Joey … it kills the momentum. By the way, that is a GREAT story and it is a good one to pull out at the potluck. Well, unless Mildred is there… she has an aversion to weiner dogs and just typically cranky anyway. By the way I am still sick and if it weren't for Dayquil I would probably just go home. I am a heckuva lot better than last week but still kind of yucky.
Randy, William Faulkner is turning over in his grave. Mark Twain is probably laughing in his, but that's another story (Twain is also an acceptable and comprehensible author).
J Edwin Orr http://www.jedwinorr.com/) is a man I have never met, but have heard several times.
He tracked and traced revivals throughout the past couple hundred years, and it seems he would be onboard with this generational/ 100 year theme. Some good listens on this site (he died in the 1980's). My favorite is about the WELSH revival, especially it's beginning.
I know, I know, it's a LITTLE off topic, but since it jumped into my mind, I thought I should share!
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.
:-]>
Pondering “Change†and The Future http://tinyurl.com/5wwvjc
I've ALWAYS been interested in Strauss and Howe's insight into generational patterns. The book I want to read by them is called, “Millennials Rising.” I think their secular perspective on history could shed light into the spiritual revival and awakening I believe God has for my generation. Glad you're enjoying the book!
Hi! I met someone the other day named Randy Thomas, but it wasn't you
You and I actually have met before, for the record, but it was about three years ago.
Well honey, it's 'cause you're not from here! We love 'em and hate 'em equally. Gotta love those page long paragraphs!
And, I want to read this, too. Thanks for sharing!
Well, if their name is Randy Thomas they must be good people!
You look really familiar so I know I had met you before.
That's a great parallel topic. I bet they do tie in together at some point.
My paternal lineage is from Wales.
Thanks Matt. I would like to read that follow up book too. I agree with them (and you) that the Millennials could quite possibly be the next “great” generation.
If I can illicit reaction from the dead … awesome … but …
is that Biblical? ::: grin :::
Sy Rogers speaks about this book and the 4th turning a lot. It's pretty crazy.
page long? There's one in here that goes from page 147 to page 150, and is followed by one from 150 to 153, which is followed…
I know. That's how I first heard about it. Sy … I love 'em and … he is a little crazy which makes me love 'em more
Hi Jonathan!
I don't believe you. :-p
well I really don't know what either of you are talking about because that is just the way people are sposed to talk ain't it? I mean if you keep breaking up paragraphs it ruins the flow and if I have to break up the flow of my Aunt Sarah (my real Aunt Sarah) vs. the skunk vs. the weiner dog name Joey … it kills the momentum. By the way, that is a GREAT story and it is a good one to pull out at the potluck. Well, unless Mildred is there… she has an aversion to weiner dogs and just typically cranky anyway. By the way I am still sick and if it weren't for Dayquil I would probably just go home. I am a heckuva lot better than last week but still kind of yucky.
Randy, William Faulkner is turning over in his grave. Mark Twain is probably laughing in his, but that's another story (Twain is also an acceptable and comprehensible author).
J Edwin Orr http://www.jedwinorr.com/) is a man I have never met, but have heard several times.
He tracked and traced revivals throughout the past couple hundred years, and it seems he would be onboard with this generational/ 100 year theme. Some good listens on this site (he died in the 1980's). My favorite is about the WELSH revival, especially it's beginning.
I know, I know, it's a LITTLE off topic, but since it jumped into my mind, I thought I should share!
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.
:-]>
I've ALWAYS been interested in Strauss and Howe's insight into generational patterns. The book I want to read by them is called, “Millennials Rising.” I think their secular perspective on history could shed light into the spiritual revival and awakening I believe God has for my generation. Glad you're enjoying the book!
Hi! I met someone the other day named Randy Thomas, but it wasn't you
You and I actually have met before, for the record, but it was about three years ago.
Well, if their name is Randy Thomas they must be good people!
You look really familiar so I know I had met you before.
That's a great parallel topic. I bet they do tie in together at some point.
My paternal lineage is from Wales.
Thanks Matt. I would like to read that follow up book too. I agree with them (and you) that the Millennials could quite possibly be the next “great” generation.
If I can illicit reaction from the dead … awesome … but …
is that Biblical? ::: grin :::
Well, your review of this book makes me want to go get the book myself and read it.
One thing I have a sense of is that the next 4-8 years for the United States will make the nation or break the nation and with what the book writes about…. and you broke it down to a very understandable equation…. sorta…..
Boomers–wise vision casters…. working with
GenX-ers– Pragmatic Problem Solvers… working with
Millennial–Brave Implenters
And to continue…..
I also think that the mindset of people within the church need to change…
ie… Layministers Vs. Ministers (Paid position)..
I think for way too long the church has caused this seperation between the ordinary person and the Pastor in leadership who's paid to be in his position.
As a result the majority of the congregation has allowed for apathy to rise up within them and then blame the Pastor for when things go wrong.
But if the members within the congregation know and appreciate that they are as valuable as the Pastor and that the Pastor is simply a man who's like everyone else and apart of the body of Christ like everyone else then perhaps the body of Christ would function better.
And one last note….
I'm very excited about Obama becoming President.
People tend to think that the Republican's are “the face of Christianity” because they stand for in part biblical moral standards. I say in part because I find the Republican's compromise in faith and values as much as the Democrat's do as well.
The Democratic party stands for social justice
The Republican's for the sanctity of life and the sanctity of marriage…. Righteousness.
Yet the bible is very clear that it's both! Righteousness & Justice.
I have yet to see a political party that does not compromise with one or the other! This frustrates me to know end.
But in a time where there is such economic termoil the question is… do we really want a political party that is all about the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. ?
I thought that would be my last comment but here's on more and I'll end here. Honest…
McCain was all about him saying he's not another Bush Administration and he was all about attacking the Democratic… and yet I've seen from Obama a much stronger Christian Character even though he compromises with issues with abortion and same-sex marriage.
I personally believe that Obama not only represents the change that's needed for not only the US but also for the world, especially within the church.
The day I see a Political Party that embraces the total balance of Christian morals and values…
Righteousness & Justice
Is the day I'll party and make my allegiance sort a speak…. but until then… we have what we have and I continue to pray for the US & Canada to see true change happen and I really believe I'll see that in my day.
Well, your review of this book makes me want to go get the book myself and read it.
One thing I have a sense of is that the next 4-8 years for the United States will make the nation or break the nation and with what the book writes about…. and you broke it down to a very understandable equation…. sorta…..
Boomers–wise vision casters…. working with
GenX-ers– Pragmatic Problem Solvers… working with
Millennial–Brave Implenters
And to continue…..
I also think that the mindset of people within the church need to change…
ie… Layministers Vs. Ministers (Paid position)..
I think for way too long the church has caused this seperation between the ordinary person and the Pastor in leadership who's paid to be in his position.
As a result the majority of the congregation has allowed for apathy to rise up within them and then blame the Pastor for when things go wrong.
But if the members within the congregation know and appreciate that they are as valuable as the Pastor and that the Pastor is simply a man who's like everyone else and apart of the body of Christ like everyone else then perhaps the body of Christ would function better.
And one last note….
I'm very excited about Obama becoming President.
People tend to think that the Republican's are “the face of Christianity” because they stand for in part biblical moral standards. I say in part because I find the Republican's compromise in faith and values as much as the Democrat's do as well.
The Democratic party stands for social justice
The Republican's for the sanctity of life and the sanctity of marriage…. Righteousness.
Yet the bible is very clear that it's both! Righteousness & Justice.
I have yet to see a political party that does not compromise with one or the other! This frustrates me to know end.
But in a time where there is such economic termoil the question is… do we really want a political party that is all about the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. ?
I thought that would be my last comment but here's on more and I'll end here. Honest…
McCain was all about him saying he's not another Bush Administration and he was all about attacking the Democratic… and yet I've seen from Obama a much stronger Christian Character even though he compromises with issues with abortion and same-sex marriage.
I personally believe that Obama not only represents the change that's needed for not only the US but also for the world, especially within the church.
The day I see a Political Party that embraces the total balance of Christian morals and values…
Righteousness & Justice
Is the day I'll party and make my allegiance sort a speak…. but until then… we have what we have and I continue to pray for the US & Canada to see true change happen and I really believe I'll see that in my day.