Practicing Christians, Practical Atheists: How Cultural Liturgies and Everyday Social Practices Shape the Christian Life
Ebook
The task of living faithfully within today's secular culture is one of the most important issues facing Christians. Yet many misunderstand what culture is and how it shapes their hearts, minds, and souls. This book extends the work of James K. A. Smith by revealing how the secularizing influence of modern culture is not only transmitted through "cultural liturgies," but has become embedded within the seemingly harmless practices everyday practices of education, work, consumption, and leisure. As a result, even practicing Christians may become practical atheists who have thoroughly internalized secular dispositions of mind and heart. This deeper understanding of cultural formation calls into question many of the dominant approaches to ministry and formation. Rather than merely offering information and inspiration, congregations must become sites of counter-formation that enable their members to fully embody the Christian faith within everyday life.
“Skillfully blending sociology, philosophy, and theology, Phil Davignon brings readers timely new insights into the relationship between Christianity and culture. He reveals the power of the ordinary, secularly defined rhythms of daily life to form many Christians into practical atheists. To meet this challenge, Davignon sets forth the ways intentional Christian community, and the practices that comprise it, can serve as a compelling basis for Christian counter-formation—a counter-formation capable of meeting the challenges of our current context.”
—Perry L. Glanzer, editor-in-chief, Christian Scholar’s Review
“Phil Davignon’s work insightfully argues for the purposeful cultivation of the culture embedded in institutions and everyday practices. He sees this as a necessary complement of efforts in catechetical and intellectual formation for equipping Christian communities to thrive and evangelize in late modern times. Thought-provoking. An indispensable book for Christian religious leaders, educators, ministers, and parents.”
—Germain McKenzie, St. Mark’s College, Vancouver
- Title: Practicing Christians, Practical Atheists: How Cultural Liturgies and Everyday Social Practices Shape the Christian Life
- Author: Phil Davignon
- Publisher: Cascade Books
- Print Publication Date: 2023
- Logos Release Date: 2023
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781666796711, 9781666737363, 1666737364, 9781666796704, 1666796700, 1666796719
- Resource ID: LLS:9781666796711
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-02-12T10:51:56Z
Phil Davignon is associate professor of sociology at Union University in Jackson, TN. His scholarship explores the formative power of secular culture and intentional Christian community.