Highly acclaimed and thoroughly updated; Return to Diversity; Fourth Edition; provides a comprehensive political history of East Central Europe from World War II to the present. An engaging and straightforward political narrative; the book is organized chronologically in a country-by-country format that students can easily navigate. Each section summarizes and examines the most important themes in Eastern Europe during the rise and fall of Communism. The text features balanced discussions of relevant political events; along with a detailed analysis of the causes and consequences of Communism from the perspective of post-Communist regimes.Nancy M. Wingfield has revised the fourth edition to incorporate additional social and economic history into the text's strong discussions of political history. She also provides expanded coverage of the resurgence of nationalism in the 1980s; the role of dissident movements in the shift to democracy; and the problems of Communism. To make the region's history even more relevant to students; Return to Diversity now concludes with a compelling look at the contemporary reintegration of the "new" and "old" Europes.Unsurpassed in scope; depth of analysis; and objectivity; Return to Diversity continues to be an invaluable resource for both professors and students of this region's vivid political history.
#74535 in Books Oxford University Press 2010-07-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.30 x .90 x 9.30l; 1.10 #File Name: 0195314840264 pagesAlmost Christian What the Faith of Our Teenagers is Telling the American Church
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Probably the most important point that this book makes is that the lack of faith among students is a direct result of the lack oBy Joseph C. GunterPurpose; Main Argument; and Overall Summary;It is not about getting students in church. Almost Christian does not intend to explore strategies for attracting teenagers to church; nor even what might keep teenagers active in church after they graduate high school. However; as the author points out consequential faith is also by nature lifetime faith. Rather; the author is interested in exploring what allows some teenagers to have a faith that makes a difference in their lives; and what causes other teenagers to practice Christianity with a positive disposition; but one that makes little change in their lives.What contributes to consequential faith; the kind of faith that makes a difference to a teenager's way of life? That is the question that the author explores and attempts to answer in Almost Christian. Dean looks at the research from the ongoing National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR) to give readers an understanding of four common traits of teenagers who possess consequential faith. While the NSYR found that a sizeable number of teenagers attend church; just 8% are "highly devoted" teenagers whose faith makes a significant difference in their actions; identities; and lives.While the first part of the book identifies the characteristics of teenagers with consequential faith; the author recognizes that identifying these characteristics does not answer the question of how we go about nurturing them in students. For that task; the author offers the American church a solution to the problem of watered-down cultural Christianity. As a Christian theologian; the author is quick to recognize faith as the unique gift of the Holy Spirit; but the author also emphasizes that parents and faith communities play an integral role in preparing students for faith that matters.Personal Reflections; Ministerial Considerations; and Questions for Class Consideration; In this book there were four major findings that I believe would be important for anyone in student ministry to consider. First; there were four characteristics that tend to accompany consequential faith in teenagers. These students know basic tenants of the faith; belong in a faith community; were on mission; and finally these students saw the larger story. As student minister it is very important for me to be developing these for characteristics in our students. And much of it can only occur through repetition and through living it out in everyday life. In addition; these four characteristics cannot be developed in only an hour every other Sunday. Which leads to the next major finding. Second; Parents and congregations get the kind of faith they model. Probably the most important point that this book makes is that the lack of faith among students is a direct result of the lack of faith of their parents and the feel good messages from the pulpit. Which as a student minister it is really important to make sure you are also discipling the parents along with the students; but it is also key to remember that both need the Gospel more in their lives. There is a temptation in student ministry to help students make better decisions and to use the Bible to teach these moral values. However; as we are seeing this kind of teaching is leading to what the author calls Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. We forget that instead of teaching them of how Jesus was good; we need to teach them about a Jesus that died for their sins and through the work of the Holy Spirit makes them good. Third; a missional imagination is key to developing consequential Christian faith. Students need to see that Christianity is not about them; but a calling for them to change the eternal destination of their friends; family; classmates; and teammates. That they are called to change their family; community; and the world for the sake of the Gospel. And finally; Parents and congregations can help foster a missional imagination by pursuing three historic Christian practices. These students know basic tenants of the faith; belong in a faith community; were on mission; and finally these students saw the larger story.Significant Quotations“The religiosity of American teenagers must be read primarily as a reflection of their parents’ religious devotion (or lack thereof) and; by extension; that of their congregations.... Lackadaisical faith is not young people’s issue; but ours.... The solution lies not in beefing up congregational youth programs or making worship more ‘cool’ and attractive; but in modeling the kind of mature; passionate faith we say we want young people to have†(3–4)."The problem does not seem to be that churches are teaching young people badly; but that we are doing an exceedingly good job of teaching youth what we really believe: namely; that Christianity is not a big deal; that God requires little.... What if the blasé religiosity of most American teenagers is not the result of poor communication but the result of excellent communication of a watered-down gospel so devoid of God's self-giving love in Jesus Christ; so immune to the sending love of the Holy Spirit that it might not be Christianity at all?" (11-12). “It is in participating in the mission of God that God decisively changes us into disciples†(15)."Moralistic Therapeutic Deism is what is left once Christianity has been drained of its missional impulse" (39). “The point of God’s Incarnation was mission; the sending of God-as-love into creation†(91).“Missional churches…seldom spring from church growth strategies. The purpose is not to grow the church or to serve the church but to be the church.†(p. 95).2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Provocative and helpful for youth ministers and parentsBy thepilgrimsdigest.blogspotDean’s Almost Christian is written with the backdrop of the results of the 2003-2005 National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR); which found that youth today in America subscribe to a form of “moralistic; therapeutic deism.†This type of belief posits that a “god" exists; but all he wants for people is to be good; nice; fair; and happy. God will not get involved in life unless you need his help (14). The youth that believe this “theology†are; Dean claims; “almost Christian†– religious in some aspects; not at all Christian in terms of theology and practice (4).In light of this study; the purpose of Dean’s Almost Christian is twofold. Firstly; Dean focuses on arguing that the reason for the lack of genuine faith amongst our youth is due to the adults (Part I of the book). The adults are just as at fault when it comes to subscribing to moralistic; therapeutic deism as their kids are; the kids are simply modeling themselves after their parents and adult church members.Secondly; in Parts II and III of the book; Dean walks her readers through not only the consistent set of “cultural tools†that make faith meaningful for youth (i.e. an articulated God story; a deep sense of belonging; a clear sense of a God-given purpose; and an attitude of hope for the world); but how to help young people implement these cultural tools (i.e. through the practices of translation; testimony; and detachment) (22-23).Overall; I appreciated Dean’s book. The thesis and problem that Dean presents here is wonderfully provocative; and I am in enormous agreement. When I read this book; I was still an expecting parent for my first child; and Dean’s thesis in this book terrified me. The notion that; as parents; our kids become us (at least in terms of faith) haunted me for weeks after reading this book. As an aside; it has challenged me to be more consistent in my personal spiritual disciplines and to more passionately seek out a life of authentic faith in Christ.Key quote: Perhaps parents and teenagers do not argue much about religion because they seem to believe almost the same things. Contrary to popular opinion; teenagers conform to the religious beliefs and practices of their parents to a very high degree. The “breaking away†from authority figures associated with the teenage years comes later in adolescence; but the 13-17 year olds in the NSYR were highly conventional; content to adopt their parents’ religious inclinations. By and large; Smith and Denton concluded; parents “get what they are†religiously (p18).87 of 91 people found the following review helpful. Are You Christian? Or Merely "Almost" Christian?By O. Merce Brown*****This wonderful book is based on the National Study of Youth and Religion conducted from 2002 to 2005. It is a fascinating analysis of teen religious practice; which is a bellwether of the faith of us all. Teenagers are practicing the faith that we are teaching them; not what we say we believe; but what we actually believe as evidenced by our actions. All of this could be dry and boring; but in "Almost Christian" it is not! This is a truly fascinating exploration of what makes faith vibrant; what makes faith "consequential". As such it is important for everyone to read; not just those interested in teens and youth ministry. Much of the book describes real faith--a faith rich in holy desire and missional clarity--and explores ways that we as a church can experience and model this in our lives.Most teenagers today practice an "imposter faith" what the author calls "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism"--"the new mainstream American religious faith" in which God is seen as a butler or a therapist rather than (as the approximately 8% of youth that are "highly devoted" do) as a "divine swimming instructor" who is down in the water with them; leading and instructing them. The book also explores the faith of these "highly devoted" youth and what makes them different from their peers.The scope of this book is limited to Christian ministry and formation and does not include Jewish; Muslim; Buddhist; or other faiths. There are helpful appendices and an index; and the book is written in a somewhat intellectual style and at the same time a very moving style---very readable and pragmatic--not academic.I read this book not because I had any interest in youth ministry or teenagers in particular; but because of the title--"Almost Christian"--something in it resonated with me; and I'm so glad I gave it a chance. This book made my life richer; and gave me an appreciation both for young people and for my faith that I did not have before. It's really important to me to not be an Americanized Christian with a watered-down faith; but rather; someone who reflects the love of Jesus Christ and real faith in all I do. I found myself enlightened; inspired; and encouraged.Highly recommended.*****
