Kristoffer Cox on Gen X and God

Kristoffer Cox published his book, Gen X and God, in 1998. At the time of writing he was 30 years old, a former Air Force officer in his final year at Luther Seminary, St Paul, Minnesota. His goal in writing was to present an outline of the basic gifts of the Christian faith in manner understandable and inviting to Gen Xers. (see Jeff Favre’s story at The Lutheran at the time of publication.

This is not primarily a book about Gen X, as much as an exploration of Lutheran understandings of Christian good news for Gen Xers. Cox lays his material together in a way that allows for personal reflection, discussion and perhaps even feedback.

Having said that, Cox does start off with a description of the context in which his generation are finding their way. Part of that reality is the need to express the gospel in ways that connect with current concerns and aspiration.

He quotes Robert George, writing in “Stuck in the Shadows with You: Observations on Post-Boomer Culture”, Generations Apart: Xers vs Boomers vs The Elderly:

“The problem Boomers have with the generation that came right after them is what anyone would have upon suddenly noticing that their shadow was talking back to them.The attitude that typifies our generation is resistance to, independence from, and a rejection of Boomer cultural ‘values’. Our generation is the one that will utter the truths that Boomers don’t want to hear.”

And now on to the truths that Gen Xers need to express and hear…

Meaning and Purpose

Cox starts by exploring the answer to the life, the universe and everything. “What’s the question?” “Why are we here?” He takes us through the work of Ernest Becker who wrote that we develop ‘projects’ to seek diversion from ourselves. The development of extreme sports, Cox writes, is an example of the Boomers’ death-denying projects of careerism and American dream being replaced by death-defying projects. Either way, we’re still left with the questions that we’ve been trying to avoid.

Cox writes that we’ve been trying to find a sense of transcendence, running from our present reality in favour of another, by looking to a circle of projects: sexuality, spirituality, career personal fulfilment and relationships. It’s like a yacht sailing around in a pond, never likely to get to the open water.

Religion/Spirituality a Distracting Project?

I like Cox’s invitation to regard religion and spirituality with a healthy cynicism. In the discussion questions he asks: “Why is the supernatural or spirituality a sexy escape from one’s circle of projects? How might religion simply be an easy way for people to hide from their reality?” And yet I am uneasy about where he heads with this. The reader is led to give up attempts to engage with the divine and focus more on the human realm. This might fit a Lutheran sensibility but it doesn’t engage well with current interest in a spirituality that is both immanent and transcendent. Cox points out that we should be God’s project – rather than God being our project. It’s at this point that I would be exploring being God and humanity both involved in relationship as subject.

Relevance of Jesus

Kristoffer draws parallels between the experience of Gen Xers and the experience of Jesus. We feel discounted by those in control. Jesus was not taken seriously and was eventually mocked, tortured & executed. We’ve obviously inherited a terribly imperfect world. Our imperfect world is foundational to Christian understanding. We want relationships with depth and meaning. Jesus sought ‘real’ relationships, accepting people as they were. We are tired of prejudice and injustice against us and others. Jesus reached out to the unacceptable and desired equality for all.

Sacrificial Death

Cox takes us to the heart of Lutheran understanding of the gospel with a story told by Gerhard Forde in “The Work of Christ”, Christian Dogmatics.” A child is playing in the street. A truck is bearing down on the child. A man casts himself in the path of the truck, saves the child but is himself killed in the process. It is an accident. The man gave his life FOR the child, not to appease or make payment to driver of truck. Forde argues that we are like the driver of the truck. In the sacrifice of Jesus, God has saved us from ourselves. The one splattered against the front of our truck comes back to say ‘Shalom’, peace.

Dealing with bad stuff

A theology for Generation X does need to engage with the problems of pain, suffering, injustice and radical evil. In this context Cox introduces us to Ted Peters, whose book, “Sin – Radical Evil in Soul and Society” came out in 1994. Peters, a lecturer at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, explores seven steps toward radical evil: anxiety, unfaith, pride, concupiscence, self-justification, cruelty, and blasphemy, before going on to unpack the power of forgiveness.

Cox explores the social sin that develops when intergenerational rage is not dealt with. Here he draws on the work of James Gambone whose workshops help develop better relationships between generations. Gambone’s 1998 book, All Are Welcome: A Primer for Intentional Intergenerational Ministry and Dialogue, is out of print but can be bought secondhand at Amazon. Here’s a quote from James:

“The idea of promoting intergenerational respect, caring and cooperation offers a real alternative to the current secular self-interest, “we-they” attitudes. Wouldn’t our national dialogue on race, welfare reform and morality be significantly different if we first agreed to have the interests of all generations laid out clearly on the table?”

Cox goes on to explore the significance of baptism, the process of character development, dealing with ‘the old Adam’ and working through hypocrisy.

Usefulness

So how does GenX and God fare? I’d be fascinated to hear from people who have used this book as an entry point into Christian faith. Cox helps GenX readers access a variety of thinkers, mostly from the Lutheran tradition. He provides continual opportunities for discussion, though I must say some of the questions are didactic in nature – twisting the reader around to the author’s point of view.

In terms of theological reflection Cox has grappled with the issues he sees being raised for members of his generation. He attempts to line those issues up with the resources of the Lutheran tradition. He continually invites people to work through their own experience -finding new ways of expressing the call to be ‘saved by grace alone’.

The photo to the right was taken back in 1999. I wonder if Cox would be writing any differently now, after spending time as an Airforce Chaplain? He’s part of the Emerging Leaders Network, an organic missional friendship among native postmodern Lutheran leaders and other leaders open to “gettin’ busy with what God is doing in the postmodern world and emerging church”.

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