{"id":22926,"date":"2019-05-16T13:30:47","date_gmt":"2019-05-16T20:30:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dminlgp\/?p=22926"},"modified":"2019-05-16T13:30:47","modified_gmt":"2019-05-16T20:30:47","slug":"signs-of-the-times-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/signs-of-the-times-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Signs of the Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff\u2019s The Coddling of the American Mind <\/em>examines the recent phenomenon of college age intolerance, phobias, stress, and suicide. The authors focus on three \u201cGreat Untruths\u201d surrounding fragility, feelings, and conflict.[1]<\/a> These untruths, according to Haidt and Lukianoff, are manifested in all sectors of social life and are creating division, distrust, and destruction of our secondary and university level education systems. I see many connections in this book that link directly into my dissertation research into the problem with spiritual warfare. This post will examine how The American Mind<\/em> narrative compares to spiritual warfare and how both are influenced by principalities and powers. I will start with reviews and articles to set the stage and then infuse the author\u2019s themes and ideas to try and guide you to a safe place where you will be happy to put on your full armor of God.<\/p>\n

First, how do dissenting views influence current thinking and the administration of higher education? For example, GFU encourages their Dmin students to critically analyze, challenge, and argue their points with other students and LGP staff. According to this book, this type of academic and scholarly rigor is considered on the level of hate crimes if encouraged at the lower levels of secondary and post-secondary education. For example, Anondah Saide and Kevin McCaffree\u2019s review describes how dissenting views are \u201cconsidered imminent threats to the safety of marginalized people\u201d and are now equated with impending physical harm and give rise to the idea that dissenting views may \u201cthreaten to undermine civil society.\u201d[2]<\/a> Another book review by Howard Doughty gives a poor performance grade to the Western educational system because it is not adequately preparing youth and young adults to successfully contribute and function in a 21st<\/sup> Century society.[3]<\/a> Doughty says that our society has lost its \u201cgreatness\u201d and as a result may also be \u201closing the intellectual and psychological strength to restore it.\u201d[4]<\/a><\/p>\n

Second, what is the impact on college campuses who are experiencing this new spectacle of radicalized student behavior? This new type of student movement, largely undirected, is creating fear, anxiety, and tension on and off the campuses in the West. One alumnus wrote, \u201cI\u2019m a Liberal Professor, and My Liberal Students Terrify Me.\u201d[5]<\/a> Wow! What is in this new state of student uprising? How is this phenomenon influencing national media in the way they report the news?<\/p>\n

Here are some new terms that we need to understand so we can answer the how and why questions that critical thinkers might pose.<\/p>\n