Between the Lines

I have recently been working through a new book by Drs. David P. Setran and Chris A. Kiesling entitled "Spiritual Formation in Emerging Adulthood," that aims to explore the highs and lows, the good and the bad, associated with the spiritual formation of emerging adults. Now, if you are unfamiliar with the term "emerging adult," very simply, it is a term coined in the past decade by sociologists, among other professions (we college ministers love it), to describe the new life stage among people that has, for lack of a better term, emerged in our society. This is the time period of delayed adulthood, roughly the ages of 18-30, where college-aged people are putting off the normal identifiers of adulthood, such as marriage, children, permanent jobs, and home ownership, for the likes of continued education, career pursuits, life experiences, and living with their parents. (Don't believe me? Check out this recent BBC article about the over 25% of emerging adults in th

Over the past few weeks, I have been amazed at the number of cultural and secular references I have both seen and heard in regards to what an individual is "giving up for Lent." Just last night, my favorite late night host, Jimmy Fallon, incorporated the question of "What are you planning to give up for Lent?" into one of his infamous skits with the audience and house band, The Roots. The common responses I have seen are sodas, sugars, coffee, social media, and cursing. All of these are certainly admirable goals and definitely would improve one's life, but sadly they negate the entire purpose behind the season of Lent. The ways in which I see people describing their "sacrifices" bears striking resemblance to language I am accustomed to hearing around New Years in regards to a person's resolution, and not about penance or reflection. You see the season of Lent is not about identifying traits that we want to improve in ourselves, but recognizing o