#22 Culture | Geo-Cultural Youth
Dr. Stephen Phinney: Generational debates about cultural norms, religious freedom, media and free speech, and ethical considerations in policy-making.
Today's youth are increasingly discontent with politics, religion, and culture, feeling disillusioned by a system they perceive as unresponsive and out of touch with their needs.
Listen to the podcast version: Brought to you by Ken & Sue Weas.
Today's youth have a unique perspective on political, social, and family life, shaped by the rapidly changing world around them.
A PARENTLESS SOCIETY
The reality of today's youth being a result of a parentless society is a shocking reminder of the “why” our youth function like authority figures.
Over the last fifty years, our familial society has gradually shifted into what can be described as a full-blown parentless society, forming a distinct culture. This cultural degeneration is the result of various socio-economic changes, such as increased work demands, rising divorce rates, and evolving family structures. However, the biggest factor is faith and family have dissolved into a post-modern anti-truth sociological collective belief system. Why?
Fathers have deserted the home.
Mommies forced to work.
The divorce rate was 946,989 filings in 2024.
Church attendance at its all-time low.
Truth has become relative & subjective.
Authority has become a cultural misnomer.
Private or public schools have become the “new parent.”
As a consequence, many children have grown up with limited parental presence and involvement, often relying on external influences like peers, media, and digital platforms for guidance - forming a self-rule belief system. This parentless culture has led to a generation grappling with identity, self-worth, and emotional well-being challenges. The sociological consequences of this slow fade have formed a Geo-Cultural movement that is sweeping the globe.
The global impact of familial absence on the development of young individuals has granted permission to this generation to form a movement through opinionate rage - changing their environment to match their self-guided opinions.
When a mind is left to itself, the self takes full control of its environment, thinking they are the god of their universe.
We cannot blame our children! When leaving children to navigate life with minimal guidance and support, the child psychologically shifts into survival mode. This absence typically results in a lack of stable role models and nurturing environments, which are crucial for healthy emotional and social development. Consequently, many young people struggle with issues related to identity, self-worth, and resilience, often turning to securing a parent figure through their peers via media, or digital platforms for direction and affirmation. As deplorable as this sounds, it is the new norm for our youth.
THE BIBLE AS A SOCIETY IS GONE
The absence of Biblical training and church support has significant repercussions for the younger generation, leading to a growing sense of disconnection from the core tenets of authentic Christianity.
Without a strong foundation in Biblical teachings, many young people struggle to grasp the absolute truths and moral principles that define the forgotten person of Yeshua. This lack of understanding resulted in a diluted or misinterpreted version of who Jesus Christ is as well as the essential doctrines God laid out in His written Word. Thus, the authority of the Word has faded into the dark recesses of their minds. The absence of consistent and robust Biblical training created a void in spiritual education as a genderized society, leaving the youth susceptible to secular influences, ideologies, and cultural movements that can further distance them from authentic Christian beliefs.
Additionally, the overreach in church support and engagement exacerbates the issue, as the church community played a significant role in replacing the parental roles defined in the Word of God.
While the organized church is important, in the 1950s, through child-centered education, the church became the primary tutors of our children. As the church faded into workism and other liberal ideologies, thus our children did as well. A well-known fact by us church historians, the church turned liberal long before our public society converted. However, now with our public education has become full on liberal, that mixed with the church, our children were left to defend for themselves as to develop a worldview. So, there you have it.
What is a God of the universe, and beyond, to do?
I might sound like a pessimist, but, I know enough about prophecy to know that if God turns a society over to the desires of their flesh, there is little we can do to stop the cultural ramifications of it.
Romans 1:21-23: For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Folks, this defines our present nature worshiping culture of self and beasts. When a shift like this occurs in a society or generation, God moves to the final step.
Therefore, God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
(Romans 1:24-25)
What does that look like? If you read Romans chapter one, verses twenty six through thirty two, you will find God describing that culture: dishonorable passions, women lusting after women, men having sex with men, unrighteous living, evil culture, jealousy, hate, murder, angry people, deceit, gossipers, arrogant people, haters of God, disobedience to parents, foolish arguments, faithless, heartless, ruthless and the list goes on.
Does this passage not describe our culture today? If you can’t see the logic and truth in this passage in modern times, you might want to evaluate as to the possibility of you being one of those He turned over to your flesh. I pray not, but it is worth considering. Allow me to close with what God said regarding a dishonoring society:
Rom 1:32: Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
In the midst of our chaotic and fragmented world, let us take a moment to pause and reflect on our journey.
It's time to turn our hearts back to God, to seek His presence with sincerity and humility. Let us repent of our morbid beliefs and the ways we've strayed from His pure doctrines. Embrace the immovable power of Yeshua's mind within us, allowing His wisdom, knowledge and love to renew our minds.
By surrendering to His TRUTH, we can experience a personal revival, a restoration of our true identity, and a deeper connection to the Hebrew God who loves us unconditionally. Return to God through Yeshua, for in Him we find the ultimate fulfillment and the strength to navigate the challenges of life with grace and faith. This, my reader, is the most practical thing I can suggest saving our youngest generation from the degenerate lies of God’s greatest enemy. It starts with you.
As a longtime Believer in Yeshua, I am familiar with these Scriptures and their meaning, but NEVER have they been so widespread and accurate as to what has happened on the Earth in these times. It is ubiquitous and global. I join you in praying for this lost generation as well as supporting your efforts to reach them with a revelation of the Father's kindness (Rom. 2:4) before its too late! Thank you for your heart of compassion, consideration, and missionary commitment to this broken world.