Thinking to Believe

Brett Kunkle, the student impact speaker from Stand to Reason, relates a story that typifies the point I was making in Getting to our Kids First:

After my final teaching session, the son approached me, quickly launching into a laundry list of objections to Christianity.  A lengthy conversation ensued, covering topics like objective moral truths, utilitarian ethical theory, Kant’s categorical imperative, retributive justice, divine hiddenness, intelligent design, and the experience of the Holy Spirit.  From the conversation, I guessed he was a graduate student in philosophy.  Wrong.  He was a high school senior.

His objections boiled down to this:  “I’ve been taught that Christianity’s truthfulness is confirmed by my experience.  I am no longer having powerful Christian experiences.  In addition, I’m reading arguments against Christianity.  I now wonder if it’s rational for me to remain a Christian.” 

Let’s hope this kid can be persuaded out of his doubts by the evidence, and let his story serve as a lesson for all of us parents and leaders.  We’ve got to get to our kids before the enemies of the faith do.

The Kaiser Family Foundation released its latest report on media consumption in America.  Here are some interesting highlights as reported by Al Mohler:

• Kid’s spend 7 ½ hours per day consuming media.  But because they multi-task their media, their consumption is actually closer to 11 hours per day.
• 66% of kids have a cell phone, but only use it for talking 30 minutes per day.  Usually it is used for texting or accessing the internet for media
• 76% of kids have an mp3 player
• The average American home now contains 3.8 TVs, 2.8 DVD/VCR players, at least one DVR, 2 computers, 2.3 video game consoles
• 71% of kids aged 8-18 have a TV in their room.  Half have a video game console and/or access to cable.  1 out of 3 have their own computer.