Summary of What Older Adults as Contrasted to Younger Adults Follow

In the past few weeks I've discussed the differences between the older adult generations and the younger adult ones. And, I've focused on the difference in dialectics - the older folks following Aristotelian Logic (if something is true then it's opposite is not true [IF A, then not B]); and the younger ones following the Hegelian dialectic (let's synthesize opposites [mesh A and B together or find common ground between them discarding that which does not fit together]).

The result of the Aristotelian view for the older adults is the affinity for propositional truths and seeing consequences. And, in the younger adults, with the need for synthesis and tolerance (which is a by-product of synthesis) they tend to distrust propositional truths as they are way too black and white and often sound intolerant. So, to them Story (or, as they call it, narrative), especially those that show experiences, is much easier to swallow.

I was listening to a talk radio program the other day and the host related how some college students were very much for global warming. And since they didn't have all the propositional truths against it, they automatically were for it. But now, with the very cold and snowy weather where they are located, Al Gore has become a laughing stock with these students and they no longer believe in global warming. The difference to them was not hearing "facts." The difference to them was "experience." This is becoming more and more evident in our churches too. The younger adults seem to need experiences, often more than "truths." But how are we to do this while keeping faithful to the Scriptures and the Spirit. As I've written before, I believe 90% of the churches in America have a threadbare theology of the Holy Spirit, even most Charismatic and Pentecostal churches. If you cannot get it to work, then something is wrong with your doctrine of the Spirit, I don't care how Charismatic or Pentecostal you are. In addition, there may be something wrong with your doctrine of the cross too. If we can get a better theology of Spirit and then get it to work, I think the younger ones would come to our churches and even listen to our propostional truths if they can be connected as coming from God, Son and Spirit. And they certainly can as they are in the Scriptures which always are in unity with the Trinity,