Our options for interacting with culture

As Bruce Riley Ashford points out in his small but powerful book, Every Square Inch (Lexham Press, 2015), we only have three options as Christians for approaching culture. We can be: 1) Against culture, 2) Of culture, or 3) In and for culture.

The first option only lets people know what we are against and ignores any good in culture. The second option sees culture only as an ally and makes us unrecognizable as we blend in. Only the third option reflects a biblical worldview. It recognizes the need to understand culture. It allows us to identify areas of confusion with genuine concern. Then we can winsomely move toward others who are created in the image of God.

We believe these observations clearly lay out the opportunity before us as followers of Christ. We can be condemners and critics of culture, imitators of culture, or creators and doers within culture (James 1:22). As creators and doers, we can lovingly present the clarity of the Christian worldview to others. This allows us to be salt and light in the world (Matt. 5:13-16). May we choose the latter as we transition to the next crucial step: influencing generations.

Influencing Generations: Insights on Today’s Four Key Generations

Let’s get to know our largest generations. We will look at core questions they are asking about meaning and purpose. Then we will see how questions of our own can help influence them toward Christ.

Note: A quick note here that while the start and end dates of generations vary by source, we use the ranges put forth by Dr. Jean Twenge in her best-selling book, Generations (Atria Books, 2023). Much of the general descriptions of the various generations that follow are inspired by her book as well. We also want to extend special thanks to James Choung from InterVarsity for his valuable research on culture’s spiritual inquiries.

1. Baby Boomers (1946 – 1964): “What is truth?”

The Boomers received their name because families were averaging nearly four children per household (twice the average now). They were raised by the Silent Generation (1925 - 1945), which was very rule-based and collectively believed there was a true and right way for everybody to live. That belief would shift with the onset of the Boomers.

Boomers fought for the freedom of individual choice.

While the Silents thrived in a collectivistic culture, Boomers fought for the freedom of individual choice. This manifested itself in rebellions against the draft, men growing out their hair in rebellion against parents, and a general rebellion against established family and relationship norms. This push for individualism and choice was a hallmark for Boomers.

The rebellion against the standards set forth by their parents led Boomers to ask a critical question about meaning and purpose: “What is truth?” If truth wasn’t found in the ideals their parents held to, where was it found?

Influencing Baby Boomers

This focus on truth is essential with Boomers. When they pushed back against the collectivistic ideals of their parents, they looked within for truth and pushed into what became known as the “self-help movement.” Fortunately, many have already discovered the dead-end trails of that movement. This opens a great door of opportunity for those seeking to reach Boomers.

We can engage them in the area that most resonates with them with questions like, “What truths do you think we can know about God?”, “Why do you think we can or can’t know truth about God?” and “Where would you start looking for truth about God and why?” Questions like these with truth at their core cause Boomers to look outside of themselves and open them up to consider a new alternative. As they share their answers, we have the opportunity to point them to eternal truths found in Scripture and show them there is an answer to “What is truth?” and that he is also the Way and the Life (John 14:6).

2. Generation X (1965 – 1979): “What is authentic?”

Dr. Twenge writes in Generations: “One day, youth protests against societal norms were out (Boomers), and cynicism was in. Generation X defined itself not by what it was, but by how it was not like the Boomers who came before or the Millennials who would follow.”

Generation X experienced a unique shift, growing up as the last to experience life in a fully analog world alongside Boomers. Yet as adults, they were the first to fully embrace the digital era alongside Millennials and Gen Z. This in-between position prevented Generation X from firmly establishing their own unique identity.

“Who can I trust?”

With no firm ties to any other generation, the hallmark of Generation X was self-reliance and a need for high self-esteem. However, self-reliance naturally led to a mistrust of authority and also called for a strong sense of identity, which many struggled to establish. This mistrust and struggle to establish authentic identity led to larger questions about purpose and meaning: “What is authentic?” and “Who can I trust?”

Influencing Generation X

Generation X is still committed to self-reliance but is unsure of where “authentic self” can be found. Like Boomers, many have experienced the dead-ends associated with self-help resources and quick-fix spirituality but are unsure where to turn. This opens the opportunity to influence them by asking questions that get right to the heart of authenticity. Questions like, “Why is authenticity so important?”, “Where do you tend to turn when you are inauthentic and let yourself down?”, “Do you think God has an authentic concern for you? Why or why not?”

These questions create the opportunity to point Generation X toward a God who knows us far better than we know ourselves and cares for us more than we could ever care for ourselves. Only in him are we truly free to authentically “live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

3. Millennials (1980 – 1994): “What is good?”

One of the defining characteristics of Millennials was that they were raised to believe they are special simply because they are special. Parents from Generation X who felt like an overlooked “middle-child generation” wanted their Millennial children to feel good about themselves all the time. And it wasn’t just parents. Coaches, teachers, and leaders at large, created environments where participation was counted as achievement.

Dr. Twenge points out in Generations that this is one reason why the great recession hit Millennials so hard in 2008. For years, they were told “you are great” and “everything is great,” and then suddenly, everything was not great.

Ultimately, Millennials were repeatedly told they were good, and all is good, but when reality pushed back, it provoked deeper questions about meaning - namely, “what is good?”

Influencing Millennials

Millennials are in search of the “good” they were promised by parents and leaders. They are also in search of the affirmation that participating in the process leads to good results. They didn’t find that to be true in the workforce, economy, or amid social justice movements.

Millennials are in search of the “good” they were promised by parents and leaders.

Millennials need grounding on what is actually good and that ultimate good cannot be found in our broken world. Additionally, and in contrast to previous generations, more time must be taken to show them that we (including them) are not inherently good either. We are part of the problem in the world because of sin. Questions to consider include: “How would you describe the ultimate ‘good person?’”, “How many people fit that description? Do you?”, “Would you categorize the world as a “good and fair place” or “in need of healing?”, “How good do you think you have to be to please God? Why?”

Asking these questions opens the door to discussions about the imperfections and hypocrisies we all must face in the world and within ourselves. More importantly it creates space to discuss where the “ultimate good” can be found - in the One whose steadfast goodness and love endures forever (Psalm 136:1).

4. Generation Z (1995 – 2012): “What is beautiful? / What is just?”

Millennial parents struggled to pass on the “all is good” mindset to their Generation Z children because the Millennials were still seeking that answer themselves. That lack of grounding is part of the reason why Generation Z is known for its pessimism and its struggle to find beauty and justice in this world. They are highly emotion-driven and are more concerned with feeling satisfied than with finding truth.

If it feels beautiful - it is.

If it feels beautiful - it is. If it feels just - it is. Unfortunately, Generation Z is also often labeled the most depressed and anxious generation because there is no agreement on what is beautiful or just. The unparalleled exposure to social media and its barrage of contradicting voices only worsened the confusion.

Influencing Generation Z

Because of their pessimism, Generation Z tends to be the most apathetic toward religion in comparison to all other generations. They are not asking questions about Jesus, God, hell, or the afterlife. They are more than happy to hear how your experience with God has helped you, but they are less inclined to hear your thoughts about how God could help them. However, while they may be apathetic toward spiritual things, they are not apathetic about everything. They find their source of joy somewhere. Finding that and drawing it out is key.

Kyle Beshears, in his book Apatheism (B&H Academic, 2021) suggests several questions that could be extremely helpful in engaging Generation Z. These questions include, “What gives you the greatest feeling of joy in life?”, “What kinds of things are required to make that joy complete?”, “Are those things guaranteed to always be in place? “How would you find joy if something took away what currently brings you joy?” “What would you think about a source of joy that could never be taken away?”

These questions open opportunities to talk with Generation Z about a joy that can never be taken away. A joy that comes from One who is perfectly beautiful (Psalm 27:4) and perfectly just in all his ways (Deut. 32:4).

A Final Thought

In all these things, may we remember that generations are not full of statistics and trends; they are full of people made in the image of God. People who have heartfelt questions about meaning and purpose, and if we’re willing, we could influence them toward the best possible answers in Christ. May we be willing.

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Brock Anderson is Vice President of Content and Shelley Komoszewski is Senior Director of Ministry Advancement for Josh McDowell Ministry, a ministry of Cru. Josh McDowell Ministry exists to cut through cultural confusion, so people see Jesus clearly. Connect with the ministry at Josh.org

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