From Phones to Pews
Why is there a Christian revival amongst young people?
The typical church in the eyes of modern culture can be split into two categories. It is either some old cathedral where elderly people sing hymns, or it is these “modern” churches that try too hard to appeal to the youth culture of today, with flashing lights and spectacle over the message of Jesus Christ. While both are true to an extent, underneath the outdated stereotypes of churches, there is a revolution. A massive increase in young people coming to faith, never seen in our lifetimes or even our parents, and I believe it has something to do with what you are most likely reading this article on.
With the rise of the Internet and social media being as accessible as food or shelter, it has been slowly taking over society throughout the 21st century, and it has impacted teenagers the most. Apps like Instagram and TikTok can make anybody’s life, and thereby their beliefs and ideologies, public and able to be viewed and consumed by anybody. This change media to everyone be able to say and influence everyone anywhere they want has led to an explosion of the reality we have in the real world. This has its benefits, like artists being able to show their content to an audience that just couldn’t have been their 25 years ago, and some people finding solace in those who are like them, but just in another country, allowing for friendships and relationships that just wasn’t possible before.
However, that last point also works as a double-edged sword, because communication being as board as possible means that people who have damaging opinions or corrupt worldviews can grow and spread in a way that would have been harder if those people were around in the 20th century. Social media is effectively an exaggeration of our own lives, showing the creativity and kindness of so many individuals, but also the discrimination and violence of unfortunately many more, which I think has led young people to try and find a stable force in their own lives.
This is where Christianity and religion enter the fray, as its old-school, biblical practices gives new structure to lives shaped by too much choice for some. For many young people of the modern age, it simplifies decisions and gives a clear stance where so much of the discourse now praises comfortability over practicality. According to an article from Sky News, 37% of people aged 18-24 would identify themselves as Christian. As for whether Christianity is the “truth” or not, that is down to the individual and tier personal beliefs. But with the older Gen-Z crowd going towards the church, who knows how our current young people (including the students at this school) will change their faith.
Ellis Waddams
