On Christian Smith and Why Religion Went Obsolete |
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When the sociologist Christian Smith has something to say about the state of religious belief in America, people take notice. Smith’s projects are typically ambitious in scope, involving extensive interviews, copious survey data, and other sophisticated methods of capturing the trends shaping teenage and young-adult spirituality. His books are hugely influential among people watching those trends, who often find themselves employing conceptual coinages, like "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism," that Smith has introduced. |
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Even by these lofty standards, Smith’s latest book seems an uncommonly sure bet to spark conversations among scholars and ministry leaders for decades to come. Titled Why Religion Went Obsolete: The Demise of Traditional Faith in America, the book suggests that younger Americans have come to view religion the way a typical consumer might view an outmoded product or service. That doesn’t mean they all despise it with New Atheistic fervor, though clearly some do. But it does mean—if Smith is correct—that various social, economic, and technological currents have carried them toward alternative sources of community, moral authority, and transcendence. |
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As you might gather, even from this short synopsis, there’s a lot to unpack here. Which is why CT decided against saddling any one reviewer with the burden of doing the full unpacking. Instead, we invited three different reviewers to tackle the book from different angles. |
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The resulting symposium, now viewable alongside the rest of the May/June issue, features political scientist Ryan Burge evaluating Smith’s research, pastor Michael Horton examining his notion of a "millennial zeitgeist," and youth ministry expert Kara Powell considering how the church might adapt to the conditions he spells out. As an added treat, the package closes with a response from Smith himself. |
Writing for Christian Children in the Philippines |
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Over the last several years, CT has made notable strides in expanding our coverage of the church outside the United States. We currently employ a range of editors who live abroad and cultivate relationships with ministry leaders and ordinary believers across the globe. |
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One happy consequence of this development is the opportunity to learn about trends in international book publishing that might not otherwise appear on my radar. As a case in point, consider a recent CT report from Hannah Kezia Agustin, a writer based in the Philippines, on Christian children’s book authors flourishing in her country. |
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Here’s part of what she has to say about one such author, Jojie Wong: |
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"Wong wants to help the church talk to children about missions, so she wrote abridged illustrated biographies of China missionaries J. Hudson Taylor and Eric Liddell, which are distributed by the OMF mission agency internationally. Wong focuses on how God was with these missionaries and how he helped them overcome their trials. |
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"In the future, she also wants to profile Filipino missionaries who have made an impact on their country. |
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"One time, a Christian preschool invited Wong to speak about loving people from different religious backgrounds. She struggled to find material for her presentation, so she ended up writing the book Peter and Ahmed about a friendship between two boys, one Christian and one Muslim. |
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"‘Christians stay inside our own cultural bubble to the point where we don’t interact with people from different backgrounds,’ she said. She hopes her books help kids learn not to discriminate but instead to see the inherent value of people as God made them." |
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"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." Proverbs 31:26 |
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This Mother's Day, honor her wisdom with the gift of spiritual nourishment. Christianity Today's 2025 Moms, Dads & Grads Gift Guide curates books that become faithful companions in the midst of a busy life. These aren't just books—they're doorways to understanding, wonder, and transformation. |
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On its face, the term obsolete can sound like an insult. We apply it to technologies, ideas, and institutions that fall out of fashion, often with a mocking air ("Okay,…
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, Filipino publishers saw a sharp decline in their sales. In 2020, the industry in the Philippines lost more than half its revenue as physical bookstores closed…
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CT Partners are making a global impact through the One Kingdom Campaign |
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So much has already been accomplished since the launch of the One Kingdom Campaign in September 2024. From beautiful storytelling that lifts our eyes to Jesus working in our midst to global reporting that reminds readers of the cost of following Jesus around the world, God is at work through our generous CT Partners.
See what God is doing through the One Kingdom Campaign and how you can participate in this important community. Learn more. |
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Even amid scandals, cultural shifts, and declining institutional trust, we at Christianity Today recognize the beauty of Christ’s church. In this issue, you’ll read of the various biblical metaphors for the church, and of the faithfulness of Japanese pastors. You’ll hear how one British podcaster is rethinking apologetics, and Collin Hansen’s hope for evangelical institutions two years after Tim Keller’s death. You’ll be reminded of the power of the Resurrection, and how the church is both more fragile and much stronger than we think from editor in chief Russell Moore. This Lent and Easter season, may you take great courage in Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:18—"I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." |
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