“Are you the right person to write this article?” was the feedback I’ve been chewing on for several weeks now. In one sense, obviously not. Unlike some neighbors on my street, I don’t have a chicken coop or an imposing beard. I’ve never been hunting. I can barely keep succulents alive. I grew up in Philadelphia and feel the shame of my cosmopolitan softness every time I gas up behind the Carhartt-clad cowboy resting on his rusted Silverado.
Since moving to Idaho, however, I can’t help being struck by the spiritual chord that reverberates beneath the prepper movement. It goes beyond being outdoorsy and good with your hands. There is the flavor of the self-reliance I know all too well, albeit in a different direction. So I hope this article restores a sense of rest that I need sorely – resting on Jesus, not ourselves.
2 comments
Wes
Hey Justin,
“I can skin a buck and run a trot line…” I spent my early formative years as a Southern Baptist country boy in a small town in central Alabama. I could live off of the land, yeah. It’s over-rated. I got kind of excited when you started in on “sociological sicknesses.” There is a lot of perspective to be gained by examining belief under the lens of psychology. I actually think psychology should be taught in grade school. People need to better understand themselves and others. There is a lot to explore relating to the mentality of preppers. It’s a regression and an escape, I think. They want simpler problems like putting food on the table and access to clean water. They can understand and achieve that. Passable border policies? Not so much. I think your article would have been better if it contained more lines of evidence to distance Evangelicals from the violent and anti-Christian mindset of apocalypse prepping. Science is applicable to everything.
Aside-ish: I like the reference to Kubrick, though I find his films hard to watch. The year, 1964, was before my time, but cultural change in the US was viral at that time i.e. Vietnam, the Civil Rights Movement, sexual liberation & etc. The film probably draws on much more cultural significance than just the relationship with Russia during the Cold War/Space Race. We all thought the Cold War was dead. I saw the Berlin Wall fall on TV when I was in 8th grade. Russia became a “Democratic Republic.” Well, that actually has failed and they now function as an authoritarian and fascist regime that has revived cold war nuclear rhetoric for political purposes. They now fly the soviet flag and basically wish for a return to 1964. We have never been closer to war with Russia. I think your Cold War analogy over simplifies foreign policy, but point taken.
I didn’t come here for any of that. I read your July 10, 2023 Critique of the Seven Mountain Mandate. Wiki lists House Speaker Mike Johnson and Tom Parker (IVF Judge, Al) as prominent followers of the 7MM. It blows my mind as a former Christian. Recently, I read up on Project 25 and multiple articles upon which policy may be formulated on the Council for Remaking America’s website. It’s all so theocratic and authoritarian with a hard bend toward a policy of isolation and “Christian” Nationalism. Spooky stuff Justin. This all plays directly into Putin’s hand. It just seems like a good time for real Christian leader with the apocalypse on his brain to revisit the 7 mountain mandate and its influence on “Christian” political leaders and IVF policy. Please at least address some of the themes that underpin this cult movement.
My own Uncle Wayne preached a pretty wild apocalyptical sermon and led extra innings of invitation at my grandmother’s funeral. I didn’t sign up for any of that bro. This isn’t going away and the flock “ain’t getting the message” Justin. This is why “the nones” are on the rise. *It’s* *pruning* *season.* My shears are going to work on some unruly and particularly thorny rose bushes soon. I’m actually going to start on them with my chainsaw though I think. Don’t let the thorns dissuade you brother. This is important.
Wes
Justin Poythress
Thanks for the encouragement, Wes. I think what’s sad to me in both of these phenomena (7MM and prepping) is how Christians fall prey to fear. I think it’s fine and good to want to see cultural renewal or be prepared, but an undercurrent of fear is not. That’s what our world trades in.
Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” That’s what I need to be reminded of. Jesus has already won. The balance of our country or this universe is never really in question, never really in peril. Christians have the capacity to respond with depths of grace and forgiveness because they can do so out of confidence in how everything will turn out!