To celebrate the fact that in about a month (on Aug. 1), Hipster Christianity will finally be released, I thought I'd post something that, in a sense, summarizes one of the main points of the book. Over the course of my research and writing about "hipster Christianity," some have questioned my assertions that "cool" doesn't really go well with Christianity. Just as we are beginning to crawl out of our fundamentalist ghettos and gain legitimacy in the eyes of culture, why am I spoiling the party by saying we (Christians) shouldn't be cool? Can't Christianity be both hipster AND soundly biblical? Well, yes, in some rare cases (see Ch. 12: "Authentic Christian Cool"). But there are far more points at which cool and Christianity clash. In fact, there are very few attributes they share in common. No wonder “cool Christianity” frequently becomes so awkward and ugly! It’s like mixing oil and water.
Read the following list of juxtaposed attributes of "cool" and "Christianity," and tell me if you think I'm wrong to suggest they are fundamentally contrary ways of being.
Cool: Self-obsessed Christianity: Selfless
Cool: Vain/narcissistic Christianity: Giving/altruistic
Cool: Self-sovereignty Christianity: Submitting to God
Cool: Exclusive club Christianity: Inclusive/open to all
Cool: Elitist/arrogant Christianity: Humble
Cool: Alienating Christianity: Inviting
Cool: Transient Christianity: Transcendent
Cool: Focused on Now Christianity: Eternal
Cool: Style is king Christianity: Substance is king
Cool: Cutthroat Christianity: Trustworthy
Cool: Ironic Christianity: Earnest
Cool: Hedonism championed Christianity: Asceticism/sacrifice championed