I had occasion to think of this when I read a real oldie - Robert Bellah's
Habits of the Heart:
Individualism and Commitment in America Life (University of California Press, 1985). It
is sociology, but Bellah does make some good points throughout the book.
In his description of the various types and commitments of Protestant denominations, Bellah gives an account of the beliefs of "Pastor Larry Beckett," an evangelical. Here's Beckett's definition of an evangelical:
"
It is that I have made a personal identification with the historic person of Christ in a very simple way. I did that about ten years ago, and before that I was non-Christian" (p. 231).
*****
On its face, this isn't news. But this comment expresses perfectly the idea that all we need is faith, without religion. And that's been the evangelical mantra for years.
What is also noteworthy is Beckett's focus only on the "
historic person of Christ," even though evangelicals always affirm their faith in the divinity of Christ. But, in practice, that's not the case.
And, finally, Beckett's notion that before he pledged his "
personal identification" with Christ he was a "
non-Christian" is particularly telling.
In other words, it's all about what
I do, not about what God does or about God's covenant with us. And the definition of "Christian" is completely idiosyncratic inasmuch as the definition of "
personal identification" also depends on whoever happens to be using it at the time. Of course, it's easier when one concentrates on the human nature of Jesus to the virtual exclusion of His divinity.
*****
Evangelical Protestantism depends on parachurch organizations, which relativize not only belief, but also ecclesiology. And the parachurch phenomenon is not limited to the Protestant denominations.
Traditionally, Catholic parachurch organizations, such as the Holy Name Society, the Knights of Columbus, various sodalities, or the Blue Army, while technically "parachurch," were certainly linked to the parish or the diocese. On the whole, their efforts were charitable and/or devotional.
However, under the aegis of Protestant influence since Vatican II, the parachurch phenomenon has morphed into another variation of the Protestant model: theologically semi-literate or illiterate apologetics, focused on doing things, and geared toward a defensive posture, even when no threat exists. And the hallmark of these groups is the insistence on one's "personal relationship" with Jesus as the chief characteristic of one's identity as a "Christian" (not a Catholic), not one's identity as the member of "The Church." Rather than the Church being the arbiter of one's Catholicity, these groups and/or individuals are themselves the standard by which they measure others' faith.
Moreover, they seldom appear to link any of their "outreach" programs with the Sacrament of Confirmation, which truly makes one an adult, ready to carry Catholicism into the world. Therefore, whether or not they say they are linked or hinge on a parish, they are essentially free-form, autonomous entities, which, since they devalue the liturgy, the Eucharist, and Confirmation, essentially bypass the Church.
Unfortunately, most of these individuals and groups are not accountable directly to the Church. They don't have to have the credentials and years of study that our priests are required to have.
Unless the group you're interested specifically discusses their work in the context of the Sacrament of Confirmation or the Church, I would be very wary of them. Parachurch groups tend to see themselves as the elite or as "more Christian" than those who are not members. That's divisive and something the Church does not need.
The kid probably is, too.
