In an interview with Gabe Lyons, Christian author Margaret Feinberg reflects on the question, “Are Christians too sheltered?” She answers, yes, Christians have often propagated a “fortress mentality,” building defenses around our churches and homes to keep culture out and keep ourselves pure. The result is often isolation and irrelevance.
Feinberg’s commentary relates to the call Dr. Johnson’s call to the missional life. If God is a God who often works through unexpected people at the margins of power, then the church should resist the temptation to bunker down behind the fortress walls and instead go to the margins. There, we will find God in the stranger. To hide behind the walls, therefore, might be to hide ourselves from God.
Read the interview with Margaret Feinberg online, and then reflect on some of the questions below.
Discussion Questions:
- Where have you seen the “fortress mentality” in your experience with Christianity?
- Feinberg says that the fortress mentality is often rooted in a desire “to stay pure.” If we use purity language to describe our interactions with secular culture, then the rules of purity psychology may come into play. Remember back to Dr. Beck’s opening Spotlight session and reflect on how purity psychology may influence our interaction with secular culture.
- What suggestions does Feinberg offer for overcoming the fortress mentality? Do you have other suggestions?
- What are the risks of abandoning the fortress mentality?
(Special thanks to Janine Morgan for pointing us to this interview with Margaret Feinberg)
2 responses to “Are Christians Too Sheltered?”
I personally have noticed this “fortress mentality” because I attended a Christian school all the way from kindergarten through graduation. I both agree and disagree with what Feinberg has to say about this subject. Yes, I see her view point is and it makes good since to me. However, I believe that it is okay to an extent to shelter one’s self. What my thoughts are is that children should be raised in a manner that is pleasing to God yet allows them to also see worldly ideas. My viewpoint is that if a child is raised right then they themselves will choose to take shelter from worldly ideas. My idea is to expose people to worldly things but provide them with the tools they need to understand why they don’t need worldly ways. So in other words, I believe we shouldn’t as Christians shelter ourselves completely to start with but rather learn and understand why we don’t need those sinful lifestyles. I believe that once someone has learned that something is bad on their own then they are less tempted. When parents shelter their children to much it makes their children rebel and crave those bad behaviors. A parent over sheltering kids is a perfect example of the negative effects of fortress mentality. Yet, if a child is taught what is right and wrong and then allowed to make his or her own choices then the child can see the bad ways but choose not to partake in them. I believe fortress mentality is not all bad, but only if the person understands the reasoning why they should shelter themselves. I do not believe fortress mentality should be abandoned, but rather looked at in a different way. If fortress mentality is abandoned all together then things will go wrong. It is human nature to sin. People need barriers and guidelines in their lives and need to learn why on their own.
Christianity has taught me to avoid committing sins all my life. My church was about making you a “perfect servant of God”. My church taught me to cast out the devil and form a fortress mentality against sins that are against Gods Word. My priest would especially encourage this every sunday to everyone.
I personally think you should read the bible and avoid sins in general. Sins are not good to commit against God. I also say that you should always pray and read the bible every day to become a better Christian.
If you abandon this fortress mentality, it will turn you against Christianity. We do not want to be turned against Christianity. You would also be a easier target for Satan to target! You dont want to be a easier target for Satan.