‘I Grew Up Evangelical, Listened to Adventures in Odyssey … And I’m Fine’

by Jeff Johnston | April 4, 2024 | Culture
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Andrew Walker recently posted on X, responding to those who grew up in Christian homes, only to leave the faith later in life – and disparage the Evangelical world and homes in which they grew up.

Such Millennials and Gen Z-ers tend to receive an inordinate amount of attention from the media.

But what about those who grew up Evangelical and are living happy, fulfilled lives? Those brought up in Christian homes, now committed to their marriages, faithfully raising children and involved in their churches, schools and communities?

Walker wrote:

A friend once observed to me: “Would love to read a memoir that goes something like this: ‘I grew up evangelical, was made to listen to Adventures in Odyssey, forced to go to Wheaton, was taught abstinence, saw my parents put up a Bush/Cheney sign . . . And I’m fine.’”

The post now has over 1.2 million views, with hundreds of responses. Many said something along the lines of, “Yes, I had that kind of upbringing – and I’m doing well, thank you.”

Walker, an associate professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, wrote in a follow up:

The responses have been great. It’s pretty fun to see people have the permission structure to not criticize or be embarrassed by their upbringing. Or, gasp, celebrate their upbringing.

Since he mentioned Adventures in Odyssey, Focus on the Family’s long-running, award-winning audio drama series for kids of all ages, many also demonstrated their love for the program.

Walker was replying to an X post by author Anne Kennedy, who wrote that she was reading a book about those who left their faith, The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church. Kennedy posted this comment:

The thing that drives me most crazy about every exvangelical book I’ve had to read is how disrespectful of parents the writer generally is and how incurious about theology and the past. No functional culture would countenance this sort of incurious disrespect.

“Exvangelical” is a term coined sometime around 2016 to describe those who grew up evangelical, questioned their upbringing and faith, and then walked away.

But not everyone who grew up in the evangelical world is unbelieving or agnostic, angry or disaffected. Many were thankful for their Christian upbringing.

https://twitter.com/ejprol/status/1775598225602294165

And many of the comments applauded Adventures in Odyssey, how much they love the show growing up – and now, it’s positive impact on their children.

We at the Daily Citizen are always happy when Mr. Whittaker, Conne Kendall, Eugene Meltzner and our other friends from Whit’s End receive kudos from fans.

We’re thankful for the influence this radio program – soon to celebrate it’s 1,000th episode – has had on millions.

How about you? Did you grow up Evangelical? Going to church, listening to Adventures in Odyssey, attending a Christian college, brought up by conservative Christian parents?

And how are you doing today?

Related articles and resources:

Adventures in Odyssey

Adventures in Odyssey: Celebrating 1,000 Episodes

Focus on the Family Clubhouse Magazine

What to do When Your Adult Child Is Deconstructing Their Faith

 

Image credit: Andrew Walker

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