How cafeteria Christians survive the holidays

I often hear the term “cafeteria Christian.” It is a description of our current religious milieu. People pick and choose what’s important to them in their faith. It’s usually said with disdain—and a bit of eye-rolling.

Theologians, who construct systems of belief, want to think about theology as a whole. They are afraid that a generation is going to come along and jettison a couple thousand years of careful thought in lieu of what feels good to them. Like a fine chef who has relied on years of expert tasting in order to match the perfect wine with the entrée, they don’t want to see a red Dixie cup appearing at their table.

Other people don’t like the term because they’re saddened that their sons and daughters have chosen a different flavor of Christianity.