Christian Smith
Christian Smith
Full Name and Common Aliases
Christian Smith is a renowned American sociologist of religion, best known for his work on the sociology of Christianity and the impact of cultural trends on faith.
Birth and Death Dates
Christian Smith was born in 1960. His current status and any relevant dates related to his passing are not available.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Smith is an American sociologist by profession, with a primary focus on the study of religion and its interactions with culture.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a Christian family influenced Smith's interest in religious sociology. He went on to pursue higher education at Harvard University, where he earned his PhD in sociology. His academic background laid the foundation for his future work in understanding the complexities of faith and society.
Major Accomplishments
Christian Smith is known for several significant contributions to the field of sociology. One of his most notable achievements is the development of the concept of "moralistic therapeutic deism," which describes a prevalent form of American religiosity that focuses on personal happiness and self-improvement over traditional faith practices.
Notable Works or Actions
Smith's work has been widely recognized for its thought-provoking insights into contemporary Christian culture. His book, _"Soul Searching: The Religious and Moral Struggles of the American Teenager,"_ co-authored with Melina Lundquist, is a seminal study that explores the lives and attitudes of American teenagers towards faith. This research has been instrumental in shaping our understanding of how modern society intersects with religious values.
Impact and Legacy
Christian Smith's contributions have had a lasting impact on the field of sociology and beyond. His work continues to inspire scholars and inform public discourse about the role of faith in contemporary culture. Through his research, he provides valuable insights into the complex relationships between culture, society, and religion.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Christian Smith is widely quoted for his expert analysis on the changing landscape of American Christianity. His work offers a nuanced understanding of how cultural trends influence religious expression and has been instrumental in shaping public discussions about faith in modern society. As an influential voice in the field, his ideas continue to be studied and referenced by scholars, policymakers, and individuals seeking a deeper comprehension of the complex interplay between culture and faith.
As a leading figure in sociological research on religion, Christian Smith's legacy is marked by his commitment to understanding the intricacies of human expression and faith. His work continues to inspire new generations of researchers and thinkers, shaping our collective understanding of the intersections between culture, society, and faith.
Quotes by Christian Smith

What holds scripture together is not simply accurate information or inerrant propositions about God, life, and the world. What holds it together is the reality of Christ himself, the living, eternal Son through whom God reconciles the world to himself in love.

The Reformation thus does not call for celebration. It calls for sorrow, repentance, and reconciliation.

Although all things with physical substance are real, not all real things have physical substance.

The financial assistance is available. We are eager to help them, not only financially, but from a counseling standpoint, so we can try to make the process as easy as possible.

A huge problem facing the mid market, particularly with fast-growing companies is, 'how can we standardized best practices, methodologies and templates, so we don't have re-create the wheel every time we have a new project or initiative?' Typically these kinds of companies are using ad-hoc methods and have simply outgrown them. Solutions in a Box provides an automated, cost effective way to standardize, but at the same time is completely customized and configured to their business needs.

The clergy profession is fundamentally self-defeating. Its stated purpose is to nurture spiritual maturity in the church - a valuable goal. In actuality, however; it accomplishes the opposite by nurturing a permanent dependence of the laity on the clergy. Clergy become to their congregations like parents whose children never grow up, like therapists whose clients never become healed, like teachers whose students never graduate.

Adults have their own issues and their own problems, which are understandable, and some adults are working through their own adolescent issues.-


