John Fischer The Catch

Introducing our new podcast, Between the Answers 

Beginning September 18 through mid-October, the daily “Between the Answers” Podcast will look back to the pioneers of a historical phenomenon: the Jesus Movement, examine why it transformed into a broader social and political force over time, and ask questions about the Movement’s original message and its transformative power today. Our premise lies in the questions we need to ask between the answers. 

Join us by clicking on the following link: 

https://betweentheanswers.substack.com/p/between-the-answers

The second coming of the Jesus Movement

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. Charles Dickens

Thinking back six decades, it seems like the 1960s was the worst of times. But each subsequent decade since has felt like things have never been worse. Social and political upheaval is a trademark of human history. In the ‘60s it was the struggle for civil rights, the Vietnam War, student unrest, political assassinations and counterculture movements, one of which became known as the Jesus Movement. And because of that one development at the end of the 1960s, it felt like in some ways it was the best of times. That’s because in those days the Holy Spirit moved upon a generation in a powerful way. But what happened to those days?

In the last few years there have been remembrances of those events through film and literature — slices of nostalgia for a generation now reaching the sunset of its years, unwilling to let go of its claim upon the social change that marked a generation. But by only reliving those days, we are keeping them forever locked in the past. Some have wondered if it’s time for another move of God upon the land. Will the Jesus Movement ever come again? But the real question is, did it ever go?

Here at the Catch, we believe the Jesus Movement is still going on. How could Jesus ever stop moving? How could the Holy Spirit ever leave? How do we wait for another move of the Holy Spirit when He’s already moving inside us? 

That’s what’s different about this present age. Fifty-five years ago, the Holy Spirit invaded our generation in a time of questioning and upheaval. It was a surprise visitation. But now we’re here, and the Holy Spirit is here, and we are once again going through a time of great political and social upheaval and those in their twenties and thirties are full of anxiety and uncertainty. Many are asking the same questions we asked at their age. Many are wondering if the Lord might move again like He did years ago. Well, that depends, because with the Holy Spirit living in us, we don’t have to wait for Him to show up. Jesus is here. That would mean that the second coming of the Jesus Movement is up to us (and the Holy Spirit!).