Postmodernity
Postmodernism is an academic term. If you’re interested in the academic explanation, visit this site. If you are looking for the roots of the philosophical debate, this article on foundationalism may be helpful.
If you’re interested in understanding the current popular culture, try Earl Crep’s essay Disciplemaking in the Postmodern World or visit Rex Miller’s website and have a look at his chart showing the Millennium Matrix.
John Franke, the Reformed theologian, writes that, “The term is best understood as referring primarily to the rejection of the central features of modernity. Broadly speaking, the term postmodern implies the rejection of certain central features of the modern project, such as its quest for certain, objective and universal knowledge, along with its dualism and its assumption of the inherent goodness of knowledge. It is this critical agenda, rather than any proposed constructive paradigm to replace the modern vision, that unites postmodern thinkers.” (Reforming Theology)
Kevin Vanhoozer’s article in “Christianity and the Postmodern Turn” (Brazos, 2005) was lucid. Have a look at this excerpt on maps.
For a discussion that uses material from the environmental sociologist Ulrich Beck check out this summary of “Risk Society” (PDF format) or read the interview with Alan Roxburgh at ALLELON.
Scot McKnight writes in Christianity Today, “What is the Emerging Church?“
In 2003 I wrote an article with Rob McAlpine, and later added new material: Postmodern Possibilities. We considered ten points of contact between Christianity and postmodernity:
- recognition of the essentially spiritual nature of life
- openness and desire for community
- rejection of authority in position and acceptance of authority in relationship
- emphasis on participation over spectator mentality
- leadership by wisdom and example not knowledge or position
- emphasis on practical answers, “walk” over “talk”
- emphasis on journey and process over goal
- desire for experience over knowledge, the “subjective” and mystical dimension
- spontaneous order over rational structure, webs of connection and meaning
- recognition of truth in paradox, images and story
You can download the article in PDF format on the Resources page.
Elsewhere, Stanley Grenz talks about postmodernism in an interview at Next-Wave.org. Brian McLaren asks, “Is It Just a Phase?” More recently Brian writes about three forms of postmodernism. This is a great piece which is apologetic in style and very helpful for those who only think of relativism.
An excellent survey of the emerging church has been penned by Robert Webber. I review “The Younger Evangelicals” HERE. Tim Bednar has written an excellent piece summarizing the impact of the Internet on our culture. Tim synthesizes the findings of the Cluetrain Manifesto, David Weinberger, Clay Shirky and many others. Get it HERE.
For a metaphorical tour of change in perspective, read the bicycle ride. To consider some of the forces influencing cultural change, check out an excerpt from “The Prodigal Project” in REALITY magazine. For a look at the different types of communities that are emerging in these transitional times see Re-Imagining the Church.
View a short bibliography (link top right) updated Fall, 2008.
