The Postmodern Mood
by Steve Watters on 06/19/2007 at 6:33 PM
I remember being introduced to postmodernism as an English major at a Christian college in the early 1990s. It was in the context of learning deconstruction as a method of literary criticism. I remember having a hard time wrapping my mind around it at first, but then actually finding it intriguing as it seemed much easier to "deconstruct" literature -- to find all its hidden messages and agendas -- than to do the hard work of traditional literary criticism. I thought I had seen the last of postmodernism after I graduated from college, but I was surprised to see it showing up in more and more places until it came to be considered the dominant mindset of our day.
For anyone who has heard the term thrown around, but never felt like you had a firm grasp on all it implies -- and also for anyone who wonders if postmodernism actually brings with it new ministry opportunities -- I want to recommend an online piece Dr. Al Mohler has written for The Henry Institute about the postmodern challenge.
Here's an excerpt that sets up the material he presents:
Actually, postmodernism may not be a movement or methodology at all. We might best describe postmodernism as a mood which sets itself apart from the certainties of the modern age. This mood is the heart of the postmodern challenge.
What are the contours of this postmodern mood? Is this new movement helpful in our proclamation of the Gospel? Or, will the postmodern age bring a great retreat from Christian truth? A look at the basic features of postmodernism may be helpful.
What does it mean to you to live in -- and try to share your faith in -- a postmodern world?
1. Leah said the following at 8:43 PM on Jun 19:
Steve, if you did an English major, then you should know the sentence "to find all it's hidden messages and agendas" should say "its hidden messages" not "it's hidden messages" ;P
And yes, post modernism is everywhere. It's pathetic. It's people trying to avoid accountability to anyone. "That might work for you, but it doesn't work for me". "That might be true for you, but it isn't true for me."
I just ask them "is the sky blue?" "Does rain come from the clouds?"
I would also point out postmodernism doesn't fit with science- two concepts today's world seems obsessed with placing on a pedastal. If nothing is absolute truth, as postmodernism claims, then that would go for science wouldn't it? :P
2. Lisa said the following at 12:17 AM on Jun 20:
I love living in a post modern world for many reasons. It has impacted our Christian theology in so many positive ways. We now have access to say feminist theology, and it has been immensely valuable in helping us break things down and look at pieces of things and seeing things from a variety of perspectives through deconstruction .
Obviously it has many down sides (say the lack of meta narrative) . However I think that just like Jesus you take what the culture has and you use it to your advantage! Rather than bemoaning the unideal conditions.
3. Samuel PG said the following at 2:18 AM on Jun 20:
I will begin by confessing that I have not read Mohler's article yet, so I will be back after I have. Until then, in my social spheres I have seen the two opposite ends of the spectrum: those who fear postmodernism as a great evil and those who embrace it as a savior. Many on both sides are Christians.
My take has been that it is just one more thing with potential benefits and dangers that can be used for good or not. Postmodernism is not equivalent to radical relativism in which "anything can be true for you," although that is one potential route on which to take it. It does not necessarily say that everything is up for attention, although it can be developed to say that. It does manage to produce valuable insights into intercultural relationships and also does a good job at de-clawing modernism.
What was that? Did I just hint that hurting modernism is a good thing? I did, in fact. If we are to choose from the worldviews being offered as the only choices, we must decide between premodernism, modernism and postmodernism. They all have strengths and weaknesses. Keep in mind that thinkers such as Voltaire, Nietzche, Marx, Darwin, and even Hitler were very much in line with the tenets of modernism.
I highly recommend James K.A. Smith's "Who's Afraid of Postmodernism?" and William Placher's "Unapologetic Theology" for balanced perspectives on the different worldviews.
4. Gordon Hackman said the following at 7:16 AM on Jun 20:
I think that, like everything else, understanding and engaging postmodernism requires careful study and careful discernment. It seems to me that too often evangelicals either caricature postmodern views and react to them in an overly fearful way with out really trying to understand them, or they rush to embrace postmodernism as the new best friend of the gospel without really exercising critical discernment. I don't think either stance is helpful or healthy. I think postmodernism can be a helpful corrective to some of the excesses and errors of modernism and can help us as Christians to realize some of the ways that our undertsanding of our faith has been overly influenced by modern ways of thinking.
For a great example of someone who thoughtfully engages postmodernism with care and discernment I recommend the book "Postmodernsim 101: A First Course for the Curious Christian" by Heath White. The book is written for nonacademics. White does an excellent job of explaining the basic tenets of postmodernism and offers helpful suggestions and critiques. There are also discussion questions at the end of every chapter to help the reader better think through the material.
5. Patricia said the following at 7:42 AM on Jun 20:
I neither for nor against postmodernism. What I mean is that I see it as no better or worse than moderism. The Bible was not written during the modern era so I think it's a bit of a false dictomoy to equate God's Word with modernism. That said, as Chrsitians it's clear we are to reject bojth modernism and postmodernism and embrace a CHristian worldview. Both modernism and postmoderism have things which Christianity also affirms and things it does not affirm. The trick is harnessing the aspects that are good and understanding postmodernism so that we can evangelize people with a postmodern worldview.
6. Joseph said the following at 9:04 AM on Jun 20:
Upon the introduction of postmodernism I heard at summer camp some 9 years ago in an apologetics seminar I was intrigued. I think post modernism puts a greater burden upon the Christian to know their faith when sharing it. Not to say the living ministry can ever be less noticeable than being able to recant a "how to" meathod of defeating people's intellectual smokescreens to faith. I get in a warrior state of mind because with a post modernist it is clear we are at a war with our worldviews, when I can present Christianity without making them feel like they just sat through a sermon and I see them critically considering faith I have that much more hope that when that person makes a decision of faith it will be that much stronger than an emotional moment of need.
7. Jen said the following at 11:02 AM on Jun 20:
In one of my classes the professor put the question "Do you believe in absolutes?" I confidently raised my hand, and then realized that mine was the only affirmative. One student said "no" outright. The professor looked at him and said, "Young man, you just gave me an absolute."
Coming from a sheltered homeschool family, I was amazed at the casual attitude toward truth in the world. Truth is subjective, there are no absolutes, law and lawnessness are purely social conditioning.
To be honest, I think that these views are illogical enough that often the mind that accepts them is stubbornly refusing to either think through or accept what is right. It's like in a debate, when your opponent is so far out he makes no sense whatsoever he thinks he is winning because there can be no response.
Logically, absolutes make much more sense, and when we know our faith we should have no problem in convicting others of the truth. A question however, will they be willing to accept it?
8. Cath said the following at 12:29 PM on Jun 20:
Post-modernism.... has left a yucky taste in my mouth. During my arts degree I was bombarded with professors who loved this idea. I never thought it a coincidence that the more they liked postmodernism the less they liked Christianity or any type of social conservativism. So, the fact that some Christians see it as a good thing is a little intruiging to me, but I can't help but wonder if they are just trying to put sheepskin on a wolf.
9. EKB said the following at 4:02 PM on Jun 20:
As someone who believes strongly in absolutes, I tend to be very skeptical of postmodernism. I haven't studied philsophy in depth yet, though, so my mind is not entirely made up. An interesting trend I have been noticing is that though Evangelicals traditionally shun postmodernism, suddenly many who are prominent in popular Evangelical Culture, such as Donald Miller and Rob Bell, seem to be embracing it. I just finished Miller's book "Blue Like Jazz" and have started "Velvet Elvis" by Bell. I was very turned off by a lot of what I read, but both brought up some interesting and possibly valid points I've never considered before. I haven't yet formed an opion on whether the Emerging Church movement is a great breakthrough, dangerous heresy, or something else, but I'm trying to figure it out. Does anyone else have thoughts on postmodernism and the Emerging Church movement?
10. Gordon Hackman said the following at 8:02 PM on Jun 20:
EKB,
I attend a church that would be considered "emergent" so I have a thought or two about it. I think the most important thing when assessing both postmodernism and the emergent church conversation is not to see them as one big monolithic block that can be accepted or rejected en toto. I think the common feature of those involved in the emerging conversation is a discontentment with a lot of mainstream evangelicalism and a recognition that it has in many ways become captive to the tenets of modernity (ie. its views of leadership, its definition of success, its view of the church, etc.) and that some things need to be rethought and perhaps reconfigured in the way we do church and the way we live out the gospel. Where we differ is in how we go about doing that,
For example, at the church I attend there is more intentionally liturgical, with a heavy emphasis on scripture reading and stating the creeds, among other things. We also emphasize submission to the Lordship of Christ, and practices of spiritual formation (eg. confession and repentance). I have grown more spiritually and have learned more about what it means to be obedient to Christ through the friendship and mentorship of the pastor there than at any church I have ever attended.
Other emerging type churches are far less structured and may have far less solid theological content. Some lean towards theological liberalism, while others of us see that as a dead end road. Some want to embrace postmodernism. Others of us see postmodernism as a useful critique of modernity, but look more to the premodern history of the church for insight and direction. It really depends on the church.
11. Rebecca said the following at 8:51 PM on Jun 20:
I have come to the conclusion that whether you like it or not, Christians need to take postmodernism seriously. It, and its corresponding moral and ethical relativity, along with a total disregard for logic, has completely infiltrated pop culture. In turn, that pop culture shapes much of our lives. In fact, as an Xer who came of age under postmodernism, I have to acknowledge that it colors much of the way that I view life and the universe. I am a firm advocate of absolutes, God's supremecy and man's sin nature, but I know that relativism creeps into my daily life with ease.
Understanding Biblical truth is the foremost weapon agains postmodern thinking, but knowing where it came from and what it looks like in its everyday evolutionary form will really help you understand and relate to the world around you. It is necessary for anyone interacting with culture.
12. C. Aaron Briggs said the following at 11:05 AM on Jun 21:
One of my main frustrations with the church is the gradual belief that post-modernism is somehow compatible with Christianity.
Some Christians claim that it doesn't necessarily suggest relativism but what else can it be? My experience with postmodern Christians has been that they are very accepting of sin and attempt to justify it. They say "What's so bad about watching a dirty movie?" or "I only got drunk a couple times". Yet these are the same people leading Bible studies and pressuring me into giving money towards their particular social concern i.e. AIDS, Darfur etc. It's as if they abide by their own convictions (Bible Study and social activism) and forget the other Biblical mandates. Their morality is relative to themselves, not directed by the Bible.
In my opinion, it's lazy Christianity. It disregards St. Paul's teaching on sin. It's an attempt to have the "best of both worlds": secular and sacred.