The following was written some time ago, during a time when I was beginning to grapple with the implications of a postmodern-influenced theology. While I might alter or add to what it said here, these words still capture some thoughts I have about life in today's postmodern world.
Have you ever felt like a ping-pong ball? You know what I mean. You consider one side of an idea or an issue, and it seems right. Then, you are exposed to the other side, and that seems right too. Perhaps, you are debating a political position. Maybe, you are simply uncertain about whether it makes more sense to take the bus to work or to use your own car. In any case, many things in life vie for our attention, and we can feel like we are being pulled in opposite directions. Sometimes, postmodernism makes me feel this way. Let me explain.
Some people are clearly opposed to postmodernism. For them, it is at best a passing fad. Indeed, it might even be the slippery slope of our age, a sure path to heresy. These individuals believe postmodernism should be criticized, or at least ignored.
On the other hand, other people are of a much more postmodern bent. These tend to see the positive features of today’s cultural milieu. In fact those who are not postmodern, those “stuck in the mud” modernists, are like theological ostriches whose heads are firmly imbedded in modern sand.
Among the dangers resulting from such disagreement is the tendency for traditionalists, i.e., modernists, and postmodernists to isolate themselves and to minimize the contributions made by those made on the other side. Anything that doesn’t fit one’s current paradigm is simply not taken seriously.
But I would submit that there are positive and negative aspects to both modernism and postmodernism. Furthermore, while I believe we ought to take a more postmodern approach, the best kind of postmodern influence is that which interacts with the best and worst of that which preceded it, that is, with modernism.
For example many traditionalists are rightly committed to the authority of Scripture and quite capable when it comes to exegesis and theology. Modern Christians are convinced that God really has spoken and that we can know with some measure of confidence what He has said. I sometimes wish that certain postmodern Christians would show a greater reverence for the Bible and a thus expend more energy unfolding its texts and truths. Like a wise young athlete learns from his predecessors, postmoderns can learn a lot from those who, for all their weaknesses, have something to teach us all.
Then again, postmoderns also have a lot going for them, including an openness to the new things God is doing in our day. Those of this mind-set are less likely to get stuck in Ecclesiastical mud (outdated traditions) and more apt to desire more than mere theological facts. Postmoderns, for all their extremes, want to experience God. Moderns can learn a lot from these daring, tradition-breaking postmodern explorers (and of course some already have).
Often, both moderns and postmoderns fail to recognize their own weaknesses. For instance, some moderns have been overly dogmatic, closed-minded, and rigid in their views. In general, the modern world was far too individualistic and not nearly humble enough. Then again, postmoderns have often been guilty, in my opinion, of exegetical sloppiness and theological laziness. At times, in fact, they seem so concerned about being on the “inside” of the postmodern movement that they exude a kind of politically correct attitude.
Both moderns and postmoderns must learn the lessons of history, and of their own hearts. At this stage of the game, it makes much sense to pursue a more postmodern-oriented brand of Christianity. The insights of postmodernism not only enable us to promote the gospel in a more effective manner, but they actually expose us to segments of God’s revealed will that were not prominent during the modern era.
Still, the way to be the best kind of postmodern is not by remaining ignorant of the past. Neither will we be all we can be apart from a humble recognition of what our more modern predecessors passed on to us. And, of course, we will only honor God if our greatest hope is to be neither modern nor postmodern but Christian. As we seek to do ministry in this age of transition, we must avoid errors wherever they originate, and we must embrace and embody anything (be it, premodern, modern, postmodern, or anything else) that accurately represents the faith once for all delivered to the saints, that is, anything that is genuinely from (and actually leads to) the true God.
Have you ever felt like a ping-pong ball? You know what I mean. You consider one side of an idea or an issue, and it seems right. Then, you are exposed to the other side, and that seems right too. Perhaps, you are debating a political position. Maybe, you are simply uncertain about whether it makes more sense to take the bus to work or to use your own car. In any case, many things in life vie for our attention, and we can feel like we are being pulled in opposite directions. Sometimes, postmodernism makes me feel this way. Let me explain.
Some people are clearly opposed to postmodernism. For them, it is at best a passing fad. Indeed, it might even be the slippery slope of our age, a sure path to heresy. These individuals believe postmodernism should be criticized, or at least ignored.
On the other hand, other people are of a much more postmodern bent. These tend to see the positive features of today’s cultural milieu. In fact those who are not postmodern, those “stuck in the mud” modernists, are like theological ostriches whose heads are firmly imbedded in modern sand.
Among the dangers resulting from such disagreement is the tendency for traditionalists, i.e., modernists, and postmodernists to isolate themselves and to minimize the contributions made by those made on the other side. Anything that doesn’t fit one’s current paradigm is simply not taken seriously.
But I would submit that there are positive and negative aspects to both modernism and postmodernism. Furthermore, while I believe we ought to take a more postmodern approach, the best kind of postmodern influence is that which interacts with the best and worst of that which preceded it, that is, with modernism.
For example many traditionalists are rightly committed to the authority of Scripture and quite capable when it comes to exegesis and theology. Modern Christians are convinced that God really has spoken and that we can know with some measure of confidence what He has said. I sometimes wish that certain postmodern Christians would show a greater reverence for the Bible and a thus expend more energy unfolding its texts and truths. Like a wise young athlete learns from his predecessors, postmoderns can learn a lot from those who, for all their weaknesses, have something to teach us all.
Then again, postmoderns also have a lot going for them, including an openness to the new things God is doing in our day. Those of this mind-set are less likely to get stuck in Ecclesiastical mud (outdated traditions) and more apt to desire more than mere theological facts. Postmoderns, for all their extremes, want to experience God. Moderns can learn a lot from these daring, tradition-breaking postmodern explorers (and of course some already have).
Often, both moderns and postmoderns fail to recognize their own weaknesses. For instance, some moderns have been overly dogmatic, closed-minded, and rigid in their views. In general, the modern world was far too individualistic and not nearly humble enough. Then again, postmoderns have often been guilty, in my opinion, of exegetical sloppiness and theological laziness. At times, in fact, they seem so concerned about being on the “inside” of the postmodern movement that they exude a kind of politically correct attitude.
Both moderns and postmoderns must learn the lessons of history, and of their own hearts. At this stage of the game, it makes much sense to pursue a more postmodern-oriented brand of Christianity. The insights of postmodernism not only enable us to promote the gospel in a more effective manner, but they actually expose us to segments of God’s revealed will that were not prominent during the modern era.
Still, the way to be the best kind of postmodern is not by remaining ignorant of the past. Neither will we be all we can be apart from a humble recognition of what our more modern predecessors passed on to us. And, of course, we will only honor God if our greatest hope is to be neither modern nor postmodern but Christian. As we seek to do ministry in this age of transition, we must avoid errors wherever they originate, and we must embrace and embody anything (be it, premodern, modern, postmodern, or anything else) that accurately represents the faith once for all delivered to the saints, that is, anything that is genuinely from (and actually leads to) the true God.
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