Comments on: Should Evangelicals Embrace or Resist Postmodernism?

By: Χριστόφορος » Should Evangelicals Embrace or Resist Postmodernism?

Χριστόφορος » Should Evangelicals Embrace or Resist Postmodernism? — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:18:17 +0000

[...] Should Evangelicals Embrace or Resist Postmodernism?I can’t believe that people still see this as an either/or question. After all, postmodernism is here, which doesn’t really make it an option if you want to reach the world. Which is not to say we should uncritically adopt any postmodern claim, but, at the end, there’s no way around at least engaging postmodernism on its terms. [...]

By: Josh

Josh — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:40:16 +0000

Whatever happened to the motivation “to become all things to all people” (1 Cor.9:22)? This is not just an issue of right or wrong, or what’s more perilous or advantageous. It’s the question how far we’re willing to go to understand where people in our culture are coming from and formulate a response that doesn’t ignore their concerns and questions. Anything falling short of that shows more concern for the appearance of orthodoxy than the people we are trying to reach.

By: Paul Clutterbuck

Paul Clutterbuck — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:51:24 +0000

Great posts. Reviews like these are extremely helpful, because the debate represented by these two books is an important one. Thanks a lot for posting this.

Here in New Zealand, theological conservatism and especially the Reformed tradition don’t get much traction. Evangelical churches tend to range from moderate to liberal, while the rest are right off the map of Christian faith For a couple of years I was part of an evangelical megachurch where postmodernism was pretty close to the core of things (and I won’t name it here). The preaching could best be described as liberationist (which I don’t have too much trouble with), but the relationship ethics were pretty dismal in some respects. The pastoral team was headed by a gender feminist. In the end I left, because I couldn’t stomach the dress standards or the church-sponsored dance parties. On the positive side, though, it would rank among the most mission-oriented churches outside North America. Walter Wink’s series on The Powers has been helpful for me in my prayers for churches, especially when he talks about the angels of the churches.

I think N.T. Wright has the balance about right, when he talks about post-postmodernism – going through the current chaos and integrating the postmodern critique of modernity, but transcending it. Wright is possibly our best guiding light in this respect as we navigate the murky waters in which we find ourselves.

By: theophilogue

theophilogue — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 02:17:25 +0000

Great thoughts.

By: callers

callers — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 06:03:13 +0000

Just as it “would help if Wells would define what he means by ‘culture’,” it would also help if you would define what you mean by “postmodernism.” You mention “postmodernism’s rejection of metanarratives,” but I know of no so-called “postmodern” philosopher who “rejects” metanarratives. Lyotard’s “incredulity” does not equal rejection. Nevertheless, for Lyotard, the Bible isn’t a metanarrative anyway, as it doesn’t attempt to legitimate itself with an appeal to a so-called universal criterion, such as Reason (at least I hope not). By “postmodernism,” do you have in mind Lyotard’s description? Derrida’s philosophy? Foucault’s? Rorty’s? Some amalgamation of their thoughts (maybe mixed with other’s thoughts)?
Also, I don’t think inerrancy has anything to do with my “confidence in Scripture.”

By: RJ

RJ — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:21:53 +0000

I am always a little leery of people who are constantly looking back at “the good old days”. Yes the Reformation was a defining moment in Christianity but we live in the here and now and the Great Commission was just as urgent, and probably just as ignored, then as now. We have to be very concerned that we don’t develop a “fortress mentality” just because things are different now. Modern, postmodern, flower power, whatever are just words. Let’s take the words of Paul to heart and when we are witnessing to the current generations we speak their language and understand their trends. That doesn’t mean that we change the core of our message but it does mean that the method we use might need to be different than it was 100 or even 10 years ago.
As pastor jim above says we need to keep Christ at the center of everything. He is the core of our salvation; without Him the church is just another building waiting for foreclosure. So, whether our hymns are sung to an organ or a guitar is somewhat irrelevant.

By: Dr. Paul Foltz

Dr. Paul Foltz — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:33:41 +0000

Amen, bro. Sharp amen.

I am sick and tired of the watering down of the Gospel,to a mere decision or profession of faith [which is Not Salvation] , and the lowering of the standards of separation from the world, in dress, and music.

By: pastor jim sharp

pastor jim sharp — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:16:27 +0000

we speak way too much about “evangelicalism” and “culture” and too little about the risen Lord of the Church who is both her foundation and still-building architect. i have confidence in His ability to build the church in every culture and generation. He knew what the seven churches needed to hear and He said it, chastened it, purified it and blesses it in every generation.

what shall we do in a postmodern culture? when all is said and done we should preach the word (exalting Christ) in season and out … and leave the results with the God whose word does not return void.

let us speak of Christ more than we speak of the church. the one is theocentric … the other tends to center upon us.

trevin’s review and contrast of both books is wonderfully precise. both books, in my opinion,point too little to the Lord of the church.