Within the context of Christianity, postmodernism may be described as a reaction against conventional wisdom in theology and the church and an assimilation of postmodern philosophy which questions objective truth and the nature of knowledge. It emphasizes the otherness and incomprehensibility of God. Paying close attention to the age-old philosophical question of the relationship of “faith” and “reason,” postmodern Christianity usually thinks of the Christian faith as in some way transcending human reason, rather than being unreasonable, illogical, or absurd — on the one hand — or merely logical, on the other hand.
In a general sense, “this new era has been characterised by a rejection of absolute truths and grand narratives explaining the progressive evolution of society. At the same time it has brought to the surface a multitude of different perspectives on society and an appreciation of different cultures. It has highlighted globalisation on the one hand and localisation on the other, the celebration of difference and the search for commonality.” [1]
The Emerging Church movement seeks to revitalize the Christian church beyond what it sees as the confines of modernity, so that it can effectively engage people in a postmodern age. Critics allege, however, that this movement’s postmodernization of faith has led many of its adherents outside of the bounds of orthodoxy. Brian McLaren is a prominent author and spokesperson for this movement.
See more at http://www.theopedia.com/Postmodernism
August 3, 2006 at 11:48 am
Gomarus – I have heard it said by some that Postmodernism doesn’t exist. That is, it’s such a diverse movement that you pretty much can’t define it. If we simplify it to say that it questions truth/knowledge, then, it is said, we are defining Postmodernism as moral relativism. Any thoughts?
August 3, 2006 at 3:14 pm
Postmodernism in the church is indeed somewhat of an amorphous thing — hard to define adequately in a single sentence. It takes a discussion. You find the same thing in talking about the Emergent church movement (or philosophy). However, there are certainly elements of moral (as well as spiritual/theological) relativism to be found in Postmodern philosophy. Therein lies some of the danger. All elements of postmodernism are not necessarily bad, but “postmodern philosophy” does indeed exist, and it may be found in the church.
Sam Storms linking the Emergent mindset with postmodernism says it this way: “there is an emphasis on affections and feelings over against rational, linear thought; on experience over truth; on inclusion rather than exclusion; on the corporate over the individualistic, etc. Tolerance is the principal virtue, as nothing is more indicative of the mentality of modernism than telling someone they are wrong (either intellectually, doctrinally, or morally).”
See more at http://www.theopedia.com/Emerging_Church