These show the main tennets and motivations of each.
Modern:
Individual Alone
– Self determination
Reason Alone
– Explore certainties
Knowledge Alone
– Principles rule
Mind OVER Matter
– Dualistic
Gunsmoke is a picture of Modern thinking. Marshal Dillon was the good guy in the white hat. He figured the way out of the situation, or battled right against wrong. It's obvious who the star was.
Postmodern:
Individual-in-relationship
– Community values
Reason plus Doubt
– Embrace complexity
The Unknowable
– Mysteries abound
Mind AND Matter
– Holistic
Who's the star of this show? Not individual, but individual in community. It's tempting to say that this is a generational thing, however it's not so cut and dry. Some authors say that Postmodernism started with the holocaust, others that it happened in Vietnam. The fact is that there are people in their 50's who are more postmodern, and there are people in their 30's who are in Modernity.
This is a very basic entrypoint into the understanding of postmodernism as it affects the church. It is really a philosophical issue. But that gets pretty deep.
As missional Christians we're required to understand our culture in order to reach them with the gospel. If this is or is not helpful in understanding, please let me know. If not, I'll try again.
--Ben
4 comments:
Modern = Right/Wrong, Absolute truth
Postmodern = Situational ethics, "Whatever floats your boat"
Not exactly. That is often how Modern people respond. The difference for postmoderns is that Truth is arrived at in community, and it is held there. Modernity is top down (individual alone) power-driven. It's a power trip that says it's absolute because I say so (reason alone).
However, St. Patrick's celtic view of evangelism plays well in this because he stressed belonging before believing.
"Truth is arrived at in community"
Is it "arrived at" or found there? Is there absolute truth in postmodernity regardless of where or how it's found? How about this -
Modern = Black/White
Postmodern = Gray, where exists both black and white
Much better expression. The community provides the lense through which black and white are discerned from among the gray. BTW, postmoderns don't want to be called postmoderns. That term is a modern invention in order for control of black and white. postmodern Christians would much rather be known as missional. Primarily because they've deconstructed Christianity to the great commission and commandments.
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