That evil postmodernism
Why is it that people who write books to church leaders about postmodernism usually make it sound like it is much more evil than modern thinking? Modernism has just as many negative aspects to it: logic will solve all of the world's problems (ever think of God as savior, not reason?); create the "perfect" formula, cookie-cutter it, and Christians will be able to evangelize the entire world because of the reasonable arguments we make (with no need for personal spiritual growth or allowing our actions to speak louder than words); just to name a few examples.
Yes, there is an underlying premise behind postmodern thought that is contrary to the Christian faith - but there is also one in modernism, so why should that be considered anything new?
I personally believe the communication of our faith through lifestyle rather than a five-finger exercise will produce stronger Christians and a community of faith that is more like that to which Christ has called us. Jesus said the world will know we are Christians by our love, not our arguments.
Is postmodernism really that much more evil than modernism? I don't think so. Neither one of them are really Christian in their philosophy. They are merely different. Embrace it? No, not all of it. Just like modernism should not have been totally embraced. Engage it? Most definitely! Without doing that, the culture is going to go on without us and what kind of salt will we have been? Some things have to change for us to make a difference in our home communities. Of course, change is a four letter word in many churches. We're still busy arguing about the carpet color or the worship style while the world is going to hell. Quickly!
"To postmoderns, the debate about traditional versus contemporary music in churches is about as important as listening to dad and granddad fight over the television remote" ~ Ed Stetzer, Planting Churches in a Postmodern Age
Are we going to continue to argue ourselves into irrelevance, or can we begin making a difference in our community and culture now? Do I have the permission of the authors?
Yes, there is an underlying premise behind postmodern thought that is contrary to the Christian faith - but there is also one in modernism, so why should that be considered anything new?
I personally believe the communication of our faith through lifestyle rather than a five-finger exercise will produce stronger Christians and a community of faith that is more like that to which Christ has called us. Jesus said the world will know we are Christians by our love, not our arguments.
Is postmodernism really that much more evil than modernism? I don't think so. Neither one of them are really Christian in their philosophy. They are merely different. Embrace it? No, not all of it. Just like modernism should not have been totally embraced. Engage it? Most definitely! Without doing that, the culture is going to go on without us and what kind of salt will we have been? Some things have to change for us to make a difference in our home communities. Of course, change is a four letter word in many churches. We're still busy arguing about the carpet color or the worship style while the world is going to hell. Quickly!
"To postmoderns, the debate about traditional versus contemporary music in churches is about as important as listening to dad and granddad fight over the television remote" ~ Ed Stetzer, Planting Churches in a Postmodern Age
Are we going to continue to argue ourselves into irrelevance, or can we begin making a difference in our community and culture now? Do I have the permission of the authors?