postmodernity what does it mean to be postmodern?
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PostmodernityWhat does it mean to be
postmodern?
What is postmodernity?
- Origin? Movement?- World-viewHistory:
Middle-AgesEnlightenment-modernityPostmodernity
- Affects way we think and act
Philosophical background (1)
Major influences Concerns about interpretation
/hermeneutics Concerns about possibility of truth –
Friedrich Nietzsche Philosophy of language Rejection of structralism
Philosophical background (2)
Key postmodern philosophers Michael Foucault (1926-1984) Richard Rorty (1931-2007) Jean François Lyotard (1924-1998) Jacques Derrida (1930-2004)
Hallmarks of postmodernity (1)
Abandonment of idea of inevitable progress
pessimism awareness of mounting problems
Hallmarks of postmodernity (2)
Life on earth is fragile
Pessimism Environment is being destroyed Exploitation to be replaced by cooperation
Stewardship
Hallmarks of postmodernity (3)
Appreciation for the non-rational dimensions of truth
Holism Oneness with nature
Intuitive as well as cognitive Justice
Hallmarks of postmodernity (4)
truths vs Truth Understanding of truth rooted in community Social context Pluralism / diversity Relativism We construct the world by the concepts we bring to it Not: what is true? Rather: what is the outcome? Languages: matter of human conventions Knowledge replaced by interpretation No single world view
Hallmarks of postmodernity (5)
Diversity / difference Combination of incompatible elements
Architecture Art: Collage Literature
Emphasis on element of chance / uncontrollable / contingency / ambiguity
Hallmarks of postmodernity (6)
Centerlessness / fragmentation No common standards Relativism in morality Blurring between genders Derrida: ‘on what floor?’ No commitment to organisations/ job Frequent switching
Hallmarks of postmodernity (7)
End of the metanarrative Rejection of hubris of Enlightenment: no single
system of truth Scientific metanarrative Marxist metanarrative Christian metanarrative
Deconstruction: focus on contradictory elements Emphasis on smaller stories / local myths
(world-wide strategies?)
Hallmarks of postmodernity (8)
Shift in science (1) Not all knowledge is good Not all knowledge can be brougth into one
scheme Goal is often performativity / profit Goal often determines outcome
Hallmarks of postmodernity (9)
Shift in science (2) New physics
Laws do not always seem to be consistent Much in universe is indescribable Blurring between energy and matter Observation affects the object that is being observed
Hallmarks of postmodernity (10)
Shift in science (3) Thomas S. Kuhn (1922-1996)
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962) Paradigm shifts
Research traditions – commitment to a community Reigning paradigm determines what scholars see
Hallmarks of postmodernity (11)
Superficial postmodernism Consumentism
Status and prestige through products Emphasis on amusement Ideal home; ideal sex; ideal body; ideal fashion
Sexual freedom No moral standards – everything goes Shopper / surfer / channel hopper
Contrast between modernity and postmodernity (1)
Modernity Emphasis on mind, reason, logic Systematic order in everything that
happens/exists Belief in technological and economic
progress Harmony Unity Confidence in human abilities
Contrast between modernity and postmodernity (2)
Postmodernity Limitations to what we know / understand Feeling / phantasy / dreams Relativity of ideologies, systems Reluctance re commitment Critical about human ability Life is fragmentary, incomplete Emphasis on opposites, difference
Postmodern themes (1) Grand narratives have disappeared (1)
Enlightenment (reason; universality) Idealism (thesis – antithesis = synthesis) Romanticism (unity, harmony) Marxism (class struggle; revolution; better future) Communism Capitalism (technology; free economy) Christianity Evolution
Postmodern themes (2) Grand narratives have disappeared (2)
Grand narratives say more than people can ever know
Too pretentious Manipulative After Auschwitz
(Bible – separate books/ separate theologies/ emphasis on story)
Postmodern themes (3) Unity and diversity
Modernity longs for unity Postmodernity accentuates difference
Peoples; cultures Multicultural rather than melting pot Racial distance Special status for black, gay, woman Generations Movements
Contradictions in the individual
Postmodern themes (4) Re-enchantment of the world
After Middle Ages: rejection of magic Empirical sciences
postmodern physics: vague boundaries between subject and object
Holism Nature Mind over body Forms of non-rational learning (zen, intuition, imaginations) Mystery, miracles, angels Religion is OK
Postmodern man (1) Ambivalent; indecisive Deconstructing; unmasking large
programs(anti-globalism) Relativising – opting for least
objectionable solutions Sceptical of grand ideals, yet sense of
justice, solidarity Contingency; open to mystery
Postmodern man (2) Ecclectic (Lyotard)
Listens to reggae Watches a Western Eats at McDonald Supper in Hungarian restaurant Buys French perfume in Dubai See tv-quiz as exercise in knowledge
Postmodern man (3) Metaphors:
Derrida: person living on different floors Bauman: pilgrim in search of his destiny Bauman: flaneur; thinks he determines where he
goes, but is drawn by advertising, attractions; is always zapping
Vagabond Nomad – less securely tied to a job, career,
traditions
Part II
Adventism and Postmodernism
Main Issues / institutional
Demise of the grand narrative of adventism?Focus on local church /world church?Dangers of congregationalism?
Principle? Finance?
Suspicion / disinterest re hierarchyDiversity - a threat to unity?Ecumenical relations – ‘true’ church
Main Issues / congregation
Worship style – Praise- ExperienceSmall groups: personal relationshipsBlurring lines between members and non-membersEnd of church discipline?Moral issues decided on individual basis
Main Issues / individual believers
Rational vs. non-rationalDisinterest in doctrineSelective – not always entire package
What does it do for you?Openness to spiritual giftsCross-border shopping
Institutional church (general)
Institutions are suspect– Bureaucracy– Scandals– Outdated
Institutions in decline
Perceived lack of relevancy
More challenges for institutional Adventism
Less interest in hierarchy / careerLess interest in global organisation Less interest in global plansInternational solidarity under threatLess interest in (long-term) mission serviceLess money for missionsEmphasis on local church / local needsIncreasing interest in community / ADRA
And even more challenges for worldwide Adventism
Staying together theologically– Inspiration (Bible, EGW)– Ecclesiology– Eschatology– Soteriology
Staying together in policyFinding / keeping balance between doctrinal emphasis and spiritualityConsensus on contextualisation
Dealing with the new divide
Conservative vs. liberal?or
Modern vs. postmodern?
‘Modern’ Adventists
Demand certainties: AbsolutesDefence of historical positionsDoctrinal purityStrong emphasis on eschatologyAnti-ecumenicalEmphasis on unity / uniformityStrong role for organisation / policy
Postmodern Adventists (1)
Have less interest in doctrineWill allow for diversity in doctrineFading of authority– Role of GC. Division, union– Role of pastor– Church Manual– Church discipline
Postmodern Adventists (2)
Increased interest in communityEmphasis on experience– Celebration / Praise– Decreased interest in regular
Sabbath School Openness to others (Willow Creek, etc)
Postmodern Adventists (3)
Hesitancy re total commitmentBlurring of lines between members and non-membersInterest in practical service – ADRAMore ecumenical
Postmodern Adventists (4)
More openness towards different lifestyles:– (low) alcoholic beverages– caffeine-containing beverages– co-habitation– divorce
Modern vs Postmodern Adventism
Not one or the otherRecognize the challengesBalanceOpen discussions / debate at all levelsWillingness to changeAllow the Spirit to Lead
The Question
How does the church reinvent itself?
But also:How do we listen to the Spirit?
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