If you’re post-modern, why the heck should I listen to you?

This one could be the most deceiving classification of this blog. I am not actually an advocate of post-modernism. But I am completely dissatisfied with modernity, and I’m convinced that it cannot deliver what it has promised. Besides, post-modernism is a popular word right now, and I use it occasionally because I identify with many of the practices behind this thinking. Though I wholeheartedly divorce myself from the philosophical beliefs of both modernity and post-modernity, I do think that post-modernists are on to something. However, not unlike modernity, I believe that post-modernity will be unable to accomplish what it’s advocates are hoping - hence, I’m post-(post-modern).

I advocate Pre-Modernism, which decentralizes the role of individual thinking in favor of collectivism, while at the same time placing a high value of tradition and authority. However, the more that I read of the Post-Modern movement (i.e. - Emergent Church), I find myself in agreement with many of the things that they want to do. Among some of these are concern about social injustices, reworking the styles of worship in our local churches, and a return to ancient practices of the church.

Another attractive element of the Post-Modern movement is a desire for unity in the church. An ecumenical heart is, I believe, central to the Christian faith. Many people who identify themselves as Post-Modernists, to their credit, seek to identify with people based on commonalities instead of dividing with them based on differences. This is the manifestation of Holy Spirit unity. This does not, however, mean that there is never a time to divide. Nonetheless, a divisive, critical spirit is contrary to the prayer of Jesus in John 17. Where the Emergent movement gets it wrong (in my opinion) is that they don’t take a stand for anything. According to some, there are no real absolutes in orthodox theology. I imagine that this will work itself out over the next decade or so as this movement looks deeper into the Ancient church and the creeds which they value.

I also find a strong desire for genuine community among the Post-Modern movement of the church. This also will entail a rejection of the over-importance of the individual as this paradigm is strengthened. I mean to say, in Christianity, the community is not expected to suffer for the sake of the individual, but rather the individual suffers for the sake of the community. The theological problems within the emergent movement stem from an immature appropriation of this concept. However, community is essential to real spiritual formation in the lives of the saints. Community is the means of grace ordained by God through which He conforms people into the image of His Son. More on this in the future.