Postmodernity What does it mean to be postmodern?

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?