Used by Joshva Raja from the Web

Premodern

Telescope

Psalm 8

Reality explained in terms of far-off transcendence

Modern

Microscope

“I think, therefore I am” -- Descartes

Reality is observable, dissectible, and explainable

Modernity: The Triumph of Reason

The Tenets of ModernityThe Tenets of Modernity True knowledge is determined with certainty by reason Two levels of knowledge: objective/scientific (open to

debate) and subjective/spiritual/moral (only personal conviction)

World exists in cause-effect relationship Knowledge is good; facts are “value-free” Progress and scientific discovery will lead to better world

and happiness Humanity basically good and reason can solve all problems Individuals are autonomous in society and have rights

society must honorGraham Johnston, Preaching to a Post-Modern World, Baker, 2001, pp. 25-26

Modernity and ProgressModernity and Progress

A Challenge to the centre of our society A Challenge to the centre of our society from the margins from the margins

Progress Via Modernity (1470 – the Progress Via Modernity (1470 – the beginning of the Italian Renaissance) and beginning of the Italian Renaissance) and Enlightenment (1700 – the start of the Enlightenment (1700 – the start of the enlightenment)enlightenment)

Modernity – a. secular, natural and this Modernity – a. secular, natural and this worldly b. power of individual minds, no worldly b. power of individual minds, no more submission c. belief in Progress d. more submission c. belief in Progress d. experimental study of nature, inventions to experimental study of nature, inventions to control nature and subdue for social usecontrol nature and subdue for social use

Dewey’s Modern Man

Self Assured In control of his own destiny Knows what he knows and knows with certainty Needs no authority outside of himself as he is

autonomous, a law or authority unto himself Needs no salvation outside of himself Liberated from past authorities and superstitions

and follow reason Enjoy the fruit of human progress

Faith in the progress

The spirit of modernity is a spirit of progress Progress is what the Columbus story is about –

dominant motif in Western Society – the working faith of our civilisation

The progress ideal functions as an article of faith, the unifying commitment or civil religion of Western Civilisation

It tells a story – similar to Myths – Myths history begins with Egypt and Greece not with China or Africa

Myth of Progress and Tower Myth of Progress and Tower of Babel of Babel

Grand dream or vision or cultural aspiration Grand dream or vision or cultural aspiration symbolised by the Columbus’ visionsymbolised by the Columbus’ vision

Dreams of cities, buildings and towers Dreams of cities, buildings and towers Genesis 11:1-9 Building a city with a tower Genesis 11:1-9 Building a city with a tower

reaching to the heavens – Western dreams of reaching to the heavens – Western dreams of progress – towering civilization, a social and progress – towering civilization, a social and cultural accomplishment of immense and cultural accomplishment of immense and achievement - Eiffel tower, Toronto CN Towerachievement - Eiffel tower, Toronto CN Tower

Genesis 11:1f

The Tower of Babel  1 Now the whole world had one language and a common

speech. 2 As men moved eastward, [a] they found a plain in Shinar [b] and settled there.  3 They said to each other, "Come,

let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."

Genesis 11 contd…

 5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. 6 The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other."

 8 So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel [c] —because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth

Floors in the BabelFloors in the Babel

Ground floor of modernity was scienceGround floor of modernity was science first floor is enlightenment and Scientific first floor is enlightenment and Scientific

rationality -Age of industrial revolutions –rationality -Age of industrial revolutions –age of machinesage of machines

Second floor is technology – gives power Second floor is technology – gives power over environment..over environment..

Third floor Economic growth - Market Third floor Economic growth - Market forces – entrepreneurial spirit and the forces – entrepreneurial spirit and the profit motiveprofit motive

Western Culture as final floorWestern Culture as final floor

Modernity in troubleModernity in trouble

When finished our street will be platinum, When finished our street will be platinum, never mind gold. Too good to be true! never mind gold. Too good to be true! Progress myth is losing its power!Progress myth is losing its power!

The foundation of Babel tower is founded The foundation of Babel tower is founded on Human autonomoy on Human autonomoy (Gen 2:17 and Gen 3)(Gen 2:17 and Gen 3)

Independence from the Creator by eating Independence from the Creator by eating the fruit of the treethe fruit of the tree

Auto – self; nomos – law – self determining Auto – self; nomos – law – self determining freedomfreedom

Idols of Modernity

The idea of progress was based on The idea of progress was based on idolatrous faith – on science, idolatrous faith – on science, technology and economic growth.technology and economic growth.

Science as authoritative knowledge, Science as authoritative knowledge, technism as power and control over technism as power and control over the creation, standard of living the creation, standard of living economic growth raises the standard economic growth raises the standard of life and route to personal of life and route to personal happiness and social harmony…happiness and social harmony…

AnxietyAnxiety

War and Bombs? Hiroshima and War and Bombs? Hiroshima and Nagasagi – economic Progress? – WW1 Nagasagi – economic Progress? – WW1 as war to end all wars – Vietnam war as war to end all wars – Vietnam war

Loss of hope and sense of anxietyLoss of hope and sense of anxiety Catch-22 film in 1986 – US being Catch-22 film in 1986 – US being

destroyed?destroyed? Fear of new world order – economic Fear of new world order – economic

security, sexual morality different and security, sexual morality different and odd ideas that emergeodd ideas that emerge

Biblical references

Isaiah 46:1-5 become like themIsaiah 46:1-5 become like them Psalm 115 instability of idolsPsalm 115 instability of idols Jeremiah 10:3-5 like Scare crowsJeremiah 10:3-5 like Scare crows

Isaiah 46:1-5 Isaiah 46 Gods of Babylon  1 Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low;

       their idols are borne by beasts of burden. [a]        The images that are carried about are burdensome,        a burden for the weary.  2 They stoop and bow down together;        unable to rescue the burden,        they themselves go off into captivity.

 3 "Listen to me, O house of Jacob,        all you who remain of the house of Israel,        you whom I have upheld since you were conceived,        and have carried since your birth.

 4 Even to your old age and gray hairs        I am he, I am he who will sustain you.        I have made you and I will carry you;        I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

 5 "To whom will you compare me or count me equal?        To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?

Psalm 115 Psalm 115  1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us

       but to your name be the glory,        because of your love and faithfulness.

 2 Why do the nations say,        "Where is their God?"

 3 Our God is in heaven;        he does whatever pleases him.

 4 But their idols are silver and gold,        made by the hands of men.

 5 They have mouths, but cannot speak,        eyes, but they cannot see;

 6 they have ears, but cannot hear,        noses, but they cannot smell;

 7 they have hands, but cannot feel,        feet, but they cannot walk;        nor can they utter a sound with their throats.

 8 Those who make them will be like them,        and so will all who trust in them.

Jeremiah 10

 3 For the customs of the peoples are worthless;        they cut a tree out of the forest,        and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.

 4 They adorn it with silver and gold;        they fasten it with hammer and nails        so it will not totter.

 5 Like a scarecrow in a melon patch,        their idols cannot speak;        they must be carried        because they cannot walk.        Do not fear them;        they can do no harm        nor can they do any good."

The Changing realities The Changing realities

Realisation - Centre of Universe is no more Realisation - Centre of Universe is no more centrecentre

Suspicion that modern West inflicted violence Suspicion that modern West inflicted violence on others and non-Western too but claims of on others and non-Western too but claims of higher moral statushigher moral status

Questioning everything – responsibility of US Questioning everything – responsibility of US to lead the world, the ability to solve all to lead the world, the ability to solve all environmental problems by Western environmental problems by Western Technology, the strength and durability of Technology, the strength and durability of market system, the superiority of Western market system, the superiority of Western intellectual traditionintellectual tradition

What is reality?

Three umpires after a baseball game One, “There’s balls and there’s strikes

and I call ‘em the way they are” Second,”There’s balls and there’s

strikes and I call ‘em the way I see ‘em. Third, “There’s balls and there’s strikes

and they ain’t nothin’ until I call ‘em

What is Reality then?

First umpire is naïve realist – human knowing is direct correspondence between the external world and epistemological judgements - Objective

Second umpire is perspectival realist – the way he sees the world invariably affects his epistemological judgements - Subjective -

Third umpire is radical perspectivalism –his perspective is all there is or atleast all that matters - Honest position

Reality

Reality is a human construct and also a social construct

Whose reality? From whose perspective? Why someone’s perspective of reality rules? Why someone’s construction of reality is given privileged status?

Critique

Scientific objectivity is to master the world once and for all by enclosing it within an illusory but absolute system which represents or corresponds to a unitary being beyond history, particularity and change

Mastering means to legitimate Western conquest and political superiority and masters and possessors of nature

Postmodern

Kaleidoscope

“an ever-changing mosaic of pieces of broken glass that is beautiful when light shines through it” Erwin McManus

Reality is evolving and understood through brokenness and interrelationships

Post-Modernity: The Triumph of Ignorance

The Tenets of Post-Modernity (Johnston, The Tenets of Post-Modernity (Johnston, 26)26)

Reacting to the all the tenets of Modernity Reject idea of objective truth Suspicious and skeptical of authority

(family, government and society) In search of identity apart from knowledge

but through relationship less morality, only expediency In search of transcendence, to experience

otherness

Christian Mission in the Christian Mission in the Postmodern World Postmodern World PeterstephensonPeterstephenson

A. Suspicion of All Big Stories A. Suspicion of All Big Stories progress vs ecological disasterprogress vs ecological disaster

Deconstruction as mission? Deconstruction as mission? Come clean about the churches’ pastCome clean about the churches’ past Examine ourselves for oppressive Examine ourselves for oppressive

tendenciestendencies Search ourselves for signs of Search ourselves for signs of

syncretismsyncretism

B Distrust of Authority and B Distrust of Authority and InstitutionsInstitutions

Big stories are construction of those in Big stories are construction of those in power built to legitimise and preserve power built to legitimise and preserve that powerthat power

No favours to elders due to ecological No favours to elders due to ecological disasters – Live for todaydisasters – Live for today

Image – free to choose – any truthsImage – free to choose – any truths Global awareness – ecological Global awareness – ecological

destruction, human rights, destruction destruction, human rights, destruction of ethnic cultures, racial and religious of ethnic cultures, racial and religious intolerance, sexual discrimination, intolerance, sexual discrimination, abuse of animalsabuse of animals

Modernism vs. Post-Modernism

Modernity’s View of Life

Romantic view of life Have a purpose Design Hierarchy Word-oriented A completed work Analysis from a distance Creation/synthesis Metaphysics (philosophy

that deals with first principles to explain the nature of reality)

“Father Knows Best”

Post-Modernity’s View of Life

Absurd view of life Play instead Chance Anarchy Silence-oriented Work in process Analysis thru participating Deconstruction/antithesis Irony

“The Simpsons”

From Modern to Postmodern

Modern

Conquest and Control

Mechanistic Analytical Secular-scientific “Knowing God”

Postmodern

Conservation Organic, ecological Holistic, passionate Spiritual-scientific “Experiencing God”

Here are some things that allow the flourishing relational context of time and space in which people can become disciples of Jesus Christ:

“We’d better learn to count not just conversions but conversations.”

Brian McLaren

Seeing evangelism as a relational dance rather than a win/lose conquest

› Don’t press for decision now, just keep the conversation going

Takes 10+ for conversion

Opposite of modernity Member-first, then

included

Rhetoric of inclusion rather than exclusion Jesus threatened people

with inclusion

“People don’t become disciples in the right order any more.” George Hunter, How to

Reach Secular People, 1990

Both precede “Believing”

In Alcoholics Anonymous:

“I come …

“I come to …

“I come to believe.”

It’s about • their story (listen!)• your story (share)• and God’s story (proclaim)

The Gospel must be presented in story form rather than a set of facts, rules, propositions, laws• Bible itself has God speak

to us via prophets, poets, philosophers, priests

“The greatest hermeneutic of the Gospel is a community that lives by it.”

› Leslie Newbigin

Belonging precedes becoming precedes believing

Instead of: Decision-Discipleship Evangelism-Follow up

Think: “disciple-making” Understand but collapse

the Engel scale A holistic process Space/time

Teach “how” rather than “what” to believe

(McLaren: Finding Faith)

Believe that God is already “out there” and at work in everyone (Blackaby)

› There are others on the case besides you! Others in the church Not just in church but also

culture

God is always trying to “get in or get out” of peoples’ lives

See evangelism as part of my own discipleship, not just the other person’s

“There is enough bad in the best of us and good in the worst of us that it behooves all of us to speak no ill about any of us.”

Abraham Lincoln

See evangelism as recruiting people for God’s mission here on earth, not just souls for heaven

Gospel of John:eternal life begins

now!

You do need to love emerging generations and have your heart

broken for them – they

need you.

“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had known on this day what would bring you peace…”

- Luke 19:41

“When He saw the crowds He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless,like sheep without a shepherd.”

Matthew 9:36-38

Postmodernist churchPostmodernist church

Strong tendency toward personal Strong tendency toward personal spiritualityspirituality

Deep thoughtful ChristiansDeep thoughtful Christians Tendency to live out their faith in Tendency to live out their faith in

societysociety Desire for communityDesire for community Less tendency to fight with other Less tendency to fight with other

Christians over the doctrineChristians over the doctrine Living in MetaphorsLiving in Metaphors

Weakness of the Postmodern Weakness of the Postmodern ChurchChurch

Desire for Individual spiritualityDesire for Individual spirituality Desire for Individual TruthDesire for Individual Truth Potential to get attracted with Potential to get attracted with

Spirituality itselfSpirituality itself Tendency not to reflect biblically about Tendency not to reflect biblically about

social issuessocial issues Pragmatism without biblical reflection is Pragmatism without biblical reflection is

no goodno good Tendency to hold personal doctrine Tendency to hold personal doctrine

above biblical doctrineabove biblical doctrine

Postmodern modelsPostmodern models

Testimonies, symbols, paradox, Testimonies, symbols, paradox, parables and stories to shareparables and stories to share

Creative artistic expressionsCreative artistic expressions Talents and gifts of spirit using them Talents and gifts of spirit using them

in ministryin ministry Sharing through the web of Sharing through the web of

relationshiprelationship Avoiding denominational identitiesAvoiding denominational identities Using all mediaUsing all media

Models of churchingModels of churching

Non-church-like namesNon-church-like names Home web of cell groupsHome web of cell groups Smaller churchesSmaller churches Corporate worship is like a theatre Corporate worship is like a theatre

roomroom Churches filled with art meeting non-Churches filled with art meeting non-

traditional hourstraditional hours Distrust marketing techniquesDistrust marketing techniques No leader but leadersNo leader but leaders