Circles, Triangles, and Squares a look at postmodernism and The Church The study consists of four...

Circles, Triangles, and Squaresa look at postmodernism and The Church

The study consists of four major sections:1) Circles (Where we were)2) Triangles (Where we are)3) Squares (Where are we going?)4) What you and the Lord's Church can do

There are 2 overall goals of this study:1) To understand our place within a developed history2) To develop a personalized evangelism strategy

1 Corinthians 9:22

How can we “be all things to all men” if we do not first understand where they are coming from?

The Christian Response to “Culture”

1. Cocoon—withdraw (self-preservation)

2. Combat—fight (militant restoration)

3. Conform—assimilate (unwitting surrender)

4. Transform the culture by:a) countering culture (aliens)b) communicating w/ culture (ambassadors)c) creating culture (artists)

(Staub, 2007)

The 5 Basic “Worldview” Questions

1. Where are we & what is this place like?2. Who are we & where are we going?3. What is the problem & what is right & wrong? 4. What's the solution?5. How do we know?


What is Postmodernism

?

Previous “-ism”s

God God Xoutside outsideinside

MechanisticMaterialistic

Individualistic

“Open Universe” Later OT Judaism Individual (Ps 14/53:1)

Nature

ManGod

Nature

Mankind

Nature

Mankind

Nature

Individual Individual

?? ?

?

??

?

?

(Cox, MMin621 Lectures)

Postmodernism's Answers

We don’t know. We can only tell different stories about our perceptions. Science is not really based in “facts.” Science is merely one sort of perception.

We don’t know, we can only tell different stories about our perceptions. We invent ourselves with our stories. History is not a matter of “facts,” but various perceptions, none of which is “true.”

Some stories are more useful than others, but nothing is “true” or “right” or “wrong.” Ethics is whatever a society makes it to be.

What do you mean by “solution?”

We don’t.


Postmodernism

Is “Postmodernism” a new thing?

“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.”

(Ecclesiastes 1:9)

Solomon saw “Postmodern” thinking in Jewish history:

“In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

(Judges 17:6 & 21:25)

Assignment

We talked about how Modernism is:1) Mechanistic2) Materialistic3) Individualistic

Postmodernism is a response to Modernism:1) Desires to “transcend the machine”2) Find significance outside “things”3) Be part of a community, not “alone”

Postmodern “worldview” andthe 21st Century Church

God outside

inside

“Open Universe”

Christians appear so “sure” about something postmoderns believe cannot be proven (remember, knowledge is flawed...)

Christianity, as a theistic religion, is at odds with postmodernism

Nature

Man

God ?(Cox, MMin621 Lectures)

7 Benefits of Postmoderns

1) Basically accept a “greater power” is out there.

2) Are asking questions about existence and “reality”.

3) Respect and attend to “stories” more than “lectures”.

4) Want to be approached in terms of relationship.

5) Will join causes they see as “significant”.

6) Desire belonging to a community.

7) Know how to relate with other Postmoderns.

(Van Gelder, Missiology 2000)

Can NT Christianity Meet the Needs?

1) Show who the higher-power is (Acts 17:18-31)

2) Reveals a deeper existence and “reality” (eternity)

3) Shares desirable values in the form of stories

4) Demands relationship (1 John)**

5) Presents mankind with a significant role (Eph 3:9-12)

6) Ideally is a involved family (Acts 2:42ff, 4:34f, etc)

7) Provides training to equip for evangelism (Matt 28:19-20)


Before we begin...

Moderns and Postmoderns in conflict:1) Simply a problem in “style”?2) Weaker/stronger brother issue?3) Doctrinal misunderstandings?

If we truly desire fellowship we must ask:

How did we reach this generational divide?

Which takes us to Medieval Europe

The Challenge of Transition

Transition can be a good thing!

Medieval accepted the rule of a tyrannical PopeReformation rejected, but accepted tyrannical KingsRevolution rejected, but accepted abuse of “lesser” humansScience simply rejected God, but discovered methodology

The methodology has given us Modern “advantages”A sense of controlAnalytical thinkingOrder

Transition can also be very unsettling...


Thought Provokers

“A Primer on Postmodernism” (Grenz, 1996) clarifies Modernity and Postmodernity by comparing 2 “Star Trek” characters:

Spock – the ideal Modern, but not quite Modern enough (although nearly completely logical and scientific, he still struggles with emotion)

Data – completely Modern, but deeply desiring something else (not to be a machine, to live a life of significance, to enjoy “community”)

Does this comparison make sense to you?

The Challenge for The Church

How do we reach the Urbanized?

Build a bridgeto the Eden

and Christianideal reality

X

X

X

XX

IndividualsAnimals/Things

“Anonymity”

God

NT Church

King

People(Community/Family)

Animals/Things

(Cox on “Nida”, MMin621 Lectures)

Urbanization and the Bible

“There is nothing new under the sun...”

God's great purpose in Christ more than implies that He has equipped the Church, by His Word, for reaching any of His creation stuck in an “-ism”.

Perhaps the most relevant passage on Urbanism is the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Luke 15:11-32

Being the open arms of Jesus toward our wayward brothers and sisters is our great challenge...

Thought Provokers

If “Existentialism” is essentially “Urbanism”, what is Postmodernism?

Remember Joshua 17:6 & 21:25

“In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

How can we, as children of God, reveal to the wayward children of God that He is their Father? Without recognizing His love and authority, is there hope?

Assignment

We are leaving “Triangles” and heading into “Squares”...

We are going to do our best to link the “Circles” of “where we were” with the “Triangles” of “where we are”.

The goal of the next two lessons will be to show how history repeats itself as we prepare to adapt methodology without compromising the message of Christ and Him crucified.

Think on these things...

Group: the horizontal axis b/t orientation (group vs. individualistic)

Grid: the vertical line axis of strength of worldview (read “commonality”)

A “Modern” tool aids understanding

(Douglas, from M Min621 Lectures)

Traditional societies (or churches):1. strong leaders2. high value on group

maintenance3. Have well-defined

boundaries4. Identity is found as

part of the groupAs these members are

exposed to alternative worldviews & lifestyles, the group is impacted.


TRADITIONAL

TRANSITIONAL

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Transitional societies (or churches):1. more difficult to lead

since members now have choices and often move from sub-group to sub-group.

2. “Contractual groups” tend to form (loyal to the group as long as it meets felt needs).

Under the influence of individualism, many are eventually drawn out of the group to go it alone.


TRADITIONAL

TRANSITIONAL

RADICAL RAGGED INDIVIDUALISM

CULT

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Thought Provokers

I believe the NT Church as found in the Bible is what the “Group/Grid” calls “Traditional”.

What evidence have you seen, if any, that the Lord's Body in the 21st Century has begun “Transitioning”?

Douglas argues that the cycle nearly always moves from “Traditional” to “Transitional” and from “Transitional” to what comes next.

What do you think comes next and why.

What “-ism”s do you see in “Traditional” and “Transitional”? What would be the next “-ism”?

Radical Individualism:1. “Religion is between

me and God”2. Strong sense of being

victimized by “the system”

3. Moral relativists, are offended when they perceive others want to impose a system of morality on them

Some of these radicals become so lonely and isolated, they are drawn to strong individuals

TRADITIONAL

TRANSITIONAL


CULT

i

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Next:1. Members enter the

group as individuals drawn to a central figure.

2. Highly structured3. Dominant authority

figure in the centerWhen the leader/founder

dies he/she is replaced by group organization.

In time, the “cult” takes on features of a traditional society and the cycle begins to repeat itself.

TRADITIONAL

TRANSITIONAL


CULT

i

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All Groups Coexist:1. Traditional2. Transitional3. Radical Individuals4. Cults

As people left “Emperor Worship” they moved into the “Traditional” Church

Where do you see the congregation you attend on the “Group/Grid”?

Where is theLord's Body?

TRADITIONAL

TRANSITIONAL


CULT

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Where Are We Presently?



Remember our 2 overall study goals:

1) To understand our place within a developed history

2) To develop a personalized evangelism strategy

Now we will begin thinking of ways to adapt methods without changing the message as we “become all things...”

This lesson touches on apologetics & some evangelism needs Postmoderns

What They Want Our Challenge to Overcome1. Spirituality (relativistic view of “God”)2. Community (fear of organized religion)3. Story/Narrative (all stories seem legitimate)4. Experience (experience must be understood)5. Holism (presenting the serious side of

sin)6. Particularity (the relevance of an ancient faith)7. Irony (can lead to relativism)8. Wider Rationality (our fear of intuition & emotion)

Expectations and Challenges

(Van Gelder, 2002 Missiology)

Our Challenges in Delivery

First Things First...Postmoderns will not respond to lecturing

1) Keep things “conversational”2) Admit and deal with doubts early on3) Be “transparently credible”4) Help the other overcome being/feeling alienated5) Develop an understanding of “secular” people6) Have strong and guiding core convictions

Learn how to:Value conversations, not just conversionsListen to their story, share your own and God'sPrayerfully expect and prepare for a conversionPursue the Great Commission (training/equipping)

(Hunter, 1992)

(McLaren, 2002)

Being “Authentic” and “Believable”

Faith must be rationalTruly owning (i.e., “living”) ChristianityRealize reason has limits (1 Cor 1:18-2:5)You must really “know” what you knowThen “show” that to others by authentic living

A Helpful Analogy:Reason = knowing about someoneFaith = committing to that person

*would you make a commitment to someone without first having a foundation of knowledge?

(Van Gelder, 2002 Missiology)


Being “Authentic” and “Believable”

The difference b/t “bad” and “good” faith

Bad Faith is based solely on unquestioned authority, pressure/coercion, psychological needs for belonging, self-interest & base motives, arrogant, unteachable, dishonest, apathetic, and retreats under pressure

Good Faith is humble, teachable, inquisitive, grateful, honest, communal, active, tough, and relational

One attracts, the other repels... (McLaren, 1999)

Assignment

Personal Evangelism requires us to be authentic and believable

I think we have demonstrated that postmoderns want to be treated personally, not as a group

To this end, we must each be prepared to reach out personally, not just bring people to services

Think about places you meet people and ways you might strike up an open-ended friendship with another so they can experience the faith that authentically and believably guides you.


People are EVERYWHERE!

How do we create evangelism opportunities?

Be a completely convinced ChristianEquip yourself to share the messageAlways be ready to meet a new friendBuild the relationshipLook for openingsAsk to shareHave an “open-door” policy

But how do we do these things?

Let's begin developing a strategy!

Where can Christians look for advice?

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

(Hebrews 12:1-2)

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”

(1 Peter 2:21)

Our Great Example

What Is Jesus' Basic Message?

You were made in God's ImageCreated for a righteous family relationshipHis image is stamped deep within ourselves

■ Creativity■ Free-Moral Agency■ Personality■ Intelligence■ Relationships (inclination towards sociability)■ Morality

The Bad News Is...Sin has distorted His image in usWe abuse His image to our own destruction

The REALLY Good News is Reconciliation!(Cox, MMin621 Lectures)

Is The Christian Message Valid?

Apologetics is two-foldPrayerfully living out the Christian faith

Seeking after God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy SpiritTrusting His providence and role in conversion

Revealing God to Mankind There are physical proofs (Psalm 19)There are spiritual proofs (Acts 1:3)There are historical proofs (Acts and our existence)There is the person of Jesus

1 – intellectually honest2 – scandalously inclusive3 – relationally electric4 – graciously demanding5 – powerfully noncoercive

(Cox on “McLaren”, MMin621 Lectures)

What About Their Objections?

Postmoderns enjoy confrontation

1 – expect confrontation on various issues like “suffering”, “Christianity is unscientific”, “belief is a crutch”, “Christianity is a sexist religion”, historic corruption & oppression, doctrinal difficulties, etc...

2 – prepare by having a ready answer for why you believe (2 Tim 2:15)

3 – be ready to admit that you don't have an answer, but that you will study about it

4 – have someone(s) to bounce ideas off of

Assignment

Jesus says, Every last particle of power and authority has

been given to me. Now that you know that:

As you are going in the world, doing your daily things, seek first the Kingdom of God by making disciples for me, baptizing them by the authority of the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and be sure to teach them to make my life and teaching their example and guide.

You will never be alone, I am with you until the end of time. Amen.

Circles, Triangles, and Squares a look at postmodernism and The Church The study consists of four...

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