Not too many weeks ago I had an email "conversation" with a buddy who's trying to wrap his head around the whole Modern/Postmodern issue within the context of Christianity. He wasn't sure where on the spectrum he fit; but of course there really is no well-defined spectrum! If you've read my posts on Postmodernity before, you know that I am always careful to distinguish between the Postmodernity of the Academy [think professor sitting in ivory tower with no connection to the real world] and cultural Postmodernity [think Joe on the street].
Anyway, in an effort to help my friend start the process of thinking and working through these issues I came up with a short "test". I offer it here with the hopes that a) it might help you in the same way it did him, and b) you might critique, add to, or correct it for the future...
I don't make any claim that this is necessarily a good test; only that it was helpful for at least one individual. Nor do I think it's touched on all that could be or perhaps should be. So without any further qualifications:
1.) Do you believe that mankind can, if he tries hard enough, find absolute truth? [Foundationalism]
2.) What's your view on the proper care of the earth? [Environmentalism]
3.) Can you explain the Trinity? [Mystery]
4.) What do you think of The Four Spiritual Laws as an evangelistic tool? [Logic]
5.) True or False: Excellence honours God and inspires people. [Authenticity]
6.) True or False: God doesn't give a flying leap about your personal spiritual growth unless it's in the context of a local church. [Community]
I'll leave you to answer these if you wish, but I'm otherwise searching for input about the questions themselves.
Hatushili
PS: If asked, I'll be happy to give my answers and/or my rationale for each question. But the point is more how you feel about them.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Testing the test
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5 comments:
I would also consider adding a question that addresses multiculturalism and/or multigenerationalism.
“Do you feel the need to be involved in programs/ministries with others in similar demographics as yourself?”
Compartmentalization is a major give away regarding the issue…
By the way, number three is my favorite...
JB said: Compartmentalization is a major give away regarding the issue…
So how do you see multigenerationalism and/or multiculturalism intersecting with compartmentalization? I agree with you that both m/m and compartmentalization are critical giveaways re: Modernity; I'm just not sure what link between the two you're referencing...
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And why is #3 your favourite?
Hatushili
I see them intersecting with compartmentalization in that modernity tends to really like programs based on age and position in life i.e. young married couples classes, senior saints classes, single adults classes, etc. This method fits the people of the church into neat little compartments which are clean and easily defined. And if you are geared towards the modern end of the spectrum this probably sounds like a great way to do things.
Postmoderns would rather not be placed into neat little boxes. They embrace diversity above uniformity, they are interested in learning from personal experiences with other individuals, i.e. young married couples spending time with older married couples and learning from them. If you enjoy being with people different from you and experiencing ministry in a messier form than it is in part a give away to your postmodern tendencies.
Did this clarify my thoughts at all for you?
Number three is my favorite question because it brings about so many answers and I think it is a simple, yet powerful question… I find myself so steeped on the “it is a mystery” side of the question that I find it almost amusing when people try to explain the essence of the trinity. At least to me it appears self-deceiving when people say they can completely wrap their head around 3 separate things being 1 unified thing without losing their individual identity or losing their unification. The modern attempt to explain it logically just seems moot to me…it’s a mystery let’s not pretend that it isn’t…
re: compartmentalization - You've got a point. I usually think of compartmentalization in terms of my Sunday life vs my job life vs my family life, etc... But on a different level it also manifests itself in ways you're talking about. So you may be on to something; I'll need to ponder just how to phrase such a question for the future.
re: Trinity - As you've figured, it's really a trick question (in fact, in a way most of them are). Those that start running through all the various analogies and logical arguments are probably leaning pretty heavily toward the Modern end of the spectrum!
Like you, I'm willing to leave mystery as mystery.
Hatushili
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