Introduction \u2013 Shifting sands, Everyman\u2019s peril<\/p>\n
Part 1 Post Modern Impact on Christianity<\/p>\n
Part 2 Focus on Chapter 6<\/p>\n
Epilogue \u2013 Not a modernist or a post-modernist.<\/p>\n
Introduction Post modernism is not a topic that excites \u201ceveryman.\u201d[1]<\/a>\u00a0 To even begin reading, Stephen Ronald Craig Hicks, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Michel Foucault, Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault[2]<\/strong><\/a><\/em>, requires a definition of terms.\u00a0 Two definitions are shared here.<\/p>\n Epistemology,<\/u><\/strong> the philosophical study of the nature, origin, and limits of human\u00a0knowledge<\/a>.[3]<\/a><\/p>\n This word does not roll of the tongue but serves as a signpost that \u2018everyman\u2019 will be delving into a different perspective on knowledge.<\/p>\n Postmodern philosophy<\/u><\/strong> is characterized by broad\u00a0skepticism<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0relativism<\/a>\u00a0and a general suspicion of\u00a0reason<\/a>. It also broadly asserts that Western intellectual and cultural norms and values are a product of, or are in some sense influenced by, the ideology of dominant or elite groups and at least indirectly serve their interests<\/strong>.[4]<\/a><\/p>\n These definitions force \u2018everyman\u2019 to be cautious as he moves from the day-to-day reality of life to a realization that if he comes from a Judeo-Christian background, that post modernism is an assault on the \u201ccornerstone[5]<\/a>\u201d of his moral being. He should be warned that he is traversing upon \u201cshifting sands.\u201d[6]<\/a><\/p>\n Part 1 \u2013 Post Modernism impact Christianity<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cEveryman,\u201d could easily be confused by the historical names and philosophies discussed in this book.\u00a0 Some key questions relevant to our faith emerge. How does Post Modernism impact Christians?\u00a0 What is its impact on Biblical Truth? The role of Jesus Christ? \u00a0Got Questions gives a good overview.<\/p>\n \u201cPost-modern Christianity falls into line with basic post-modernist thinking. It is about experience over reason, subjectivity over objectivity, spirituality over religion, images over words, outward over inward\u2026when groups form under such thinking,\u00a0 theology and doctrine tend to lean more towards liberalism\u2026For example, because experience is valued more highly than reason, truth becomes relative. This opens up all kinds of problems, as this lessens the standard that the Bible contains absolute truth, and even disqualifies biblical truth as being absolute in many cases.<\/strong> If the Bible is not our source for absolute truth, and personal experience is\u00a0 allowed to define and interpret what truth actually is, a saving faith in Jesus Christ is rendered meaningless.[7]<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Part 2 \u2013 Focus on Chapter 6<\/strong><\/p>\n While Explaining Post Modernism<\/em> contains quite the background of post modernism, it is chapter 6 (Concluding chapter) that describes \u201cpostmodern strategy-connecting epistemology to politics.\u201d<\/p>\n The authors write, \u201cit makes perfect sense that to most postmodernists language is primarily a weapon.\u00a0 This explains the harsh nature of postmodern rhetoric.\u201d[8]<\/a>\u00a0 They continue, \u201cOn this hypothesis, then, postmodernism is a symptom of the Left\u2019s crisis of faith..justify(ing) the personal leap of faith necessary to continue believing in socialism.\u201d [9]<\/a><\/p>\n Truth becomes irrelevant.\u00a0 The authors write, “Post modernism, \u201cseeks not to find the foundation and the conditions of truth but to exercise power for the purpose of social change.\u201d[10]<\/a><\/p>\n Shifting sands….Postmodernists have a problem with historical fact.\u00a0 The authors share this example, \u201cPostmodernists say that the West is deeply racist, but they know very well that the West ended slavery for the first time ever, and this it is only in places where Western ideas have made inroads that racist ideas are on the defensive.\u201d[11]<\/a><\/p>\n The pendulum swings back and forth when one reads Malik, Kenan.\u00a0Not so Black and White: A History of Race from White Supremacy to Identity Politics. [12]<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Epilogue \u2013 Not a modernist[13]<\/a> or a post modernist.<\/strong><\/p>\n Although it was not their intent, I take some words of the authors (on Modernists) to return me to my faith. The authors write, \u201c\u2026The functionality of language is complementary to its being cognitive. An individual observes reality perceptually, forms conceptual beliefs about reality on the basis of those perceptions, and then acts in reality on the basis of those perceptual and conceptual cognitive states.[14]<\/a> My personality reality is founded on the cornerstone of Jesus Christ.\u00a0 The movement of His Holy Spirit in my life as guide and His word in the bible is the lens through which I perceive the complicated story we call life.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n The authors go on to say, \u201cIn communicating with each other (modernists), individuals narrate, argue, or otherwise attempt to pass on their cognitive beliefs about the world.\u201d[15]<\/a><\/p>\n Absolutely!\u00a0 This is my personal testimony on how Christ died to save me from my sins, and I rise with him from death to eternal life. Selah\u2026<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n P.S.\u00a0 I liked listening to the book rather than reading it.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Everyman.png\")
<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\nExplaining Postmodernism by Stephen Hicks: Chapter 6: Postmodern Strategy<\/h1>\n