Christianity and Postmodernity: An Interview with Stephen Wellum
Postmodernism as an intellectual and philosophical movement has been with us for several decades now. Some have even suggested that we are now moving into a post-postmodern context in Western culture. Nevertheless, the effects of postmodernism will survive long after its status wanes in French philosophy departments or avant-garde art communities. As Richard Weaver once argued (and Francis Schaeffer reminded the evangelical world), ideas have consequences. And the consequences of the postmodern ethos continue to dominate much of our culture. Needless to say, this reality must be reckoned with by an evangelical church that wishes to engage and challenge our culture with the claims of Christ and his gospel.
Dr. Stephen Wellum, professor of Christian Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, was recently interviewed about postmodernism and its impact on Christian theology and mission. Wellum answers four basic questions:
1) What is postmodernism?
2) Is it important for the church to understand postmodernism today? Why?
3) Concerning postmodernism, what issues face the church today? What are some of the potential answers to these questions?
4) Who are some theologians that have faithfully interacted with postmodernism that you would recommend? What are some books our readers might find helpful for understanding how Christians should respond to postmodernism?
Wellum’s answers offer a brief but substantial introduction to these important and lingering questions. Consider part of his answer to the first question:
What, then, is postmodernism? It is the mindset and mood that argues that there is no one way either to gain a universal perspective or to demonstrate that one has it. It denies that Truth is universal and objective, rather truth is always perspectival, provisional, incomplete, and what a community most values. It is at this point that for all the legitimate insights of postmodernism regarding our finitude, social location, and so on, it is in direct contrast with Christianity since at the heart of Christian theology is the affirmation (to paraphrase the words of Francis Schaeffer) that the Triune sovereign-personal God is there who has not remained silent but who has spoken to us so that we may know truly and objectively—especially in areas of ultimate concern—but not exhaustively.
Read the whole thing here.
Luke Stamps is a Ph.D. candidate at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in systematic theology. Luke is a weekly contributor to the Credo blog and also blogs at Before All Things. Luke is married to Josie, and they have two children, Jack and Claire. Luke is a member of Clifton Baptist Church in Louisville, KY.
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