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Post-Modern, Post-Christian Culture
How may we respond?
First, a word from our Lord…
John 4:35 (The Message)
“As you look around right now, wouldn’t you say that in about four months it will be time toharvest?
“Well, I’m telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what’s right in front of you.These…fields are ripe. It’s harvest time!”
May the Spirit open our eyes to see…
• Jesus:–Who he is–What he now is doing
in our world• Our world, increasingly:–post-modern–post-Christian (post-Christendom)
What is Post-Modernism?
Pre-modernity Modernity Post-modernityGod is king,
revelation is queenScience is king,reason is queen
Experience is king,plurality is queen
Truth is absoluteand knowable
Truth is absolute and can be proven
Truth is subjectiveand personal
God is GodI am accountable
God is subject to human reason
God cannot be limited to one “narrative”
Reality is determined by God
Reality is determinedby human proof
Reality is determinedby me
Two thousand years of Christian experience:Journeying with Jesus in our world, from…
TO TO
Post-Modernism: our response• Post-moderns value relationships– Provide safe, authentic, relational communities
• They view faith as a journey of exploration (vs. a confession of propositional truths)– Facilitate an encounter with Christ, not mere
information– Use a narrative approach to preaching/teaching
• They encounter faith through experience. The question is not “Is it true?” but “Does it work?”– Emphasize visual arts (experiential)– Emphasize service to others (incarnational)
What is Post-Christendom?
It’s life after….
Post-Christendom: Our response“Christendom” is a particular (and dying) Christian culture. “Christianity” is God’s people on mission with Jesus in the world as it is.
–Be: embrace Jesus’ openness to cultural diversity–Go: show that Jesus transcends boundaries—be
missional (join Jesus in the Father’s mission)–Adapt: go where Jesus is going—minister cross-
culturally (“speak” Jesus in the native “language”)–Focus: emphasize Jesus’ divinity and representative
humanity (his continuing incarnation) – join Jesus in his incarnational ministry of making disciples
Making disciples with Jesus in… •All generations•Many cultures (modern & post-modern Christendom & post-Christendom)•New places
In short, let’s become….
