Post-­‐modernism  defini.on  

“Post-­‐modernism,  in  Western  philosophy,  is  a  late  20th-­‐century  movement  characterized  by  broad  skep.cism,  subjec.vism,  or  rela.vism;  a  general  suspicion  of  reason;  and  an  acute  sensi.vity  to  the  role  of  ideology  in  asser.ng  and  maintaining  poli.cal  and  economic  power”.    Encyclopedia  Britannica  

Modernity  

     Metaphor:  Microscope      •  “I  think,  therefore  I  am”    -­‐-­‐  Descartes  •  Reality  is  observable,  dissec.ble,  and  explainable.  

•  Progress,  trust  in  human  ability,  systems  and  power.  

 

Post-­‐modernity  

   Metaphor:  Kaleidoscope      Reality  •  “an  ever-­‐changing  mosaic  of  pieces  of  broken  glass  that  is  beau.ful  when  light  shines  through  it”      Erwin  McManus  

•  Reality  is  evolving  and  understood  through  brokenness  and  interrela.onships  

 

Shaping  the  postmodern  mindset  

•  Separation  between time and place (no  rhythm)    globaliza7on,  24  x7,  internet.  

 •  Social disembedding (no  roots)        worldwide  financial  and  other  systems  (no  local  influence  /  context).  

•  Re-ordering of knowledge and social relationships (  no  tradi.ons)  

Consequences  for  “Self”  postmodern  mindset  

“Self”  and  postmodern  mindset  

1.  Identity  is  a  reflec.on  project,  for  which  the  individual  him/her  self  carries  the  full  responsibility    

2.  ‘Self’ is  seen  as  a  narra.ve  (  you  are  the  author  of  your  own  life)  

3.  Reflection  is  constant  and  prominent  (the  ever  con.nuing  stream  of  the  same  reflec.ve  ques.ons)  

I  just  only  want  a  cup  of  coffee!!  Just  for  coffee:  512  varia.ons  ….  in  3  steps:    1  out  33  drinks,  1  out  3  sizes,  1  out  6  addi.onal  flavors  

4.  This reflection is  strongly  .ed  to  the  physical  body.  Your  body  is  your  main  compass.      What  do  I  feel  about  this?    

   The  body  is  the  source  of  informa7on,  something  to  exercise  control  over  and  to  express  yourself  (how  do  I  want  to  look?  Clothing,  make-­‐up,  taNoos,  style,  etc.)      

This reflection is  strongly  .ed  to  the  physical  body  

“Self”  and  the  postmodern  mindset  

5.  Identity formation  is  only  based  on  internal  reflec.ons  (it’s  not  tested  against  an  external  norm).  

•  There  is  no  master  story  to  direc7on  and  value  to  iden7ty  forma7on    

•  Life  has  no  higher  purpose-­‐then  self  forma7on  •  There  are  no  social  role  models  to  follow  

Post  modern  characteris.cs  Traditional / Modern emphasis Post modern emphasis

Facts, research, logic Feeling, imagination, speculation, experience

Trust in absolute truth Rejects absolute truth – construct your own meaning of things

Traditional religious convictions Spiritual pluralism – your own spiritual journey

Individualism and personal relations Group relations, interaction, community

Values based on tradition and the Bible Moral relativism –based on feelings

Objective truth (science, math, history, research)

Rejects objective knowledge. The vacuum is filled with accumulated insights and experiences driven by subjective needs and community processes

Post  modern  characteris.cs  2  Traditional / Modern emphasis Post modern emphasis

Follows traditional values Creates own values – no objective good and bad or sinful

Sexual boundaries from Christian / religious morale

Leaves it to the individual to chose there own sexual identity and fulfillment.

Perspective from logic and knowledge Open for the mystical experience and spiritual exploration

Emphasis on doctrine Emphasis and personal discovery

Trust on systems and structures Suspicion of systems and structures, working from organism and networks

Cynicism / with drawl from global problems

Searching for meaning and hope, exploring possibilities and cooperation

Preference for hierarchy and positional authority

Authenticity and values define authority and leadership

Barrières  

Barrières      •  Rejec.on  of  the  rigid  a`tude  towards  differences  •  Rejec.on  of  the  absolute  truth  à  subjec.vity,  local,  personal  and  contextual  truth  

•  Inclusive  thinking  and  tolerance  •  Informa.on  outside  the  own  experience  is  viewed  as  NOISE  –  desire  for  relevance  

•  Rejec.on  of  nega.vity,  judgementalism,  and  legalism  •  Allergy  for  power  play  of  religion  and  poli.cs  •  Not  quickly  commifed  to  tasks  or  posi.ons  

Opportuni.es  and  Bridges  •  Sensi.vity  for  spirituality  •  Experimental  spirituality,  i.s.o.  words  •  Open  for  mystery  and    parables  •  Personal  spirituality  and  discipleship    •  Pragma.sm,  what  is  relevant  for  me  •  Social  needs  /  searching  for  meaning  •  Personal  needs:  emo.onal  /  spiritual  brokenness  •  Longing  for  shalom  and    jus.ce  •  Desire  to  break  out  from  old  ways  and  forms,  searching  for  new  ways  

•  Search  for  spiritual  mentors  /  coaches  

“As  he  approached  Jerusalem  and  saw  the  city,  he  wept  over  it  and  said,  “If  you,  even  you,  had  known  on  this  day  what  would  bring  you  peace…”                      -­‐  Luke  19:41  

“When  He  saw  the  crowds  He  had  compassion  on  them,  because  they  were  harassed  and  helpless,like  sheep  without  a  shepherd.”  Mafhew  9:36-­‐38