grenz postmodern evangelical theology (v.1)
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Stanley J. Grenz: Postmodern Evangelical
Theology
Stanley J. Grenz: Postmodern Evangelical
Theology
Jan ParonIWU/MIN 5331/24/11
DRAFT
Jan ParonIWU/MIN 5331/24/11
DRAFT
Postmodern Evangelical
Theology
1) Post-Individualistic
2) Post-Rationalistic
3) Post –Dualistic
4) Post-
Noeticentric
Postmodern Evangelical TheologyPostmodern Evangelical Theology
“The postmodern context requires that we embody the gospel in a manner that is post-individualistic, post-rationalistic, post-dualistic, and post-noeticentric” (Grenz, 1996, p. 167).
“The postmodern context requires that we embody the gospel in a manner that is post-individualistic, post-rationalistic, post-dualistic, and post-noeticentric” (Grenz, 1996, p. 167).
Postmodern Evangelical TheologyPostmodern Evangelical Theology
Note: Chart information and quotes were taken from Stan Grenz’ book, A Primer on Postmodernism.
Note: Chart information and quotes were taken from Stan Grenz’ book, A Primer on Postmodernism.
1) Post-
Individualist
Gospel
Elevation of the
Individual
Knowledge
Socio-Communitarian
Viewpoint
Community
of
Faith
A Post-Individualistic GospelA Post-Individualistic Gospel
“The way forward for evangelical ecclesiology in the contemporary context requires a rediscovery of the sense of the church as community” (Grenz, 2006, p. 323)
“The way forward for evangelical ecclesiology in the contemporary context requires a rediscovery of the sense of the church as community” (Grenz, 2006, p. 323)
1a-Elevation of the Individual(Retain from modernity)
1a-Elevation of the Individual(Retain from modernity)
• God has a concern for the individual Concern
• Individual has responsibility before God Responsibility
• Individual has orientation within the salvation messageOrientation
1b-Knowledge(Affirm from postmodernity)
1b-Knowledge(Affirm from postmodernity)
• Knowledge merely is not objective, including that of God
Not
Objective
• Knowledge simply is not gained by the neutral, knowing self
Neutral, Knowing Self
1c-Socio-Communitarian(Affirm from Postmodernity)
1c-Socio-Communitarian(Affirm from Postmodernity)
• God has a concern for the individual Knowing
• Individual has responsibility before God Responsibility
• Individual has orientation within the salvation messageOrientation
1d-Community of Faith(Affirm from Postmodernity)
1d-Community of Faith(Affirm from Postmodernity)
• Living the Gospel in wholesome, genuine & healing relationships
Living the Gospel
• Inviting others as participants in the Gospel in a community whose loyalty is shown to God
Inviting Others
• Individual has orientation within the salvation message
Drawing Others
2) Post-
Rati onalisti c
Gospel
Mystery of
God’s Truth
Rethinking of
Functions of Truth
Personal Encounter
andPropositions
Propositions
as
Second-Order Importance
A Post-Rationalistic GospelA Post-Rationalistic Gospel
“The way forward for evangelical ecclesiology in the contemporary context requires a rediscovery of the sense of the church as community” (Grenz, 2006, p. 323)
“The way forward for evangelical ecclesiology in the contemporary context requires a rediscovery of the sense of the church as community” (Grenz, 2006, p. 323)
2a-Mystery of God’s Truth(Acknowledge that we need more than intellectual reflection and scientific method to discover every aspect of God’s truth)
2a-Mystery of God’s Truth(Acknowledge that we need more than intellectual reflection and scientific method to discover every aspect of God’s truth)
• Remain reasonable by retaining other dimensions of our being as well Reasonable
• Mystery as fundamental reality of God transcends human rationality
Mystery
• Appeal of gospel must remove limitations of the human intellectual aspect
Appeal
2b-Rethinking of Functions of Truth(Acknowledge fundamental importance of rational discourse)
2b-Rethinking of Functions of Truth(Acknowledge fundamental importance of rational discourse)
• Rational discourse is importantDiscourse
• Don’t fixate understanding of faith in a propositional approach
Approach
• Show how propositions work in one’s life through social and linguistic constructs
Role
2c-Personal Encounter w/ Christ(Acknowledge fundamental importance of rational discourse and relationship it being expressed in discourse that are categorical and propositional in nature.)
2c-Personal Encounter w/ Christ(Acknowledge fundamental importance of rational discourse and relationship it being expressed in discourse that are categorical and propositional in nature.)
• Experience & transformation together shape interpretive conceptsWeb of Belief
• Encounter with Christ shapes and molds a personEncounter
• Encounter leads to making sense of propositions by recounting stories of transformative experiences
Understanding
2d-Propositions as Second-Order
(Acknowledge that we need more than intellectual reflection and scientific method to discover every aspect of God’s truth)
2d-Propositions as Second-Order
(Acknowledge that we need more than intellectual reflection and scientific method to discover every aspect of God’s truth)
• Serve conversion experience & comes out of new experiences as believers
Capacity
• Goal is to affirm correct propositions & so others might encounter Christ
Goal
• Intent is to have others understand how the encounter impacts their life.
Intent
3) Post-
Dualisti c
Gospel
Human Person as
Unified Whole
Nourish Being into
Social and Environmental
Context
Anthropology
A Post-Dualistic GospelA Post-Dualistic Gospel
A post-dualistic gospel draws “courage from the postmodern critique of modern dualism to develop biblical holism” (Grenz, 2006, p. 171).
A post-dualistic gospel draws “courage from the postmodern critique of modern dualism to develop biblical holism” (Grenz, 2006, p. 171).
3a-Human Person as Unified Whole(\
3a-Human Person as Unified Whole(\
• Proclaim the Gospel by speaking to the being in his or her entiretyProclamation
• More than emphasizing emotion and affective aspects of Life
Change
• Integrate emotional-affective, bodily-sensual and intellectual-sensual
Involves
3b-Nourish Back into Social and Environmental Contexts3b-Nourish Back into Social and Environmental Contexts
• Go farther than joining body and soulGo Beyond
• Nourish a person by returning them to social and environmental contexts
Nourish
• Think about individual in isolation & person-in-relationship
Think About
3c-Anthropology3c-Anthropology
• Take biblical truths seriouslyBiblical Truths
• Identity includes relationship to nature, others, God, and ourselves
Identity
• Speak and minister to people as whole persons & persons-in-relationships (as Christ)
Emphases
4) Post-
Noeti centric
Gospel
Knowledgeis
Good
Accumulationof
Knowledge
Relevance of
Knowledge
Ancillary Role
of
Knowledge
A Post-Noeticentric GospelA Post-Noeticentric Gospel
The gospel “must affirm that the goal of our existence encompasses more than just the just the accumulation of knowledge ” (Grenz, 2006, p. 172).
The gospel “must affirm that the goal of our existence encompasses more than just the just the accumulation of knowledge ” (Grenz, 2006, p. 172).
4a-Knowledge is Good4a-Knowledge is Good
• Center intellectual efforts on knowledge of God Discovery
• Affirm correct thinking is important in sanctification process
Right thinking
• Right beliefs and correct doctrines are vital to Christian living
Beliefs and Doctrines
4b-Accumulation of Knowledge4b-Accumulation of Knowledge
• Do limit goal to amass knowledge for its own sakeGoal
• Amassing of knowledge is not always inherently goodIllusion
• Knower should seek knowledge for a good result and the fostering of wisdom
Specifics of Knowledge
4c-Relevance of Knowledge4c-Relevance of Knowledge
• Knowledge should foster proper ordering of activism and quietism
Fosters
• Activism arises from inner resources
Postmodern View
• Holy Spirit helps sustain right actions through His resources
Holy Spirit
4d-Ancillary Role of Knowledge4d-Ancillary Role of Knowledge
• Beliefs shape our conduct and show in our actionsBeliefs
•Gain knowledge of right doctrine to guide our living please God with our lives
Need
References
Big soccer. (2009). Hipster Christianity (Retrieved January 24, 2011, from http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1428843.
Christian backgrounds. (n.d.). Background image. Grenz, S. (1996). A Primer on postmodernism. Grand Rapids.
MI: Eerdmans Publishing Company.Grenz, S. (2006). The renewing center. Grand Rapids. MI:
Baker Academic.
References
Big soccer. (2009). Hipster Christianity (Retrieved January 24, 2011, from http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1428843.
Christian backgrounds. (n.d.). Background image. Grenz, S. (1996). A Primer on postmodernism. Grand Rapids.
MI: Eerdmans Publishing Company.Grenz, S. (2006). The renewing center. Grand Rapids. MI:
Baker Academic.