Modern vs. Postmodern Adventism: The Ultimate Divide?

[CGMedley]

Is the Adventist Church becoming theologically divided? Reinder Bruinsma discusses potential danger signs in his article "Modern vs. Postmodern Adventism: the Next Great Divide? You can read this compelling piece on the Adventist Review website at http://www.adventistreview.org/2005-1535/storyexclusive.html

[Bravus]

First sentence gets it wrong: postmodernism is a condition, not an era. (See Lyotard for the best statement of that.) He also over-states the relativism of postmodernism: it does recognise that there are many different narratives. but does not place equal value on all of them.

Rest of the article is pretty good and interesting, and I think it can be argued (and maybe I'll get the chance to do it here!) that (a) this is a useful distinction for thinking about some of the conflicts within Adventism, although like all labels it should be used crtically and with caution and ( a postmodern Adventism (or perhaps Christianity) is theologically sustainable and viable.

[Jeannieb43]

I'd enjoy hearing you discuss that theory, Bravus.

I'm one who also believes that the two [modernism and postmodernism] can peacefully coexist within the church.

[Michelle]

I read the article with interest--I think I'm stuck in the middle and have a hard time with both sides, modern and postmodern--don't know where that leaves me! Was definitely raised "modern" but living in a postmodern world with a postmodern college education has shaped me as well. I guess I'm just confused!

M

[there buster]

As a part of Global Mission, the church has established a Center for Secular/Postmodern Mission.

Their website is:

www.secularpostmodern.org

There's a growing resource there.

Bravus' distinctions are correct de jure, but not de facto.

Just as the "man-on-the-street" has one version of Evolutionism, and academics another, the same is true of postmodernism.

There is a great deal of postmodernism displayed at CA. Postmoderns possess a caricature of modernism, which they then reject. It is the dominant popular philosophy in the advanced world, and spreads along with affluence, education, and mobility.

While there is much to lament and criticize about postmodernism, it is of little utility for those who attempt to bring the Gospel and the distinctive Advent message to this cultural group.

Strangely enough, the first postmoderns I encountered in the SDA church were both pastors. One is now retired, and the other is 25 years younger.

Everything old is new again. Dealing with postmoderns is in some ways similar to dealing with Hindus. They'll gladly accept your ideas about God-- and then file them away with the other 330,000,000 (or so) gods they know about.

There's a graat deal to be said about the differences between the two groups.

Whe confronted with the Scripture that warns, "We know in part," moderns say, "If we only study some more, we can be certain--and they seek that certainty."

Postmoderns say, "That's right, we only know in part. Since absolute truth is not knowable, no point in investigating further. Just go with what feels right."

In fact, both are going with what feels right, and both are avoiding faith, just in different ways.

Postmoderns pose a challenge for us. Old Evangelistic methods, if they ever worked, will actually repel most postmoderns. It's going to be an interesting ride.