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.