Postmodernity: let's be bold with the Web

HAYWARD, Calif., March 16 (UPI) -- When El Nino ravaged the California coast a few winters ago, the massive storms were described by some as a "500-year rain." Likewise, our society is experienceing a 500-year set of changes. Not only are we witnessing an economic shift from the industrial era to the information age, but also a corresponding cultural shift from the modern age to postmodernity. Every institution, including the church, must adapt in fundamental ways to these changes. Christianity is not alone in resisting change. Most of us sympathize with the 97-year-old man who reacted to an interviewer's observation that, over his lifetime, he had seen a lot of changes: "Yes," he responded, "and I was opposed to every one of them." Having learned to speak its message to the modern mind, the church is often reluctant to adapt the timeless message of Christianity to the new, postmodern culture. Rather than bemoaning or opposing the cultural shift to postmodernity, the church should be looking for new opportunities and dangers. After all, no worldly culture is truly Christian and the modern era, with its emphasis on the power of science and rationalism, was hardly an ally to faith in God. Postmodernism rejects the modern idea that society is being driven by science and rationalism toward a better way of thinking and living. Instead the postmodern view is that we live among a diverse and equally valid set of philosophies, cultures and worldviews. As perhaps only Woody Allen could say it, "Modernism began when Nietzsche said God is dead and ended when the Beatles sang 'I want to hold your hand.'"

The first opportunity, then, for Christians in a postmodern world is to take their seat at the table along with other philosophies and worldviews. Long denied a seat at the table of modern science and rationalism, Christianity can take its place at least among the diversity of spiritual and world views now celebrated by postmoderns. As theologian Robert Nash, Jr. observed: "People have grown tired of the modern world with its extreme confidence in the power of science and human reason. They want something more--something that gives meaning to life." Christians should no longer accept second-class citizenship in the academy or elsewhere and begin connecting with a culture that is more open to spiritual things.

A second opportunity for Christians in a postmodern world is to help people make good choices. Another key characteristic of postmodernity is the myriad of choices. The modern world had 3 television channels, the postmodern cable or dish has hundreds; the modern ice cream store offered a handful of flavors, today there are dozens. Similarly, we live in a time when information is doubling every year or two, and lifestyles of all kind proliferate. Amidst all these choices, people are seeking a compass, a set of navigational aids. When St. Paul speaks of a more excellent way, when Jesus says He is the way, we speak language that reaches postmodern needs. Churches should offer classes and materials, especially for young people, that help them navigate in a world of choices. Becoming even more specific, young people in the postmodern world are highly interested in family. Believing that their modern parents caused them great pain in fractured families, surveys indicate that being good parents and having strong families is a high priority among postmodern youth today. What a rich opportunity for the church to minister and provide resources for the family.

Similarly, it is clear that the postmodern world is multicultural and global in shape. Here again is an opportunity for Christians to work in the postmodern world to make the church truly global. Mission efforts, international opportunities, intercultural programs all have unusual promise in this era. I recall one of our children coming home from high school one day and saying, "Why is it OK to be anything at my school but a Christian?" Although the highest values of postmodernism are relativism and tolerance, that acceptance does not always extend to a worldview, like Christianity, that teaches absolute truth. Here, I believe the chruch will have to introduce people to Jesus and His story, and connect people to the power of the Gospel and the Holy Spirit. My sense is that the "Four Spiritual Laws" or the "Five Steps to Salvation" were wise approaches to the modern mind, but not to the postmodern man or woman. Perhaps only in accepting Jesus will postmodern thinkers come to accept His values, and realize that some values are higher than others. Another challenge is that denominational loyalty is not high among postmoderns. Indeed, postmoderns tend to integrate and not debate. They are as likely to look at world philosophies and religions as they are other Christian churches.

It may take greater collaboration among Christians if we are to present God effectively to the postmodern world. May I suggest that one ally the church is generally overlooking at present is technology? Although the Internet is widely described as the most powerful tool yet created, and we Christians have the most powerful message ever communicated, we are not yet using technology as we could to reach the postmodern world. The first word of the Great Commission is "go" and the Internet gives us an opportunity to "go" in all the world and reach every postmodern creature. We must not be reluctant to use postmodern methods to carry the timeless message of Christ in these times! If you have seen the musical, "Les Miserables," you will remember the dramatic scene at the barricades of the French Revolution. Young people were crossing the barricades to a new world, often facing grave dangers and loss in the process. This is how I picture our mission as Christians in a postmodern world. We stand at the barricades of change, helping postmoderns find their way in a new world, with their Christian values intact. The same God of the premodern and modern worlds intends to be the God of the postmodern world as well. It is our mission and calling to stand at the barricades of change and be certain that His message is heard and heeded in these new times.

(David Davenport, an ordained minister, lawyer and former president of Pepperdine University, is the C.E.O. of Christianity.com, currently the leading religious internet network).
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