Post-modern is a term that is turning up everywhere.  It’s more than a buzz word.  “Post-modern” has been crowned “Label of the New Era”.  When the term first began to turn up in periodicals, books, blogs and Christian TV, I was a bit put-off.  Labels bug me.  Anything that indicates we are living in a reactionary age, as the word “Post” suggests, causes nose-krinkling.  The Modern Age (roughly 1500 AD – 2000 AD, give or take 50+/- years) is characterized by reason, logic, and science through empirical observation.  This 500-year epoch is bookended by the Luther’s Christian Reformation (1517) and the recent Technological Age (late 1800′s-1900′s).  During this era, the Renaissance birthed new inventions in art, literature, medicine, architecture, technology, science, etc. The Industrial Revolution brought about mass production of material goods, greasing the wheels of Capitalism.  Around the mid 1900′s, signs of a new era began to emerge in the arts community.  This is generally where an era begins to be defined.  Logic and realism gave way to more impressionistic imagery. (The Post-modern print featured, above, is called Mother and Child).  This new art (more prints below) gives us a view into our new global society.  Getting a feel for Post-modernism begins here.

It remains to be seen what the Post-modern Era will birth in society and in the church.  We can, however, identify the changes that are emerging early on.  As reflected in the list below, it truly will be the best of times and the worst of times.

1. A revival of historical or traditional thoughts, ideas and techniques.

2. Truth is socially constructed rather than absolute.

3. Western Culture societal values are being redefined (ie. marriage, love, economics, government, etc.).

4. Characterized by a general mistrust of theories or ideologies.

5. Demonstrated in the arts/entertainment by irony, randomness and absurdity.

6. A return to minimalism in music and design.

7. An emergence in deconstructive teaching styles.  Rather than preaching/teaching to bring people to one conclusion, multiple opinions are entertained and options are left wide open.

8. Perfectionism is abandoned for freer interpretations or expressions in the arts, architecture, literature, etc…

9. A more mystical/experiential path to knowing God vs. the logical and intellectual approach.

10. Individual interpretation is held in higher regard than universal principle.

Perhaps, you notice signs of Post-modern thinking in your own life.  The caution, is to hold to sound biblical doctrine.  While many will abandon scripture as the sole source of truth, we must commit to the Word all the more.  The theories of man, however, are subject to scrutiny.  Sieze the day!  You were born into the Kingdom for such a time as this.  Holy Spirit is deconstructing some things that were built on human ideology.  It’s unsettling, but good.  Look for the foundation to be uncovered and prepare to build again.

Jackson Pollack, No. 5

Salvador Dali “The Persistance of Memory”