Who's Afraid of Postmodernism? (The Church and Postmodern Culture)

Who's Afraid of Postmodernism? (The Church and Postmodern Culture)
Author: James K. A. Smith
Publisher: Baker Academic
Total Pages: 160
Release: 2006-04-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1441200398

The philosophies of French thinkers Derrida, Lyotard, and Foucault form the basis for postmodern thought and are seemingly at odds with the Christian faith. However, James K. A. Smith claims that their ideas have been misinterpreted and actually have a deep affinity with central Christian claims. Each chapter opens with an illustration from a recent movie and concludes with a case study considering recent developments in the church that have attempted to respond to the postmodern condition, such as the "emerging church" movement. These case studies provide a concrete picture of how postmodern ideas can influence the way Christians think and worship. This significant book, winner of a Christianity Today 2007 Book Award, avoids philosophical jargon and offers fuller explanation where needed. It is the first book in the Church and Postmodern Culture series, which provides practical applications for Christians engaged in ministry in a postmodern world.

Postmodernism 101

Postmodernism 101
Author: Heath White
Publisher: Brazos Press
Total Pages: 176
Release: 2006-07
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 158743153X

An accessible introduction to the ideas of postmodernism and postmodernism's relationship to Christianity.

Desiring the Kingdom (Cultural Liturgies)

Desiring the Kingdom (Cultural Liturgies)
Author: James K. A. Smith
Publisher: Baker Academic
Total Pages: 240
Release: 2009-08-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1441211268

Malls, stadiums, and universities are actually liturgical structures that influence and shape our thoughts and affections. Humans--as Augustine noted--are "desiring agents," full of longings and passions; in brief, we are what we love. James K. A. Smith focuses on the themes of liturgy and desire in Desiring the Kingdom, the first book in what will be a three-volume set on the theology of culture. He redirects our yearnings to focus on the greatest good: God. Ultimately, Smith seeks to re-vision education through the process and practice of worship. Students of philosophy, theology, worldview, and culture will welcome Desiring the Kingdom, as will those involved in ministry and other interested readers.

Solomon Among the Postmoderns

Solomon Among the Postmoderns
Author: Peter J. Leithart
Publisher: Brazos Press
Total Pages: 176
Release: 2008
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 1587432048

Proposes the book of Ecclesiastes as an interpretive framework for readers wanting to understand and critique postmodernism.

Postmodernity

Postmodernity
Author: Paul Lakeland
Publisher: Fortress Press
Total Pages: 156
Release: 2010
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781451416305

More than a guidebook to the postmodernity debate, Paul Lakeland's lively and novel volume clarifies the critical impulses behind the cultural, intellectual, and scientific expressions of postmodern thought. He identifies the issues it presents for religion and for Christian theology. Concentrating on God, Church, and Christ, Lakeland outlines the church's mission to the postmodern world, including a constructive theological apologetics.

What Would Jesus Deconstruct? (The Church and Postmodern Culture)

What Would Jesus Deconstruct? (The Church and Postmodern Culture)
Author: John D. Caputo
Publisher: Baker Academic
Total Pages: 160
Release: 2007-11-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1441200363

This provocative addition to The Church and Postmodern Culture series offers a lively rereading of Charles Sheldon's In His Steps as a constructive way forward. John D. Caputo introduces the notion of why the church needs deconstruction, positively defines deconstruction's role in renewal, deconstructs idols of the church, and imagines the future of the church in addressing the practical implications of this for the church's life through liturgy, worship, preaching, and teaching. Students of philosophy, theology, religion, and ministry, as well as others interested in engaging postmodernism and the emerging church phenomenon, will welcome this provocative, non-technical work.

Letters to a Young Calvinist

Letters to a Young Calvinist
Author: James K. A. Smith
Publisher: Brazos Press
Total Pages: 160
Release: 2010-11
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1587432943

At a time when definitions of Calvinism are hotly contested, this book provides a vision of the Reformed faith that is generous, winsome, and imaginative.

Above All Earthly Pow'rs

Above All Earthly Pow'rs
Author: David F. Wells
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Total Pages: 354
Release: 2006-08
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 0802824552

In this prophetic call to the evangelical church, Wells stresses that Christians need to confess Christ as the center in a society lacking a center, as the sovereign in a world seemingly ruled by chance, and as the one who can give meaning in a nihilistic culture.

Who's Afraid of the Unmoved Mover?

Who's Afraid of the Unmoved Mover?
Author: Andrew I. Shepardson
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 187
Release: 2019-02-12
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1532656777

Are postmodern philosophy and Christian theology compatible? A surprising number of Christian philosophers and theologians think so. However, these same thinkers argue that postmodern insights entail the rejection of natural theology, the ability to discover knowledge about the existence and nature of God in the natural world. Postmodernism, they claim, shows that appealing to nature to demonstrate or infer the existence of God is foolish because these appeals rely on modernity’s outmoded grounds for knowledge. Moreover, natural theology and apologetics are often hindrances to authentic Christian faith. Notions like objectivity and rationality are forms of idolatry from which Christians should repent. This book carefully examines the nature of truth, rationality, general revelation, and evangelism to show that the postmodern objections fail and that Christians ought to lovingly and faithfully use natural theology and apologetics to defend and commend the Christian faith to a world in need of the knowledge of God.

The Younger Evangelicals

The Younger Evangelicals
Author: Robert E. Webber
Publisher: Baker Books
Total Pages: 362
Release: 2002-10-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1585583901

Robert E. Webber has led worship workshops in every major city in the United States and Canada. Through his conversations and contacts with a network of emerging church leaders he calls the "younger evangelicals," Webber sees how this new generation and their style of leadership is bringing change and renewal to the evangelical church. These leaders, who include those young in spirit as well as young in age, have important insights to offer all generations faced with "doing church" in a rapidly changing postmodern culture. The Younger Evangelicals explores the characteristics of these emerging leaders and provides an outlet for their stories. Beginning with a brief overview of twentieth-century evangelicalism, Webber examines what is different about the twenty-first century younger evangelicals' way of thinking about faith and practicing church. He allows them-Ph.D.s and laypeople-to speak in their own words on issues such as communication, theology, apologetics, pastoral leadership, evangelism, worship, and spiritual formation. Thought provoking, energizing, and timely, The Younger Evangelicals is a landmark book for pastors and church leaders, culture watchers, ministry students, and worship leaders who want to prepare for and respond to the new evangelical awakening brought on by our changing cultural context.