Postmodernism: A Further Gateway Out of Funda-gelicalism

Last updated on: September 30, 2017 at 6:00 pm by Darrell Lackey

Postmodernism: A Further Gateway Out of Funda-gelicalism 2017-09-30T18:00:47-07:00 Darrell Lackey

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

In a prior post, I wrote about Reformed theology and how it was an initial gateway for me out of funda-gelicalism (FG). However, I didn’t stay there for long. And I want to make clear that I am not suggesting anyone need go the same route I have to get out of FG. There are Christians from all faith traditions, Reformed, Catholic, and Orthodox who are either not in that world (FG), left that mentality/belief system, or were never there to begin with. I am merely telling my story.

The first Reformed theologian to really impact my thinking (and heart) relative to my journey out of FG was James K.A. Smith (see here). Read anything you can by Smith. But one book (see here) stood out to me as far as my journey goes. It isn’t a long book (only 146 pages) and is very readable/accessible, entitled: “Who’s Afraid of Postmodernism?” A very big part of my journey out of FG was understanding how modern it was. I always thought that FG was as close to what the Apostles and early Church taught as any faith tradition could get. To learn how modern it truly was, created cracks in the foundations of my world. It shook me. So, it was a start.

I am aware the postmodern v. modernity conversation has taken many turns, and there are aspects of postmodernism, or the way it is used or understood by some, I don’t agree with. I realize it is a complex subject. However, Smith’s book, in my opinion, gives one of the best explanations for how postmodernism is positive (nothing to be afraid of), and how it opens the door to recovering the Judeo-Christian, what we call “religion” as story, narrative, and not simply a system of intellectual belief. It further opens to door to seeing the mystical aspect of the Church and her teaching, her living, being, and ethos.

There are many good books and resources out there discussing postmodernism. Even from within the evangelical world, there were/are many good books that, while not probably going far enough, laid the groundwork and opened further doors for seeing the Christian faith in a new light. Some of those books were from people like Stanley Grenz (see here), Brian McLaren (see here), Middleton and Walsh (see here), and Leonard Sweet (see here). There were many more, but I can certainly suggest these to you. All, along with Smith, were important and helpful in moving me past FG. For those still coming from within the evangelical traditions, I heartily recommend these writers to you.

If you have been struggling with a sense of something not quite right in the FG world, something missing, something askew, then I recommend you get some of these books and begin the journey. It might not take you to the same places it took me, but, that isn’t the point. The point is not to stay in a place where you know something is wrong.

Previous Post

September 22, 2017

“Funda-gelicalism”

Next Post

October 6, 2017 Las Vegas: Some Thoughts and Prayers

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month April 2025 February 2025 December 2024 October 2024 September 2024 July 2024 May 2024 January 2024 November 2023 September 2023 July 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 December 2022 November 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Gospel" mean?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Sacred Story Good News Holy Word God's Truth