Andrew has a couple of great comments on some posts and asked a good question. I figure his question deserves a post instead of another comment. He wanted to hear more about Michael Wittmer’s Don’t Stop Believing and made some points about Postmodernism vs. Modernism. So, Andrew, here ya go.

Wittmer identifies himself as a post-modern theologian and places himself between two “extremes.” On one side are those he calls “conservatives” and the other are “postmodern innovators”. Wittmer spends a fair amount of time in the introduction explaining these terms. I thought his discussion of postmodernism was excellent.  By “Conservatives” he means those who “demand locksetp allegiance to their narrow doctrinal statements.” (13) This is a common theme that I’ve heard amongst Emergent Christians. They often speak of the abuse (mental I’m guessing) they suffered at the churches they attended when they were children. There is this nebulous “them” that they seem to react against. Wittmer considers himself a conservative (16) but tells tales of his youth in these conservative churches. It helps to be aware of where these folks are coming from. D. A. Carson mentioned this same thing in his Becoming Conversant with The Emergent Church. ¹I think Carson missed some pretty important concepts in this book though he did do an otherwise fair job of introducing the Emergent Church in it. I don’t think I’d recommend Carson’s book on its own.

Like I said, Wittmer does a fine job in the introduction defining modernity and postmodernity for us. Modernity ²This is actually a better term than “modernism” as modernism is an art movement. Modernity is more of the worldview. is the product of the Enlightenment, beginning in the seventeenth century. Wittmer says it “climaxed in the eighteenth century with Isaac Newton and John Locke” (15) but I don’t think I agree. I would say that it climaxed at the end of the eighteenth century with Charles Darwin. It then bore its bitter fruit at the beginning of the twentieth century. Either way, Wittmer rightly summarizes it this way:

Freed from centuries of religious superstition and certain that the scientific method would unlock the secrets of the universe, modern society promised unending progress on all fronts, especially in technology and ethics. Humanity would build its own utopia, creating a little heaven on earth. (15)

Postmodernity, on the other hand, arrive shortly after the climax of modernity. Two world wars and a beastly Holocaust dashed the optimism of modernity. A much humbler estimation of human progress was born that included an “epistemology of doubt.” ³Epistemology is a theory of knowledge. How do we come to know things.  Even the ability to communicate was questioned. If what I say is shaped by my experience, and how you interpret what I’ve said is shaped by your experience, can you really know what I’m saying? Doubt. Humility.

So what can you say here? There is indeed something refreshing about postmodernity! Shouldn’t we take care with what we think we know? The problem is that when taken not to an extreme but just a few steps in that direction, postmodernity leads us to doubt too much. Can we know truth? How would we know? If there are no knowable absolutes, then do whatever you think is right. Your truth is your truth if it works for you. It may not be my truth if I don’t think it works but I wouldn’t presume to tell you you’re wrong. That’d be arrogant! Tolerance takes on a new meaning. It turns from tolerance to acceptance of conflicting “truths”.

Enter the Emergent Church. Yes, I know I’m departing from a book review here but I’m just using Wittmer as a launching point. The Emergent Church tries to express a postmodern form of Christianity. But how does postmodernity fit with Christianity? Can you have a Christianity of doubt? Wittmer cites a few Emergent leaders who say that all Christian doctrine is up for grabs. If that’s true, then what’s left? Wittmer is helpful here because he goes through some of the hot button doctrines within the Emergent Church and shows us what we can learn from them and what we should avoid with them. Great stuff here.  Very helpful. If you’re trying to figure all this stuff out, I think Wittmer is a good guide. He treats the Emergent Church fairly and tries to learn from them while not selling the farm to buy the tractor. There is a core to Christianity that cannot be released. Wittmer longs to preserve that center tent pole of doctrine and does a pretty good job in my estimation.

So Andrew, as you sort through this stuff, I’d recommend Wittmer’s book as a guide.