Postmodernizing the Faith: Evangelical Responses to the Challenge of Postmodernism

by Millard J. Erickson

Publisher:

Baker

, 1998

Overview

Postmodernism—with its denial of objective knowledge and its deconstruction of language—has become a major topic of discussion in academic circles everywhere. How are evangelical thinkers responding to this new trend?

In Postmodernizing the Faith, respected theologian Millard Erickson explores six evangelical responses—both positive and negative—to postmodernism and offers his own reaction to the movement. Erickson’s purpose is “to introduce readers to postmodernism, to sensitize them to the importance of the issues, and to show them some samples of differing evangelical responses.”

Following an introductory chapter describing postmodernism, Erickson presents the responses of three evangelicals who consider the movement incompatible with orthodox Christianity. Next, he details the thought of three evangelicals who believe “postmodernism is a development that needs to be accepted, and Christian theology done in light of it, and incorporating at least some of it.” In each chapter Erickson offers a judicious critique, highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of the particular view being discussed.

Postmodernizing the Faith: Evangelical Responses to the Challenge of Postmodernism is perfect for scholars, pastors, students, and theologians. The Logos edition of this volume is fully searchable and easily accessible. Scripture passages link directly to your preferred translation, and important theological concepts link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library.

Key Features

• Explores six evangelical responses to postmodernism
• Highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the various views being discussed

Product Details

• Title: Postmodernizing the Faith: Evangelical Responses to the Challenge of Postmodernism
• Author: Millard J. Erickson
• Publisher: Baker
• Publication Date: 1998
• Pages: 163

About Millard J. Erickson

Millard J. Erickson is a distinguished professor of theology at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He received his BA from the University of Minnesota, BD from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, MA from the University of Chicago, and PhD from Northwestern University. He has served as a pastor and seminary dean and has taught at numerous schools, including Bethel University, Southwestern Baptist Seminary, and Baylor University.

Contents

Top Highlights

“For both the ancient pagan and the modern, truth is found within, in one’s own private experience. For biblical Christianity, however, it is the obtaining of that which cannot be found within one’s own experience. It is not simply a privatized set of beliefs that works for a person, and therefore is adopted pragmatically.” (Page 38)

“On the terms of hard modernism, reality is limited to what can be experienced, thus excluding supernaturalism of any kind. Knowledge is restricted to what can be known through reason and experience, excluding any sort of intuition. What is not logical is not considered real.” (Page 18)

“Second is the influence of the mass media as channels for the values of modernity” (Page 31)

“Christian presuppositions. One of these was that there are absolutes, in both the areas of being and of morals. That meant that if something was true, its contradictory was false.” (Page 64)

“Third, we are now seeing experimentation with and adoption of the values of modernity on an unprecedented scale.^{29” (Page 31)}

Product Details

• Title: Postmodernizing the Faith: Evangelical Responses to the Challenge of Postmodernism
• Author: Millard J. Erickson
• Publisher: Baker
• Print Publication Date: 1998
• Logos Release Date: 2013
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Theology, doctrinal › History--20th century; Postmodernism › Religious aspects--Christianity; Evangelicalism
• ISBNs: 9781441252258, 0801021642, 9780801021640, 1441252258
• Resource ID: LLS:POSTMDRNERICKSON
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T02:18:52Z

About Millard J. Erickson

Millard Erickson (b. 1932) is Distinguished Professor of Theology at Western Seminary, Portland, and the author of the widely acclaimed systematics work Christian Theology along with more than twenty other books. He was professor of theology and academic dean at Bethel Seminary for many years. He earned a B.A. from the University of Minnesota, a B.D. from Northern Baptist Seminary, an M.A. from the University of Chicago, and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University.