Ministering in a Postmodern Age
www.thehub.com.au/~dparker/pomo.htm
Rev.
Dr David Parker, MA, BD, PhD, Dip LS, Consultant Theologian
Phone +61 (07) 3878 3178 Fax +61 (07) 3878 3108 email: dparker@pacific.net.au
© David Parker, Feb 1999
For extra material on the course (updated regularly) - click here
Objectives:
1. To study the
nature of Postmodernism and its impact on Christian theology
2. To study the
implications of this cultural movement for a key areas of Christian ministry
3. To study
documentary and practical examples of responses to postmodernism and its impact
on Christian life, theology and ministry with a view to developing a
comprehensive and integrated set of principles for ministering in a Postmodern
age..
Content of Course:
1. The phenomena
of postmodern thought and culture
2. The background,
development and nature of Postmodernism
3. Postmodernism
and Christian theology
4. Principles of
Christian ministry
5. The impact of
postmodernism culture upon Christian ministry in areas such as:
o
Theological
Reflection and Apologetics
o
Ethics, pastoral
counselling, preaching and teaching
o
Spirituality and
discipleship
o
Worship and
homiletics
o
Evangelism,
missions and world faiths
o
Church structure,
church growth, fellowship and mission
o
Christian
Education, General Education; the Arts, Culture and Sciences
o
Social
responsibility and political involvement
5. Towards an
evaluation of Postmodernism and the development of a comprehensive and
integrated set of theoretical and practical principles for understanding and
responding to it.
Teaching method:
One semester, two
class hours per week including lecture and class presentations/discussion, with
written work and class discussion to report on reading and field investigation;
possibility of field trips and media presentations.
Assessment:
1. One critical
book review of a significant assessment of Postmodernism and its impact on
Christian theology and ministry (selected from booklist and/or from elsewhere,
as agreed upon by lecturer) - to be presented in class and submitted in writing
for assessment
2000 words 25% of total Due date:
April 19, 1999*
2. An analysis of
local example/s of an area of ministry showing the impact of Postmodernism on
it - to be presented in class and submitted in writing for assessment (NB:
attention may also be paid to potential for application of postmodern
principles to existing ministries)
2000 words 25% of total Due date:
May 10, 1999*
3. Major Essay to
be presented and discussed in summary form in class: Develop a comprehensive
and integrated set of theoretical and practical principles for ministry in a
postmodern age.
4000-5000 words -
50% - externally assessed Due date: 31 May, 1999
* dates may be
adjusted depending on class discussion
Bibliography:
Some useful key
texts:
Books
Allen, Ronald J., Blaisdell, Barbara S.,
Connor, Steven, Postmodernist culture: an
introduction to theories of the contemporary / --
Dockery, David S. (Ed.), The Challenge Of Postmodernism: An Evangelical Engagement (Wheaton, Illinois: Bridgepoint, 1995) Call No: 230.046 DOC
Erickson, Millard J., Postmodernizing The Faith: Evangelical Responses To The Challenge Of Postmodernism (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 1998) Call No: 261.51 ERI
Grenz, Stanley J., A Primer On Postmodernism (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996) Call No: 149 GRE
Long, Jimmy, Generating hope: a strategy for
reaching the postmodern generation
Lyon, David, Postmodernity: concepts in the
social sciences / --
McCallum Dennis (ed.), The Death of Truth: Responding to Multi-Culturalism, the Rejection of Reason and the New Postmodern Diversity (Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1996) . Call No: 261 MCC
Middleton, J. Richard, and Walsh, Brian J., Truth Is Stranger Than It Used To Be: Biblical Faith In a Postmodern Age (Downers Grove, Ill: Intervarsity Pr, 1995) Call No: 230.0904 MID
Veith, Gene Edward, Jr., Postmodern Times: A Christian Guide To Contemporary Thought and Culture (Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bks, 1994 Turning Point Christian Worldview Series) Call No: 261 VEI
Wells, David F., Losing Our Virtue: Why The Church Must Recover Its Moral Vision (Grand Rapids/Cambridge: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1998)
Dictionary Article:
'Postmodernism' (by R. Detweiler) Blackwell
Encyclopaedia of Modern Christian Thought (
Journal Articles:
Corrie, John, 'A new way of being the church?' Evangel Vol 14 No 2 Summer 1996, 50-54
Kallenberg, Brad J., 'Conversion Converted: a Postmodern Formulation Of The Doctrine Of Conversion' Evangelical Quarterly 67:335-364 Oct 1995
McQuilkin, Robertson ; Mullen, Bradford, 'The Impact Of Postmodern Thinking On Evangelical Hermeneutics' Journal of The Evangelical Theological Society 1997 Vo1.40, No. 1
Shaw, R. Daniel, 'In Search of Post-Modern Salvation' Evangelical Review of Theology Jan 1998 22/1, 48-60 Reprint from Stimulus Aug 1995
Some URLs:
http://www.focus.org.uk/webarts.htm
http://worldmall.com/erf/postmod.htm
Other reading: (tentative list - students are encouraged to find and share further items)
Books:
Adam, A. K. M., What is Postmodern Biblical
Criticism? (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1995 Guides To Biblical
Scholarship) Call No: 220.601
Allen, Diogenes, Christian Belief in a Postmodern World: The Full Wealth of Conviction (Louisville, Ky: Westminster/John Knox Pr, 1989) Call No: 239 ALL
Baudrillard, Jean. The transparency of evil : essays on extreme phenomena (London : Verso, 1993) translated by James Benedict
Breech, James, Jesus and Postmodernism (Minneapolis: Fortess, 1989) Call No: 232.954 BRE
Burnham, Frederic B, (ed), Postmodern Theology: Christian Faith In a Pluralistic World (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1989)
Connor, Steven. Postmodernist culture: an introduction to theories of the contemporary (Oxford, UK: Blackwell, 1989)
Deleuze, Gilles. What is Philosophy? (London : Verso, 1994) Translated from the French by G. Burchell and H. Tomlinson.
Docker, John, Postmodernism and Popular Culture: a Cultural History. (Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1994) Call No: 700.9045 DOC
Erickson, Millard J., The Evangelical Left: encountering postconservative evangelical theology (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 1997)
Fowler, James W., Faithful change: the personal and public challenges of postmodern life (Nashville, TN: Abingdon , 1996) Call No: 248 FOW
Grenz, Stanley J., Video Series, SPABC Conference 1997: 1 Constructing a Theological Ethic Of Integrity 2 A Theological Agenda For The Postmodern Context .3 The Gospel and The Postmodern Context. 4 The Uniqueness Of Christ In a Pluralist Age
Grenz, Stanley J., Revisioning Evangelical Theology a Fresh Agenda For The 21st Century (Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1993)
Guroian, Vigen, Ethics after christendom: towards an ecclesial Christian ethic (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994). Call No: 241 GUR
Hesselgrave, David J., Scripture and strategy:
the use of the Bible in postmodern church and mission (
Hicks, Peter, Evangelicals and Truth: a Creative Proposal For a Postmodem Age (Leicester, England: Apollos, 1998) Call No: 270.82 HIC
Hoekema, David A. (ed.); Fong, Bobby (ed.) Christianity and culture in the crossfire (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Calvin Centre for Christian Scholarship, 1997). Call No: 261 HOE
Jameson, Fredric, Postmodernism, or, the cultural logic of late capitalism (Durham, North Carolina: Duke University Press, 1991). Call No: 809.91 JAM
King, U., Faith and praxis in the postmodern age (Cassell), Call No: ON ORDER
Lundin, Roger, The Culture Of Interpretation: Christian Faith and The Postmodern World (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993) Call No: 261.0973 LUN
McKnight, Edgar V., Post-Modern Use Of The Bible: The Emergence Of Reader-Oriented Criticism (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1988) Call No: 220.6 MCK
Moris, P.; Martin, D.; Heelas, P. (Eds.)., Religion, Modernity and Postmodernity (Blackwell) Call No: ON ORDER
Murphy, Nancey, Beyond liberalism and
fundamentalism: how modern and postmodern philosophy set the theological agenda
(Valley Forge, Pennsylvania: Trinity, 1996). Call No: 261.510904
Netland, Harold A., Dissonant Voices: Religious Pluralism and the Question of Truth (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991)
Newbigin, Lesslie, Truth and Authority and Modernity (Valley Forge, Pa. Trinity Press International, 1996) . Call No: 231.042 NEW
Norris, Christopher. The truth about
postmodernism
Oden, Thomas, After modernity . . .what? An Agenda for Theology (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990)
Peters, Ted, God -The World's Future: Systematic Theology For a Postmodern Era (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1992) Call No: 230 PET
Pfitzner, Victor (Ed.); Regan, Hilary(Ed.), The Task Of Theology Today: Doctrines and Dogmas (Hindmarsh, Sa: Australian Theological Forum, 1998) . Call No: 230 PFI
Phillips, Timothy R, and Okholm, Dennis L, (eds), Christian Apologetics In The Postmodern World (Downers Grove, Ill: Intervarsity Pr, 1995)
Pinnock, Clark, Tracking the Maze (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1990)
Raeper, William; Smith, Linda, A brief guide to ideas: turning points in the history of human thought (Oxford, England: Lion, 1991) Call No: 261.51 RAE
Roxburgh, Alan J., Reaching a New Generation: Strategies for Tomorrow's Church (IVP, 1993)
Spretnak, Charlene, States Of Grace: The Recovery Of Meaning In The Postmodern Age (HarperSanfrancisco, 1991) Call No: 291.4 SPR
Thistleton, Anthony C., Interpreting God and The Postmodern Self: On Meaning, Manipulation and Promise (T & T Clark, 1995; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995) Call No: 230.0904 THI
Tilley, Terrence W., Postmodern Theologies: The Challenge Of Religious Diversity (Maryknoll, Ny: Orbis Bks, 1995) Call No: 200 TIL
Tomlinson, Dave, The Post-Evangelical (London: SPCK Triangle, 1995)
Ward, G., The postmodern God (Blackwell), Call No: ON ORDER
Wells, David F., God In The Wasteland
Wells, David F.,
Journal Articles
Brown, Adrian, 'Oh
No
Brown, Neil,
'Ecumenical Theology in a Postmodern Context'
Collins, John J.,
(ed) 'The Bible and Christian Theology' [Papers Presented At Univ Of Chicago
Divinity School, May 7-9 1995] Journal Of Religion 76:167-348 Ap 1996
Colson, Charles
W., 'Postmodern Power Grab: The PC Wars are Not Just Campus Silliness. They are
Reflections Of a Battle Over Fundamental Principles Of Truth and Morality' Christianity
Today 38:80 Je 20 1994
Cowdell, Scott,
'The Postmodern Church' [Watership Down As Allegory Of Church In Postmodern
Delisi, S. et al,
:Why they struggle to believe' Leadership 18 Winter 1997
Edgar, William,
'No News is Good News: Modernity, The Postmodern, and Apologetics'
Glebe-Moller,
Jens, 'The Possibility of Theology in a Postmodern World' Studia Theologica
46 No 1:29-39 1992
Goetz, David L.,
'The Riddle Of Our Postmodern Culture: What Is Postmodernism? Should We Even
Care?' Leadership 18:52-56 Wint 1997
Heelas, Paul, 'The
New Age in Cultural Context: The Premodern, The Modern and The Postmodern' Religion
23:103-116 Ap 1993
Johns, Jackie
David, 'Pentecostalism and The Postmodern Worldview' [Similarities With Systems
Theory] Journal Of Pentecostal Theology No 7:73-96 O 1995
Leffel, Jim, and
McCallum, Dennis 'The Postmodern Challenge: Facing The Spirit Of The Age'
Christian Research Journal 19:34-40 Fall 1996
Little, Bruce A.,
'Christian Education, Worldviews, and Postmodernity's Challenge' Journal Of
The Evangelical Theological Society 1997 Vo1.40, No.3
Long, Burke O.,
'Ambitions Of Dissent: Biblical Theology In a Postmodern Future' [Paper
Presented at Univ Of
Loscalzo, Craig
A., 'Apologizing For God: Apologetic Preaching To a Postmodern World' [Paper
Presented At Southern Baptist Theological Seminary,
McKenzie, Alyce
M., ''Different Strokes For Different Folks':
Meyer, Jerry D.,
'Profane and Sacred: Religious Imagery and Prophetic Expression In Postmodern
Art' [Bibliog, Photos] Journal Of The
Murphy, Nancey C.,
'Philosophical Resources For Postmodern Evangelical Theology' Christian
Scholar's Review 26 No 2:184-205 1996
Olson, Roger E,
(ed), 'Christianity and Postmodernity' Christian Scholar's Review 26 No
2:129-220 1996
Olson, Roger E.,
'Postconservative Evangelicals Greet The Postmodern Age' Christian Century
112:480-483 My 3 1995
Schiedermayer,
David, '
Skinner, Craig,
'Between The Hippopotamus and The Crocodile: Locating An Age-Relevant Pulpit
Within a Postmodern World' Theological Educator: a Journal Of Theology and
Ministry No 55:27-42 Spr 1997
Thomas, Gordon J.,
'Telling a hawk from a handsaw? An evangelical response to the new literary
criticism. Evangelical Quarterly, 71/1 Jan 1999 pp 37-50
Vaatstra, Brian,
'Worship in a Post-Modern Age' Vox Reformata No 62 (1997) pp 29-54
Van Gelder,
Craig., 'A Great New Fact Of Our Day:
Vanhoozer, Kevin
J., 'Mapping Evangelical Theology in a Postmodern World' Evangelical Review of
Theology Jan 1998 22/1 5-27 Reprinted From Trinity Journal 16/1995
Wall, James M,
(ed), 'The Evangelical Mind' Christian Century 112:480-490 My 3 1995
Willimon, W.H., 'This Culture Is Overrated': Why It's
Dangerous To Want To Relate The Gospel To The Modern World, Leadership
18:29-31 Wint 1997
Willimon, William
H., 'Postmodern Preaching: Learning To Love The Thickness Of The Text'
Journal For Preachers 19 No 3:32-37 1996
Zacharias,
Zander, D, 'The
gospel for Generation X' Leadership 16 Spring 1995