The article by Diogenes Allen, “Christianity and the Creed of Postmodernism”, examines the intellectual positions on the end of the world. According to Allen (1993), there are grouped views referred to as postmodern that claim the modern universe’s end. The end of the world is considered important since it was a threat to Christianity based on biblical teachings1. However, other individuals do not similarly perceive postmodernism. Allen argues that postmodernism was considered a creed, outlook, or a position – a philosophy that impacted other fields of study and practice, such as architecture2. The author indicates that the major postmodernism’s focus is creed in literature, philosophy, and Christianity. Allen highlights that nihilism can be avoided by postmodernism and, thus, focuses on postmodernity proponents in philosophy as well as literature.
The author proceeds to discuss structuralism and its potential problems in literature. Other concept handled by Allen in his article is deconstruction, which is believed to have originated from structuralism and shares various notions with it. Consequently, Allen argues that modern world is not left behind with postmodernism through the examination of the world trends. The major claim is that the creed affirms the enlightenment mentality’s crucial elements. Additionally, the information in the article is clear to targeted individuals as simple examples are outlined and supported by other sources.
Similarly, “On teaching Christian history in the postmodern world” by Denis (2019) which aims at exploring the three challenges, including pastoral, intellectual, and pedagogical, experienced by Christianity. Both Allen and Denis agree that scholars educated during historical criticism era perceive the claim on postmodernism with a given degree of truth. Such historians examine the authenticity, validity, and reliability of the history source3. Allen’s argument is also supported when the author confirms the construction of historical knowledge and the situation of truth approaches based on period, social environment, age, class, and others. Denis indicates that discomfort is experienced while studying Christianity history as claimed by Allen, however, as he states that in the end, an individual benefits from critical challenges experienced. More examples should be provided to aid in understanding the writer’s stance. The article could be resourceful and in depth with the inclusion of postmodernism features in fields, such as philosophy, architecture and others.
Equally, “Post-Modernism and Its Influence on Christian Thought” by Pronk (2020) supports the Allen’s argument that postmodernism greatly threatens Christianity. Modernist theology is indicated to have been developed by liberal theologians to make Christianity accepted in the modern world4. According to Pronk (2020), postmodernism represents a perception that denies a coherent all-encompassing universal view since supposedly, such things as objective truth do not exist. The perception is contrary to modernism and Christianity, which confirm that reason as well as science can be employed to obtain truth. Both Allen and Ponk admit that postmodernism affirms relativity and subjectivity of truth. Every culture is believed to have distinct truth preserved and passed as metanarratives. The writer supports the claims made by Allen on postmodernism and Christianity. The author’s work is relevant as examples, including biblical, have been provided to support the claims. Views from other scholars need to be incorporated to help in supporting the writer’s claims.
Moreover, “A Christian View of Postmodernism and its Roots”, an article by Porteous, (2021) also supports the claims made by other scholars including Allen. The writer argues that postmodernism is a skeptical as well as a relativistic worldview. Skepticism is evident in the denial of truth and reality of objective just as claimed by other scholars5. The author also highlights that postmodernist behavior’s inconsistency indicates its prematurity to abandon the reasoned argument application in religious apologetics. In line with other scholars, such as Allen, the writer also indicates that postmodernism relativism is evident in its respective morality as well as beliefs. Individuals can be inclined to Christian bond through postmodernism tolerance, as claimed by the writer. The idea is also acknowledged by other scholars who examine both culture and philosophy in understanding religion. Postmodernism values individual relationships more than truth when examining the end of the world and human existence.
Consequently, the author notes that Christians accept postmodernist claim that spiritual as well as personal needs are not well served by modernism. However, postmodernism has several major problems in explaining the human relationship and the end of the World. The article is readily accepted since Allen has borrowed concepts from other scholars. Additionally, the author has also provided a list of postmodernism problems and how they are challenged by Christianity in various fields. Real life examples should be included to make the work easier to understand.
Lastly, “Christians in a Postmodern World” by Honeysett (2014) explores how the church is affected by postmodernism. The concept has similarly been covered by the previous scholars as they have handled various impacts that postmodernity has on Christianity. According to the writer, postmodernism challenges truth accessibility and gospel preaching. Various cultures have valuable things; however, they lack a value system responsible for teaching the truth6. The claims made by the writer support the ones highlighted by Allen (1993). The article is accepted since it acknowledges the efforts of other scholars and recommends various sources for further studies. The author also provides a clarification on the interrelation between culture, Christianity, and postmodernism. The author needs to conduct further research on postmodernity influence on churches which should involve quoting other authors’ points of view.
Conclusively, the article comprehensively examines the relationship between Christianity and postmodernism using distinct approaches; however, the concepts are identical. The ideas proposed by Allen have been supported by various authors. Therefore, the article is recommended in understanding the postmodernism and its impact on Christianity.
References
Allen, Diogenes. “Christianity and the Creed of Postmodernism”. Christian Scholar’s Review (1993): 177-126.
Denis, Philippe. “On Teaching Christian History in the Postmodern World”. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies 75, no. 1 (2019): 2-12.
Honeysett, Marcus. “Christians in a Postmodern World.” Christian Medical Fellowship. 2014.
Porteous, David, “A Christian View of Postmodernism and Its Roots”: 2021.
Pronk, Cornelis. “Post-Modernism and Its Influence on Christian Thought.” Free Reformed Churches of North America.org. 2020.
Footnotes
- Diogenes Allen. “Christianity and the Creed of Postmodernism”. Christian Scholar’s Review (1993): 177
- Allen. “Christianity and the Creed of Postmodernism”.180
- Philippe Denis. “On Teaching Christian History in the Postmodern World”. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies 75, no. 1 (2019): 6. Web.
- Pronk, Cornelis. “Post-Modernism and Its Influence on Christian Thought”. Free Reformed Churches of North America.org. 2020. Web.
- David Porteous, A Christian View of Postmodernism and Its Roots: 2021. Web.
- Marcus Honeysett, “Christians in a Postmodern World”. Christian Medical Fellowship. 2014. Web.