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Circles, Triangles, and Squares a look at postmodernism and The Church

Circles, Triangles, and Squares a look at postmodernism and The Church. The study consists of four major sections: 1) Circles (Where we were) 2) Triangles (Where we are) 3) Squares (Where are we going?) 4) What you and the Lord's Church can do There are 2 overall goals of this study:

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Circles, Triangles, and Squares a look at postmodernism and The Church

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  1. Circles, Triangles, and Squaresa look at postmodernism and The Church The study consists of four major sections: 1) Circles (Where we were) 2) Triangles (Where we are) 3) Squares (Where are we going?) 4) What you and the Lord's Church can do There are 2 overall goals of this study: 1) To understand our place within a developed history 2) To develop a personalized evangelism strategy 1 Corinthians 9:22 How can we “be all things to all men” if we do not first understand where they are coming from?

  2. The Christian Response to “Culture” 1. Cocoon—withdraw (self-preservation) 2. Combat—fight (militant restoration) 3. Conform—assimilate (unwitting surrender) 4. Transform the culture by: a) countering culture (aliens) b) communicating w/ culture (ambassadors) c) creating culture (artists) (Staub, 2007)

  3. The 5 Basic “Worldview” Questions 1. Where are we & what is this place like? 2. Who are we & where are we going? 3. What is the problem & what is right & wrong? 4. What's the solution? 5. How do we know?

  4. Circles, Triangles, and Squaresa look at postmodernism and The Church What is Postmodernism ?

  5. Previous “-ism”s God God X outside outside inside Mechanistic Materialistic Individualistic “Open Universe” Later OT Judaism Individual (Ps 14/53:1) Nature Nature Nature Man Mankind Mankind God Nature ? ? ? Individual Individual ? ? ? ? ? (Cox, MMin621 Lectures)

  6. Postmodernism's Answers We don’t know. We can only tell different stories about our perceptions. Science is not really based in “facts.” Science is merely one sort of perception. We don’t know, we can only tell different stories about our perceptions. We invent ourselves with our stories. History is not a matter of “facts,” but various perceptions, none of which is “true.” Some stories are more useful than others, but nothing is “true” or “right” or “wrong.” Ethics is whatever a society makes it to be. What do you mean by “solution?” We don’t. (Cox, MMin621 Lectures)

  7. Postmodernism Is “Postmodernism” a new thing? “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9) Solomon saw “Postmodern” thinking in Jewish history: “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6 & 21:25)

  8. Assignment We talked about how Modernism is: 1) Mechanistic 2) Materialistic 3) Individualistic Postmodernism is a response to Modernism: 1) Desires to “transcend the machine” 2) Find significance outside “things” 3) Be part of a community, not “alone”

  9. Postmodern “worldview” andthe 21st Century Church ? God outside inside “Open Universe” Christians appear so “sure” about something postmoderns believe cannot be proven (remember, knowledge is flawed...) Christianity, as a theistic religion, is at odds with postmodernism Nature Man God (Cox, MMin621 Lectures)

  10. 7 Benefits of Postmoderns (Van Gelder, Missiology 2000) 1) Basically accept a “greater power” is out there. 2) Are asking questions about existence and “reality”. 3) Respect and attend to “stories” more than “lectures”. 4) Want to be approached in terms of relationship. 5) Will join causes they see as “significant”. 6) Desire belonging to a community. 7) Know how to relate with other Postmoderns.

  11. Can NT Christianity Meet the Needs? 1) Show who the higher-power is (Acts 17:18-31) 2) Reveals a deeper existence and “reality” (eternity) 3) Shares desirable values in the form of stories 4) Demands relationship (1 John)** 5) Presents mankind with a significant role (Eph 3:9-12) 6) Ideally is a involved family (Acts 2:42ff, 4:34f, etc) 7) Provides training to equip for evangelism (Matt 28:19-20)

  12. Circles, Triangles, and Squaresa look at postmodernism and The Church Before we begin... Moderns and Postmoderns in conflict: 1) Simply a problem in “style”? 2) Weaker/stronger brother issue? 3) Doctrinal misunderstandings? If we truly desire fellowship we must ask: How did we reach this generational divide? Which takes us to Medieval Europe

  13. The Challenge of Transition • Transition can be a good thing! • Medieval accepted the rule of a tyrannical Pope • Reformation rejected, but accepted tyrannical Kings • Revolution rejected, but accepted abuse of “lesser” humans • Science simply rejected God, but discovered methodology • The methodology has given us Modern “advantages” A sense of control Analytical thinking Order • Transition can also be very unsettling... (Cox, MMin621 Lectures)

  14. Thought Provokers “A Primer on Postmodernism” (Grenz, 1996) clarifies Modernity and Postmodernity by comparing 2 “Star Trek” characters: Spock – the ideal Modern, but not quite Modern enough (although nearly completely logical and scientific, he still struggles with emotion) Data – completely Modern, but deeply desiring something else (not to be a machine, to live a life of significance, to enjoy “community”) Does this comparison make sense to you?

  15. The Challenge for The Church How do we reach the Urbanized? Build a bridge to the Eden and Christian ideal reality God NT Church King People (Community/Family) Animals/Things X X X X X Individuals Animals/Things “Anonymity” (Cox on “Nida”, MMin621 Lectures)

  16. Urbanization and the Bible “There is nothing new under the sun...” God's great purpose in Christ more than implies that He has equipped the Church, by His Word, for reaching any of His creation stuck in an “-ism”. Perhaps the most relevant passage on Urbanism is the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Luke 15:11-32 Being the open arms of Jesus toward our wayward brothers and sisters is our great challenge...

  17. Thought Provokers If “Existentialism” is essentially “Urbanism”, what is Postmodernism? Remember Joshua 17:6 & 21:25 “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” How can we, as children of God, reveal to the wayward children of God that He is their Father? Without recognizing His love and authority, is there hope?

  18. Assignment We are leaving “Triangles” and heading into “Squares”... We are going to do our best to link the “Circles” of “where we were” with the “Triangles” of “where we are”. The goal of the next two lessons will be to show how history repeats itself as we prepare to adapt methodology without compromising the message of Christ and Him crucified. Think on these things...

  19. closed/structured worldview individual group open/unstructured worldview A “Modern” tool aids understanding Group: the horizontal axis b/t orientation (group vs. individualistic) Grid: the vertical line axis of strength of worldview (read “commonality”) (Douglas, from M Min621 Lectures)

  20. A “Modern” tool aids understanding Traditional societies (or churches): 1. strong leaders 2. high value on group maintenance 3. Have well-defined boundaries 4. Identity is found as part of the group As these members are exposed to alternative worldviews & lifestyles, the group is impacted. closed/structured worldview TRADITIONAL TRADITIONAL group individual i i i i i i i TRANSITIONAL i TRANSITIONAL i i i open/unstructured worldview (Douglas, from M Min621 Lectures)

  21. A “Modern” tool aids understanding Transitional societies (or churches): 1. more difficult to lead since members now have choices and often move from sub-group to sub-group. 2. “Contractual groups” tend to form (loyal to the group as long as it meets felt needs). Under the influence of individualism, many are eventually drawn out of the group to go it alone. closed/structured worldview TRADITIONAL CULT TRADITIONAL group individual i i i i i i i i i RADICAL RAGGED INDIVIDUALISM TRANSITIONAL i TRANSITIONAL i i i open/unstructured worldview (Douglas, from M Min621 Lectures)

  22. Thought Provokers I believe the NT Church as found in the Bible is what the “Group/Grid” calls “Traditional”. What evidence have you seen, if any, that the Lord's Body in the 21st Century has begun “Transitioning”? Douglas argues that the cycle nearly always moves from “Traditional” to “Transitional” and from “Transitional” to what comes next. What do you think comes next and why. What “-ism”s do you see in “Traditional” and “Transitional”? What would be the next “-ism”?

  23. A “Modern” tool aids understanding Radical Individualism: 1. “Religion is between me and God” 2. Strong sense of being victimized by “the system” 3. Moral relativists, are offended when they perceive others want to impose a system of morality on them Some of these radicals become so lonely and isolated, they are drawn to strong individuals closed/structured worldview TRADITIONAL CULT TRADITIONAL group individual i i i i i i i i i RADICAL RAGGED INDIVIDUALISM TRANSITIONAL i RADICAL INDIVIDUALS TRANSITIONAL i i i open/unstructured worldview (Douglas, from M Min621 Lectures)

  24. A “Modern” tool aids understanding Next: 1. Members enter the group as individuals drawn to a central figure. 2. Highly structured 3. Dominant authority figure in the center When the leader/founder dies he/she is replaced by group organization. In time, the “cult” takes on features of a traditional society and the cycle begins to repeat itself. closed/structured worldview TRADITIONAL CULT TRADITIONAL CULT i group individual i i i i i i i i i RADICAL RAGGED INDIVIDUALISM TRANSITIONAL i RADICAL INDIVIDUALS TRANSITIONAL i i open/unstructured worldview (Douglas, from M Min621 Lectures)

  25. Where Are We Presently? All Groups Coexist: 1. Traditional 2. Transitional 3. Radical Individuals 4. Cults As people left “Emperor Worship” they moved into the “Traditional” Church Where do you see the congregation you attend on the “Group/Grid”? Where is the Lord's Body? closed/structured worldview TRADITIONAL CULT TRADITIONAL CULT i group individual i i i i i i i i i RADICAL RAGGED INDIVIDUALISM TRANSITIONAL i RADICAL INDIVIDUALS TRANSITIONAL i i open/unstructured worldview (Douglas, from M Min621 Lectures)

  26. Circles, Triangles, and Squaresa look at postmodernism and The Church Remember our 2 overall study goals: 1) To understand our place within a developed history 2) To develop a personalized evangelism strategy Now we will begin thinking of ways to adapt methods without changing the message as we “become all things...” This lesson touches on apologetics & some evangelism needs Postmoderns

  27. Expectations and Challenges What They Want Our Challenge to Overcome 1. Spirituality (relativistic view of “God”) 2. Community (fear of organized religion) 3. Story/Narrative (all stories seem legitimate) 4. Experience (experience must be understood) 5. Holism (presenting the serious side of sin) 6. Particularity (the relevance of an ancient faith) 7. Irony (can lead to relativism) 8. Wider Rationality (our fear of intuition & emotion) (Van Gelder, 2002 Missiology)

  28. Our Challenges in Delivery First Things First... Postmoderns will not respond to lecturing 1) Keep things “conversational” 2) Admit and deal with doubts early on 3) Be “transparently credible” 4) Help the other overcome being/feeling alienated 5) Develop an understanding of “secular” people 6) Have strong and guiding core convictions Learn how to: Value conversations, not just conversions Listen to their story, share your own and God's Prayerfully expect and prepare for a conversion Pursue the Great Commission (training/equipping) (Hunter, 1992) (McLaren, 2002)

  29. Being “Authentic” and “Believable” Faith must be rational Truly owning (i.e., “living”) Christianity Realize reason has limits (1 Cor 1:18-2:5) You must really “know” what you know Then “show” that to others by authentic living A Helpful Analogy: Reason = knowing about someone Faith = committing to that person *would you make a commitment to someone without first having a foundation of knowledge? (Van Gelder, 2002 Missiology) (Cox, MMin621 Lectures)

  30. Being “Authentic” and “Believable” The difference b/t “bad” and “good” faith Bad Faith is based solely on unquestioned authority, pressure/coercion, psychological needs for belonging, self-interest & base motives, arrogant, unteachable, dishonest, apathetic, and retreats under pressure Good Faith is humble, teachable, inquisitive, grateful, honest, communal, active, tough, and relational One attracts, the other repels... (McLaren, 1999)

  31. Assignment Personal Evangelism requires us to be authentic and believable I think we have demonstrated that postmoderns want to be treated personally, not as a group To this end, we must each be prepared to reach out personally, not just bring people to services Think about places you meet people and ways you might strike up an open-ended friendship with another so they can experience the faith that authentically and believably guides you.

  32. Circles, Triangles, and Squaresa look at postmodernism and The Church People are EVERYWHERE! How do we create evangelism opportunities? Be a completely convinced Christian Equip yourself to share the message Always be ready to meet a new friend Build the relationship Look for openings Ask to share Have an “open-door” policy But how do we do these things? Let's begin developing a strategy!

  33. Our Great Example Where can Christians look for advice? “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2) “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” (1 Peter 2:21)

  34. What Is Jesus' Basic Message? You were made in God's Image Created for a righteous family relationship His image is stamped deep within ourselves • Creativity • Free-Moral Agency • Personality • Intelligence • Relationships (inclination towards sociability) • Morality The Bad News Is... Sin has distorted His image in us We abuse His image to our own destruction The REALLY Good News is Reconciliation! (Cox, MMin621 Lectures)

  35. Is The Christian Message Valid? Apologetics is two-fold Prayerfully living out the Christian faith Seeking after God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit Trusting His providence and role in conversion Revealing God to Mankind There are physical proofs (Psalm 19) There are spiritual proofs (Acts 1:3) There are historical proofs (Acts and our existence) There is the person of Jesus 1 – intellectually honest 2 – scandalously inclusive 3 – relationally electric 4 – graciously demanding 5 – powerfully noncoercive (Cox on “McLaren”, MMin621 Lectures)

  36. What About Their Objections? Postmoderns enjoy confrontation 1 – expect confrontation on various issues like “suffering”, “Christianity is unscientific”, “belief is a crutch”, “Christianity is a sexist religion”, historic corruption & oppression, doctrinal difficulties, etc... 2 – prepare by having a ready answer for why you believe (2 Tim 2:15) 3 – be ready to admit that you don't have an answer, but that you will study about it 4 – have someone(s) to bounce ideas off of

  37. Assignment Jesus says, Every last particle of power and authority has been given to me. Now that you know that: As you are going in the world, doing your daily things, seek first the Kingdom of God by making disciples for me, baptizing them by the authority of the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and be sure to teach them to make my life and teaching their example and guide. You will never be alone, I am with you until the end of time. Amen.

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