Says Mike Goheen in The Biblical Story & Education [880KB PDF]:
It is a matter of which story is shaping our lives? Some story will shape our lives. When the Bible is broken up into little bits — theological, devotional, spiritual, moral bits — then these bits can be nicely absorbed into the reigning cultural story with all its idols! One can be theologically orthodox, devotionally pious, and morally upright and yet be significantly shaped by the idolatrous Western story.
In Understanding our Cultural Context [1.7MB PDF] Goheen gives two alternatives to the Apostle’s Creed to attempt to illustrate the faith commitments of Modernity:
I believe in Man. I believe in the ability of man apart from God to solve the problems of our world and build a better one.
I believe in Science Almighty. I believe in the power of human reason disciplined by the scientific method to understand, control, and change our world.
I believe in Technology and a Rational Society, its only begotten sons which have the power to redeem our world.
I believe in the spirit of Progress. I believe that a science based technology and rationally organised society will enable me to realise my ultimate human goal — freedom, happiness, justice, and the comforts of material abundance. To this I commit myself with all my resources, time and money. Amen.
and Postmodernity:
I don’t believe there is one story of the world that is true for everyone. I don’t believe science gives us the truth. I believe that all ‘truth’ is relative to the culture and time period. I believe there are many stories none of which are true for everyone. I believe in tolerance in which no one may make an imperialistic claim for truth.
I don’t believe there is one story that gives meaning to the world. I believe that consumption will give meaning to my life. I believe that the abundance of consumer goods and experiences, and the leisure time to consume them will make me happy. To this end I commit myself with all my money, time, energy, and resources. Amen.
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that’s interesting, matt, thanks!
Happy New Year!
I can’t see a philosophical link between consumerism and so-called postmodern authors such as Derrida et al.
I might have thought they were largely incidental.
Where does this idea come from?
Perhaps the term Postmodernism is being used a little sloppily here to refer to the average Western Joe’s milieu.