The more I read and hear about postmodernity, the more I realize how much I am completely locked into this perspective.
I've been becoming way more "po-mo" as time progresses (whatever that means), and yet I was thoroughly immersed in the thick of it long before I ever really knew what it was.
Some people hate it, some people love it. Postmodernism says that both options are okay...and some people hate that.
No one likes someone's who's wishy-washy, right? But really, who is? We all act. We all think. Those are concrete realities, at least in my interpretation [sorry, I just had to throw that in].
The best thing I can see coming out of postmodernity is this: humility.
And that's a pretty frickn' biblical virtue, is it not? So it can't really be all that bad.
Where does humility come from? From an acceptance that I do not have a corner on truth. This expresses itself in the willingness to have conversations with others, to dialogue rather than simply debate. There's nothing wrong with expressing our opinions, even somewhat adamantly, but what I find exceedingly frustrating is people who have their mouths open and ears closed.
Sadly, that is sometimes me. Sigh.
...
Not everyone is able to easily embrace the ethos of postmodernism. I'm okay with that. I think much of it has to do with where we're at in our stage of faith. Because I can embrace it does not mean that I am superior, or inferior, as hard as that is for some to accept.
Why is it that we so often crave 'levels' and hierarchy?
Anyway, it just means I'm in a different place. And not everyone can even accept that, either. Hmm, it's a bit of a conundrum.
How should one respond when they are met with unwarranted hostility?
With love and grace.
Couldn't the answer have been 'with resentment and derision'? That would be so much easier...
Friday, March 28, 2008
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4 comments:
Love it!
I'm completely tracking with you.
Thanks Janelle, it's good to hear I'm not alone:)
I think there is a little more to post-modernity than that but yeah cool post. My teacher gave us this long class on post-modernity and in all honesty it got hard to follow at a certain point. Linguistic skeptcism, rejection of meta-narrative, etc. I have about ten pages of notes which he gave us.
I think that those who adhere to that type of confidence (*cough* scientism) in their brain need to take a breath of some PO-MO or something. You know read Richard Rorty. I remember seeing a debate between a theologian and a chemist and the chemist was so stuck in his scientific or I guess modernist mind-set. He was just adamant in saying "There is nothing that science can't answer." Whereas the theologian appeared more influenced by PO-MO ideas (though not entirely) and would often (and I thought quite humbly) point out that the chemists over-confidence was just downright fallacious. Anyways I always rant on those things, something that interests me I guess. Anyways good post, peace.
Oh humility.....
How I suck at living thee out!
At least the dialogue is open, and no other truth is trumping other. I think maybe to some this is quite scary. But in all reality, it is a wonderful thing! And very healing and refreshing for those of us who have been wacked over the head with capital T truth.
Anyways Thanks for putting up with me when I am not so humble ;)
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