Theology for Preaching: Authority, Truth and Knowledge of God in a Postmodern Ethos

Rating:
Summary: Signs of the times...
Review: According to Charles Allen (no known relation to Ron Allen, the author), there is no consistent and single definition to the term 'postmodern'. However, most descriptions of postmodern involve a recognition of the relativity of all human acting and thinking, and a certain degree of discomfort and suspicion with terms such as truth, objectivity, absolute, etc. Postmodernity comes in various 'shapes and sizes', without a single school or framework required. Whereas 'modernity' referred general to the Enlightenment project of empirical research and rational critical analysis, postmodernity has many nuances that may or may not incorporate modernity's tools.

For preachers, the authors state, key aspects of postmodernity to incorporate and appreciate include community, conversation, diversity and collegiality. This is reflected throughout the book, where the contributions of the three authors are often distinctly recognised, rather than blended together 'anonymously' as many collaborative works choose to do. One author will put forth an argument or issue, and the others will respond. There are sample sermons with commentary included at various points in the text.

The authors first trace a brief history, analysing why postmodernism is important for a preaching task. Examining constructivism and deconstructivism, they show how the divergent strands of postmodern thought lead to radically different emphases and conclusions. However, beyond the academic postmodernism of the likes of Derrida, Foucault, or Hauerwas, Allen looks to a folk postmodernism that is more important for preachers -- this folk postmodernism has more suspicion than faith in the methods of modernity to solve life's problems (science and progress are not always the answer, for instance) and begins to renew a respect for the natural world. Both Blaisdell and Johnston respond to Allen; Blaisdell looks toward putting the church in conversation with these folk postmodern strands, and Johnston addresses Ron Allen almost point-by-point, concluding that it is the task of the postmodern preacher to raise a voice above the confusion.

But what should this word be?

The authors look at the issue of truth, one of the 'casualties' of postmodernity -- truth isn't what it used to be! If this is true, how then can one preach with authority? What can one say about God? Truth has different components that are important from the preaching standpoint (honesty, openness, humility) but does not, perhaps cannot, be the precise one-to-one correspondence of ideas to facts that premoderns or even moderns would like to maintain. There is extensive discussion of Derrida here, a great proponent of deconstruction and perhaps more than anyone in the twentieth century the prophet of destruction of faulty notions of absolute truth. The authors look at the importance of language and how it is used, both from scripture and in current contexts, to make a credible message in the sermons being preached. They look at the nature of individuality and community -- premoderns were largely communal, whereas moderns became individualists. There is a tension that develops in postmodern times between these two poles, like to be unresolved in short order.

This is a very interesting work, deserving of attention by any who presume to preach and teach in the current context, for postmodernity is now where we all live. It is important to know the context of one's times. This book is a very good survey of the issues that surround this context.

Ronald Allen is professor of New Testament and preaching at my seminary; Barbara Blaisdell is pastor of a Disciples church in California, and Scott Johnston is a professor of preaching at another seminary. Together they form an interesting conversation team, addressing things with vitality and accessibility. The sermons included are interesting and lively. This is must-read text for any preacher.

Rating:
Summary: Signs of the times...
Review: According to Charles Allen (no known relation to Ron Allen, the author), there is no consistent and single definition to the term 'postmodern'. However, most descriptions of postmodern involve a recognition of the relativity of all human acting and thinking, and a certain degree of discomfort and suspicion with terms such as truth, objectivity, absolute, etc. Postmodernity comes in various 'shapes and sizes', without a single school or framework required. Whereas 'modernity' referred general to the Enlightenment project of empirical research and rational critical analysis, postmodernity has many nuances that may or may not incorporate modernity's tools.

For preachers, the authors state, key aspects of postmodernity to incorporate and appreciate include community, conversation, diversity and collegiality. This is reflected throughout the book, where the contributions of the three authors are often distinctly recognised, rather than blended together 'anonymously' as many collaborative works choose to do. One author will put forth an argument or issue, and the others will respond. There are sample sermons with commentary included at various points in the text.

The authors first trace a brief history, analysing why postmodernism is important for a preaching task. Examining constructivism and deconstructivism, they show how the divergent strands of postmodern thought lead to radically different emphases and conclusions. However, beyond the academic postmodernism of the likes of Derrida, Foucault, or Hauerwas, Allen looks to a folk postmodernism that is more important for preachers -- this folk postmodernism has more suspicion than faith in the methods of modernity to solve life's problems (science and progress are not always the answer, for instance) and begins to renew a respect for the natural world. Both Blaisdell and Johnston respond to Allen; Blaisdell looks toward putting the church in conversation with these folk postmodern strands, and Johnston addresses Ron Allen almost point-by-point, concluding that it is the task of the postmodern preacher to raise a voice above the confusion.

But what should this word be?

The authors look at the issue of truth, one of the 'casualties' of postmodernity -- truth isn't what it used to be! If this is true, how then can one preach with authority? What can one say about God? Truth has different components that are important from the preaching standpoint (honesty, openness, humility) but does not, perhaps cannot, be the precise one-to-one correspondence of ideas to facts that premoderns or even moderns would like to maintain. There is extensive discussion of Derrida here, a great proponent of deconstruction and perhaps more than anyone in the twentieth century the prophet of destruction of faulty notions of absolute truth. The authors look at the importance of language and how it is used, both from scripture and in current contexts, to make a credible message in the sermons being preached. They look at the nature of individuality and community -- premoderns were largely communal, whereas moderns became individualists. There is a tension that develops in postmodern times between these two poles, like to be unresolved in short order.

This is a very interesting work, deserving of attention by any who presume to preach and teach in the current context, for postmodernity is now where we all live. It is important to know the context of one's times. This book is a very good survey of the issues that surround this context.

Ronald Allen is professor of New Testament and preaching at my seminary; Barbara Blaisdell is pastor of a Disciples church in California, and Scott Johnston is a professor of preaching at another seminary. Together they form an interesting conversation team, addressing things with vitality and accessibility. The sermons included are interesting and lively. This is must-read text for any preacher.