Christian Sacraments in a Postmodern World: A Theology for the Third Millennium

Rating:
Summary: But is it objectively true?
Review: As the previous reader summarizes, the author "considers the subjectivist epistemology of postmodern philosophy to be the only valid way in which we can now express our theological affirmations." But is this very statement objectively true? If it is not, then what does it have to do with me, and why must I accept it? If it is objectively true, then it is self-contradictory.

Let us get back to the objective epistemology of the Bible and MAKE it relevant by preaching and converting people, instead of bowing down to culture's intellectual fads, and being blown to and fro by every wind of doctrine.

Rating:
Summary: A Postmodern Foundation for Future Sacramentology
Review: Prof. Osborne, in this book, critiques the traditional theological paradigm (which is based upon an objectivist ontology) and shows us the direction in which theology and sacramentology must go in order to be relevant to contemporary people. He considers the subjectivist epistemology of postmodern philosophy to be the only valid way in which we can now express our theological affirmations.

This book is NOT for the general reader, as it assumes a lot of philosophical knowledge, but is directed to his fellow theologians and students of theology. The book is well outlined and very thorough in it's coverage of the topic.

I found Prof. Osborne's book to be interesting and I agreed with his basic conclusions concerning sacramentology and postmodern thought. The older theological paradigm (which is based upon an objectivist epistemology and ontology) is frought with too many difficulties. It is becoming more and more irrelevent. Postmodern thought, however, allows us to get fresh look at the philosophical basis of our current theological affirmations. With this fresh look we can then move forward in expressing our theological affirmations in such a way that the Christian sacraments are seen in a phenomenological, existential and subjective way. In short, in a way that will speak to the postmodern person.