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The Ranting of a Punk Monkey:

I am so tired of modern preachers, pastors and theologians jumping on postmodern thought and theology.  They attack, and then run into hiding.  When I mention to them where we are coming from, they act like little kids; they plug their ears and loudly proclaim “la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la.”  I firmly believe they fear what we have to offer, and where we believe faith is heading.  The modern conservative Christian sees anything that is not “with them” as “against them” and liberal with no value.  Let me address some of their concerns.

Many modern conservative Christians believe we, postmodern people, have rejected God.  We have not rejected God; we have rejected the modern conservative view of God.  If that means we are not part of the club, so be it.  We are not interested in joining a club; we are interested in knowing a deeper God and having a faith that is 24/7.  We have found that the modern conservative “god” is a genie in a bottle – when you want something, rub and it is yours.

Many modern conservative Christians see us a selfish and self-centered.  What I find interesting is that we are not limited to "self" but express ourselves in many ways, with many styles.  We are the most open generation to race, gender and ethnic backgrounds then others - in fact, we thrive on knowing all about other cultures and points of view.  We live to experience the “unexperienced” and seeking God in new places and new people is key to seeing God in our lives.   We have replaced the individual with the tribal, and self-centeredness with inclusion.

Many modern conservative Christians see us as a people with no morals.  While we may express that certain moral truths are oppressive, we simply ask that people show us why it is "truth."  This is where modern Christianity has failed on a large scale.  Modern conservative Christians are good at telling us how to act, but they do not show it in their actions.  Most modern pastors will tell you what is right and wrong, while they and the “elders” of the church do not practice what they preach.  We have seen many a modern hero fall to the floor proclaiming the moral guilt of others - if it cannot be lived; we reject the foundation of that thought.

Many modern conservative Christians claim we have a twisted view of the world around us – well, mom, dad, who raised us?  Yes, we do have a different view of life, and that is what all generations have.  What I found interesting is what one modern conservative Christian recently said in an article in Christianity today (Chuck Colson, April 17, 2002).  He echoed the same thing many modern conservative Christians have been saying and thinking: "And as postmodern begin filling our pews, it becomes increasingly hard for those who think in traditional terms to communicate the biblical view of life, or even to present the gospel."

I find this statement interesting on several levels, the first of which is the concept of “filling our pews.”  This statement alone is telling us that we need to know our place – that the church belongs to them, and we are the guests.  His biggest assumption is that postmodern people will be filling the modern church seeking answers - and they will not.  It is not hard to communicate the gospel to a postmodern people, simply speak from the heart and with experience – don’t just tell us what we “must do” show it, live it – make mistakes and let us see others forgive you without condemning you – practice what is preached, and taught by Jesus Christ.  Let us see your faith in action, and then we can talk.  One of the mistaken foundations of the modern mind is that they do not understand that it will never happen in a modern church because of the assumption they have that all people process information in the same way.  A postmodern person is not looking for a "three point sermon" - they are looking for a life application message where they can put faith into action and not place it in the fold of the bible until next week.  We are looking for role models – I found it interesting that Princes Diana and Mother Teresa both died around the same time – what was your reaction? 

Colson was right on one point - words matter.  How we define certain things is developed by our life and experiences.  I love the fact that he claims postmodern people do not hold to the biblical story, or narrative.  Yet, when he explains "liberty" he uses a political definition, and not a biblical one - liberty is freedom, and if we have freedom why is he trying to confine our thought to his?

In reality, we, as a postmodern people, are not looking to "untie the knot" that defines words - we are working with a whole different rope.  Liberty is freedom to choose, as one believes God is leading them.  It is not giving our lives to a "religious leader" and allowing them to tell us what to do.  If that is the case, pass the cool-aide.

I love the modern Christian church!  One has to admire their inability to put two and two together and still process information.    Colson writes, "What we're witnessing is the fulfillment of Nietzsche's formulation: "Languages of good and evil" are rooted in neither truth nor reason, but in the will to power."  Dah, I am glad he gets it, now all he needs to do is understand what it means.  The power base always determines what is right and what is wrong, that is why the Christian right wants to be in power - so they can decide what is right and what is wrong for us.  They cannot deny it’s a reality.

I believe modern conservatives are venting the frustration of a modern pastor who is losing ground to the postmodern generation – and loosing it quickly.  This is a cry, "we are not getting it and we need to change the way we think" - but they cannot.  Like many modern believers, Chuck Colson and others, believe they got it right and everyone else got it wrong (talk about closed minds and self-centered thought).

I do not see modern pastors ministering to a postmodern people - they need to move side and let those who have a postmodern view of life jump in.  As postmoderns we are not looking to be "ministered to" but "to minister."  If explaining life, scripture, God, Jesus and everything else requires you open yourself and become wounded in the process - so be it, go for the gold.  We are looking for pastors who connect - not sit on high proclaiming some 1950's truth.  If "feeling" frightens the modern conservative and others  - move aside and let those of us who are willing to be battled, bruised and opened to come in and sit with the people – and share with them the life changing story of Jesus Christ.

What Colson seems to ignore is that it is not "Postmodernism must be confronted, not accommodated." it is reality must be understood.  How do you minister to a people by confrontation?  Jesus never confronted people; he did confront the lost religious leaders of his time who just did not seem to get with the program, and the changing times.  It is not that we need to be "loving confronted" we need to be understood and heard.

I am not looking for a modern version of a postmodern gospel - I am looking for a deeper walk with God, and if that means I reject modern thought to achieve that goal - by-by modern thought.

PuNk mOnKEy -