Understanding Postmodernism: A Christian Perspective

Review"To my knowledge, this is the most comprehensive and analytically refined exposition and critique of postmodernism." -- Douglas Groothuis, professor of philosophy, Denver Seminary, author of Truth Decay"Understanding Postmodernism is the best one-stop introduction to postmodernism from a conservative evangelical perspective. It describes and evaluates postmodernism from historical, theological, and philosophical perspectives and does so in a lucid and accessible manner." -- Bruce Riley Ashford, provost, professor of theology and culture, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary"The gospel is never preached in a vacuum. It is always heard against the backdrop of the culture's collective mindset and mood. Well, the cultural mindset and mood is steeped in postmodern thought that relativizes truth, knowledge, and value. As a result, people today are morally confused and biblically illiterate. Confusion, darkness, and disintegration reign. Kelly and Dew cut through the confusion, ably dissecting postmodernism and demolishing its credibility. As the smoke clears, a vision of shalom emerges where Christianity is seen as true and Jesus is seen as the fount of all wisdom and knowledge. A must-read book for all who need to be reminded of the objective goodness, truth, and beauty of Christianity." -- Paul M. Gould, associate professor of philosophy and Christian apologetics, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary"Ours is a world of skepticism, irony, and intellectual despair, all of which tempt us away from the kingdom of God. This book is a profoundly Christian antidote: a way to analyze our postmodern context, accept its fresh insights, identify its missteps and downright errors, then move on to a mature, thoughtful grasp of the truth in Christ and actively live out its implications. A profound book in lucid prose!" -- James W. Sire, author of The Universe Next Door and Apologetics Beyond Reason"Postmodernism is no longer a youthful upstart but has now reached middle age. If we take 1968 as its date of birth, the revolution is now fifty years old, which explains the philosophical paunch and aching cultural joints. Understanding Postmodernism, similarly, is a mature evangelical response, more interested in showing charity and asking what we can learn from the postmodern protest to modernity than in knee-jerk reactions. The authors stay calm and carry on reasoning. In particular, they examine ten major themes, including language, rationality, and truth (they're analytic thinkers, after all), bringing both clarity and charity to bear on a movement that has affected the academy, society, and church like no other in recent memory." -- Kevin J. Vanhoozer, research professor of systematic theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School"Critics regularly compare defining postmodernism to 'trying to nail Jell-O to the wall.' If this cliché is true, Kelly and Dew have done the inconceivable: they have successfully nailed the postmodern ethos to the cross. Understanding Postmodernism is a clear, appreciative exposition and critique of the tenets of postmodernism. This distinctively Christian introduction also provides much-needed historical framing and real-world application for college and seminary students. Highly recommended." -- Rhyne Putman, associate professor of theology and culture, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary"Why is the Western world involved in such a monumental collision of ideas today? What about the claims disputed hotly but seriously every day on news broadcasts, heard from college students and even professors alike, assuming, questioning, or denying the presence of any knowable truth in the world? Like the old saying states, 'ideas have consequences.' In this volume, philosophers Stewart Kelly and James Dew explain where this trend came from?why and when it emerged?as well as providing a detailed response to these ideas. Painstakingly documented and carefully reasoned, this volume provides the cri