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POSTMODERNITY (Guides to Theological Inquiry): Christian Identity in a Fragmented Age

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This book by Paul Lakeland, professor of religious studies at Fairfield University, is part of a series put out by Fortress Press, 'Guides to Theological Inquiry'. Books in this series are generally brief introductions and surveys of the highlighted issue - in this case, the intersection of postmodern thought with Christian theology. This is a difficult topic in which to write a short piece, because precision and clarity are elusive by the very nature of the topic. 'The semantic implications of "postmodernity" mislead us if we think the word itself contains meaning.'

Postmodernity is the time in which we find ourselves, but this is a term and a time largely defined against that which has come before. Lakeland states that 'the postmodern elements in our contemporary world are all manifestations in one way or another of a breakdown of what have previously been taken to be "givens", fundamental coordinates of experience.' This can be seen in music, architecture, literature, science and philosophy, as well as theology. There are lots of non's - postmodernism defines itself largely in terms of what it is not - it is non-political, non-foundational, etc. Lakeland identifies three particular types of postmodern person: the first is the one shaped by popular culture and media, and the second is the one who views modernity as the primary enemy. The third is more difficult to categorise: those who are 'critically present in and to' the world, but not snap-judgmental in condemnation of what has gone before, nor automatically accepting of anything with a post-modern veneer.

Lakeland explores the landscape of postmodern thought by looking at issues arising from the Enlightenment, subjectivity, relativism, and otherness, and explores the renewed relationship between science and religion as both have now shed the historic posture of automatic hermeneutical superiority. 'On the other hand, what postmodern science uncovers is a world in which mystery is real, not synonymous with mystification.' From this overall foundation, Lakeland explores the particular area of religion and theology, and how postmodern ideas unsettle both traditionalist and modernist ideas (it is part of the irony of the postmodern project, which has a larger tendency to reject foundationalism, that it in turn supports many traditionalist objections against the modernist views of biblical interpretation). Lakeland also explores in some detail the liberation, postliberal and countermodern positions in Christianity. Lakeland describes these (and the overall status of Christianity) as being decentered, and looks to the various trends to reshape the role of Christianity in the community, and vice versa. In typical postmodern fashion, Lakeland comes to no particular conclusion in these works, but rather sets out the main lines of thought and inquiry.

The final chapter, however, does get more constructive in its tone. Lakeland attempts to bring the best of the postmodern ideas to bear on apologetic theology, which is distinct from foundational, systematic or practical theology (but bears closest resemblance to systematic theology). Certain understandings are called for - the recognition that no standpoint is neutral, metanarratives draw in others, society change comes from the bottom or grassroots, and postmodernity is not a panacea or utopian fix for society. Lakeland argues for a Christianity that bears more similarity in appearance to those biblical images such as 'salt of the earth, the leaven in the mass, the beacon on the hill, or the quasi-mystical and almost gnostic "community of revelation" ' - these are communities that influence rather than convert, that engage rather than dominate. Lakeland argues against the triumphal and exclusive nature of the expression Christianity has had in many times in the past, and argues more for a way of being that see the world beyond Christendom in terms broader than old historic images of otherness.

This is a fascinating text, and provides a good overview of some of the challenges of postmodernism for the ongoing project of theology.