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Some Christians feel that the rise of postmodernity, along with the consequent fall of modernity, means a decline of Christianity's influence in the world. But Harry Poe argues that this is wrong; the close identification of Christianity with modernity was flawed from its inception, and never would have happened, if the church had remained true to its founder, Christ Jesus. Modernity and Christianity were not really compatible, until the church compromised, according to Poe. Poe thinks that the church actually has a marvelous opportunity to truly reach even more people under postmodernism than it did under modernity, providing it stays true to its roots in Jesus.
In Christian Witness in a Postmodern World, Poe looks at four major features of postmodernism: its personal focus, its political alienation (due to its distrust of authority), its philosophical confusion (the struggle between empiricism, rationalism, and spiritualism) and its theological ignorance (due to the lack of teaching and guidance from previous generations). If we understand these features, the church will be extremely effective in reaching out on a personal level. We can also offer the postmodern a viable and understandable worldview in the midst of confusion without compromising our theological positions.
Poe acknowledges that Christianity will have to completely change its methods in moving from the interaction with modernity to the interaction with postmodernity. But that is exactly where our opportunity lies, according to Poe. If Christianity returns to the methods of interaction practiced by the apostolic church in its relations with the Roman Empire, he feels that we will be able to duplicate some of its success in turning the world upside down. The time-tested modes of interaction lived out by the apostolic church can be adapted to our time and culture, and we can then have the same kind of impact that the apostolic church had. So lets join Poe in offering the postmodern world a story that trancends modernism, postmodernism and all other cultural philosophies. Let's offer the story of God and His salvation to a world that is yearning for relationship and meaning.
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