The One Where I Call Postmodernism a Red Herring

I am beginning to believe that Christians feel some overwhelming urge to capture and possess the “postmodern movement” for themselves in a way akin to the way the Church has for over a thousand years attempted to be the end all and be all of every other movement. Galileo is one example. Darwin is another. The world of science runs ahead of the Church, and the Church cries foul and then wants the party to be held at their place again. But the party is happening outside the Church, and it’s simply the Church’s job to interpret it and re-present the Gospel in light of the party.

There is no cultural shift into the postmodern, as we have discussed it for years. This belief hinges on the notion that the ultimate reality is defined by terms like “modern” and “postmodern.” This assumption, in its most basic sense, assumes that humans are changing the way we think, and therefore, the world is changing. And since the world is changing, the Church should change as well.

But humans are a reactive, adaptive creature by nature, not a pioneering creature. We learn from changes and adapt accordingly. Ever stood at the bus stop without a winter coat? I guarantee that you wore a coat the next day – because we learn and adapt. So the proper perspective on “postmordernism” is that the world around us is changing somehow, and that is forcing humanity to re-invent its world-view paradigm.

The REAL change going on right now is the shift from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age, where there are 6 emerging skills and characteristics that are climbing up the ladder of value and power: design, story, symphony, empathy, play, and meaning. The cultural “symptoms” of these 6 values that are starting to rear their heads are what we see and label “postmodernism”, in my opinion. Let’s look at them one-by-one, with thanks to Daniel Pink for crafting such powerful definitions:

[1] It’s not just about function anymore, it’s also about DESIGN.

“It’s no longer sufficient to create a product, a service, an experiment, or a lifestyle that’s merely functional. Today it’s economically crucial and personally rewarding to create something that is also beautiful, whimsical, or emotionally engaging.”

Example outside the Church: I’m currently working on a project that is simply this: take an article and lay it out and make it look beautiful for people to see. The content remains the same, but it has to “look better” for my client.

Example inside the Church: Our church services are not replacing the content [sermons], but we are “decorating” them with experiences that go beyond the facts.

[2] It’s not just argument, but also STORY.

“When our lives are brimming with information and data, it’s not enough to marshal an effective argument. Someone somewhere will inevitably track down a counterpoint to rebut your point. The essence of persuasion, communication, and self-understanding has become the ability also to fashion a compelling narrative.”

Example outside the Church: This American Life, from NPR.

Example inside the Church: Blue Like Jazz and A New Kind of Christian [even The Shack] explore topics once reserved for debates and apologetical arguments in a new choice of format – narrative.

[3] It’s not just about focus, but also about SYMPHONY.

“Much of the Industrial and Information Ages required focus and specialization. But as white-collar work gets routed to Asia and reduced to software, there’s a new premium on the opposite aptitude: putting the pieces together [a "symphony"]. What’s in greatest demand today isn’t analysis, but synthesis – seeing the big picture, crossing boundaries, and being able to combine disparate pieces into an arresting new whole.”

Example outside the Church: Self-made millionaires are 4 times more likely than the rest of the population to be dyslexic. Why? Because dyslexics struggle with linear, sequential, alphabetic reasoning. Because of this, they become better at problem-solving, seeing the big picture, simplifying, and thinking differently [like blind people become better at hearing things.]

Example inside the Church: We’ve started to think of “becoming a Christian” less in terms of that “salvation moment” with the Sinners Prayer and the Altar Call, and more about it as a “journey”. We value the whole experience a lot more now.

[4] It’s not just about logic, but also about EMPATHY.

“The capacity for logical thoughts is one of the things that makes us humans. But in a world of ubiquitous information and advanced analytic tools, logic alone won’t cut it. What will distinguish those who thrive will be their ability to understand what makes their fellow woman or man tick, to forge relationships, and to care for others.”

Example outside the Church: The (red) AIDS charity, our increased focus on the environment, TV shows focused on helping out families and people in need. Oprah.

Example inside the Church: Social justice ministries are up an insanely large %, as are small groups and Christians building relationships with each other. I think the Church is starting to “care” more, and that’s empathy in it’s truest form.

[5] It’s not just about seriousness, but it’s also about PLAY.

“Ample evidence points to the enormous health and professional benefits of laughter, lightheartedness, games, and humor. There is a time to be serious, of course. But too much sobriety can be bad for your career and worse for your general well-being. In the Conceptual Age, in work and in life, we all need to play.”

Example outside the Church: Google’s 20% rule, where their employees get to spend 20% of their work week on their own passions and projects. The TV show “The Office” is a cry for help from the white collar industry for less seriousness. Laughter Clubs are springing up all over the world. Video games do more revenue annually than the top 10 biggest movies each year.

Example inside the Church: Funny clips in a church service. My church had super heroes on stage the last 5 weeks for a sermon series about “action” and it was hilarious.

[6] It’s not just about accumulation, but also about MEANING.

“We live in a world of breathtaking material plenty. That has freed hundreds of millions of people from day-to-day struggles and liberated us to pursue more significant desires: purpose, transcendence, and spiritual fulfillment.”

Example outside the Church: 20 years ago, medical doctors were being asked to take “sexual histories” of their patients. Today, they are being asked to take “spiritual histories.” In fact, according to Newsweek, 72% of Americans would welcome a conversation about faith with their physician.

Example inside the Church: Umm….The Church, church planting, The Purpose Driven Life and it’s church model. Rob Bell’s success. We could very well be on the verge of a Fourth Great Awakening. Because people are looking for it again.

So…those are ideas brought to us by Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind, with my thoughs added in for flavor and robustness. Eat. Enjoy. Digest.