Part 2 And the Church.

Having described modernism in the previous post, we’re now ready to consider whether the church is stuck in a modernist mentality.

Fundamentalism arose in the 20th century – supposedly a reaction to the splintering of Protestantism into various groups It attempted to find common ground in the fundamentals of the faith. As a result the modernist approach to life influenced the approach of the fundamentalist churches. Its leaders were and are steeped in modernist thinking and attitudes. Again, this is not to say that they accept all of the modernist ideologies. Obviously they reject propositions such as evolution, secular determinism and some other modernist proposals. But they think, organize and communicate in thoroughly modern ways. And moreso, they responded to the threats of modernist ideologies, in modernist ways.

Fundamentalism responds to the scientific metanarative with its own scientific argument – creationism. Apologetics, an appeal to reason becomes an important tool for building a foundation of faith. It is rational argument believed to lead to an inescapable conclusion and hence faith. Dispensationalism explains away the supernatural, (somehow simultaneously holding that God is active in people’s lives but no longer reveals it miraculously). Spiritual gifts are dismissed under this doctrine (except in charismatic churches, which of course are heavy on emotion and less inclined to intellect). Church meetings are carefully controlled to virtually eliminate supernatural intervention. The pastor leader is presumed to be the knowledgeable expert. He teaches. Laypeople are taught. The 45 minute sermon (which predates even modernity and ignores our attention deficit issue) continues to be the communicative means of choice. Bullet points and overheads (corporate teaching tools)help us do without imagination. It's knowledge that matters. Tradition and mystery are generally rejected. Presumably the early church fathers and other more mystical types were too Catholic to have left practice that is valuable. Much of Church theology (Calvinism in particular) is essentially deterministic – God is in control of every aspect of a person’s life, including one’s “election” to salvation. Beliefs have been highly organized in thought systems called Systematic Theology. We are encouraged to study the Bible, and of course we use guides and study tools which tell us what is being said. It is impossible (for me in any event) to read most of the Bible without immediately having a preconceived interpretation come to mind. If we study this way we learn truth which we then can use to undestand and live life better. The grand story of God’s creative and redeeming begun in eternity past has been reduced to 4 spiritual laws. If you believe these propositions you are “saved”. Faith is thereafter a private (individual) matter – a personal relationship with God. There is little sense that we might be engaged in a divine dance or encounter with our creator. Rather the goal is personal achievement in morality and self-discipline. Christian counselling is made available to help individuals deal with moral and personal issues. There is no need to abandon personal agendas, enter into community and work as a body to reveal God to others. You are invited however to join the organization, be involved in a program or study, and exhorted to contribute to its maintenance – essentially to meet your personal needs and provide for your personal enjoyment. The church corporation is run by professionals, offers professional programs, uses a modern management approaches and corporate organization systems. Church staff are involved mainly in administration. The church positions and markets itself like any other corporation, offering programs, services and often coffee and other merchandise to would-be consumers. Hmm? Do you see what I see?

I’m going to end with what I think is a great question: "If we subtracted modernity from our Christianity, how much would we have left?" * Tell me what you think? Have I overstated the influence of modernism on the church?

*From Brad Cecil in Stories of Emergence