Positive and Negative Impacts of Postmodernism
Positive and Negative Impacts of Postmodernism
Having its roots in the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, modernism was the era of universal truth which was objectively understood and interpreted by humankind. Postmodernism, the period starting around 1950’s to present, rejects this notion of an objective and universal truth. Instead the postmodernist view of meaning is ambiguous and truth is relative to an individual or a group. Furthermore, postmodernism rejects the validity of grand narratives, such as religion, and their attempt to conceptualize existence from within a single rational and linguistic framework (“IDH”). Both positive and negative impacts arrive from such notion. The positive impact is that the goal of an individual or a group is to build relationship with God, no matter what religion they are. Therefore, the group becomes united. For example, Mega Church in Cleveland, demonstrates the Kingdom of God in its embrace of people of all races and religious backgrounds. The negative impact is expressed through the fallible and multi-layered truth. It is impossible for an individual or a group to know the actual truth, and as a result, postmodernism undermines people’s beliefs. Postmodernism, an essay by Doy Moyer, a former priest who became a professor at Florida College, summarizes the negative impact of postmodernism. In order to better understand this aspect of postmodernism, one should take a closer look at its impact. The postmodernist groups reject the idea of an absolute truth, or religion, because truth is relative to the community in which they participate (Sparks). The truth is based on their experience of God by building relationship with Him. The Mega Church in Cleveland demonstrates such an idea. “The church consists of converted Muslim, completed Jew, Irish, Italian, a large delegation of Hispanic, Caucasian, and African-American members, of all walks of life” (Mega). The church’s postmodernist character welcomes those
Having its roots in the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, modernism was the era of universal truth which was objectively understood and interpreted by humankind. Postmodernism, the period starting around 1950’s to present, rejects this notion of an objective and universal truth. Instead the postmodernist view of meaning is ambiguous and truth is relative to an individual or a group. Furthermore, postmodernism rejects the validity of grand narratives, such as religion, and their attempt to conceptualize existence from within a single rational and linguistic framework (“IDH”). Both positive and negative impacts arrive from such notion. The positive impact is that the goal of an individual or a group is to build relationship with God, no matter what religion they are. Therefore, the group becomes united. For example, Mega Church in Cleveland, demonstrates the Kingdom of God in its embrace of people of all races and religious backgrounds. The negative impact is expressed through the fallible and multi-layered truth. It is impossible for an individual or a group to know the actual truth, and as a result, postmodernism undermines people’s beliefs. Postmodernism, an essay by Doy Moyer, a former priest who became a professor at Florida College, summarizes the negative impact of postmodernism. In order to better understand this aspect of postmodernism, one should take a closer look at its impact. The postmodernist groups reject the idea of an absolute truth, or religion, because truth is relative to the community in which they participate (Sparks). The truth is based on their experience of God by building relationship with Him. The Mega Church in Cleveland demonstrates such an idea. “The church consists of converted Muslim, completed Jew, Irish, Italian, a large delegation of Hispanic, Caucasian, and African-American members, of all walks of life” (Mega). The church’s postmodernist character welcomes those
Cited: Beverly, James. “Postmodernism”. John Mark Ministries. 22 Apr. 2007 . IDH Staff. “IDH Student’s Unit 5 Guide to Postmodernism”. 10 Apr. 2007. IDH 2121. Valencia Community College. 22 Apr. 2007 Mega Church Official Website. 22 Apr. 2007 < http://www.megachurch.com/about.php>. Moyer, Doy. “Postmodernism”. 22 Apr. 2007 < http://www.inplainsite.org/html/ postmodernism.html>. Park, Vivian S. “Positive and Negative Impact of Postmodernism on Christianity”. 7 Jun. 2004. Christian Post. 22 Apr. 2007 < http://www.christianpost.com/article/ 20040607/7138.htm>. Sparks, Noy. “Postmodernism”. Valencia Community College. 22 Apr. 2007.