I have been reading an excellent book by Chris Altrock called Preaching to Pluralists. The book starts with a problem – preaching without recognizing the rapidly changing demographic and cultural landscape in America is less effective than it can be. The solution – engage with the post modern culture, learn what they value and how to communicate in a way that speaks their language. This book is more than just another book about preaching. This book is about re-thinking how we minister, who we minister to, worship, preaching, etc. Normally I would just recommend that preachers read these types of books but this book is a must read for anyone in ministry and I would add anyone who wants to be effective in evangelism in today’s culture. Chris’ book is one that fills the gap that has needed to be filled for some time – a primer on understanding post-moderns in an easily accessible and practical book.
Just to whet your appetite here are a few points of interest that are unpacked in the book:
- “The seven faces of postmoderns”
- Uninformed about the basics of Christianity
- Interested in spiritual matters
- Anti-institutional
- Pluralistic
- Pragmatic
- Relational
- Experiential
Chris spends time unpacking each of those…again, a must read if you engage in anyone who is a part of 21st century American culture. that pretty much means all of us, unless you live in the basement and don’t get out. He not only unpacks the culture on each of these points but gives practical suggestions on how preaching can address and be cognizant of each of these seven traits of postmoderns. Last, the end notes are thorough and phenomenal. They are a treasure trove of cultural and preaching related resources.
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That’s right: if you let the truth be posted it will hinder your career path. Let me say that there is NO role for a preacher and NO DOLE either. You have joined the wrong sect.
Postmodern really means that there is no truth: they rest on the Heisenberg Uncertainty principle that there IS NO TRUTH. They make themselves into a laughingstock.
The word or LOGOS is opposite to rhetoric, poetry or music: the hypocritic arts says Jesus of the Scribes and Pharisees.
You have taken the same fork in the roads the Israelites took at Mount Sinai (missed that one huh). God ABANDONED them to worship the starry host (missed acts 7 and the prophets too) and declared them beyond redemption.
You know, religious music ahs always been that gender-bleed thingy: that’s why so many run from the churches which have been stolen from the owners.
Take me off the mailing list: at 81 I have all of the silliness I can stomach. Come over to:
https://www.network54.com/Forum/150389/
and give a reason for any hope: we don’t wring our hands when people disagree. If you refuse to defend your views then you know that some other “sp;irit” thingy has got you.
Ken…your comment completely discombobulates me. I don’t get it but am willing to listen to whatever you have to say.
Maybe old age is getting to me and I may be doing something wrong. I posted and thought that it appeared: my views were that “postmodern” is also called post-Christendom and denies that anyone can read the Bible with certainty. They got that idea from Heisenberg’s Uncertainty principle that “with subatomic particles at the speed of light” you cannot be certain about location or state” (etc.) He and Einstein had a big laugh that philosophers and theologians thought–way back c 1927–thought that applied to reading black text on brown paper.
I posted (I thought) the fact that Christ was counter culture (anti-culture) and refused to pray for the world. Those waged as teachers the Bible do not get too many personal opinions:
2Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
The Campbells agreed with Christ for the qahal, synagogue or church in the wilderness that ekklesia or synnagogue is A School (only) of Christ (only). I don’t believe anything can happen at any time or place which would channge the command to elders “to teach that which has been taught.” Beyond that people are speaking of religionsim.
Sorry, If i missed something. That should not offend anyone.
Ken
Thanks for this recommendation. I just added to the book to my wishlist.