Robert C. Greer - Mapping Postmodernism

• Noteworthy in this observation of the dark side of absolute truth is how little attention it has received in much of conservative Christian scholarship. Absolute truth has been defended in current apologetic writings as if the cure to the problem of radical relativism is simply a nostalgic reaffirmation of the overall paradigm of absolute truth. Yet by failing to adequately address its dark side, conservative Christian scholarship is playing into the hands of postmodernism. They are undermining themselves because the problem of the dark side of absolute truth is a major concern of contemporary scholar­ship, not just in the academic discipline of theology, but also in the other so ­called soft sciences e.g., philosophy, psychology, sociology, anthropology) and even in the hard sciences. By failing to address the dark side of absolute truth, much of conservative scholarship is becoming increasingly out of step with the central questions and insights that drive contemporary thought. Such scholarship is therefore not to be taken seriously, as it is on its way to intel­lectual isolation and cultural ghettoization. As such, it has left the door wide open to alternative systems that are more engaged with the questions related to the dark side of absolute truth. Enter postrnodernism.
• Though not innovative, this book will nevertheless attempt to shine light on a significant disparity that exists within the church today. Because of its complicity with modernism, systematic theology – in both its liberal and conservative traditions – reduced our ability to hear the voice of God. This being the case, the ministry of the Holy Spirit has been marginalized in much of its formalized theology. Not willing to be left on the sidelines, however, the Holy Spirit has continued to speak, albeit with people not formally trained in theology as his primary audience. This, of course, has generated a regrettable dichotomy within the church: systematic theology an pietism have little to do with one another. It is upon this issue, then, that Mapping Postmodernism: A Survey of Christian Options attempts to shine light.
• No doubt some subtraditions, such as extreme fundamentalists on the far Christian right, may not wish to converse with us due to an exclusivist (separatistic) perception they have of their own tradition. Yet even here we need to make ourselves available and attempt to dialogue. Sometimes those who are persistent on the absoluteness of whatever its that has caused them to break fellowship with other ecclesial groups possess ideas worthy of serious reflection. For us to reject them could potentially result in our own spiritual impoverishment. Even if we are predisposed to think that whatever it is that has driven them to such exclusivity is essentially wrong, there still could be some elements of truth in their perspectives that warrant careful examination. Besides, a failure to communicate would demonstrate that we have become like them.