Who's afraid of postmodernism?
Subtitle: taking Derrida, Lyotard, and Foucault to church
By: James K. A. Smith.
Series: The church and postmodern culture
Publisher: Baker Academic
Published: 2006
Place of publication: Grand Rapids, MI
Language: eng
Number of pages: 156
Subjects: Derrida, Jacques; Lyotard, Jean François; Foucault, Michel; Postmodernism -- Religious aspects -- Christianity; Christianity -- Philosophy
Description: The philosophies of French thinkers Derrida, Lyotard, and Foucault form the basis for postmodern thought and are seemingly at odds with the Christian faith. However, James K. A. Smith claims that their ideas have been misinterpreted and actually have a deep affinity with central Christian claims. Each chapter opens with an illustration from a recent movie and concludes with a case study considering recent developments in the church that have attempted to respond to the postmodern condition, such as the "emerging church" movement. These case studies provide a concrete picture of how postmodern ideas can influence the way Christians think and worship. This significant book avoids philosophical jargon and offers fuller explanation where needed. It is the first book in the Church and Postmodern Culture series, which provides practical applications for Christians engaged in ministry in a postmodern world.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p.         ) and index.
Table of contents: title: Is the devil from Paris? : postmodernism and the church; title: Nothing outside the text? : Derrida, deconstruction, and Scripture; title: Where have all the metanarratives gone? : Lyotard, postmodernism, and the Christian story; title: Power/knowledge/discipline : Foucault and the possibilities of a postmodern church; title: Applied radical orthodoxy : a proposal for the emerging church.