What is "Post" About Postmodernism? by Michael J. Vlach, Ph.D.
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Introduction
In his book, Reality Isn’t What it Used to Be, Walter Truett Anderson points out that our world has undergone a significant change. “In recent decades we have passed, like Alice slipping through the looking glass, into a new world,”[1] he says. This new world is the postmodern world. Anderson is not alone in his observation. Many have written books and articles in recent decades describing the phenomenon of postmodernism. What, though, is postmodernism and what are its characteristics? The purpose of this paper is to examine postmodernism. In particular, it will attempt to identify the major characteristics of postmodernism and address the question, “What is ‘post’ about postmodernism?”
Toward a Basic Definition of Postmodernism
The term, postmodernism, is frequently used in literature and conversation.[2] Some confusion exists, though, concerning the meaning of the term. As Daniel J. Adams observes, “Few terms [are] as commonly used, and just as commonly misunderstood as postmodernism.”[3] To some, as Lawrence Cahoone points out, postmodernism connotes “the defeat of modern European theology, metaphysics, authoritarianism, colonialism, racism, and domination.”[4] To others, postmodernism represents an attempt by left-wing intellectuals to destroy Western civilization. In addition, some associate postmodernism with “a goofy collection of hermetically obscure writers who are really talking about nothing at all.”[5] Charles Colson is an example of one who presents a grim portrayal of postmodernism:
Today, all the major ideological constructions are being tossed on the ash heap of history. All that remains is the cynicism of postmodernism, with its false assertions that there is no objective truth or meaning, that we are free to create our own truth as long as we understand that it’s nothing more than an illusion.[6]
How does one pursue a proper understanding of postmodernism? Alister McGrath rightly states that “a full definition of postmodernism is virtually impossible.”[7] Cahoone asserts that it is a “mistake to seek a single essential meaning” of postmodernism that is “applicable to all the term’s instances.”[8]
There are four reasons why postmodernism is difficult to define. First, the ideas and concepts associated with postmodernism are often complex and multi-faceted. For instance, there are several postmodern viewpoints in art, architecture, film, and music.[9]
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[1] Walter Truett Anderson, Reality Isn’t What It Used To Be: Theatrical Politics, Ready-to-Wear Religion, Global Myths, Primitive Chic, and Other Wonders of the Postmodern World (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1990), 3.
[2] Thomas Guarino, “Postmodernity and Five Fundamental Theological Issues,” Theological Studies, 57, no. 4 (December 1996): 654.
[3] Daniel J. Adams, “Toward a Theological Understanding of Postmodernism,” Cross Currents, 47, no. 4 (Winter 1997-98), 518.
[4] Lawrence Cahoone, ed. From Modernism to Postmodernism: An Anthology (Malden: Blackwell Publishers, 1997), 1. Postmodernism is characteristically anti-Western civilization and opposes what it views as abuses of the West.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcey, How Now Shall We Live? (Nashville: Lifeway Press, 1999), 48.
[7] Alister E. McGrath, Christian Theology, 2d ed. (Malden: Blackwell Publishers, 1998), 114.
[8] Cahoone, From Modernism to Postmodernism, 1.
[9] David S. Dockery, “The Challenge of Postmodernism,” in The Challenge of Postmodernism: An Evangelical Engagement, ed. David S. Dockery (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1995), 16.
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