Who's Afraid of Postmodernism? : Taking Derrida, Lyotard, and Foucault to Church

by Smith, James K. A.

• ISBN13: 9780801029189
• ISBN10: 080102918X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-04-01
• Publisher: Baker Academic

Summary

"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."

Author Biography

James K. A. Smith (Ph.D., Villanova University) is associate professor of philosophy and the former director of the Seminars in Christian Scholarship at Calvin College. He is the author of Introducing Radical Orthodoxy, coeditor of Radical Orthodoxy and the Reformed Tradition, and editor of the Church and Postmodern Culture series (www.churchandpomo.org).

Table of Contents

Series Preface	9	(2)
Preface	11	(4)
Is the Devil from Paris? Postmodernism and the Church	15	(16)
Nothing outside the Text? Derrida, Deconstruction, and Scripture	31	(28)
Where Have All the Metanarratives Gone? Lyotard, Postmodernism, and the Christian Story	59	(22)
Power/Knowledge/Discipline: Foucault and the Possibilities of a Postmodern Church	81	(28)
Applied Radical Orthodoxy: A Proposal for the Emerging Church	109	(38)
Annotated Bibliography: Further Reading on Postmodernism and Christian Faith	147	(4)
Online Resources	151	(2)
Index	153