To understand the issues of the western, postmodern paradigm, one must see it in its juxtaposition with western modernism. Likewise, western modernism itself can only be understood in its contrast and reaction to western premodernism. Finally, all these patterns must be contrasted with the biblical paradigm. Below is a chart showing the differences between each of these paradigms when contrasted with each other in their approach to nine seminal issues.
The first thing to consider is the “worldview.” This is the overarching way of seeing the world, which dominates the imagination of culture. The second consideration is what constitutes the “final authority” for each era in question. This is the issue of how truth is understood and mitigated. The third thing to consider is the issue of what people see their “life governed by.” This is the issue of how social structure is ordered. The fourth consideration is the “place of God” in the social structure of each given era.
ISSUES | BIBLICAL | PREMODERN | MODERN | POSTMODERN |
Worldview | Theistic | Superstitious | Secular / Naturalistic | Pluralistic |
Final Authority | Christ in the Scriptures | Church / Monarch | Reason | Feelings |
Life Governed by | Theology | Fear | Principals | Personal Preference |
Place of God | Over All | Distant Ruler | Distant / Absent | Replaced by spiritualities |
Place of Self | Under God | Within Feudal Hierarchy | At the Centre Under No One | Unanchored / Responsible to No One |
Place of Others | There for Self to Serve | Competition | For Mutual Benefit | There for Self to Use |
Place of Creation | To be Cared For | Equal to Self | Under the Self | Over the Self |
Morality Governed by | Virtue | Law | Ethics | Personal Choice |
Life Lived for | The Glory of God | The Glory of Rulers | The Glory of Man | Whatever |
The fifth thing to consider is the “place of the self.” This is the question of where the individual fits within the structure of society. Sixth is the consideration of the “place of others.” This is the question of how individuals relate to other individuals and to the larger community. The seventh consideration is the issue of the “place of creation” in the governing of life in each era. Creation would consist of everything in the natural world besides humans and their social and technological structures. Eighth is the question of what “morality is governed by” in each era. This is the way that the rules of social interaction are understood and regulated. The ninth and final consideration is what “life is lived for.” This is how the purpose of life is understood and followed. This grid can help us understand the clash of ideologies. One must consider each of these issues in light of biblical Christianity.
