2.14.2004
Bad Pomo
Another month slips by and I wonder if everyone has given up on me? Here are some thoughts I posted to the Postliberal_Theology group at Yahoo! groups.
I would summarize this more inclusive approach to pomoxianity as being skeptical of our own skepticism. What I see in some circles (and on some lists) is such a strong desire to "belong" that many of the things that have stood us well over the course of time get thrown out with the bathwater all in the name of becoming whatever the next new thing is. These are our Fashion Plate Pomos. They will state for certain that we can know nothing for certain or establish absolutely that we can not state absolutes. You know the type. Want names and email addresses? We've all chatted with them. I guess these would, for some, be the "good" pomos. I'm a bad one. I believe both/and so much that I am still willing to call myself a fundy, in part because I recognize their sincerity, hopefulness and genuine desire to have a relationship with God. I give them the same space to be flawed, fallible fellows on the journey together with me that I allot for myself and others.
That's one practical area for me - not abandoning the un-fashionable people. I still love them. I still hang with them. I cry with them. I pray with them. I love them. As I do exclusivist pomoxians who can't tolerate the Moderns. As I do the both/and folks in the middle whose stand is not to take a stand. It's about being open enough to the human experience to not feel compelled to bring someone else under our umbrella because we think we have the best umbrella. The first principle of Postmodernity in Christianity should be the statement, "I'm not sure I have it right or that this is the best way to believe about (insert doctrine here) but here is where I am right now. And where are you?"
Another month slips by and I wonder if everyone has given up on me? Here are some thoughts I posted to the Postliberal_Theology group at Yahoo! groups.
I would summarize this more inclusive approach to pomoxianity as being skeptical of our own skepticism. What I see in some circles (and on some lists) is such a strong desire to "belong" that many of the things that have stood us well over the course of time get thrown out with the bathwater all in the name of becoming whatever the next new thing is. These are our Fashion Plate Pomos. They will state for certain that we can know nothing for certain or establish absolutely that we can not state absolutes. You know the type. Want names and email addresses? We've all chatted with them. I guess these would, for some, be the "good" pomos. I'm a bad one. I believe both/and so much that I am still willing to call myself a fundy, in part because I recognize their sincerity, hopefulness and genuine desire to have a relationship with God. I give them the same space to be flawed, fallible fellows on the journey together with me that I allot for myself and others.
That's one practical area for me - not abandoning the un-fashionable people. I still love them. I still hang with them. I cry with them. I pray with them. I love them. As I do exclusivist pomoxians who can't tolerate the Moderns. As I do the both/and folks in the middle whose stand is not to take a stand. It's about being open enough to the human experience to not feel compelled to bring someone else under our umbrella because we think we have the best umbrella. The first principle of Postmodernity in Christianity should be the statement, "I'm not sure I have it right or that this is the best way to believe about (insert doctrine here) but here is where I am right now. And where are you?"
