Stanley J. Grenz argues that postmodern evangelical theology should be post-individualistic, post-rationalistic, post-dualistic, and post-noeticentric. He believes the gospel must be presented through community rather than elevating the individual, acknowledge mysteries of faith beyond rationality, present a holistic view of human nature, and affirm that the goal of life is more than just knowledge accumulation. Grenz draws these ideas from his analysis of postmodernism and critique of the modern dualistic worldview.

1. Stanley J. Grenz: Postmodern Evangelical Theology Jan Paron IWU/MIN 533 1/24/11 DRAFT

3. Postmodern Evangelical Theology “The postmodern context requires that we embody the gospel in a manner that is post-individualistic, post-rationalistic, post-dualistic, and post-noeticentric” (Grenz, 1996, p. 167).

4. Postmodern Evangelical Theology Note: Chart information and quotes were taken from Stan Grenz’ book, A Primer on Postmodernism.

6. A Post-Individualistic Gospel “The way forward for evangelical ecclesiology in the contemporary context requires a rediscovery of the sense of the church as community” (Grenz, 2006, p. 323)

7. 1a-Elevation of the Individual(Retain from modernity)

8. 1b-Knowledge(Affirm from postmodernity)

9. 1c-Socio-Communitarian(Affirm from Postmodernity)

10. 1d-Community of Faith(Affirm from Postmodernity)

12. A Post-Rationalistic Gospel “The way forward for evangelical ecclesiology in the contemporary context requires a rediscovery of the sense of the church as community” (Grenz, 2006, p. 323)

13. 2a-Mystery of God’s Truth(Acknowledge that we need more than intellectual reflection and scientific method to discover every aspect of God’s truth)

14. 2b-Rethinking of Functions of Truth(Acknowledge fundamental importance of rational discourse)

15. 2c-Personal Encounter w/ Christ(Acknowledge fundamental importance of rational discourse and relationship it being expressed in discourse that are categorical and propositional in nature.)

16. 2d-Propositions as Second-Order (Acknowledge that we need more than intellectual reflection and scientific method to discover every aspect of God’s truth)

18. A Post-Dualistic Gospel A post-dualistic gospel draws “courage from the postmodern critique of modern dualism to develop biblical holism” (Grenz, 2006, p. 171).

19. 3a-Human Person as Unified Whole(br />

20. 3b-Nourish Back into Social and Environmental Contexts

21. 3c-Anthropology

23. A Post-Noeticentric Gospel The gospel “must affirm that the goal of our existence encompasses more than just the just the accumulation of knowledge ” (Grenz, 2006, p. 172).

24. 4a-Knowledge is Good

25. 4b-Accumulation of Knowledge

26. 4c-Relevance of Knowledge

27. 4d-Ancillary Role of Knowledge

28. References Big soccer. (2009). Hipster Christianity (Retrieved January 24, 2011, from http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1428843. Christian backgrounds. (n.d.). Background image. Grenz, S. (1996). A Primer on postmodernism. Grand Rapids. MI: Eerdmans Publishing Company. Grenz, S. (2006). The renewing center. Grand Rapids. MI: Baker Academic.