Feminist Books

Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church: Understanding a Movement and Its Implications

D. A. Carson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 47 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

The answer lies in the middle 3 out of 5 stars.
3 of 5 people found this review helpful.

What I find interesting is that I was actually driven by watching the debate on this book to read McLaren's book "A Generous Orthodoxy" prior to reading this one as I thought the debate was a riveting one. Having read both books, I have to say that I feel McLaren has been much maligned in the characterization of that DA Carson makes of his work. That is not to say that some of his assertions are not valid in regards to areas of the emerging church.
Many of Dr. Carson assertions are quite valid. It has been my personal experience that many emergent churches (several I have visited or attended) do seem to struggle with a watering down of the Gospel through offering services about being a better you and other self help style sermons that can sometimes remove the focus on God. Many struggle with, as Carson put it, "a shallow" view of faith that often borders on a selfish pursuit by these christians of a "prosperity gospel" that portrays God as a cosmic slot machine for believing. Prayer goes in -- red corvette and wealth come out. There is truth to a tendency of these groups towards a "feel good" and "non offensive, political correct, and an all encompassing tolerance that rubberstamps all divergent beliefs&

Editorial Review:

A perceptive evaluation of the new “emerging church” movement showing how we must not only interact with a fast-changing culture but also have our vision and practice of ministry shaped by biblical theology with Scripture as the norm.

Postmodernism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

Christopher Butler

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Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Excellent 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Butler touches on all aspects of PM thought/aesthetics in; literature, architecture, art theory etc. and nails it right on the head.

It is fair to say, as some reviewers pointed out below, that he is certainly not a cheerleader for PM theory. He shows no mercy and points out all of the glaring contradictions of PM dogma as he sees them. (And so much the better, considering that much writing on the subject frustratingly skims over the absurd aspects of PM in favor of joining in on the lovefest).

Nevertheless, this is a very clearly written and fair-minded little document.

Editorial Review:

Postmodernism has become the buzzword of contemporary society over the last decade. But how can it be defined? In this highly readable introduction the mysteries of this most elusive of concepts are unraveled, casting a critical light upon the way we live now, from the politicizing of museum culture to the cult of the politically correct. The key postmodernist ideas are explored and challenged, as they figure in the theory, philosophy, politics, ethics and artwork of the period, and it is shown how they have interacted within a postmodernist culture.

Truth Decay: Defending Christianity Against the Challenges of Postmodernism

Douglas R. Groothuis

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Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The concept of truth as absolute, objective and universal has undergone serious deterioration in recent years. No longer is it a goal for all to pursue. Rather postmodernism sees truth as inseparable from culture, psychology, race and gender. Ultimately, truth is what we make it to be.

What factors have accelerated this decay of truth? Why are people willing to embrace such a devalued concept? How does this new view compare and contrast with a Christian understanding?

While postmodernism contains some truthful insights (despite its attempt to dethrone truth), Douglas Groothuis sees its basic tenets as intellectually flawed and hostile to Christian views. In this spirited presentation of a solid, biblical and logical perspective, the author unveils how truth has come under attack and how it can be defended in the vital areas of theology, apologetics, ethics and the arts.

"Truth Decay is an impressive defense and reminder of some things evangelicals have always known but which have been recently questioned. . . . Even at those points where I disagree with Groothuis, I share his underlying concerns and convictions." C. Stephen Evans, Professor of Philosophy, Calvin College

"Written with brilliance and clarity that is highly unusual among both defenders and critics of postmodernism." James W. Sire, author of The Universe Next Door

"Groothuis makes a solid, illuminating contribution to the ongoing debate among Christians about how to defend the gospel in a culture where the concept of objective truth is under siege." Philip Johnson, author of The Wedge of Truth

"Powerful, thorough and timely, Truth Decay stands squarely in the face of the Gadarene rush to the postmodern abyss. Groothuis deserves careful reading and repays it amply." Os Guinness, author of Time for Truth

Postmodernism For Beginners

Jim Powell

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The Best in its Genre 5 out of 5 stars.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful.

So many introductions to postmodernism are boring, or even unreadable simply because they are written by people who cannot write. These "writers" simply parrot the same pomobabble that so many postmodern thinkers indulge in--as if they were all members of some wierd cult. Powell--who CAN actually write--frys them for this, but then goes on to present excellent overviews of several important writers. One would not expect to find such depth in a comic book. The summary of Baudrillard's work, for instance, is often more insightful than those found in much weightier and intentionally serious volumes. Powell, explains the evoultion of Baudrillard's thoughts from its Marxist roots. Powell is especially good when it comes to the enigmatic Derrida, and his 'deconstruction.' Although Postmodernism for Beginners does not tackle Derrida's major works--as does Powell's Derrida for Beginners--it does make Derrida less mercurial, so that readers can then go on to read Derrida's works forewarned and forearmed. Powell really brings postmodernism to light, however, in his presentation of postmodern artifacts: Madonna, Bladerunner, cyberpunk, etc. Joe Lee's illustrations often present subtle asides to Powell's Proustian prose. All-in-all, one of the best I've read in the For-Beginners series.

Editorial Review:

If you are like most people, you’re not sure what Postmodernism is. And if this were like most books on the subject, it probably wouldn’t tell you. Besides what a few grumpy critics claim, Postmodernism is not a bunch of meaningless intellectual mind games. On the contrary, it is a reaction to the most profound spiritual and philosophical crises of our time–the failure of the Enlightenment. Jim Powell takes the position that Postmodernism is a series of “maps” that help people find their way through a changing world. Postmodernism For Beginners features the thoughts of Foucault on power and knowledge, Jameson on mapping the postmodern, Baudrillard on the media, Harvey on time-space compression, Derrida on deconstruction and Deleuze and Guattari on rhizomes. The book also discusses postmodern artifacts such as Madonna, cyberpunk sci-fi, Buddhist ecology and teledildonics.

A Primer on Postmodernism

Stanley J. Grenz

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Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Nice intro 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I feel this is one of the better introductions to Postmodernism. It is a little clearer than say "Teach Yourself Postmodernism", which is also a very good introduction. If you want to understand the Postmodern idea, get both these books, they compliment each other very well IMHO.

The Postmodernism Boogie Man 1 out of 5 stars.
1 of 7 people found this review helpful.

After reading Stanley Grenz title: A Primer on Postmodernism, I was almost certain that sometime over the last 30 years I had seen a greater waste of paper. After six months of contemplating the problem I am still at a lost of coming up with a name.

It seems there is another boogie man that has been set loose on society to make sure the masses are thoroughly convinced they are facing a problem which without taking head on now, will most certainly result, at the minimum, in a loss of their cherished way of life, but most likely will just go ahead and bring about the EOW. (End of the World)

As if the evil and scourge of Islamofascism, what ever that is, wasn't enough, combined with the plot of liberals to destroy the country, kill G-d, and turn us over to aforementioned Islamofascist, (my spell checker doesn't even know what that is), I guess we just had to throw in postmodernism as a safety measure. Apparently, Mr. Grenz was most happily willing to help. Causes me to wonder if he was also being funding by President Bush's, and former Secretary of Defense (SecDef), Ministry of Information project.

Call me a cynic but having lived through the cold war, where propaganda was an art form, till today's Axis of Evil, propaganda has now become a science. (Ever notice how Axis of Evil conjures up images of Nazi Germany and then guess what, we have the newly formed verbiage of "Islamofascism". Or to put it another way, America's new anti-Semitic whipping boy.

The bottom line; this whole Postmodernism drivel that is making the rounds, of which no self respecting philosophy sophomore would buy, is just another ploy to keep people in fear. I would recommend finding books about real problems we have today and look to finding real solutions to them. If that is of course still possible.

Heres a good book to consider. The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power Is Destroying the Church

Editorial Review:

Grenz examines the topography of postmodernism, a phenomenon everyone acknowledges, but has difficulty describing with precision. Of particular significance is his discussion of the challenges this cultural shift presents to the church.

Solomon among the Postmoderns

Peter J., Leithart

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Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Corrected my misunderstandings 4 out of 5 stars.
10 of 11 people found this review helpful.

This book was a helpful summary of and response to the phenomenon known as "postmodernism." In short, postmodernity is that phenomenon that follows the arrogance of modernity and posits limitations to human knowledge and politics.

However, postmodernity has suffered from naive supporters and savage critics. I had my own misunderstandings. I thought postmodernists were those people with dark eye-liner, low-brow culture, readers of Nietzsche and those who sit around all day watching *Fight Club.* Leithart convinced me I was wrong.

The strengths of the book:
Leithart, following Kevin Vanhoozer, sympathetically interacts and appreciates some of the good things that postmodernity has to offer. Postmodernity can celebrate the death of modernity (but so can conservative foundationalists) but postmodernity doesn't share the same modern presuppositions that many of modernity's critics share.

Leithart gave a good critique of democracy. Democracy celebrates religious freedom to the degree that a religion supports the statist status quo. Whenever that religion begins to proclaim another king, one Jesus, then they will be marginalized and persecuted.

Leithart gave a good critique of postmodernism's non-eschatology. Postmodernism can't even claim the honor of being a noble tragedy. A tragedy implies a climactic ending. Postmodernism denies precisely that. It forces its adherents to hope for eternal anti-climax (Foucalt's thoughts on the matter).

Leithart correctly translates the Hebrew word *hebel* as vapor, not vanity.

Weaknesses:
This is not Leithart's best piece of writing, stylistically. I gave him 4 stars because he is capable of outstanding, breathtaking writing. This book was quite good, but not his best.

That being said, I definitely recommend it and would encourage the reader on to Leithart's other work *Deep Comedy,* particularly the chapter "Supplement at Origin."

Editorial Review:

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon states that "all is vapor" and describes humans as trying to "shepherd the wind." In Solomon among the Postmoderns, author Peter J. Leithart uses these claims, as well as the entire book of Ecclesiastes, to show how Solomon resonated with postmodernism. Exploring the strengths and weaknesses of postmodernism, Leithart shows how the theory reflects an important biblical theme: the elusiveness and instability of the world. But he goes on to show that biblical faith takes us beyond cynicism and despair. Solomon among the Postmoderns will appeal to academics and laypeople alike seeking a biblical view of postmodernism.

Islam and the West: A Conversation with Jacques Derrida (Religion and Postmodernism Series)

Mustapha Cherif

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Editorial Review:

In the spring of 2003, Jacques Derrida sat down for a public debate in Paris with Algerian intellectual Mustapha Chérif. The eminent philosopher arrived at the event directly from the hospital where he had just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the illness that would take his life just over a year later. That he still participated in the exchange testifies to the magnitude of the subject at hand: the increasingly distressed relationship between Islam and the West, and the questions of freedom, justice, and democracy that surround it. As Chérif relates in this account of their dialogue, the topic of Islam held special resonance for Derrida—perhaps it is to be expected that near the end of his life his thoughts would return to Algeria, the country where he was born in 1930. Indeed, these roots served as the impetus for their conversation, which first centers on the ways in which Derrida’s Algerian-Jewish identity has shaped his thinking. From there, the two men move to broader questions of secularism and democracy; to politics and religion and how the former manipulates the latter; and to the parallels between xenophobia in the West and fanaticism among Islamists. Ultimately, the discussion is an attempt to tear down the notion that Islam and the West are two civilizations locked in a bitter struggle for supremacy and to reconsider them as the two shores of the Mediterranean—two halves of the same geographical, religious, and cultural sphere. Islam and the West is a crucial opportunity to further our understanding of Derrida’s views on the key political and religious divisions of our time and an often moving testament to the power of friendship and solidarity to surmount them.

After God (Religion and Postmodernism Series)

Mark C. Taylor

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Editorial Review:

Religion, Mark C. Taylor argues in After God, is more complicated than either its defenders or critics think and, indeed, is much more influential than any of us realize. Our world, Taylor maintains, is shaped by religion even when it is least obvious. Faith and value, he insists, are unavoidable and inextricably interrelated for believers and nonbelievers alike.

The first comprehensive theology of culture since the pioneering work of Paul Tillich, After God redefines religion for our contemporary age. This volume is a radical reconceptualization of religion and Taylor’s most pathbreaking work yet, bringing together various strands of theological argument and cultural analysis four decades in the making.

Praise for Mark C. Taylor
“The distinguishing feature of Taylor’s career is a fearless, or perhaps reckless, orientation to the new and to whatever challenges orthodoxy. . . . Taylor’s work is playful, perverse, rarefied, ingenious, and often brilliant.”—New York Times Magazine

Beyond the Post-Modern Mind, Third and Updated Edition: The Place of Meaning in a Global Civilization

Huston Smith

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A good book if you're interested in alternative worldviews. 4 out of 5 stars.
46 of 56 people found this review helpful.

The book is a collection of speeches and journal articles written by Huston Smith over the last few decades. From previous experience, I know that Professor Smith has a penchant for presenting complex topics in a readily accessible form. While I like this about his writing, I feel that he does not describe these terms in all of their complexity. The essays are polemical in nature and focus on Professor Smith's desire to revive metaphysics especially ontology and redirect modern epistemology away from control and towards awareness. As important as these topics are, I felt that Professor Smith avoided the social and political nature of any type of knowledge. Since I believe that this is one of post-modernism's thorniest critiques, time and space must be given to the real-time consequences of imposition of his hierarchic ontology. On the other hand, as a person of faith, this collect of essays challenges my worldview and forces me to consider how I have made space for a transcendent reality within the West's naturalistic worldview.

Editorial Review:

This new edition of critically acclaimed essays explores possible breakthroughs in the direction of reaching a liberated and enlightened consciousness. With a new preface and new final chapter. An invaluable collection of essays by the foremost religious writer in America today.

The Truth about the Truth (New Consciousness Reader)

Walter Truett Anderson

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Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Lucid and complete 5 out of 5 stars.
13 of 15 people found this review helpful.

To many readers, postmodernism (PoMo) is a vexed subject, smacking of trendy intellectual fashion. However one views it, Anderson's book collects a number of essays on the topic that anyone interested in the dominant ideas of the day should not be without. The entries are not lengthy and therefore persuasive depth should not be expected. Put them together, however, and a pretty complete overview of PoMo is before you. The editor has fashioned a nifty little introduction that lays out the general orientation in clear and understandable language - a not inconsiderable feat given the subject matter.

One point worth noting that is not in the book. Beneath the ideas promoted by PoMo lies a sociological reality captured in that forbidding word "multi-culturalism". There are many different cultures in the world whose customs and mores project many different kinds of worlds. This fact does seem to leave us with no common frame of reference to judge any of them as superior, a key PoMo conclusion. In that sense, postmodernism appears to be the perfect philosophical expression of an emerging multicultural reality. Nevertheless, wedging beneath the world's many and various cultures is another emergent reality - the global consolidation of private property, as represented by trans-national corporations and international trade agreements. Beneath PoMo's relativizing of cultural absolutes, there moves the monolithic grip of global capitalism, homogenizing all cultures in a consumerist vat. It at least deserves consideration that the former serves to conceal the latter from the view of secular intellectuals like post-modernists, and thus becomes the perfect cultural expression of a consolidating world order. Put another way, the power of Pepsi has conquered the outdated truths of reason and anyone who complains is practicing cultural imperialism. So go with the flow. Readers interested in how PoMo serves the powers-that-be should consult Terry Eagleton or Frederick Jameson.