How Postmodernism Serves (My) Faith

Questioning Truth in Language, Philosophy and Art

By Crystal L. Downing

(paperback)

Product Details

Line: IVP Academic
Length: 240 pages
Size: 6 x 9 inches
Binding: paperback
Published: May 2006

ISBN-10: 0-8308-2758-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-8308-2758-9
IVP Order Code: 2758

Related Subjects

Postmodernism

"Crystal Downing has written a superb exposition of postmodernism for Christians, utilizing personal experience, concrete examples and a delightful literary style. She explains complex ideas without oversimplification, while clearly having fun with language. This book will go a long way toward dispelling unnecessary fears concerning the bogeyman of postmodernism, while demonstrating its positive value for thoughtful Christians."

"Crystal Downing has provided a wonderful resource for those who are wrestling with the challenges of relating their Christian commitments to postmodernity. In a personal and winsome style, she invites readers to consider the ways in which her own critical and constructive engagement with postmodern thought has served to strengthen and deepen her faith. In so doing she has marked out a clear path for others to follow and produced one of the most enjoyable and helpful books currently available on postmodernism and its implications for Christian faith."

"Crystal Downing provides us with a wonderfully personal glimpse into the ways in which postmodernism has served to deepen her faith. Drawing in the reader through everyday vignettes, Downing shows that postmodernism isn't necessarily the 'dangerous' entity that so many evangelicals take it to be. Of course, Downing in no way uncritically accepts all things postmodern. Rather she deftly guides the reader through the positive contributions--and pitfalls--of postmodernism. Although Downing writes on postmodernism in terms of her own faith journey, I suspect that many readers will readily identify with that journey, and find that postmodernism likewise serves their faith."

"Shortly after a few of us started using the word postmodern, the term in the hands of some became a club--a blunt instrument used to intimidate, insult or exclude (one way or another). Thankfully, thoughtful and articulate scholars like Crystal Downing are now stepping forward, providing nuanced reflection so more charitable dialogue can prevail. Her treatment of relativism alone is worth the price of the book. Highly recommended."

"I never thought I'd describe a book about po-mo theory as exciting--but this book is. Crystal Downing not only explains where postmodern theory came from and what its aims are but, more important, shows how postmodern theory can help articulate a Christianity free from modernist assumptions. This is the single most helpful introduction to postmodernism I've read."

"A creative reconsideration of Christian truth and Christian confession in a postmodern age. . . . Downing offers a thoughtful, compelling and non-defensive reflection on Christian witness in a pluralistic world. The dialogue with postmodernism is not made merely with an eye to survival, but also with evident curiosity and conviction that one might, through such dialogue, become a more authentic disciple of Christ. Perhaps for this reason more than any other, How Postmodernism Serves (My) Faith recommends itself as an excellent text for the undergraduate theology classroom. There is much here to challenge the presuppositions of Christian evangelical and post-Christian skeptic alike."

"Crystal Downing has navigated through the mire of misinformation and mangled terminology to present to her reader a clear understanding of what postmodernity is and is not. More importantly, she has prevailed in providing the Christian Church with an effective tool for the communication of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the postmodern cultural milieu. Regardless of your philosophical aptitude, Downing's thesis will provide ample food for thought."

"[A]n admirable overview of postmodernism."

"What good fortune to have Crystal Downing's How Postmodernism Serves (My) Faith not only to explain postmodernism to a lay Christian audience in the most winsome possible way, but to show in a positive light how it might impact Christian belief and practice."

One of the greatest strengths of this book is Downing's ability to take complex topics, explain in concise terms and in thought-forms that Christians are familiar with. Familiar examples, and reoccurring stories and references make the flow throughout the book very smooth, and helpful. It's a fun and easy read (of course, by that I mean about as easy as you can imagine given the subject matter!)

"The attempt to align postmodernism with Christianity is welcome."