The Postfoundational Frame
The term postmodern gets thrown around quite a bit these days. I prefer the term postfoundational. 1see Grenz and Franke, Beyond Foundationalism. This is primarily a post-positivist, constructivist 2Post-positivist, constructivist epistemology is to be understood broadly as the hermeneutic lineage of Heidegger, Gadamer, Habermas, and Ricoeur as outlined in Jean Grondin’s book Introduction to Philosophical Hermeneutics. Jean Grondin, Introduction to Philosophical Hermeneutics, Yale Studies in Hermeneutics (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1994). framework. I draw upon two key philosophers to frame this conversation. The first is Jürgen Habermas and The Theory of Communicative Action. 3Habermas, Jürgen. The Philosophical Discourse of Modernity: Twelve Lectures Studies in Contemporary German Social Thought. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1987. This is broadly known as Critical Social Theory. 4Gary Simpson helps to understand Habermas’ work. Gary M. Simpson, Critical Social Theory: Prophetic Reason, Civil Society, and Christian Imagination, Guides to Theological Inquiry (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2002). The second philosopher is Hans-Georg Gadamer in his work Truth and Method, 5Hans-Georg Gadamer, Truth and Method (London: Sheed & Ward, 1975). where he discusses the fusion of horizons and linguisticality. This is important to note because this theoretical frame creates the basis for using Participatory Action Research as the primary research methodology for this project. The members of the research team will work in conjunction with me to construct new ideas and practices that will shape the research itself.
Use this Prezi to explore my bibliography, illustrations, and class notes pertaining to the discussion of how we think and how things have shifted in the twentieth century.
Epistemology/Postfoundational Bibliography
- The End of Theological Education by Ted Smith | A Visual Book ReviewTed Smith plays with the phrase “The End of Theological Education.” Is theological education ending? Or, what is the purpose of theological education. Allow me to visually walk you through this book.
- Homebrewed Guide to Jesus Notes Chapters 5-7Visual notes from Homebrewed Guide to Jesus by Tripp Fuller. Chapters 5-7.
- Homebrewed Guide to Jesus chapters 2-4Homebrewed Guide to Jesus chapters 2-4
- Visualizing an Open and Relational TheologyThese images visualize an Open and Relational Theology as described by Tripp Fuller and John Cobb.
- A Visual Book Review of The Righteous Mind by Jonathan HaidtI read The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt. I had seen it in the bookstore, and heard it mentioned a few places, most notably by Tripp Fuller on the Homebrewed Christianity podcast. So, I thought I should read it. I’m so glad I did. This is one of those books that has caused me to go ...
- Faith Formation in a Secular Age by Andy Root | #visualnotesAndy Root is a professor at Luther Seminary and a thought leader in youth ministry, young adults, family, church, and culture. I had the privilege to hear Andy present the big concepts in his book Faith Formation in a Secular Age at Luther this week. I was on campus all week co-teaching a group of Doctor ...
- Book | In Search of Self edited by van Huyssteen and WiebeVan Huyssteen, J. Wentzel and Erik P. Wiebe. In Search of Self: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Personhood. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Pub., 2011. The following two paragraphs provide a good flavor for this collection of essays that explore the human self in an interdisciplinary conversation. “While neuroscientists like Daniel Siegel, Louis Cozolino, and John Cacioppo have argued ...
- Book | Introduction to Philosophical Hermeneutics by Jean GrondinGrondin, Jean. Introduction to Philosophical Hermeneutics. New Haven: Yale University Press. 1994. Author – Jean Grondin The following illustration represents the history that Grondin sets forth in this book. It provides a nice frame for understanding how hermeneutics shifted in the mid-twentieth century from positivism to a more communicative, constructivist perspective. This was not an overnight switch, ...
- Putting Willard on the Raft | A Reflection on Gary Black’s book The Theology of Dallas WillardBlack, Gary. The Theology of Dallas Willard: Discovering Protoevangelical Faith. Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications, 2013. The Author – Dr. Gary Black, Jr. This essay is both a reflection on Gary Black’s book The Theology of Dallas Willard, and a huge note of gratitude to Gary for shedding light on a much needed subject. This book has not ...
- Book | A Secular Age by Charles TaylorThe Author – Charles Taylor A key concept that comes from the book is that of the buffered self. Taylor argues that modern, western civilization has disenchanted the cosmos and moved away from a porous self—in which the person can be influenced and interpenetrated by forces and spirits of the cosmos—to the buffered self which lives ...
- Book | Beyond Foundationalism by Stanley Grenz and John FrankeBook | Beyond Foundationalism by Stanley Grenz and John Franke
- Book | Converging on CultureBrown, Delwin, Sheila Greeve Davaney, Kathryn Tanner, and American Academy of Religion. Converging on Culture: Theologians in Dialogue with Cultural Analysis and Criticism The American Academy of Religion Reflection and Theory in the Study of Religion Series. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2001. The Editors Delwin Brown Dean emeritus of Pacific School of Religion (PSR), as a ...
- Book | The Postmodern Turn by Steven Best and Douglas KellnerBest, Steven, and Douglas Kellner. The Postmodern Turn Critical Perspectives. New York: Guilford Press, 1997. The Authors Steven Best Bio Associate Professor of Philosophy at UTEP, Dr. Steven Best is an award-winning and prolific writer, noted speaker, public intellectual, and seasoned activist Research Interests Continental philosophy, applied ethics (animal rights, environmental ethics, bioethics), social and political philosophy, media theory and cultural ...
- Book | Translating the Message by Lamin SannehSanneh, Lamin O. Translating the Message: The Missionary Impact on Culture. 2nd ed. American Society of Missiology Series.Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2009. The Author Lamin Sanneh is the D. Willis James Professor of Missions & World Christianity at Yale University. He, a naturalized U.S. citizen, is descended from the nyanchos, an ancient African royal house, and was ...
- Book | Practicing Gospel by Edward FarleyFarley, Edward. Practicing Gospel: Unconventional Thoughts on the Church’s Ministry. 1st ed. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2003. The Author Edward Farley is Professor Emeritus of Theology at Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, Tennessee. He has written a number of books on theology and theological education. William Edward Farley has distinguished himself as a scholar and teacher ...
- Paper | A Presentation on Hans-Georg GadamerIntroduction Hans-Georg Gadamer was born in 1900 and died in 2002. One could say that he was truly a man of the 20th century. This is fitting since his life and work demonstrated the transitional nature of the 20th century as the academic disciplines made a turn from Enlightenment thinking to a postmodern sensibility. Gadamer’s presentation ...
- Book | Theories of Culture by Kathryn TannerTanner, Kathryn. Theories of Culture: A New Agenda for Theology Guides to Theological Inquiry. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1997. A Paper I Wrote on This Book A Presentation and Reflective Response to Theories of Culture: A New Agenda for Theology by Kathryn Turner Introduction The purpose and scope of this paper is to provide a starting point for discussion amongst the members of the ...
- Book | The Philosophical Discourse of Modernity by Jürgen HabermasHabermas, Jürgen. The Philosophical Discourse of Modernity: Twelve Lectures Studies in Contemporary German Social Thought. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1987. The Author – Jürgen Habermas Associated with the Frankfurt School, Habermas’s work focuses on the foundations of social theory and epistemology, the analysis of advanced capitalistic societies and democracy, the rule of law in a critical social-evolutionary ...
- Book | Thketch of The Christian Imagination by Willie Jennings
- Book | In Over Our Heads by Robert KeganKegan, Robert. In over Our Heads: The Mental Demands of Modern Life. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1994. The Author – Robert Kegan Kegan is a professor of Adult Learning at Harvard, specializing in cognitive developmental psychology. He has dedicated his career to studying what he has come to call “the evolving self.” Prior to his quest, which began ...
- 1see Grenz and Franke, Beyond Foundationalism.
- 2Post-positivist, constructivist epistemology is to be understood broadly as the hermeneutic lineage of Heidegger, Gadamer, Habermas, and Ricoeur as outlined in Jean Grondin’s book Introduction to Philosophical Hermeneutics. Jean Grondin, Introduction to Philosophical Hermeneutics, Yale Studies in Hermeneutics (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1994).
- 3Habermas, Jürgen. The Philosophical Discourse of Modernity: Twelve Lectures Studies in Contemporary German Social Thought. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1987.
- 4Gary Simpson helps to understand Habermas’ work. Gary M. Simpson, Critical Social Theory: Prophetic Reason, Civil Society, and Christian Imagination, Guides to Theological Inquiry (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2002).
- 5Hans-Georg Gadamer, Truth and Method (London: Sheed & Ward, 1975).
Essays on The Postfoundational Frame
- Faith After Deconstruction | A Visual GuideThis post explores the process of how to navigate the difficult transition when your faith system/worldview is deconstructed and leaves you feeling like you are in a freefall. Be encouraged. It is a natural process and there is hope in the journey.
- Between | The Liminal Space of Adolescence
- Visualizing an Open and Relational TheologyThese images visualize an Open and Relational Theology as described by Tripp Fuller and John Cobb.
- Beyond Conservative and LiberalHow can we move beyond the things that divide conservatives and liberals and learn how to work together?
- Emerging or Missional | How Should We Discuss the Church?Two terms have played an important role for me in discussing the church. The first term was important for me during the season in which we experimented with house churches. It was during that time that I realized I was swimming in the Emerging Church conversation. The “emerging church” was a term primarily coined by ...
- Paradox and the Tension of LoveRichard Rohr’s meditations on paradox have been especially helpful for me this week. My Facebook friends know that I’ve been sharing them all week (see below). They have spoken to me for many reasons. One reason is related to the current sermon series on Job. The wisdom of Job teaches that reality exists in the paradox ...
- Tending the Generation Gap in Suburban CongregationsThis paper asks the question: How can the church leader attend to the generational gaps found in suburban congregations, specifically as it relates to spiritual formation in the congregation? I use Robert Kegan’s theory of the Five Orders of Consciousness as a framework to understand the differences and benefits of each generation. Read the Paper view paper ...
- The Fusion of Horizons | An Animated VisualizationI am increasingly excited about the upcoming class OMG! Can we talk about God? This morning I extracted a portion from a video I made for the Deep in the Burbs project to be a stand alone visualization of Hans Georg Gadamer’s concept called The Fusion of Horizons. This, I believe, is an important part ...
- On Being a Post-Evangelical, Missional, Neo-Lutheran Pastor and TheologianLabels are a necessary evil. On the one hand, we need them. I am very thankful when a bottle is labeled “poison” for example. That label can save lives. Yet, labels are more often harmful when applied to people. Labels reduce people to abstract ideas and make it easier for us to dismiss or misuse ...
- Theory Matters: Bringing Tanner, Taylor, Kegan, and Grenz into Conversation with the Deep in the Burbs DataI have already stated several times that one key assumption behind the DITB project was that theology is not the process of constructing an abstract, systematic model of God. At least, it shouldn’t be. Unfortunately, much theology is just that. Modern academic theology has tended toward the pursuit of constructing grand systems of theory that ...