What Is "Postconservatism"?
Scot McKnight writes today, “Postconservatism is one of the reasons why many are attracted to and sympathetic with the emerging movement.” So what is it? Scot gives a helpful summary, based on Roger Olson’s book Reformed and Always Reforming:
- “Transformation before information.”
- “Theology is a pilgrimage and a journey rather than a discovery and a conquest.”
- “Dissatisfaction with conservative evangelicalism’s reliance upon Enlightenment and modern modes of thought.”
- “Its vision for evangelicalism is not shaped by a ‘who is in and who is out.’”
- “The enduring essence of the Christian faith is spiritual experience rather than doctrinal belief.”
- “Holds relatively lightly to tradition while respecting the Great Tradition of the Church.”
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Shawn, I see that as being related to the idea that the cross is foolishness for those without the spirit. The transformation comes from the spirit which helps people understand the information. This doesn’t mean that we don’t want to live out and proclaim Christ in the world (though it may look different than it has in the past), but we understand and don’t expect people to just be persuaded by information, and thus we aren’t frusterated by “misunderstanding” of information. We can continue to love and engage and discuss because we know the God is the one who transforms before we can even understand Him. Furthermore I think this relates to ideas about morality. I wouldn’t expect someone to understand why they need to change their behavior in certain areas, or even be able to change it until they are transformed. I wouldn’t believe that the information empowered them to live more fully for God, because is very clear that He does this through His spirit.
one last thing… I think this should practically look like respect, empathy, and understanding. I wouldn’t want the attitude to come off as “oh you just can’t understand yet” or some kind of pity. I really see it as a better understanding of our own limitations… of the fact that we are doing the best with what we have all the time, and I believe people can have all the information in the world and make very rational/understandable decisions against Christ and God. I can believe that because I know faith and hope come from something that really looks foolish in many ways. It is something that I build my beliefs on not something that my beliefs lead to.
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I’m a little puzzled: What does “transformation before information” mean? How can I be transformed if I don’t have any information on what I’m being transformed into?