SPST%20Emergent

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SPST Emergent
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SPST Emergent
Emergent Village is a growing, generative
friendship among missional Christians seeking to
love our world in the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
SPST Emergent is one cohort among many throughout
the country. The vision of SPST Emergent 1) To
create intentional space, within the seminary
experience, for conversation regarding ministry
and mission in the context of the emerging
postmodern culture, and 2) To support the vision
and mission of Emergent Village and the Greater
Kansas City Cohort. Gathering times and
locations as well as topics will vary throughout
the semester, so please keep an eye on the
Summary and SPST Emergent Blog.
www.calhoun.typepad.com/spst_emergent
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Date 2500 BCE - 500 CE 500 - 1500 CE 1500 - Mid 1900's CE Mid 1900's CE
Period Ancient World Medieval World Modern World Postmodern World
Source Dan Kimball
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Aspect Modernity Postmodernity
Social Structure National - State Global
Economic Structure Factory Mass production Office Segmented prod.
Time Linear Standardized Universal time is sequential and fixed. Linear Non sequential time is instantaneous and fast changing.
Knowledge Empirical Enlightened Mysticism
Interpretive Method Literal Grammatical - Historical Simultaneity
Truth The real truth exists in a right reading of the text. All truth is relational truth
Source Tim Keel
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Aspect Modernity Postmodernity
Epistemology Man-centered trust in reason to discover truth. Self-determined pluralistic view of culture and religion.
Understanding of Power and Faith In Human reasoning, science and logic, which helped explain and interpret God. Personal experience.
Communication Printing press transforms communication. Internet and media accelerate an instant global communication revolution.
Authority In reason, science, and logic. For Christians, the reasonable interpretation of the Bible. Suspicion of Authority. The Bible is open to many interpretations and is but one of many religious writings.
Themes Knowledge is Power. Francis Bacon I think therefore I am. Descartes (1596-1650) If it makes you happy, it cant be that bad. Sheryl Crow Every viewpoint is a view from a viewpoint.
Source Dan Kimball
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Modernity Postmodernity
Rational Scientific Unanimity Exclusive Egocentric Individualistic Functional Industrial Local Compartmentalized Relevant Experiential Spiritual Pluralistic Relative Altruistic Communal Creative Environmental Global Holistic Authentic
Source Tony Jones
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Modernity Postmodernity
Rational The cognitive and the intellectual is ultimately valued. Experiential Theres a strong desire to experience as opposed to simply reading or hearing about things.
Scientific Anything, when studied by the human brain, is ultimately understandable. Spiritual Spirituality is in. Religious themes permeate our culture.
Unanimity Humans have lived in self-contained, homogenous communities. Pluralistic Today, religious choices are overwhelming. People are spiritual without believing in God.
Exclusive Westerners agreed that the Judeo-Christian worldview was the ultimate cultural good. Relative The natural inclination is that all faiths contain elements of truth and any religion is a perfectly good way to express your spirituality.
Source Tony Jones
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Modernity Postmodernity
Individualistic The individual was seen as higher and more purer than the group. Communal Theres a return to community making decisions with, sharing resources with and staying committed to others.
Compartmentalized (Dichotomized) Mind/soul/body separation. Life is put into compartments. Spiritual life has little affect on the rest of life. Holistic One area of life is touched by every other area.
Relevant Everything has to be able to relate to peoples day-to-day lives. Authentic Authenticity is a valued commodity. The shift is from being relevant to being real.
Source Tony Jones
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Diagram 1 Cultural Contexts
The Postmodern (Postcolonial) Context
The Church Spiritual Communities of the
late 20th Century and the early 21st Century
The Modern (Colonial) Context
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Diagram 2 Discipleship and Dynamics of Emerging
churches within the Postmodern Matrix
Outer Ring The Postmodern Context
Spheres of Engagement Missional
Theological Practical Spiritual
Inner Ring Spiritual communities engaged in the
active exploration of Kingdom Life
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SPST Emergent
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Notes Invariance constant Attention to evil