convention ≠ conviction

It occurs to me that it is possible to see postmodernism as a logical evolution of modernism rather than simply as a reaction. However, this understanding is hidden by methodology. Through recent generations, certain ideas and thought processes have gained strength with each successive generation. But we’re more married to traditional methodology than we are to beliefs, ideologies, World View that spawned those methodologies. Therefore, we’ll continue to behave accordingly, long after our beliefs, convictions and world view has changed. Eventually, a generation comes along whose thinking is no more different than any other successive generation, but who is the first to say, hey if we think like this, why are we acting like that?
This generation will be the first to abandon behavioral mores that are kept in place only by tradition and cultural acceptance, but have long since lost their conviction.

This generation begins to behave according to their convictions rather than convention. Previous generations observe this and are mortified despite the fact that their own convictions don’t differ much from those whose behavior seems outrageous. I believe a close self-assessment would often reveal true moral conviction that is out-of-step with outward culturally induced behavior. I feel this is what we are witnessing as authenticity, transparency and vulnerability become the buzzwords of the pomo Christian. Sadly, the pursuit of authenticity often sets one on a backward path of transformation in which he ceases to hide his inner sinfulness and simply shows his natural man to everyone. Community is born which becomes perverted into some kind of support group where we all feel comfortable being sinful. Would it not be better to clean the inner sinful man so that he becomes as clean as the outward man seemed to be? Community then serves as accountability and encouragement when inner and outer are not in step.

This phenomenon is also manifest in the church when Pastors preach from the pulpit theology which is not their own. They preach doctrine that they no longer believe. Surveys have shown this taking place in mainline American denominations. When our questionable generation comes along and preaches only what they believe, we mourn the absence of the content of previous generations. But it would seem that the conviction and belief disappeared long before the content of the sermon. Why do we long for a time when we convincingly pretended to be what we weren’t. A time when we pretended to believe what we thought was myth. It seems we need to look a bit deeper than our thinking that we need to stop this downhill spiral. We need to turn around, backtrack a bit, study the source and own a theology that is real. Then live accordingly. I hope that is where this scary, uncertain, ancient future is leading.