Post Modernity and the Modern Dialogue

So last week I read one of the many biographies of C.S. Lewis' life and found it rather interesting. The author Douglas Gresham was Lewis' stepson therefore, he knew Lewis in a way that many did not. It is evident that Gresham thought very highly of his stepfather and held him in the highest regard. Time and time again Gresham highlights Lewis' willingness to take time from his writing and studies to serve those around him. When it came to simply talking to someone, giving them a place to stay for a few nights, or day-to-day chores Lewis frequently and without gripe did what was needed. 

Gresham also spoke rather extensively about a somewhat informal group that Lewis was apart of that met weekly at a local pub in Oxford. The Inklings, as they came to be known were a group of professors, writers, and general thinkers who enjoyed a good philosophical conversation and a pint with it. Gresham made a very interesting point about the time period of which Lewis lived in. He points out the social value placed on good dialogue among men. In the biography Gresham writes in reference to the Inkings, 

"One of the most valuable things of that time was that in those days nobody felt the least bit of need to dislike or grow angry with someone simply because they disagreed with them. These men disagreed with one another about almost everything but never grew annoyed or felt slighted by one another."   -Douglas Gresham Jack's Life

Today, I, being apart of the postmodern generation am extremely unfamiliar with this type of dialogue. I have sat through four years of discussion on the university level concerning topics such as evolution, politics, religions, philosophy, methodology, etc, and rarely do I see the opposing sides shake hands and grab a bite to eat afterwords. Most of the time tempers flare, sincere passion turns to hurtful artillery, and verbal jabs are thrown in an attempt to demoralize and hurt the other side.

I have also sat in on and been apart of discussion that quickly died due to not wanting to offend another person. Continually being on the defense in order to not be in the offense can be a rather stagnant stance to hold. It is in the midst of discussion, debate, and criticism that the best products are produced. I credit much of this attitude toward what sociologist have named "postmodernism". (If you would like to read more about Postmodernity follow the link attached.)

The postmodern generation has been attributed the characteristics of not want to offend anyone therefore, each person creates and maintains his own reality. Thus, according to postmodernism I cannot say you are wrong in what you believe, say, or do; and likewise. It is this mentality of my generation that has attributed to what I believe has been shallow conversations, lacking the refining fire of debate because of the fear of offending another person. I feel like I should have the liberty to ask another person about his political stance and/or religious affiliation without the worry of offending him. I ask because I am interested not because I want to argue and I ask because I want to learn not because I want to fight. I should also be able to receive question and criticism well and without taking offense. 

Healthy dialogue must be welcomed if we intend to grow in knowledge and understanding and especially those of us who are followers of Christ. I have often found myself taking offense at what people say about Jesus Christ, whom I believe is God in man form. Interesting to reread and to think I take offense at a statement made toward the God of the universe, as if He cannot do anything about it. As believers we must continually be reminded that our Father can hold his own  and therefore, our response should not be that of hate or offense rather, love. 

Peace of Mind

This evening my wife and I had the great pleasure of eating dinner and catching up with an old high school friend of mine. On the way home I asked my wife 


"Would you endure a few months of great heart ache from a relationship gone wrong, if you could write it into a song or a book and make millions; thus providing a great lifestyle change? Would it be worth it?" 


As our conversation carried on we concluded that it would probably be worth it. But, we also discussed the peace of mind that comes with knowing what is to come. Willingly placing yourself in a harmful position (emotional, physical, etc) to gain much reward in the end. This is a major variable that cannot be taken into consideration while enduring such a consequential season of life. 


For example... 


Recently a very well known pastor chose to quit his position at the church he started a number years ago that had grown to about 4,000, to take on a season of living with his family in East Asia. According toCNN Francis Chan left his church, left a very lively public speaking schedule, and uprooted his family to live in another country under very different conditions than what they had been used to in southern California. Chan is due to return to the states sometime in January and will resume speaking at conferences, starting with the Passion Conference in Atlanta. 


Another example is Mike Yanksoski. Mike chose to leave his upper-middle class lifestyle to "panhandle" his way through homelessness for 5 months. Mike's purpose for doing this as he writes in his book Under The Over Pass was to see if his faith would withstand such strenuous conditions. Mike chose to take a big step out of his daily comforts to experience a completely different part of the American society. Five months of poverty, smelliness, and the hard-knocks of living on the streets; but all the while knowing there was an exit strategy. 


Shane Claiborne's story approaches this discussion form a different angle. After graduating from college and attending Princeton Theological Seminary for a short term Shane began to work and live among the homeless community of Philadelphia. I believe it is obvious to anyone who has read Shane's book The Irresistible Revolution that he has chose his way of living because of a deep conviction and desire to love and serve those in poverty. At any rate Shane chose this lifestyle and in many ways it has proven very lucrative for him. 


I admire and respect all these men for holding true to the convictions that God has seemed to place on their lives, but I do want to point out just one thing. All these men at some point have entered into their lifestyle or season of life with peace of mind. Chan still having his speaking engagements lined up upon his return, Yanksoski able to step out of his season of poverty at any point, and Claiborne able to gain much fame and money from books sales and speaking engagements. Now, understand what I am saying here; I am in no way degrading the decisions of any one of these men, nor do I think they have alternative reasons than what they have presented. In fact I respect and hold each of these men in high regard for the awareness each one of them has brought forth and the examples they have set with their lives. But, I do think it is an unfair claim to assume that simply placing ourselves physically in a position of poverty does not mean we are able to empathize with those who have not chosen that lifestyle. I believe the "not knowing" of living on the streets, or the anxiety that may come from living in a less established country can bare much weight on a person. 


Again, let me make clear that I have read books by all these men and respect each of them very much and in no way do I consider the choices they have made insincere, ignorant, or pompous. 


All I want to highlight is the assumption that many of us make when we assume we can step into someone else's situation and believe we know just how they feel or what decision they should make. The complete hopelessness the comes from growing up on the streets and living in a poverty stricken country is an emotion that is near impossible to understand unless you actually have been there yourself. Hopelessness, anxiety, and fear are all emotions that cannot be genuinely cultivated; rather they are the ones that can only be unexpectedly stumbled upon. These emotions are typically not welcomed during their stay but often looked upon after the fact with much gratitude because of the wisdom and strength they provided. Decisions and way of life run much deeper than the mere material, we must consider the spiritual and the emotional as well.