Answering Your Questions About Postmodernism

I planned on writing more about postmodernism, this week, but the questions I received from my readers were so good that I don't actually have to craft an original post. Here are your questions.

A friend of mine who holds many degrees asked the following (on Facebook):

Your narrative makes it sound as if social constructs are something we just decide to put together, but doesn't the idea of a social construct suggest something larger than us, something we are born or educated or otherwise brought into?

This is absolutely correct and I am sorry if I was unclear on this. In my example of a social construct (there is always a cat on my bed), I came to this knowledge because every time I walk into my room a cat is sitting there; it's not because I wanted it to be that way. (If I could decide my own social constructs they would go something like, "Molly always makes me coffee" or "Desmond never tries to enter the trash can.")

Andrew had this question:

Does being post-modern imply that you favor going against the common metanarrative, or just that you're willing to question it?

Good question. Remember, the definition of post-modernism is that we are incredulous to all metanarratives. When presented with one, a postmodernist should not attempt to tear it down or run from it; instead, they should question it. In questioning the metanarrative a postmodernist thinks they can learn the truth and get out from under the point of view that has been given to them. Thanks, Andrew.

My cat, Desmond, was helping Christine with her homework; later, he asked her out on a date.
His relationship status on Facebook currently says, "It's complicated."

My good friend, Krystal, has this question, which is similar to the last one:

Also...I mostly get what your point was when you said:
"A good postmodernist simply tries to act outside of the influence of the metanarrative rather than insisting upon their own."
But what is really the difference, when one looks at this closely? Or how can you tell?

Some people treat postmodernism as if it were a religion of its own. "I'm a postmodernist," they say, "so I don't believe in God." There's nothing postmodern about that. A true postmodernist might say, "I have been told that God is real; I will question this truth and consider it." This second person, the true postmodernist, will question the Nihilist as well as the Christian until they reach a conclusion - never believing one of these worldviews until they have reason to do so.

However, the most relevant question came from Bruce, who has the question that I am slowly getting to:

My question though concerns your statement that postmodernism is not a problem for my faith. Like you I'm a Christian. While I would disagree with your idea of what postmodernism is I think that on your definition it remains a problem for Christian faith....Why would postmodernism, defined as: "Incredulity to all metanarratives" given the above observations, not be a problem for my faith?

I do not think postmodernism is antithetical to Christianity - but that thought requires its own post which will arrive later in the week. Stay tuned!

(I'm sorry that this blog post came late. It takes longer than normal to post when writing about stuff like this!)