2.2 Definition

There is no single definition of postmodernism that is being utilized by all the Emerging Church writers or her critics. And as Carson notes ‘neither modernism nor postmodernism is easy to define’.[1]
Sweet and Mclaren’s seem to be representative for the entire movement when they write:

Because we see postmodernism as more a formative spirit and mentality than a philosophy, we resist trying to define it yet with finality or precision. (Similarly, it would have been premature to try to define or judge modernity as it was arising in Copernicus’s time, long before Descartes and others came along to express it in its maturing forms.)’[2]

Stanley Grenz, one of the Emerging Churches’ key thinkers, describes the history of the term postmodern as follows:

The term postmodern may first have been coined in the 1930s to refer to a major historical transition already under way and as the designation for certain developments in the arts. But postmodernism did not gain widespread attention until the 1970s. First it denoted a new style of architecture. Then it invaded academic circles, originally as a label for theories expounded in university English and philosophy departments. Eventually it surfaced as the description for a broader cultural phenomenon.[3]

Some people, especially in Europe, have questioned the legitimacy of us still using the word because so often it causes more confusion than clarity. McLaren chooses to ‘persist in using the term, not because of stubbornness, but because I think it’s the best term we have so far, and actually, I think the term is pretty helpful (as well as annoying).’[4] In the rest of this article, published on http://www.emergentvillage.com/, McLaren describes his view on postmodernism. He reasons that the early stages of postmodernism were/are of a more negative tone, just like all other changes in culture started with complaints about and an overall deconstructive attitude towards the existing paradigm. ‘Eventually, some… must start trying to articulate something better, but the negative stage can go on for quite a while.’ What follows is a warning not to be anti-modern, but to be looking for a synthesis, not rejection. ‘Postmodernity will more likely seek to integrate rationality with things beyond rationality, things like imagination, intuition, even faith.’[5]

[1] D.A. Carson, Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church p.25
[2] Leonard Sweet, Brian D. McLaren, Jerry Haselmayer, A Is for Abductive p.240 (my italics)
[3] Grenz, A Primer on Postmodernism (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 1996) p.2
[4] B. McLaren, Why I Still Use the Word Postmodern (http://www.emergenvillage.com/downloads/resources/mclaren/whyiusepostmodern.pdf)
[5] He probably means postmodernism rather than postmodernity. The difference being: ‘Postmodernism is the "cultural and intellectual phenomena" while postmodernity is focused on social and political outworkings in society.’ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postmodernity)