Also, “theology as art” doesn’t mean anything “mysterious” or mystical to me. From my education as a musician aural, visual, dramatic art forms are all just the science of aesthetics. Aesthetics’ effects on people are mysterious though. I would say that the science of physical creation can have effects on people that are mysterious too. Are you saying that “postermodern” views have a monopoly on all genres of art as opposed to modernistic views of art? Honestly, this doesn’t make much sense to me. There are a million opinions in art just like there are in science. They aren’t exactly the same, but hopefully you can see why the idea that art and science of nature are more similar than they are different in my mind.

I think the proposal that Dawkins’ “modernism” traps him, or that it is his downfall, is not true anymore than a “postmodern” view that we can’t know absolutes…yet somehow we know absolutely that there can be no absolutes. To me both are radical views.

Also, most systematic theologians will usually say that biblical/narrative theology is just as important as a systematic approach to God’s revelation. The problem is that we are pitting to many situations against each other when in reality they are supported by one another, are a paradox, or it’s just a false dichotomy. Just a few thoughts.

In Christ
Noah
http://www.newlynearlymarried.blogspot.com/

“And, they want me to defend religion, and they want me to give them “proofs.” I just won’t do it. It only confirms them in their skepticism. Because nothing True can be said about God from a posture of defense” (Gilead 177).

“I have always found that defenses have the same irrelevance about them as the criticisms they are meant to answer” (178).

“The Lord gave you a mind so that you would make honest use of it. I’m saying you must be sure that the doubts and questions are YOUR OWN…not, so to speak, the mustache and walking stick that happen to be the fashion of any particular moment” (179).

When asked about being “saved”…. “To conclude is not in the nature of the enterprise” (152).

Hope that adds something!

-Meg

I believe you are correct. Modern Theological thinking has culminated in a system or science of understanding God (i.e. Systematic Theology). Part of the beauty of an emerging, postmodern view of Theology is recognizing that Theology cannot be fully systematized or made into a science. God is much bigger than our reasoning, therefore He is bigger than any science. A modern interpretation of Theology might actually be: “Theology is the science of knowing God.” Whereas a postmodern interpretation might be: “Theology is the art of knowing God.” Science is predictable, calculated, and only understandable by an esoteric few. God and our knowledge of Him is static to an extent (as He has revealed Himself to us in a variety of forms); but it is fluid, organic, mystical, yet understandable by even children.

And by the way, Pastor Brandon and Jake, I miss you guys.