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Advance Comment
Anabaptists and
Postmodernity
"If you think 'postmodern
Anabaptist' is an oxymoron, you should read this book.
Most important is its argument, furthered by a number of
authors, for the entanglement among theology, philosophy,
and power structures—in light of which the dominant
theology of modernity can be recognized as but one
tradition among others, with its particular social
commitments." —Nancey Murphy, Professor of
Christian Philosophy, Fuller Theological Seminary
"In a context in which postmodern
rhetoric about ‘difference’ is often little
more than a cover for increased consumer choice in a
global market, it is hard to find a way into such
discourse that has much integrity. Who, after all, is
really different in such a homogeneous and hegemonic
culture? This book investigates the resources of the
Anabaptist tradition as an alternative site of
difference—and it does so with candor, intelligence,
discernment and a refreshing lack of glib
self-congratulation.
"The ethical motivation of
postmodern discourse has always been to end the violence
imposed by marginalizing metanarratives and totality
systems. In such a context Christians can speak of the
truth of the story of Jesus with integrity only if they
are equally committed to peace and nonviolence. This
suggests that the Anabaptist tradition is a unique site
for a profound engagement between Christian faith and
postmodernity. This book makes an invaluable contribution
to such an engagement." —Brian Walsh,
Christian Reformed Campus Minister to the University of
Toronto and co-author, Truth is Stranger Than It Used
To Be: biblical Faith in a Postmodern Age
Anabaptists and Postmodernity
offers us a delightful diversity of voices and
perspectives on two highly contested and deeply rich
terms. Its contributors fearlessly take on tough
contemporary issues of power, common life, justice,
discipleship and morality too often absent from
discussions of post modernity. The breadth of questions
posed by this volume testify to the necessity of creative
speech and careful listening in the on-going quest for
Anabaptist faithfulness in a complex postmodern world.
Let the testifying continue! —Elaine
Swartzentruber, Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion,
Wake Forest University
"This volume is convincing
evidence of a reinvigorated and intellectually self-
confident Anabaptism—thanks to John Howard
Yoder—that will help lead the Church through the
pitfalls and potentialities of postmodernism."
—Timothy R. Phillips, Associate Professor of
Systematic Theology, Wheaton College
"What sets this delightfully
engaging book apart from so many others is that it
explores postmodernity from within the contours of a
particular set of traditions. Refusing either simply to
embrace or to reject postmodernity in the abstract, these
authors choose instead to take up the more difficult, but
much more interesting, task of naming how postmodern and
Anabaptist sensibilities might illuminate and interrogate
each other. In so doing, these essays offer all
Christians both a much-needed model of discernment and an
imminently readable entrée into the contemporary
discussions surrounding postmodernism." —Philip
D. Kenneson, Associate Professor of Theology and
Philosophy, Milligan College
Anabaptists and
Postmodernity orders:
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