Having been in Christian ministry for more than half a century I’ve had the opportunity to watch the Church go through a variety of changes. These changes have affected the Church’s perspective on truth, worship, and the need for evangelism. It’s also impacted the way many church leaders view Christian apologetics (Faith defense). We now seem to be going through another ‘change,’ so I’d like to address that with you ever so briefly.
Pre-Modernism
The term Pre-Modernism refers to what many think of as ‘traditional’ Christianity. That would be the first several centuries of the Church. Though the Church went through many challenges during that period, tradition and truth continued to be the focus of many in local churches. This focus also impacted the culture of its time. Local churches were often viewed as the center of social connections and social norms.
Modernism
Modernism was the focus of society and many in the Church during the latter part of the 19th century and the early 20th century. It was a break from traditional ideas toward individualism and experimentation. This impacted theology as well as society. Truth became ‘subjective’ rather than ‘objective. Relativism slowly took over the minds and hearts of church leaders and members. Culture became more interested in self-expression and individualism than in community. Science and technology took the place of ‘God’ in the minds of many. That had a profound impact on what was taught and believed in churches (e.g. divinity of Christ, miracles, etc). Society became more secular.
Post-Modernism
This is the era that I knew as a child, teen, and adult. I was born a couple of years after the end of World War II. From what my parents and grandparents told me, and what I read, the world changed. It was almost like someone had injected Modernism with steroids. Though I was raised by Christian parents and went to church with them whenever the doors of the church were open, Christianity had little to no affect on me. I was self-absorbed and cared only for myself. Truth was subjective and relative to what I wanted to be true. I rebelled against the church and my parents’ beliefs and became an atheist during college. Even after I became a Christian years later, I saw young people going through the same stages of deconstructionism.
Interestingly, the experiences I had growing up helped me as a Christian apologist in discussing post-modern thinking with people. I spent several decades ministering primarily to college and career aged young people. I thought ‘post-modernism’ would probably be the primary cultural perspective I would face in ministry.
Meta-Modernism
I came across a term recently called ‘Meta-modernism.’ It seems to be an attempt to pull together a way to move from Modernism/Post-Modernism toward something new and better. Psychology Today defined ‘Metamodernism’ this way: “The most basic way to conceptualize metamodernism is to consider it as the mindset or sensibility or cultural code that comes after postmodernism.” Based on some quick research I discovered that the term ‘metamodernism’ has been around for at least the last decade and is based on ‘moving forward’ from ‘modernism and post-modernism.’
“Metamodernism is a term that has gained traction in recent years as a means of articulating developments in contemporary culture, which, it is argued (and our generation appears to intuitively recognise) has seen a move beyond the postmodern mode of the late 20th century. In the wake of the myriad crises of the past two decades—of climate change, financial meltdown, and the escalation of global conflicts—we have witnessed the emergence of a palpable collective desire for change, for something beyond the prematurely proclaimed ‘End of History.” Metamodernism: A Brief Introduction
“Metamodernism is a philosophical and cultural movement that emerges as a reaction to postmodernism, characterized by a return to sincerity, hope, and engagement with the world. It reflects a blend of modernist ideals and postmodern skepticism, seeking to find meaning and purpose in a fragmented reality. Metamodernism acknowledges the complexities of contemporary existence, embracing contradictions and exploring emotional depth while also recognizing the limitations of both modernist and postmodernist approaches.” Library Fiveable
Just for fun, I quiered ChatGPT about Metamodernism and how it affects Christianity. The key features of Metamodernism (according to AI) are:
- Oscillation
- Hope and disallusionment
- Plurality and complexity
- Reconstruction of grand narratives
- Engagement with technology and globalization
- Emotion and rationality together
As to how Metamodernism affects Christianity, ChatGPT came up with these influences and impacts:
- Reconciling tradition and innovation
- A new hopeful spirituality
- Pluralism with a purpose
- Sincerity without naivety
- Spiritual and social engagement
- Hybrid forms of worship
- Emergent or ’emerging’ church (Progressive Christianity)
- Christian environmentalism
- Interfaith dialogue and inclusivity
“In summary, metamodernism in Christianity seeks to combine the best of modern and postmodern thought, holding onto hope, progress, and meaning, but without falling into simplistic answers or dogmatic rigidity. It encourages a flexible, inclusive, and engaged faith, grounded in both the realities of the contemporary world and the rich traditions of Christianity.” ChatGPT, OpenAI, 2025
My Take
I am not impressed by any of this. None of it holds up to the teachings of the Bible. Thinking that all we have to do is oscillate between ‘seemingly opposing ideas’ (their words, not mine) without committing to either modern or post-modern thinking doesn’t cut it. The only thinking that is truly connected to the way God thinks is by knowing His Word (the Bible rightly-divided). Being ‘double-minded and unstable in all his ways’ (James 1:8) is certainly not going to get the ‘Church’ out of the mess it’s been in for the last 150+ years.
The ‘metamodern’ idea of ‘moving fluidly’ between ‘modernism and post-modernism’ commits a terrible error in thinking that Jesus Christ and His apostles saw two-thousand years ago. It’s the ‘wisdom of the world,’ which is worth nothing in the way God thinks. It is not wise and it is not progressive. It reminds me of what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth:
“And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.” 1 Corinthians 2:4-6
Metamodernism, like Modernism and Post-Modernism, will come to nothing in the end. However, it is something Christians need to understand – both for themselves and for the unsaved. Understanding the way unsaved people think helps us share the Gospel of Christ in ways that show them see their need for Christ. Understanding modern thinking can also help keep Christians from sinking further into the dark waters of heresy that surround them.
God’s Word is settled forever in Heaven (Psalm 119:89). No philosophy on earth can change what God says is true and everlasting. That is why I say I am not impressed with the wisdom of this world.
“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:8-10
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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