It is not only a system of thought that critiques the philosophy that comes from the time of the Western Enlightenment, but post-modernism also refers to a cultural ecology distinctive from modern culture. It implies the approach of a new society, namely the post-modern culture or society. Consumer culture is a main part of post-modern culture and society.
For Christians, the challenge brought by post-modernism doesn’t only concern the mind. It is a test for our lives. Post-modern culture and thought affect people’s judgment and choices and even forces them to deal with all aspects of their life.
As members of today’s society, Christians face a post-modern culture, which is a wrestling between Christianity and post-modernism. On one side we desire God, but on the other side, we have to deal with pride, criticism, decadence, and the nihilism that comes from post-modernism.
In post-modern culture, people are likely to be trapped by a lack of discipline, which makes the circle of their social life decadent and bluffing. Christians will run into many challenges and difficulties in the workplace.
Post-modern culture may seem more pleasing and acceptable to people than Christianity, which has exclusive principles and more restrictions and boundaries.
The Christian faith is less popular among young professionals because it may be so binding that they can’t fully vent their thoughts and behavior.
So the current task of Christians includes not being influenced by post-modernism and exerting a subtle influence on those who are lost in it.
To confront the disadvantages of post-modern culture, we need to learn its forms. One of the greatest features is consumer culture. It corresponds with a popular saying of “I buy, therefore I am,” but the Christian faith advocates that “I am loved, therefore I am.”
This love is deep and unchangeable because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
In a world full of material things, people may not worry about the basic necessities of life. With new technology, people have more time for leisure, recreation, and consumption. This gradually becomes a lifestyle.
A scholar claims that a consumer culture is more than just material exchange. Simple economic behavior becomes a lifestyle. The latter makes more people greedy. They want things for free, to do as they wish, and waste their life.
For Christians who are living under the pressure of this kind of culture, they can only confine their hearts and action in order to refrain from a depraved and decadent life.
In this materialistic society, we need to reflect on our faith and renew ourselves.
Facing the challenge of post-modernism, we need to recognize again and again that the answers to all questions lie in Christ who gives abundant grace and whose truth illuminates the darkness. As we walk through life we have Christ to light our path.
Reference:
Qiwen Guan, Post-modern Culture and Christianity.
- Translated by Karen Luo
当代基督徒的挑战：后现代文化的浪潮
思想文化的影响
后现代一词不单指一种对西方现代启蒙哲学进行颠覆的思潮，它更可以指一种有别于现代文化的文化生态，或一个新社会的到临，即所谓后现代文化或者后现代社会，而当中又以消费文化被看作为后现代文化及社会的主要构成。对于基督徒而言，后现代的挑战不单是思想的挑战，其实也是对我们的生命的考验，这种文化思想影响着人的判断和选择，甚至使人以持续的理性来面对生活的方方面面。
基督徒活在这个社会就要面对后现代文化的思潮，这是基督信仰与后现代之间的角力；我们一方面去渴慕神，但另外一方面要对付从后现代而衍生的骄傲、批判、颓废、虚无等。
后现代文化中容易使人陷入到自由散漫主义里面，这让社会生活的圈子逐渐变得颓废和虚张声势，这也让基督徒在做职场事奉的时候面临着很多的挑战和困难。因为基督徒独有的原则和后现代文化潮流相之比较时，或许后现代文化更加夺得人的喜悦和认可，因为没有过多的限制和界限。而基督信仰对于活在现代职场的年轻人来说或许约束力太大，不能充分发泄自己的想法和行为，所以后现代在当代的年轻人面前更受欢迎。
所以基督徒当下的任务不仅有不被后现代文化思想所影响，而且还要去潜移默化地影响在后现代文化中迷失的人。
消费文化的影响
当然要对抗后现代文化弊端首先要了解后现代文化形态和形式，不能盲目跟从或盲目对抗，我们所熟悉的后现代文化的一大特点就是消费文化，正好回应现代人的一句话“我消费故我在”，而基督信仰所主张的是“我被爱故我在”——祂是爱我，为我舍己。这爱是深厚、是不改变的，因为耶稣基督是昨日、今日，一直到永远不改变的。
所谓的消费文化只是后现代文化的一种形态，也可以说是后现代文化的渗透导致消费文化发生变化。如今物质丰盈了，或许人们不再为衣食住行发愁，新科技可以让人们有更多的时间用来休闲、娱乐、消费，这逐渐成为了当下人们的生活方式。有学者说消费文化其实并不在仅仅是一种物质交换，纯粹的经济行为变成了一种生活方式，这种生活方式让更多人变得贪婪、贪心、不劳而获、随心所欲、浪费人生。
基督徒也会面临这些消费文化的挑战，因为活在这种文化中，又脱离不了，所以唯有凭借基督信仰的所带出的价值原则来约束自己的内心和行动，使自己不沉迷于堕落又颓废的生活。
与其说现今的人善于融入消费文化，不如说现今的人都在消费自己人生的时间，当代的年轻人作为一个代表，据不完全统计百分之八十的年轻人多数沉迷游戏、小说、网聊、直播、网购等，他们已经习惯了消费的生活甚至无法自拔。但这是错误的人生态度和选择，背后的焦点实则是“消费人生”。
而在这个物欲横流的世界，我们当反省信仰、更新自我。面对后现代挑战的过程中，我们一次又一次重新发现一切问题的答案在基督里面，祂丰盛的恩典与真理仍发出光芒，我们要靠着这光走我们的人生道路，让这光成为标杆，指引我们向前。
参考书籍：
关启文，《后现代文化与基督教》
It is not only a system of thought that critiques the philosophy that comes from the time of the Western Enlightenment, but post-modernism also refers to a cultural ecology distinctive from modern culture. It implies the approach of a new society, namely the post-modern culture or society. Consumer culture is a main part of post-modern culture and society.
For Christians, the challenge brought by post-modernism doesn’t only concern the mind. It is a test for our lives. Post-modern culture and thought affect people’s judgment and choices and even forces them to deal with all aspects of their life.
As members of today’s society, Christians face a post-modern culture, which is a wrestling between Christianity and post-modernism. On one side we desire God, but on the other side, we have to deal with pride, criticism, decadence, and the nihilism that comes from post-modernism.
In post-modern culture, people are likely to be trapped by a lack of discipline, which makes the circle of their social life decadent and bluffing. Christians will run into many challenges and difficulties in the workplace.
Post-modern culture may seem more pleasing and acceptable to people than Christianity, which has exclusive principles and more restrictions and boundaries.
The Christian faith is less popular among young professionals because it may be so binding that they can’t fully vent their thoughts and behavior.
So the current task of Christians includes not being influenced by post-modernism and exerting a subtle influence on those who are lost in it.
To confront the disadvantages of post-modern culture, we need to learn its forms. One of the greatest features is consumer culture. It corresponds with a popular saying of “I buy, therefore I am,” but the Christian faith advocates that “I am loved, therefore I am.”
This love is deep and unchangeable because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
In a world full of material things, people may not worry about the basic necessities of life. With new technology, people have more time for leisure, recreation, and consumption. This gradually becomes a lifestyle.
A scholar claims that a consumer culture is more than just material exchange. Simple economic behavior becomes a lifestyle. The latter makes more people greedy. They want things for free, to do as they wish, and waste their life.
For Christians who are living under the pressure of this kind of culture, they can only confine their hearts and action in order to refrain from a depraved and decadent life.
In this materialistic society, we need to reflect on our faith and renew ourselves.
Facing the challenge of post-modernism, we need to recognize again and again that the answers to all questions lie in Christ who gives abundant grace and whose truth illuminates the darkness. As we walk through life we have Christ to light our path.
Reference:
Qiwen Guan, Post-modern Culture and Christianity.
- Translated by Karen Luo
The Challenge Facing Modern Christians: The Wave of Post-modern Culture
