An Umpire's View

Heard about how three umpires called strikes based on their different worldviews.

Which statement reflects your perspective?

• The pre-modern umpire says, "I call 'em as they are!"
• The modern umpire says, "I call 'em as I see 'em!"
• The postmodern umpire says, "They ain't nothin' 'till I call 'em!"

I think I know what my answer is supposed to be, but it wasn't my first response. That's because I've probably been influenced by the culture of my upbringing more than I'd care to admit. We all have.

I grew up in the transition between modernity and what has come to be called postmodernism. We may still be in that transition. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Modernism trusted in its own rationalism to the exclusion of experience and mystery, hallmarks of the emerging worldview, and a longing for many.

Good news is, the life we have in Christ speaks to this yearning. Engaging postmoderns, however, requires an honest and humble recognition of the tension between mystery and information, hope and skepticism, confidence and doubt and truth and relativism.

These dualities are dealt with in just such a manner in a recent book by Craig Loscalzo. Apologetic Preaching - Proclaiming Christ to a Postmodern World (IVP) isn't just a book for preachers. It's a helpful guide on understanding our current context and how we might lovingly communicate the message of Jesus to others.

The strength of this book is that it is accessible to those who are not familiar with the philosophical and historical issues behind the Enlightment (modernity) and what is now called postmodernity. A good primer and practical guide for believers who want to understand and participate in the changes going on around them.

Although Loscalzo hits a foul ball or two, he does connect for a hit - not quite a home run, but a solid triple. You may disagree, but then, I simply call 'em the way I see 'em.