They reject the rugged individualism typical of Western society. They embrace group cohesion, find truth and meaning communicated most clearly through relationship, and often devalue traditional rational constructs. They have a moral cynicism that can often be interpreted as moral ambiguity and relativism.

Am I talking about the postmodern generation? Actually, I'm not. These are characteristics of the disenfranchised proletarian class as enumerated in Reinhold Niebuhr's Moral Man and Immoral Society. The interesting fact is that this book was written in 1932, long before postmodernism ever hit the scene. Now, I realize that I may be mixing my metaphors, so to speak, but I find the connection between these worldviews to be striking.

The question immediately raised in my mind is this: could postmodernism rise from the influence of class struggle? If your sociology takes on a Marxist flavor, you would say yes, all social movements evolve from the dialectical progression of history as expressed in class conflict. However, there are other reasons I am exploring this relationship. For one, I am noticing more and more that there are several different threads of postmodernism under the blanket of the term. There is the postmodernism that most recongnize, the radical deconstructive and relativistic type. This rises more from the musings of upper class intellectuals. But there is also the "subconscious postmodernism" that exists beneath the surface of many peoples' worldviews. This worldview does not attempt to categorize, theorize and write doctrinal statements like the other type. Instead, it is more of a postmodernism of praxis, manifested in behaviors and attitudes that have become more second nature than conscious thought. And nowhere have I seen this more prevalent than among the more disenfranchised members of society. These include people who may not be directly suffering from economic peril, but recognize the tenuous nature of our current economic system. They are looking for something beyond the status quo into which they have been indoctrinated.

Niebuhr's book is strangely prophetic for a day like today. Although I do not agree with many of his conclusions, altogether his observations are very sound. The connection between postmodernism and economic class struggle may be a link yet to be explored further.

Sometimes I feel that my world is very small. As a motivated and creative individual I want to branch out, to capture the world, if you will. And yet, I am invariably consumed by the concerns of my daily life, concerns that often seem mundane and cause frustration and sleepless nights. Once the stress from yet another life crisis is averted, I am then introduced to a new stressing thought: my "grand visions" remain untouched.

Certainly the way most of us are brought up contributes to, if not creates, this situation. We are taught that if we believe it, we can achieve it. We are encouraged to be leaders, to "go out there and make a difference." But most of us don't. We struggle for a while, then realize that it's much easier to settle down in the suburbs and live comfortably while we're still alive. Seems to make sense.

Am I breathing a sigh of resignation at the approaching prospect of old age? Am I adopting a Stoic mentality? Oh my dear readers, that you would abandon me forever if that were ever the case. But at the same time, how many have cried "I won't go quietly into the dark night" into dispair and frustration?

God told Jeremiah, "See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over kingdoms." But wait a minute. Jeremiah's ministry was simply to the people of Judah, and it was a rather truncated and unsuccessful ministry for the most part. A prophet to the nations? Hardly, or so it seems. But yet, many thousands of years later I seek consolation in the words Jeremiah so obediently carried. Jeremiah announced a new age he would never see, a new convenant far beyond his "world." In fact his world was so very large, he could never imagine. To think that God would not only redeem Israel but the whole human race! From the depths of Jeremiah's laments, we can be sure this vision was beyond his wildest dreams. He carried out his mission, because the words of God were placed in his mouth, not because it made sense at the time. Not because security, consistancy and comfort were ensured.

Perhaps my tiny world is in fact larger than infinite universes...

Well now that Scott has put me on the spot by citing my "review" of Saved!, I suppose that I actually have to write a review. The few sentences I posted immediately after seeing the movie certainly do not constitute a review. Alas, I thought I could get away with a rare opportunity to say little with few words (as opposed to saying little with many words). But after reading some of the opinions floating around about the movie, I feel that it is my duty to respond.

First of all, a few caveats. Saved! is a teen movie by genre, which immediately supposes that it is not a magnificent work of art. Teen movies can be works of art (see John Hughes), but this one certainly aint The Breakfast Club. However, the movie is extremely powerful as a satire, and as a comment on the state of Christianity today. Moreover, it is also a very accurate depiction of the development of faith.

I won't go into any kind of plot synopsis here, so if you haven't seen it, please go do so. Now that is taken care of, let us commence. The primary complaint I hear about the movie is the exaggerated stereotypes. No one is really like that, are they? Let us remember the function of satire, to demonstrate the hilarity of certain aspects of a group or person by exaggerating them greatly. However, even the most ridiculous characters, like Hillary Faye and Pastor Skip, are not far from reality. They also have a depth that is revealed as the story progresses. For one, both of them really do believe that their interpretation of God is true. Their religion is one of cause and effect, reward and punishment. As long is God is kept satified by piety, things go well. Mary, of course, is a walking deconstruction of this idea. Throughout the film she continues to challenge the notions of divine retribution, culminating in her standing before a cross and shouting curse words. I think, in a way, these are her Psalms of lament. She is finally taking all of that frustration and giving it to God. Pastor Skip, on the other hand, really wants to love unconditionally, but he is afraid. If he steps out into the unknown, the "gray areas," he faces the wrath of God.

Saved! also shows the general awkwardness of incorporating the mainstream Christian culture into teenage life. Isn't it funny that kids will always find ways to exclude, rebel, etc, even in the context of a Christian school? Pastor Skip's son returns from a missions trip. This is the Christian-kid equivalent of following the Dead on tour or backpacking around Europe. Hillary Faye fully expects the experience to cement the judgemental identity set in him that the rest have adopted. Instead, his real world experience has made him compassionate, gracious, and humble. He stands out as a freak among the masses.

But one does not need to go to foreign countries to experience the real. Mary's world becomes real very quickly. She learns that all of the questions in life cannot be solved by a simple system. She also learns that the faith of the Bible is a faith of real people. She connects with her namesake, the virgin Mary, at a Christmas play. For the first time in her life she realizes that this almost mythical character she has read about all her life was a real person, too. Interestingly, this does not weaken her faith as she thinks about the virgin birth. It makes it even easier for her to accept it.

Sure, the ending of Saved! ties things up in a clean, Hollywood sort of way. Maybe that's the way it should be. If the film were nothing but hate and discontent, it would have no value. Instead, it ends as all of the scathing prophecies of the Bible do: in reconciliation and hope. I'm not putting the movie on the level of the book of Amos or anything, but I truly feel that Saved! is a parable for today that we all need to take notice of.

Someone reading my "Word on the Street" post recently commented that I am excellent at pointing out problems, but I fail to suggest any solutions. Am I merely a cynic, content only to complain? Perhaps I need to write an apologetic of my technique.

Sigh...I don't think that people who bemoan my lack of solutions are reading me on the same level that I am attempting to communicate. If there is a theme present in this blog, it is the idea that communication is deconstructed most harmfully by those who attempt to objectify and categorize everything. This tendency is obvious and must be an innate feature of modern culture.

The election results have proven to me that our society is still thouroughly "modern." Actually the whole mess leading up to the election proved that point quite succinctly. The general attitude on both sides was one searching for a system that would heal the ills of the world. One particular system seems to have won out, the system that believes ethical regulations create ethical people. The system itself can be the agent of positive change, perhaps the only agent. Therefore we must ensure the purification of said system at all costs.

Since my concerns are theological more than political, I must then ask, how does a Christian react? Is this indeed a Christian victory, an indication of divine justice? I have heard some shocking, scary statements from people lately. We must continue to legislate morality to protect our nation from the righteous anger of God. Where does this mentality come from? Since when has our legal code been the means by which God is pacified?

Ok, I'm once again asking questions, pointing out error without offering solutions. Here's one: there is no solution. To assume a solution is to assume a system, a process, a technique by which we either usher in the kingdom of God, or at least escape from hellfire. None such exists. Instead we are called to a relationship with our Creator that is in constant flux, constant motion. There is no way to objectify this relationship into a set code, or to create a template for others to follow. I'm sorry if that is not what you wanted to hear.

If you haven't already, go rent this movie. It's the best movie I have seen in a long, long time. If this movie offends you, then you definately needed to see it.